Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 461 · 40 questions

Writing tip (Main idea first): Read the detail sentences and ask: what are they ALL about? The topic sentence names that main idea in one sentence. A sentence about a different topic cannot open the paragraph, however nice it sounds.

1. 1.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We must not waste water.
3. 3.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   The monsoon is my favourite season. Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) making a rangoli (b) the village fair (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the rainy season
4. 4.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
5. 5.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. Fruits give us many vitamins. Milk and curd make our bones strong. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) eating healthy food (b) our school sports day (c) the village fair (d) making a rangoli
6. 6.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   We have a pet cat named Mishti. She has soft white fur and green eyes. Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) our trip to the zoo (b) a day at the beach (c) our pet cat (d) a visit to an old fort
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ She has soft white fur and green eyes. Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. She sleeps in a basket near the window. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
8. 8.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   The vegetable market near our house opens early. Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) a day at the beach (b) our postman (c) eating healthy food (d) the vegetable market
9. 9.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   My best friend is Farhan. Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) saving water (b) the rainy season (c) my best friend (d) our school sports day
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
11. 11.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
12. 12.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. We saw a tiger resting on a big rock. The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) a busy railway station (b) our trip to the zoo (c) flying kites (d) the night sky
13. 13.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    In January, the sky fills with kites. Children fly kites from their rooftops. Kites of every colour dance in the wind. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) saving water (b) the old banyan tree (c) elephants (d) flying kites
14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ We saw a tiger resting on a big rock. The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
15. 15.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
16. 16.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. First we draw the pattern with white chalk. Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) the rainy season (b) saving water (c) flying kites (d) making a rangoli
17. 17.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) a cricket match (b) a busy railway station (c) ants (d) our pet cat
18. 18.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
19. 19.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    An old banyan tree stands in our village. Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) our classroom (b) the old banyan tree (c) flying kites (d) elephants
20. 20.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Ants are tiny but very hard-working. They live together in an anthill. Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) grandma's garden (b) elephants (c) ants (d) the school library
21. 21.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    The night sky is full of wonders. Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) saving water (b) my new bicycle (c) the night sky (d) a visit to an old fort
22. 22.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    A fair comes to our village every winter. There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) the village fair (b) a cricket match (c) my best friend (d) saving water
23. 23.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    The railway station is always busy. Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) our school sports day (b) eating healthy food (c) a busy railway station (d) the night sky
24. 24.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. We collected shells near the shore. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
25. 25.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) We must not waste water. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its seat is soft and comfortable. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
29. 29.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    My grandmother has a lovely garden. Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) the rainy season (b) our postman (c) our classroom (d) grandma's garden
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They live together in an anthill. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
31. 31.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) We must not waste water. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has tall shelves full of storybooks. The librarian helps us find good books. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ She has soft white fur and green eyes. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ She has soft white fur and green eyes. Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
38. 38.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    The peacock is the national bird of India. It has a long, bright blue neck. Its tail feathers have beautiful eye spots. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) our school sports day (b) our trip to the zoo (c) the peacock (d) a visit to an old fort
39. 39.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has tall shelves full of storybooks. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ We saw a tiger resting on a big rock. The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.

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