Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 481 · 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.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   Our classroom is bright and clean. It has big windows that let in sunlight. Our desks are arranged in neat rows. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) our postman (b) our classroom (c) our trip to the zoo (d) making a rangoli
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
3. 3.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   We must not waste water. Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) our school sports day (b) the rainy season (c) saving water (d) grandma's garden
4. 4.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   Our school sports day was full of fun. The day began with a march past. I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) our postman (b) grandma's garden (c) our school sports day (d) a day at the beach
5. 5.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) the old banyan tree (b) my best friend (c) the night sky (d) ants
6. 6.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   Our school library is my favourite place. It has tall shelves full of storybooks. The librarian helps us find good books. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) the old banyan tree (b) the school library (c) ants (d) a cricket match
7. 7.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) a visit to an old fort (b) the vegetable market (c) the old banyan tree (d) flying kites
8. 8.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
9. 9.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) my best friend (b) eating healthy food (c) grandma's garden (d) the village fair
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
11. 11.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) the village fair (b) our trip to the zoo (c) the rainy season (d) the night sky
12. 12.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They live together in an anthill. Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants store food for the winter. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
13. 13.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They have long trunks and big ears. An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
15. 15.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) our school sports day (b) ants (c) the school library (d) grandma's garden
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ He carries a big brown bag of letters. The postman knows every house on our street. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
17. 17.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) the rainy season (b) the school library (c) the vegetable market (d) grandma's garden
18. 18.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) We must not waste water. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
19. 19.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
20. 20.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) making a rangoli (b) our classroom (c) the village fair (d) a busy railway station
21. 21.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) grandma's garden (b) a cricket match (c) the vegetable market (d) ants
22. 22.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) my grandfather (b) our pet cat (c) making a rangoli (d) our trip to the zoo
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Our desks are arranged in neat rows. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
24. 24.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) making a rangoli (b) the old banyan tree (c) our pet cat (d) my best friend
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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) We must not waste water. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
26. 26.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Ramesh is the postman in our area. He brings letters and parcels every day. He carries a big brown bag of letters. The postman knows every house on our street. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) ants (b) a day at the beach (c) the night sky (d) our postman
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
28. 28.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    I got a new bicycle on my birthday. It is red with a shiny silver bell. Its seat is soft and comfortable. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) my new bicycle (b) a busy railway station (c) our postman (d) the village fair
29. 29.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
30. 30.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) flying kites (b) our pet cat (c) my new bicycle (d) eating healthy food
31. 31.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The day began with a march past. I ran in the hundred-metre race. The winners got shiny medals. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
33. 33.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The railway station is always busy.
34. 34.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) grandma's garden (b) our pet cat (c) our school sports day (d) a visit to an old fort
35. 35.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) We must not waste water.
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
38. 38.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
39. 39.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) a busy railway station (b) a visit to an old fort (c) eating healthy food (d) grandma's garden
40. 40.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) our pet cat (b) flying kites (c) the vegetable market (d) the old banyan tree

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