Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 502 · 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?
   
   ___ We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
3. 3.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 old banyan tree (c) eating healthy food (d) a busy railway station
4. 4.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) ants (b) our pet cat (c) the school library (d) our school sports day
5. 5.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) my new bicycle (b) the night sky (c) eating healthy food (d) a visit to an old fort
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. The guide told us about the old kings. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
7. 7.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   We spent a happy day at the beach. The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) the vegetable market (b) a day at the beach (c) our postman (d) grandma's garden
8. 8.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
9. 9.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   Elephants are the biggest land animals. They have long trunks and big ears. An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) the night sky (b) elephants (c) our pet cat (d) grandma's garden
10. 10.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) a cricket match (b) saving water (c) grandma's garden (d) our pet cat
11. 11.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
12. 12.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My friend always shares his lunch with me. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
13. 13.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
14. 14.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
15. 15.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) We must not waste water.
17. 17.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. A magician does tricks for the children. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
18. 18.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    My grandfather is seventy years old. My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) my grandfather (b) the rainy season (c) making a rangoli (d) grandma's garden
19. 19.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 new bicycle (b) a day at the beach (c) making a rangoli (d) our school sports day
20. 20.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The librarian helps us find good books. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
21. 21.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) the peacock (b) our trip to the zoo (c) flying kites (d) eating healthy food
22. 22.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
23. 23.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
24. 24.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
25. 25.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) ants (b) grandma's garden (c) our trip to the zoo (d) my best friend
26. 26.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 postman (b) the old banyan tree (c) the vegetable market (d) the school library
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has big windows that let in sunlight. Our desks are arranged in neat rows. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
28. 28.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) eating healthy food (c) the vegetable market (d) my grandfather
29. 29.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) our postman (c) our school sports day (d) the vegetable market
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
31. 31.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
32. 32.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) making a rangoli (b) our pet cat (c) our school sports day (d) a cricket match
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
34. 34.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) our school sports day (b) the school library (c) my grandfather (d) flying kites
35. 35.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) the village fair (b) my best friend (c) our postman (d) grandma's garden
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) We must not waste water.
37. 37.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
39. 39.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has a long, bright blue neck. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
40. 40.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.

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