Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 520 · 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?
   
   ___ Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We must not waste water.
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
3. 3.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) We must not waste water. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
4. 4.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
5. 5.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. A green board hangs at the front. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ It has big windows that let in sunlight. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
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 must not waste water. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
9. 9.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
10. 10.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 school library (b) my best friend (c) a visit to an old fort (d) my grandfather
11. 11.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
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) elephants (b) our pet cat (c) grandma's garden (d) flying kites
14. 14.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) We must not waste water. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
15. 15.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
16. 16.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) making a rangoli (c) our school sports day (d) grandma's garden
17. 17.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) eating healthy food (b) our school sports day (c) saving water (d) our pet cat
18. 18.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) the school library (c) the peacock (d) making a rangoli
19. 19.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
20. 20.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) making a rangoli (b) ants (c) our postman (d) the village fair
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) my new bicycle (b) our trip to the zoo (c) our classroom (d) our pet cat
22. 22.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) my best friend (b) our postman (c) grandma's garden (d) the village fair
23. 23.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) the peacock (b) my grandfather (c) the rainy season (d) our postman
24. 24.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kites of every colour dance in the wind. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) We must not waste water. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
25. 25.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
26. 26.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) the peacock (b) the rainy season (c) my best friend (d) a busy railway station
27. 27.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) ants (b) grandma's garden (c) our classroom (d) the village fair
28. 28.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
29. 29.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) the school library (b) a busy railway station (c) eating healthy food (d) the peacock
30. 30.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) the rainy season (b) a busy railway station (c) our pet cat (d) our school sports day
31. 31.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Milk and curd make our bones strong. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
32. 32.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
33. 33.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 street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
34. 34.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. Our house won the tug of war. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It is red with a shiny silver bell. Its seat is soft and comfortable. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
36. 36.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
37. 37.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) We must not waste water. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
39. 39.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 night sky (b) grandma's garden (c) flying kites (d) the peacock
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. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.

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