Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 540 · 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?
   
   ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) We must not waste water. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
2. 2.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) the rainy season (b) our school sports day (c) my grandfather (d) making a rangoli
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) ants (b) the old banyan tree (c) our school sports day (d) a day at the beach
4. 4.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
5. 5.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) the school library (b) my new bicycle (c) the vegetable market (d) eating healthy food
6. 6.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) the school library (b) a visit to an old fort (c) saving water (d) our school sports day
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ He brings letters and parcels every day. The postman knows every house on our street. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
8. 8.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (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) Our school library is my favourite place.
9. 9.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 vegetable market (b) the night sky (c) the school library (d) a day at the beach
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) ants (b) a busy railway station (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the school library
11. 11.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We must not waste water. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
12. 12.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) We must not waste water. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
13. 13.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) my best friend (b) making a rangoli (c) the rainy season (d) our pet cat
14. 14.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 class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
15. 15.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
17. 17.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
18. 18.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
19. 19.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
20. 20.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has a long, bright blue neck. Its tail feathers have beautiful eye spots. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
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) a day at the beach (b) a cricket match (c) the peacock (d) a busy railway station
22. 22.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
24. 24.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ He brings letters and parcels every day. He carries a big brown bag of letters. The postman knows every house on our street. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
25. 25.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
26. 26.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) our trip to the zoo (b) our classroom (c) our pet cat (d) the village fair
27. 27.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. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
28. 28.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 peacock (b) a cricket match (c) ants (d) saving water
29. 29.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) grandma's garden (b) a day at the beach (c) flying kites (d) my best friend
30. 30.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
31. 31.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) flying kites (b) eating healthy food (c) the village fair (d) a busy railway station
32. 32.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) a day at the beach (c) a busy railway station (d) our postman
33. 33.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
34. 34.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 classroom (b) elephants (c) grandma's garden (d) the vegetable market
35. 35.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. We may borrow two books every week. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
36. 36.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) the night sky (b) saving water (c) the school library (d) our classroom
37. 37.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) the school library (b) elephants (c) eating healthy food (d) the peacock
38. 38.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
39. 39.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It is red with a shiny silver bell. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
40. 40.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.

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