Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 550 · 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?
   
   ___ They have long trunks and big ears. An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
2. 2.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
3. 3.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) our school sports day (b) the peacock (c) ants (d) elephants
4. 4.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ We saw a tiger resting on a big rock. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
5. 5.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 sports day was full of fun. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
6. 6.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
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. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
8. 8.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
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) the village fair (b) the vegetable market (c) elephants (d) a cricket match
10. 10.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) the school library (b) the vegetable market (c) our classroom (d) a cricket match
11. 11.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
12. 12.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) our postman (b) our school sports day (c) a busy railway station (d) my grandfather
13. 13.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
14. 14.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) grandma's garden (b) the school library (c) our postman (d) flying kites
15. 15.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. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
16. 16.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
17. 17.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
18. 18.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) the night sky (c) the peacock (d) a busy railway station
19. 19.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 rainy season (b) the vegetable market (c) the school library (d) our pet cat
20. 20.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
21. 21.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
22. 22.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 classroom is bright and clean. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The day began with a march past. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
24. 24.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) grandma's garden (b) eating healthy food (c) making a rangoli (d) saving water
25. 25.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) eating healthy food (b) our classroom (c) a busy railway station (d) ants
26. 26.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) flying kites (b) the rainy season (c) a visit to an old fort (d) my grandfather
27. 27.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 school sports day (b) the night sky (c) the village fair (d) our trip to the zoo
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 best friend (b) my new bicycle (c) the school library (d) eating healthy food
29. 29.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) the school library (b) the old banyan tree (c) the rainy season (d) a day at the beach
30. 30.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
31. 31.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
32. 32.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
33. 33.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The railway station is always busy.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They have long trunks and big ears. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
35. 35.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
36. 36.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 old banyan tree (b) our postman (c) my new bicycle (d) elephants
37. 37.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) a visit to an old fort (b) grandma's garden (c) a cricket match (d) flying kites
38. 38.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
39. 39.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
40. 40.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. People bargain loudly over prices. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.

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