Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 552 · 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?
   
   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) our trip to the zoo (b) ants (c) the rainy season (d) the peacock
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
3. 3.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) making a rangoli (c) elephants (d) grandma's garden
4. 4.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) making a rangoli (b) the old banyan tree (c) eating healthy food (d) the village fair
5. 5.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) We must not waste water. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
6. 6.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 day at the beach (b) the old banyan tree (c) our trip to the zoo (d) saving water
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ We climbed up to the tower. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
8. 8.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) the village fair (d) my grandfather
9. 9.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) We must not waste water. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
10. 10.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) grandma's garden (c) our postman (d) a busy railway station
11. 11.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
12. 12.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
13. 13.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. Kites of every colour dance in the wind. We buy strong string for our kites. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) We must not waste water.
14. 14.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
15. 15.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 school library (b) our trip to the zoo (c) flying kites (d) the village fair
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Milk and curd make our bones strong. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
17. 17.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 vegetable market (b) a busy railway station (c) our pet cat (d) eating healthy food
18. 18.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 peacock (b) a busy railway station (c) a day at the beach (d) grandma's garden
19. 19.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 night sky is full of wonders. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
20. 20.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
21. 21.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 rainy season (b) elephants (c) saving water (d) a visit to an old fort
22. 22.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
23. 23.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Our class visited an old fort on a hill. Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) the rainy season (b) my new bicycle (c) a visit to an old fort (d) our trip to the zoo
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) the rainy season (b) our school sports day (c) saving water (d) a busy railway station
25. 25.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) a visit to an old fort (b) grandma's garden (c) elephants (d) my new bicycle
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) the vegetable market (b) the village fair (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the school library
27. 27.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
29. 29.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
31. 31.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
33. 33.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) eating healthy food (b) flying kites (c) our postman (d) our classroom
34. 34.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. She sleeps in a basket near the window. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
35. 35.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
36. 36.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 night sky (b) ants (c) our trip to the zoo (d) a cricket match
37. 37.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. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
39. 39.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) my best friend (b) making a rangoli (c) eating healthy food (d) the old banyan tree
40. 40.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.

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