Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 558 · 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?
   
   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) my new bicycle (b) our classroom (c) flying kites (d) our school sports day
2. 2.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 peacock (b) a visit to an old fort (c) grandma's garden (d) a busy railway station
3. 3.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) our postman (b) our trip to the zoo (c) the village fair (d) the rainy season
4. 4.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
5. 5.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
6. 6.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) flying kites (b) a visit to an old fort (c) eating healthy food (d) ants
7. 7.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 best friend (b) the night sky (c) the vegetable market (d) the school library
8. 8.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
9. 9.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
10. 10.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) our classroom (b) my best friend (c) ants (d) the vegetable market
11. 11.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) making a rangoli (b) the village fair (c) the vegetable market (d) our trip to the zoo
12. 12.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) grandma's garden (b) ants (c) the village fair (d) a day at the beach
13. 13.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) We must not waste water. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
14. 14.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) a busy railway station (b) making a rangoli (c) eating healthy food (d) a day at the beach
15. 15.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
16. 16.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) grandma's garden (b) flying kites (c) the village fair (d) the rainy season
17. 17.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
18. 18.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) saving water (b) flying kites (c) the school library (d) elephants
19. 19.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
20. 20.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
21. 21.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
22. 22.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
23. 23.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) the peacock (c) our postman (d) our pet cat
24. 24.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
25. 25.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
26. 26.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) We must not waste water. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
27. 27.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
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 new bicycle (b) the rainy season (c) our school sports day (d) our postman
29. 29.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) We must not waste water.
31. 31.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
32. 32.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) We must not waste water.
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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. Farhan and I play football after school. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
36. 36.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) the village fair (d) the peacock
37. 37.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) We must not waste water. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
38. 38.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) my best friend (b) grandma's garden (c) the school library (d) the old banyan tree
39. 39.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 best friend is Farhan. (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.
40. 40.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 vegetable market (b) the village fair (c) a day at the beach (d) my best friend

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