← Topic sentence lesson New set →

Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 574 · 40 questions
TalentJR

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.

NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
  1. 1.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) a busy railway station (b) our classroom (c) the village fair (d) my grandfather
  2. 2.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
  3. 3.What is this paragraph mostly about?

    We have a pet cat named Mishti. She has soft white fur and green eyes. Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day.
    (a) flying kites (b) our school sports day (c) a busy railway station (d) our pet cat
  4. 4.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) We must not waste water. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
  5. 5.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) elephants (b) my grandfather (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the vegetable market
  6. 6.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) ants (b) the rainy season (c) the peacock (d) the vegetable market
  7. 7.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 rainy season (b) flying kites (c) my best friend (d) our trip to the zoo
  8. 8.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) a busy railway station (b) the village fair (c) the old banyan tree (d) the peacock
  9. 9.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
  10. 10.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
  11. 11.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
  12. 12.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) my best friend (c) our postman (d) a visit to an old fort
  13. 13.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
  14. 14.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 old banyan tree (b) a day at the beach (c) flying kites (d) eating healthy food
  15. 15.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
  16. 16.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) a cricket match (b) the school library (c) making a rangoli (d) a busy railway station
  17. 17.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
  18. 18.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 rainy season (b) our classroom (c) my grandfather (d) a cricket match
  19. 19.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 trip to the zoo (b) our school sports day (c) our classroom (d) elephants
  20. 20.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
  21. 21.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
  22. 22.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) a cricket match (b) our school sports day (c) our postman (d) elephants
  23. 23.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. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform.
    (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
  24. 24.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
  25. 25.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?

    ___ Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold.
    (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
  26. 26.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
  27. 27.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
  28. 28.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 old banyan tree (b) a busy railway station (c) the night sky (d) saving water
  29. 29.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) saving water (b) a day at the beach (c) my grandfather (d) our school sports day
  30. 30.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 school sports day was full of fun. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
  31. 31.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) We must not waste water.
  32. 32.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) elephants (b) my grandfather (c) saving water (d) the vegetable market
  33. 33.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) my grandfather (b) the village fair (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the peacock
  34. 34.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
  35. 35.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
  36. 36.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) We must not waste water. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
  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) the old banyan tree (b) our trip to the zoo (c) grandma's garden (d) saving water
  38. 38.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
  39. 39.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
  40. 40.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.

Answer key

  1. my grandfather
  2. My best friend is Farhan.
  3. our pet cat
  4. We must not waste water.
  5. our trip to the zoo
  6. the rainy season
  7. my best friend
  8. a busy railway station
  9. The monsoon is my favourite season.
  10. Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
  11. An old banyan tree stands in our village.
  12. my new bicycle
  13. My grandfather is seventy years old.
  14. eating healthy food
  15. Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
  16. the school library
  17. The railway station is always busy.
  18. a cricket match
  19. our classroom
  20. An old banyan tree stands in our village.
  21. Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
  22. elephants
  23. The railway station is always busy.
  24. We spent a happy day at the beach.
  25. The vegetable market near our house opens early.
  26. Elephants are the biggest land animals.
  27. Our school sports day was full of fun.
  28. saving water
  29. our school sports day
  30. Our school sports day was full of fun.
  31. The railway station is always busy.
  32. the vegetable market
  33. the peacock
  34. Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
  35. Our classroom is bright and clean.
  36. The peacock is the national bird of India.
  37. grandma's garden
  38. The monsoon is my favourite season.
  39. We have a pet cat named Mishti.
  40. Elephants are the biggest land animals.

Free writing skills lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/english-writing-skills