Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 596 · 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?
   
   ___ The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. 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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
3. 3.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) our postman (b) the peacock (c) a cricket match (d) a visit to an old fort
4. 4.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
5. 5.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) flying kites (b) the vegetable market (c) our pet cat (d) grandma's garden
6. 6.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
8. 8.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. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
9. 9.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
10. 10.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 walk one behind the other in a line. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
11. 11.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
12. 12.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 postman (b) our classroom (c) the school library (d) a busy railway station
13. 13.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
14. 14.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
15. 15.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) our trip to the zoo (b) the peacock (c) a cricket match (d) a busy railway station
16. 16.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
17. 17.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
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) grandma's garden (b) elephants (c) the old banyan tree (d) the peacock
19. 19.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) eating healthy food (b) a day at the beach (c) the rainy season (d) making a rangoli
20. 20.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) a cricket match (b) saving water (c) our school sports day (d) my grandfather
21. 21.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 rainy season (b) eating healthy food (c) my new bicycle (d) our trip to the zoo
22. 22.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) flying kites (b) our classroom (c) the school library (d) our postman
23. 23.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 school library (b) a day at the beach (c) a busy railway station (d) our trip to the zoo
24. 24.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
25. 25.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
26. 26.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
27. 27.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 classroom (b) the vegetable market (c) ants (d) our pet cat
28. 28.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) my best friend (b) our pet cat (c) a cricket match (d) a busy railway station
29. 29.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
30. 30.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) We must not waste water. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
31. 31.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 street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
32. 32.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
33. 33.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
34. 34.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
35. 35.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 vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
37. 37.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) the village fair (b) a cricket match (c) my grandfather (d) the old banyan tree
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) a cricket match (b) the rainy season (c) our postman (d) the school library
39. 39.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
40. 40.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) our classroom (b) my new bicycle (c) a visit to an old fort (d) our pet cat

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