Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 612 · 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?
   
   ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
3. 3.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
4. 4.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 day at the beach (b) ants (c) our trip to the zoo (d) a visit to an old fort
5. 5.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 school sports day was full of fun. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
6. 6.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
7. 7.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) the village fair (b) our classroom (c) my grandfather (d) our school sports day
8. 8.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 visit to an old fort (b) the vegetable market (c) elephants (d) grandma's garden
9. 9.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 must not waste water. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
10. 10.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
11. 11.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) The railway station is always busy.
12. 12.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
13. 13.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) ants (b) saving water (c) flying kites (d) our pet cat
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) a day at the beach (b) the school library (c) the village fair (d) eating healthy food
15. 15.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) We must not waste water.
16. 16.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 classroom (b) my grandfather (c) a day at the beach (d) the school library
17. 17.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 day at the beach (b) my new bicycle (c) our postman (d) the school library
18. 18.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
19. 19.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. A magician does tricks for the children. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
20. 20.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 peacock is the national bird of India. (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.
21. 21.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
22. 22.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
23. 23.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
24. 24.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) the vegetable market (c) a cricket match (d) our pet cat
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) my new bicycle (b) the school library (c) eating healthy food (d) my grandfather
26. 26.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 school library (c) our trip to the zoo (d) flying kites
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) We must not waste water. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
28. 28.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) making a rangoli (b) the vegetable market (c) flying kites (d) the peacock
29. 29.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
30. 30.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
31. 31.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
33. 33.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
34. 34.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) a busy railway station (b) my grandfather (c) the peacock (d) the old banyan tree
35. 35.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
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) my new bicycle (b) our postman (c) a busy railway station (d) ants
37. 37.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
38. 38.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
39. 39.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 grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
40. 40.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 old banyan tree (b) the peacock (c) a cricket match (d) the vegetable market

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