Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 613 · 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) the peacock (b) the village fair (c) the night sky (d) flying kites
2. 2.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) a visit to an old fort (b) my new bicycle (c) ants (d) the old banyan tree
3. 3.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
4. 4.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
5. 5.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) the peacock (c) saving water (d) making a rangoli
6. 6.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
7. 7.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 village fair (b) our school sports day (c) a busy railway station (d) flying kites
8. 8.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
9. 9.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. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
10. 10.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) our postman (b) eating healthy food (c) a busy railway station (d) the night sky
11. 11.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
12. 12.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 spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
13. 13.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) We must not waste water.
15. 15.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) We must not waste water. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
16. 16.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
17. 17.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ She has soft white fur and green eyes. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
18. 18.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
19. 19.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
20. 20.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
21. 21.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 day at the beach (b) the vegetable market (c) grandma's garden (d) the peacock
22. 22.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
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) a day at the beach (b) my best friend (c) our school sports day (d) the rainy season
24. 24.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
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) eating healthy food (b) our school sports day (c) flying kites (d) my new bicycle
26. 26.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
27. 27.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its tail feathers have beautiful eye spots. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
29. 29.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
31. 31.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
32. 32.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
33. 33.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) our postman (b) our classroom (c) our school sports day (d) our pet cat
34. 34.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) saving water (c) the rainy season (d) eating healthy food
35. 35.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 old banyan tree (b) a day at the beach (c) the vegetable market (d) our classroom
36. 36.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) grandma's garden (b) saving water (c) a busy railway station (d) flying kites
37. 37.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
38. 38.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
39. 39.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. We place small lamps around the design. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
40. 40.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) ants (c) the old banyan tree (d) making a rangoli

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