Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 625 · 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?
   
   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) our postman (b) making a rangoli (c) my best friend (d) the peacock
2. 2.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) a day at the beach (b) the rainy season (c) our postman (d) my grandfather
3. 3.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) We must not waste water.
4. 4.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 spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
5. 5.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ It has tall shelves full of storybooks. The librarian helps us find good books. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
7. 7.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) our pet cat (b) our postman (c) making a rangoli (d) our school sports day
8. 8.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) the rainy season (b) saving water (c) a visit to an old fort (d) ants
9. 9.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) making a rangoli (b) elephants (c) the rainy season (d) eating healthy food
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The day began with a march past. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
11. 11.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
12. 12.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) our pet cat (b) our trip to the zoo (c) my best friend (d) the peacock
13. 13.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. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
14. 14.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) the school library (b) a busy railway station (c) our school sports day (d) the night sky
15. 15.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We must not waste water. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
16. 16.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
17. 17.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
18. 18.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 library is my favourite place. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
19. 19.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) my new bicycle (b) our classroom (c) our school sports day (d) flying kites
20. 20.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
21. 21.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
22. 22.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. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They live together in an anthill. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
24. 24.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) flying kites (c) a cricket match (d) my grandfather
25. 25.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
26. 26.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
27. 27.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
28. 28.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 monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
29. 29.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 rainy season (b) elephants (c) our postman (d) the school library
30. 30.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) my new bicycle (b) my grandfather (c) a busy railway station (d) grandma's garden
31. 31.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has tall shelves full of storybooks. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
32. 32.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
33. 33.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 night sky (b) our trip to the zoo (c) a busy railway station (d) a cricket match
34. 34.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 railway station is always busy. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
35. 35.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
36. 36.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) We must not waste water.
37. 37.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
38. 38.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) We must not waste water.
39. 39.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The railway station is always busy.
40. 40.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.

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