Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 640 · 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?
   
   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) the rainy season (b) grandma's garden (c) making a rangoli (d) our classroom
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
3. 3.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. Kites of every colour dance in the wind. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
4. 4.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) The railway station is always busy.
5. 5.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ 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 grandfather is seventy years old. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) We must not waste water.
8. 8.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
9. 9.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
10. 10.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
11. 11.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) our pet cat (b) eating healthy food (c) our postman (d) my new bicycle
12. 12.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) elephants (b) the school library (c) flying kites (d) the night sky
13. 13.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) grandma's garden (b) my grandfather (c) the vegetable market (d) our pet cat
14. 14.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
15. 15.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) eating healthy food (c) the peacock (d) the school library
16. 16.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
17. 17.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
18. 18.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. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
19. 19.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) the old banyan tree (b) elephants (c) the rainy season (d) my best friend
20. 20.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) my new bicycle (b) the school library (c) a visit to an old fort (d) our pet cat
21. 21.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
23. 23.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
24. 24.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 pet cat (b) the old banyan tree (c) our school sports day (d) saving water
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) a day at the beach (b) our pet cat (c) my new bicycle (d) the rainy season
26. 26.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) We must not waste water. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
27. 27.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) We must not waste water. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The railway station is always busy.
28. 28.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
29. 29.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. Farhan and I play football after school. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
31. 31.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) saving water (b) my grandfather (c) our pet cat (d) the vegetable market
32. 32.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
33. 33.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) a busy railway station (b) the school library (c) making a rangoli (d) the old banyan tree
34. 34.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
35. 35.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 street had a cricket match on Sunday. (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.
36. 36.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
37. 37.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
38. 38.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) the village fair (b) a busy railway station (c) flying kites (d) elephants
39. 39.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
40. 40.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) eating healthy food (c) our school sports day (d) our trip to the zoo

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