Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 645 · 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 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) saving water (b) my new bicycle (c) a cricket match (d) a busy railway station
2. 2.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) my new bicycle (b) the school library (c) a cricket match (d) elephants
3. 3.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
4. 4.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
5. 5.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
6. 6.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) We must not waste water. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
7. 7.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) the village fair (b) a visit to an old fort (c) eating healthy food (d) grandma's garden
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) eating healthy food (b) a visit to an old fort (c) elephants (d) our pet cat
9. 9.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) a visit to an old fort (b) my grandfather (c) our trip to the zoo (d) a day at the beach
10. 10.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    An old banyan tree stands in our village. Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) our pet cat (b) the rainy season (c) a busy railway station (d) the old banyan tree
11. 11.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 must not waste water. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
12. 12.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
13. 13.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
14. 14.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
15. 15.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 busy railway station (b) flying kites (c) the rainy season (d) ants
16. 16.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
17. 17.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) making a rangoli (c) our trip to the zoo (d) our postman
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. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
19. 19.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
20. 20.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
21. 21.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
22. 22.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
23. 23.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
24. 24.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
25. 25.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (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) My best friend is Farhan.
27. 27.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) my new bicycle (b) the school library (c) a day at the beach (d) the village fair
28. 28.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) the peacock (b) our classroom (c) eating healthy food (d) saving water
29. 29.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. The winners got shiny medals. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
30. 30.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 grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
31. 31.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) flying kites (b) my new bicycle (c) my best friend (d) the vegetable market
32. 32.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. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
33. 33.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
34. 34.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
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 night sky is full of wonders. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
36. 36.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) We must not waste water. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
37. 37.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 class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
38. 38.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
39. 39.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. We may borrow two books every week. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
40. 40.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.

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