Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 658 · 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?
   
   ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. Kites of every colour dance in the wind. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
2. 2.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 night sky (b) a visit to an old fort (c) the rainy season (d) the old banyan tree
3. 3.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) grandma's garden (b) the peacock (c) the night sky (d) eating healthy food
4. 4.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
5. 5.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) We must not waste water. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The railway station is always busy.
7. 7.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) our postman (b) the old banyan tree (c) the peacock (d) saving water
8. 8.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) a cricket match (b) saving water (c) our pet cat (d) our school sports day
9. 9.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) our school sports day (b) my grandfather (c) making a rangoli (d) the night sky
10. 10.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) flying kites (b) the rainy season (c) my best friend (d) the school library
11. 11.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) the village fair (b) my best friend (c) our pet cat (d) making a rangoli
12. 12.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) my grandfather (b) eating healthy food (c) the old banyan tree (d) our school sports day
13. 13.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) our postman (b) my grandfather (c) the old banyan tree (d) a visit to an old fort
14. 14.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
15. 15.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) flying kites (b) a visit to an old fort (c) a day at the beach (d) the village fair
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Milk and curd make our bones strong. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (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 spent a happy day at the beach.
17. 17.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) ants (b) our pet cat (c) our trip to the zoo (d) our school sports day
18. 18.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
19. 19.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. She sleeps in a basket near the window. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
20. 20.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) grandma's garden (b) our pet cat (c) making a rangoli (d) elephants
21. 21.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) eating healthy food (b) our trip to the zoo (c) a busy railway station (d) our classroom
22. 22.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 school library (b) our trip to the zoo (c) grandma's garden (d) elephants
23. 23.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
24. 24.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
25. 25.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It is red with a shiny silver bell. Its seat is soft and comfortable. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
26. 26.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
27. 27.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. We buy strong string for our kites. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
28. 28.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
29. 29.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) flying kites (b) my grandfather (c) elephants (d) our classroom
30. 30.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
31. 31.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
32. 32.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 best friend is Farhan. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
33. 33.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 grandfather is seventy years old. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
34. 34.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) We must not waste water.
35. 35.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
36. 36.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
37. 37.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 monsoon is my favourite season. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
38. 38.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. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) We must not waste water. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
39. 39.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 day at the beach (b) the night sky (c) ants (d) making a rangoli
40. 40.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.

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