Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 664 · 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) a busy railway station (b) my grandfather (c) making a rangoli (d) our classroom
2. 2.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
3. 3.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. The guide told us about the old kings. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
4. 4.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 ride it to the park every evening. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
5. 5.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) our school sports day (b) grandma's garden (c) elephants (d) our pet cat
6. 6.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) ants (c) the night sky (d) our school sports day
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) my new bicycle (c) my grandfather (d) our classroom
8. 8.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
9. 9.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) flying kites (b) grandma's garden (c) my best friend (d) the night sky
10. 10.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) making a rangoli (b) our school sports day (c) our trip to the zoo (d) a busy railway station
11. 11.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
12. 12.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 peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
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) saving water (b) our trip to the zoo (c) the night sky (d) our postman
14. 14.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) our classroom (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the old banyan tree
15. 15.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) my grandfather (b) the village fair (c) grandma's garden (d) our trip to the zoo
16. 16.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
17. 17.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) eating healthy food (b) our classroom (c) my best friend (d) the peacock
18. 18.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
19. 19.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) elephants (b) ants (c) a cricket match (d) our trip to the zoo
20. 20.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
21. 21.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
22. 22.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 vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
23. 23.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
24. 24.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) elephants (b) making a rangoli (c) a day at the beach (d) flying kites
25. 25.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
27. 27.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
28. 28.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 vegetable market (b) our school sports day (c) the night sky (d) our postman
29. 29.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) the peacock (c) the rainy season (d) our trip to the zoo
30. 30.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) making a rangoli (b) my best friend (c) our pet cat (d) my new bicycle
31. 31.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
32. 32.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) eating healthy food (b) our school sports day (c) flying kites (d) the vegetable market
33. 33.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) our school sports day (b) my best friend (c) elephants (d) a visit to an old fort
34. 34.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) We must not waste water.
35. 35.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) We must not waste water. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
36. 36.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
37. 37.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
38. 38.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 street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
39. 39.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) The railway station is always busy. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
40. 40.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) My best friend is Farhan.

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