Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 677 · 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 school library (b) our classroom (c) the village fair (d) my grandfather
2. 2.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) saving water (b) a visit to an old fort (c) grandma's garden (d) the school library
3. 3.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) We must not waste water. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
4. 4.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
5. 5.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
6. 6.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) a cricket match (b) the village fair (c) ants (d) flying kites
7. 7.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) my grandfather (b) elephants (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the school library
8. 8.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
9. 9.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
10. 10.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) making a rangoli (b) the rainy season (c) flying kites (d) the peacock
11. 11.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) the school library (b) making a rangoli (c) my best friend (d) a day at the beach
12. 12.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has big windows that let in sunlight. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
13. 13.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 school library (b) my best friend (c) the old banyan tree (d) a busy railway station
14. 14.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
15. 15.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) making a rangoli (b) my best friend (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the night sky
16. 16.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) elephants (c) eating healthy food (d) our classroom
17. 17.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) making a rangoli (b) grandma's garden (c) the old banyan tree (d) our school sports day
18. 18.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 school sports day (b) a day at the beach (c) a busy railway station (d) elephants
19. 19.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
20. 20.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
21. 21.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
22. 22.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
24. 24.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
25. 25.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) ants (b) the vegetable market (c) my best friend (d) my new bicycle
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its stone walls were very thick. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
27. 27.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
28. 28.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 library is my favourite place. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ She has soft white fur and green eyes. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its seat is soft and comfortable. 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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
31. 31.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ He brings letters and parcels every day. He carries a big brown bag of letters. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) We must not waste water. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
33. 33.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 classroom is bright and clean. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
34. 34.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) our school sports day (b) our classroom (c) ants (d) elephants
35. 35.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. A green board hangs at the front. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
36. 36.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) grandma's garden (b) a day at the beach (c) saving water (d) my new bicycle
37. 37.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) a cricket match (b) our trip to the zoo (c) elephants (d) a day at the beach
38. 38.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
39. 39.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) eating healthy food (c) our school sports day (d) our pet cat
40. 40.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.

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