Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 681 · 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 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) our school sports day (c) eating healthy food (d) elephants
2. 2.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) our school sports day (b) making a rangoli (c) eating healthy food (d) grandma's garden
3. 3.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
4. 4.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) a cricket match (b) the peacock (c) eating healthy food (d) elephants
5. 5.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) saving water (b) our trip to the zoo (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the old banyan tree
6. 6.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) We must not waste water. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
7. 7.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) the rainy season (b) the vegetable market (c) saving water (d) the old banyan tree
8. 8.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
9. 9.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
10. 10.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) a day at the beach (c) the school library (d) our pet cat
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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
12. 12.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) my new bicycle (b) the rainy season (c) the village fair (d) a day at the beach
13. 13.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 peacock (b) our pet cat (c) the school library (d) the night sky
14. 14.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
15. 15.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) the night sky (b) our postman (c) the vegetable market (d) ants
16. 16.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) the old banyan tree (b) our postman (c) a cricket match (d) my new bicycle
17. 17.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 school sports day was full of fun. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
18. 18.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 postman (b) the old banyan tree (c) the peacock (d) eating healthy food
19. 19.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
20. 20.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) my grandfather (b) a day at the beach (c) my best friend (d) ants
21. 21.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) ants (b) my grandfather (c) the school library (d) eating healthy food
22. 22.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) a day at the beach (c) a cricket match (d) the old banyan tree
23. 23.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
24. 24.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 school library (b) a busy railway station (c) the vegetable market (d) my grandfather
25. 25.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
26. 26.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) the rainy season (b) the old banyan tree (c) ants (d) my best friend
27. 27.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) my new bicycle (b) flying kites (c) the old banyan tree (d) our school sports day
28. 28.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) We must not waste water. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
29. 29.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
30. 30.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
31. 31.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
33. 33.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 classroom (b) a day at the beach (c) my best friend (d) saving water
34. 34.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
35. 35.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
36. 36.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
37. 37.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
38. 38.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
39. 39.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
40. 40.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) flying kites (b) the rainy season (c) the old banyan tree (d) eating healthy food

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