Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 684 · 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?
   
   ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The railway station is always busy.
2. 2.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
3. 3.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
4. 4.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) making a rangoli (b) a visit to an old fort (c) the old banyan tree (d) our postman
5. 5.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 peacock (b) my best friend (c) a busy railway station (d) elephants
6. 6.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 peacock (b) our classroom (c) the old banyan tree (d) the night sky
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
8. 8.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) our trip to the zoo (b) making a rangoli (c) my new bicycle (d) a day at the beach
9. 9.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
10. 10.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
11. 11.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 rainy season (b) the village fair (c) our school sports day (d) grandma's garden
12. 12.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 classroom is bright and clean. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
13. 13.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) saving water (b) a visit to an old fort (c) a busy railway station (d) making a rangoli
14. 14.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) the rainy season (c) our classroom (d) the village fair
15. 15.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
16. 16.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) eating healthy food (b) making a rangoli (c) ants (d) a cricket match
17. 17.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 best friend (b) elephants (c) flying kites (d) our postman
18. 18.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) our classroom (b) elephants (c) the peacock (d) the night sky
19. 19.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its tail feathers have beautiful eye spots. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
20. 20.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
21. 21.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) our pet cat (b) the school library (c) flying kites (d) a day at the beach
22. 22.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The librarian helps us find good books. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) We must not waste water. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
24. 24.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
25. 25.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) elephants (b) a busy railway station (c) the peacock (d) a cricket match
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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
27. 27.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 classroom (b) the vegetable market (c) elephants (d) my best friend
28. 28.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
29. 29.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
30. 30.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
31. 31.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) We must not waste water. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
32. 32.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) the peacock (b) our postman (c) a cricket match (d) my new bicycle
33. 33.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) The railway station is always busy.
34. 34.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. The postman knows every house on our street. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
36. 36.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
37. 37.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) our trip to the zoo (b) a cricket match (c) the rainy season (d) the old banyan tree
38. 38.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 trip to the zoo (b) eating healthy food (c) the school library (d) our postman
39. 39.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) flying kites (b) the school library (c) eating healthy food (d) a busy railway station
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (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.

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