Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 695 · 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?
   
   ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
2. 2.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) the school library (b) grandma's garden (c) the night sky (d) ants
3. 3.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) saving water (c) flying kites (d) the old banyan tree
4. 4.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) eating healthy food (b) elephants (c) the school library (d) the night sky
5. 5.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ The waves splashed over our feet. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
7. 7.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
8. 8.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) grandma's garden (b) our postman (c) ants (d) my best friend
9. 9.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
10. 10.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
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) a visit to an old fort (b) a day at the beach (c) grandma's garden (d) my grandfather
12. 12.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. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
13. 13.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. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
14. 14.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) my best friend (b) the school library (c) flying kites (d) a cricket match
15. 15.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 postman (d) our classroom
16. 16.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
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) grandma's garden (b) ants (c) making a rangoli (d) the old banyan tree
18. 18.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 best friend is Farhan. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
19. 19.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) We must not waste water.
20. 20.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
21. 21.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
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) our postman (b) our pet cat (c) making a rangoli (d) our trip to the zoo
23. 23.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) the school library (b) the night sky (c) a day at the beach (d) our school sports day
24. 24.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) grandma's garden (b) our classroom (c) the school library (d) our postman
25. 25.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
26. 26.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) my grandfather (b) my new bicycle (c) a cricket match (d) our pet cat
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
28. 28.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
29. 29.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 spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
30. 30.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
31. 31.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
33. 33.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) a busy railway station (c) our pet cat (d) elephants
34. 34.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
36. 36.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) our pet cat (b) flying kites (c) a visit to an old fort (d) grandma's garden
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
38. 38.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
39. 39.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) the night sky (b) a busy railway station (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the rainy season
40. 40.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.

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