Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 699 · 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?
   
   ___ Our desks are arranged in neat rows. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
2. 2.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) We must not waste water. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
3. 3.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) We must not waste water.
4. 4.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
5. 5.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) ants (b) a cricket match (c) the rainy season (d) grandma's garden
6. 6.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 classroom (b) our school sports day (c) elephants (d) our pet cat
7. 7.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 grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
8. 8.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
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) a cricket match (c) grandma's garden (d) our classroom
10. 10.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) a busy railway station (c) elephants (d) our school sports day
11. 11.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) flying kites (b) saving water (c) our postman (d) the school library
12. 12.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
13. 13.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
14. 14.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The railway station is always busy.
15. 15.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
16. 16.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
17. 17.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) making a rangoli (b) saving water (c) my new bicycle (d) a visit to an old fort
18. 18.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) making a rangoli (b) the night sky (c) a busy railway station (d) our trip to the zoo
19. 19.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) our classroom (b) a busy railway station (c) the village fair (d) eating healthy food
20. 20.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 night sky (b) a cricket match (c) a busy railway station (d) a day at the beach
21. 21.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
22. 22.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
23. 23.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) our school sports day (c) the school library (d) the old banyan tree
24. 24.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. The winners got shiny medals. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
25. 25.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
26. 26.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) ants (b) a busy railway station (c) a day at the beach (d) our postman
27. 27.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
29. 29.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
31. 31.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) We must not waste water. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
32. 32.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) our pet cat (b) the peacock (c) flying kites (d) my grandfather
33. 33.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 peacock (b) ants (c) the night sky (d) my best friend
34. 34.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
35. 35.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) saving water (b) our school sports day (c) eating healthy food (d) a cricket match
36. 36.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. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
37. 37.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 pet cat (b) a visit to an old fort (c) the vegetable market (d) our classroom
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. We place small lamps around the design. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
39. 39.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
40. 40.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) our classroom (c) the old banyan tree (d) flying kites

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