Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 709 · 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?
   
   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) our trip to the zoo (c) the village fair (d) the school library
2. 2.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
3. 3.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. People bargain loudly over prices. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
4. 4.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The railway station is always busy.
5. 5.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) our pet cat (c) a day at the beach (d) the night sky
6. 6.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 trip to the zoo (b) my grandfather (c) the peacock (d) a visit to an old fort
7. 7.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
8. 8.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) a cricket match (b) the old banyan tree (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the school library
9. 9.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) our postman (b) flying kites (c) our trip to the zoo (d) eating healthy food
10. 10.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) the vegetable market (b) making a rangoli (c) a visit to an old fort (d) eating healthy food
11. 11.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has tall shelves full of storybooks. The librarian helps us find good books. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
12. 12.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
13. 13.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
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 night sky (b) a busy railway station (c) our pet cat (d) our classroom
15. 15.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 vegetable market (b) my grandfather (c) elephants (d) ants
16. 16.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
17. 17.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
18. 18.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 railway station is always busy. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We must not waste water.
19. 19.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
20. 20.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 night sky is full of wonders. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
21. 21.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) our classroom (b) the school library (c) the rainy season (d) a cricket match
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) ants (b) elephants (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the vegetable market
23. 23.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) eating healthy food (c) a cricket match (d) our classroom
24. 24.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 village fair (d) the peacock
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) the peacock (b) eating healthy food (c) a busy railway station (d) flying kites
26. 26.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
27. 27.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
28. 28.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 classroom is bright and clean. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
29. 29.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) my grandfather (b) our school sports day (c) the rainy season (d) grandma's garden
30. 30.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
31. 31.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 day at the beach (b) a visit to an old fort (c) the village fair (d) flying kites
32. 32.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) a visit to an old fort (b) our school sports day (c) making a rangoli (d) our classroom
33. 33.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 peacock (b) a busy railway station (c) our pet cat (d) the vegetable market
34. 34.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
35. 35.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) a day at the beach (b) the school library (c) the peacock (d) my grandfather
36. 36.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) making a rangoli (b) our school sports day (c) my best friend (d) our postman
37. 37.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) ants (b) the school library (c) a cricket match (d) grandma's garden
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
39. 39.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
40. 40.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.

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