Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 711 · 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) the rainy season (b) the village fair (c) the vegetable market (d) flying kites
2. 2.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) eating healthy food (b) the old banyan tree (c) our classroom (d) the rainy season
3. 3.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) We must not waste water.
4. 4.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Milk and curd make our bones strong. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
5. 5.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) flying kites (b) ants (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the rainy season
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ It has a long, bright blue neck. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
8. 8.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 rainy season (b) eating healthy food (c) ants (d) the old banyan tree
9. 9.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 trip to the zoo (b) a busy railway station (c) a day at the beach (d) grandma's garden
10. 10.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
11. 11.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) We must not waste water. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
13. 13.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ 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 grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
14. 14.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
15. 15.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
16. 16.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
17. 17.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 classroom is bright and clean. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
18. 18.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) We must not waste water. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
19. 19.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
20. 20.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) grandma's garden (b) the school library (c) our pet cat (d) flying kites
21. 21.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) a cricket match (b) the old banyan tree (c) eating healthy food (d) our trip to the zoo
22. 22.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) our postman (b) a day at the beach (c) my new bicycle (d) our school sports day
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) a cricket match (b) our school sports day (c) my new bicycle (d) a visit to an old fort
24. 24.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (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.
25. 25.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
26. 26.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) a cricket match (b) the village fair (c) our pet cat (d) the vegetable market
27. 27.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has tall shelves full of storybooks. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
29. 29.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) We must not waste water. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
30. 30.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) the rainy season (c) the old banyan tree (d) the peacock
31. 31.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
32. 32.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
33. 33.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
34. 34.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
35. 35.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The railway station is always busy.
36. 36.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) the peacock (c) a busy railway station (d) the rainy season
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) our classroom (b) grandma's garden (c) my grandfather (d) eating healthy food
38. 38.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) my best friend (d) the rainy season
39. 39.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
40. 40.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) my new bicycle (c) making a rangoli (d) a visit to an old fort

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