Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 728 · 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?
   
   ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) The railway station is always busy.
3. 3.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) the school library (b) a busy railway station (c) the rainy season (d) our trip to the zoo
4. 4.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
5. 5.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) my best friend (b) making a rangoli (c) our school sports day (d) the night sky
6. 6.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
7. 7.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) the peacock (b) elephants (c) our trip to the zoo (d) a visit to an old fort
8. 8.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) We must not waste water. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
9. 9.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) my best friend (b) my new bicycle (c) the vegetable market (d) the village fair
10. 10.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
11. 11.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) the vegetable market (c) our pet cat (d) ants
12. 12.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
13. 13.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
14. 14.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 must not waste water. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
15. 15.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
16. 16.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
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 railway station is always busy. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
18. 18.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. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
19. 19.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 best friend (b) a cricket match (c) eating healthy food (d) our postman
20. 20.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. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
21. 21.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 vegetable market (b) our postman (c) making a rangoli (d) our classroom
22. 22.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) the village fair (b) making a rangoli (c) our school sports day (d) our pet cat
23. 23.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
24. 24.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 school sports day (b) grandma's garden (c) the village fair (d) the peacock
25. 25.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ She has soft white fur and green eyes. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
27. 27.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) the school library (b) a day at the beach (c) my grandfather (d) our school sports day
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
29. 29.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) We must not waste water.
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
31. 31.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) eating healthy food (b) a visit to an old fort (c) a cricket match (d) the night sky
32. 32.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. We may borrow two books every week. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) We must not waste water. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) We must not waste water.
36. 36.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
37. 37.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. We buy strong string for our kites. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
39. 39.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
40. 40.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 grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.

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