Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 730 · 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?
   
   ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
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) the old banyan tree (b) saving water (c) our pet cat (d) our school sports day
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. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
4. 4.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
5. 5.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
6. 6.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
7. 7.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
8. 8.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 grandfather (c) grandma's garden (d) the peacock
9. 9.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) the school library (b) my grandfather (c) a cricket match (d) a day at the beach
10. 10.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
11. 11.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) my grandfather (b) our postman (c) a cricket match (d) grandma's garden
12. 12.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
13. 13.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 night sky is full of wonders. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
14. 14.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
15. 15.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
16. 16.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) We must not waste water. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
17. 17.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    We must not waste water. Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) a busy railway station (b) grandma's garden (c) the village fair (d) saving water
18. 18.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
19. 19.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 village fair (b) a busy railway station (c) flying kites (d) the school library
20. 20.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) my best friend (b) saving water (c) our postman (d) the night sky
21. 21.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 grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The railway station is always busy.
22. 22.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) the night sky (b) our pet cat (c) the rainy season (d) flying kites
23. 23.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) flying kites (b) a busy railway station (c) the school library (d) ants
24. 24.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
25. 25.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ 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 school sports day was full of fun. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
26. 26.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. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) We must not waste water. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
28. 28.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
29. 29.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
30. 30.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
31. 31.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
32. 32.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 rainy season (c) making a rangoli (d) the night sky
33. 33.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 rainy season (c) the village fair (d) the vegetable market
34. 34.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
35. 35.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
36. 36.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) flying kites (c) our classroom (d) the village fair
37. 37.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
38. 38.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) a cricket match (b) saving water (c) the peacock (d) my grandfather
39. 39.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
40. 40.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.

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