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Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 732 · 40 questions
TalentJR

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.

NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
  1. 1.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) a cricket match (b) my best friend (c) our classroom (d) eating healthy food
  2. 2.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
  3. 3.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
  4. 4.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 night sky (b) the village fair (c) the vegetable market (d) our trip to the zoo
  5. 5.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 old banyan tree (b) our pet cat (c) the night sky (d) a day at the beach
  6. 6.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
  7. 7.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
  8. 8.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
  9. 9.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
  10. 10.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
  11. 11.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) the rainy season (c) our pet cat (d) our postman
  12. 12.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 night sky (b) saving water (c) eating healthy food (d) my grandfather
  13. 13.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) our school sports day (b) ants (c) the rainy season (d) the peacock
  14. 14.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 new bicycle (b) the night sky (c) the school library (d) grandma's garden
  15. 15.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) flying kites (b) our school sports day (c) the peacock (d) a visit to an old fort
  16. 16.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. The monsoon turns the dry fields green.
    (a) We must not waste water. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
  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) the village fair (b) the rainy season (c) our pet cat (d) my new bicycle
  18. 18.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) my new bicycle (b) grandma's garden (c) the night sky (d) the peacock
  19. 19.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?

    ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli.
    (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
  20. 20.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) our school sports day (b) flying kites (c) our trip to the zoo (d) my new bicycle
  21. 21.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
  22. 22.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
  23. 23.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 visit to an old fort (b) elephants (c) a busy railway station (d) the school library
  24. 24.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. The postman knows every house on our street.
    (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
  25. 25.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
  26. 26.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
  27. 27.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
  28. 28.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) saving water (b) a cricket match (c) making a rangoli (d) flying kites
  29. 29.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) my best friend (c) our classroom (d) a cricket match
  30. 30.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 new bicycle (b) our postman (c) ants (d) making a rangoli
  31. 31.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
  32. 32.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) the vegetable market (b) our school sports day (c) our postman (d) saving water
  33. 33.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
  34. 34.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) saving water (c) a visit to an old fort (d) our pet cat
  35. 35.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) my grandfather (b) the vegetable market (c) my new bicycle (d) elephants
  36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?

    ___ Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold.
    (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
  37. 37.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
  38. 38.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 cricket match (b) flying kites (c) saving water (d) making a rangoli
  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. The guide told us about the old kings.
    (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
  40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?

    ___ They live together in an anthill. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter.
    (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.

Answer key

  1. a cricket match
  2. We spent a happy day at the beach.
  3. Our classroom is bright and clean.
  4. our trip to the zoo
  5. a day at the beach
  6. Our school library is my favourite place.
  7. Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
  8. My grandfather is seventy years old.
  9. We have a pet cat named Mishti.
  10. Elephants are the biggest land animals.
  11. my best friend
  12. eating healthy food
  13. the rainy season
  14. grandma's garden
  15. a visit to an old fort
  16. The monsoon is my favourite season.
  17. my new bicycle
  18. the peacock
  19. Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
  20. flying kites
  21. The peacock is the national bird of India.
  22. Our school library is my favourite place.
  23. the school library
  24. Ramesh is the postman in our area.
  25. Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
  26. Our school library is my favourite place.
  27. Elephants are the biggest land animals.
  28. saving water
  29. our classroom
  30. our postman
  31. Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
  32. our school sports day
  33. The monsoon is my favourite season.
  34. our pet cat
  35. elephants
  36. The vegetable market near our house opens early.
  37. We must not waste water.
  38. making a rangoli
  39. Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
  40. Ants are tiny but very hard-working.

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