Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 742 · 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?
   
   ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
2. 2.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
3. 3.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
4. 4.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
5. 5.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
6. 6.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
7. 7.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) a day at the beach (b) a visit to an old fort (c) my best friend (d) the night sky
8. 8.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
9. 9.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 classroom is bright and clean. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
11. 11.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
12. 12.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 village fair (b) our classroom (c) the old banyan tree (d) the vegetable market
13. 13.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
14. 14.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) a day at the beach (b) our pet cat (c) our classroom (d) the village fair
15. 15.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 school library (b) elephants (c) the rainy season (d) eating healthy food
16. 16.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 spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
17. 17.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
18. 18.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) my grandfather (b) our trip to the zoo (c) making a rangoli (d) ants
19. 19.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) our trip to the zoo (c) my best friend (d) a busy railway station
20. 20.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We must not waste water.
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) a visit to an old fort (b) making a rangoli (c) a cricket match (d) the vegetable market
22. 22.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 visit to an old fort (b) grandma's garden (c) a day at the beach (d) the old banyan tree
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) saving water (b) the school library (c) our school sports day (d) the peacock
24. 24.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 best friend is Farhan. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
25. 25.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 rainy season (b) ants (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the village fair
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
27. 27.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) We must not waste water. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) We must not waste water.
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
30. 30.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 old banyan tree (b) the rainy season (c) my best friend (d) a busy railway station
31. 31.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 street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
32. 32.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) the rainy season (b) elephants (c) flying kites (d) grandma's garden
33. 33.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) grandma's garden (b) elephants (c) the school library (d) a day at the beach
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its stone walls were very thick. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
35. 35.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) making a rangoli (b) eating healthy food (c) a busy railway station (d) the school library
36. 36.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) We must not waste water. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The railway station is always busy.
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. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
39. 39.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) elephants (b) the school library (c) our trip to the zoo (d) grandma's garden
40. 40.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.

Free writing skills lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/english-writing-skills