Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 745 · 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?
   
   ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
2. 2.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) making a rangoli (b) ants (c) a visit to an old fort (d) our classroom
3. 3.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
4. 4.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) ants (c) the old banyan tree (d) a day at the beach
5. 5.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) my best friend (b) a busy railway station (c) my grandfather (d) our postman
6. 6.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) elephants (c) our trip to the zoo (d) our classroom
7. 7.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The railway station is always busy.
8. 8.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
9. 9.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 day at the beach (b) the old banyan tree (c) flying kites (d) the rainy season
10. 10.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
11. 11.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) elephants (b) our classroom (c) flying kites (d) our school sports day
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) eating healthy food (c) our school sports day (d) a day at the beach
13. 13.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We must not waste water.
14. 14.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. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
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) our classroom (b) a busy railway station (c) our trip to the zoo (d) a visit to an old fort
16. 16.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The railway station is always busy.
17. 17.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) our trip to the zoo (b) my best friend (c) a cricket match (d) our school sports day
18. 18.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) making a rangoli (b) flying kites (c) our classroom (d) my new bicycle
19. 19.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
20. 20.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The railway station is always busy.
21. 21.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
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 rainy season (b) our trip to the zoo (c) elephants (d) my grandfather
23. 23.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) the peacock (c) my new bicycle (d) the vegetable market
24. 24.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
25. 25.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
26. 26.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 cricket match (b) the peacock (c) the village fair (d) our pet cat
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) our school sports day (b) elephants (c) a day at the beach (d) my best friend
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) elephants (b) saving water (c) the village fair (d) ants
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
30. 30.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 street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
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 store food for the winter. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
32. 32.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
33. 33.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
34. 34.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) ants (b) the vegetable market (c) the rainy season (d) the peacock
35. 35.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
36. 36.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
37. 37.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
38. 38.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) the night sky (b) our school sports day (c) the school library (d) grandma's garden
39. 39.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 pet cat (b) a visit to an old fort (c) the night sky (d) our postman
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Milk and curd make our bones strong. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.

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