Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 748 · 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?
   
   ___ She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its seat is soft and comfortable. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
3. 3.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) our pet cat (b) flying kites (c) the school library (d) grandma's garden
4. 4.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
5. 5.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) my new bicycle (b) our school sports day (c) a visit to an old fort (d) a busy railway station
6. 6.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) my new bicycle (b) the vegetable market (c) our school sports day (d) ants
7. 7.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
8. 8.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
9. 9.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
11. 11.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) flying kites (b) the peacock (c) the old banyan tree (d) the vegetable market
12. 12.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) saving water (b) grandma's garden (c) my grandfather (d) the rainy season
13. 13.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
14. 14.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) We must not waste water. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
15. 15.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) ants (b) our postman (c) saving water (d) the rainy season
16. 16.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
17. 17.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
18. 18.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
19. 19.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We must not waste water.
20. 20.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
21. 21.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 old banyan tree (b) the peacock (c) a cricket match (d) my grandfather
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) eating healthy food (b) saving water (c) the old banyan tree (d) elephants
23. 23.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
24. 24.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 oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
25. 25.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
26. 26.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) eating healthy food (b) the village fair (c) our pet cat (d) elephants
27. 27.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) my new bicycle (c) a day at the beach (d) a cricket match
28. 28.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 peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
29. 29.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. We collected shells near the shore. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
31. 31.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
32. 32.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. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
33. 33.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) making a rangoli (b) the peacock (c) flying kites (d) eating healthy food
34. 34.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
35. 35.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) grandma's garden (b) our classroom (c) the vegetable market (d) eating healthy food
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They have long trunks and big ears. An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
37. 37.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) a day at the beach (c) elephants (d) a busy railway station
38. 38.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 best friend (b) saving water (c) the school library (d) our trip to the zoo
39. 39.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
40. 40.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.

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