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Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 763 · 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 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) eating healthy food (b) our school sports day (c) our classroom (d) the rainy season
  2. 2.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) grandma's garden (b) our postman (c) the school library (d) a visit to an old fort
  3. 3.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?

    ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair.
    (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
  4. 4.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) the peacock (b) elephants (c) saving water (d) the old banyan tree
  5. 5.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
  6. 6.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) my grandfather (c) the peacock (d) our classroom
  7. 7.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
  8. 8.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
  9. 9.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
  10. 10.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 classroom (b) saving water (c) my best friend (d) the school library
  11. 11.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?

    ___ Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day.
    (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
  12. 12.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. Our house won the tug of war.
    (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
  13. 13.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) a cricket match (c) our pet cat (d) a visit to an old fort
  14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?

    ___ Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match.
    (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
  15. 15.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) saving water (b) flying kites (c) our school sports day (d) a day at the beach
  16. 16.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 night sky (b) eating healthy food (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the village fair
  17. 17.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) the school library (b) the rainy season (c) the peacock (d) my best friend
  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 new bicycle (b) our trip to the zoo (c) a busy railway station (d) our postman
  19. 19.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?

    ___ It has a long, bright blue neck. Its tail feathers have beautiful eye spots. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour.
    (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
  20. 20.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?

    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water.
    (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We must not waste water.
  21. 21.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) saving water (b) flying kites (c) a busy railway station (d) our pet cat
  22. 22.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) making a rangoli (b) the peacock (c) grandma's garden (d) the village fair
  23. 23.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) We must not waste water. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The railway station is always busy.
  24. 24.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 postman (b) a day at the beach (c) a cricket match (d) flying kites
  25. 25.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) a day at the beach (c) ants (d) grandma's garden
  26. 26.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) our trip to the zoo (b) the vegetable market (c) our postman (d) my best friend
  27. 27.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 class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
  28. 28.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. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit.
    (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
  29. 29.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
  30. 30.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) a day at the beach (b) a busy railway station (c) eating healthy food (d) the school library
  31. 31.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
  32. 32.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) ants (b) grandma's garden (c) our classroom (d) our school sports day
  33. 33.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
  34. 34.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
  35. 35.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
  36. 36.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 vegetable market (b) the village fair (c) grandma's garden (d) the peacock
  37. 37.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
  38. 38.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
  39. 39.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?

    ___ The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears.
    (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
  40. 40.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) my new bicycle (b) elephants (c) the old banyan tree (d) our pet cat

Answer key

  1. our classroom
  2. a visit to an old fort
  3. A fair comes to our village every winter.
  4. saving water
  5. My grandfather is seventy years old.
  6. my grandfather
  7. The vegetable market near our house opens early.
  8. Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
  9. My grandmother has a lovely garden.
  10. the school library
  11. We have a pet cat named Mishti.
  12. Our school sports day was full of fun.
  13. the old banyan tree
  14. Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
  15. flying kites
  16. the night sky
  17. my best friend
  18. our trip to the zoo
  19. The peacock is the national bird of India.
  20. We must not waste water.
  21. a busy railway station
  22. the peacock
  23. We must not waste water.
  24. a day at the beach
  25. a cricket match
  26. our postman
  27. In January, the sky fills with kites.
  28. Elephants are the biggest land animals.
  29. The vegetable market near our house opens early.
  30. eating healthy food
  31. Our school library is my favourite place.
  32. grandma's garden
  33. A fair comes to our village every winter.
  34. Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
  35. Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
  36. the vegetable market
  37. Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
  38. Our school library is my favourite place.
  39. Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
  40. our pet cat

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