Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 765 · 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.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) grandma's garden (b) eating healthy food (c) a day at the beach (d) flying kites
2. 2.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
3. 3.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
4. 4.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 village fair (b) my best friend (c) my grandfather (d) our school sports day
5. 5.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) We must not waste water.
6. 6.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) eating healthy food (b) my new bicycle (c) my best friend (d) a day at the beach
7. 7.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
8. 8.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 classroom is bright and clean. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
9. 9.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
10. 10.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) our postman (b) the old banyan tree (c) our trip to the zoo (d) my new bicycle
11. 11.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
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) a visit to an old fort (b) a cricket match (c) our pet cat (d) eating healthy food
13. 13.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The railway station is always busy.
15. 15.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 day at the beach (b) making a rangoli (c) grandma's garden (d) a cricket match
16. 16.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
17. 17.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
18. 18.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Ants are tiny but very hard-working. They live together in an anthill. Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) the vegetable market (b) a visit to an old fort (c) ants (d) grandma's garden
19. 19.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 trip to the zoo (b) a day at the beach (c) my best friend (d) the old banyan tree
20. 20.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
21. 21.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
22. 22.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) We must not waste water.
23. 23.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) the school library (b) flying kites (c) our postman (d) the village fair
24. 24.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) a visit to an old fort (b) ants (c) our postman (d) the rainy season
25. 25.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) the night sky (c) grandma's garden (d) the old banyan tree
26. 26.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) my new bicycle (b) a visit to an old fort (c) a busy railway station (d) the school library
27. 27.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) elephants (c) the peacock (d) our trip to the zoo
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
29. 29.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
30. 30.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) the vegetable market (b) making a rangoli (c) ants (d) the school library
31. 31.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
32. 32.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) a day at the beach (b) elephants (c) the village fair (d) our pet cat
33. 33.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
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) the peacock (b) our pet cat (c) the vegetable market (d) grandma's garden
35. 35.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) saving water (b) my new bicycle (c) the peacock (d) grandma's garden
36. 36.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. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) We must not waste water. (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. A green board hangs at the front. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
38. 38.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (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?
    
    ___ Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.

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