Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 772 · 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?
   
   ___ 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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The railway station is always busy.
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
3. 3.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) the rainy season (b) our classroom (c) making a rangoli (d) grandma's garden
4. 4.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) the night sky (d) our pet cat
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 school library is my favourite place. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
6. 6.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) flying kites (b) the school library (c) a visit to an old fort (d) saving water
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ They live together in an anthill. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
8. 8.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) our postman (d) a busy railway station
9. 9.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) my grandfather (b) my new bicycle (c) a cricket match (d) the peacock
10. 10.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
11. 11.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 night sky (b) the rainy season (c) a cricket match (d) eating healthy food
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 school library (b) our pet cat (c) eating healthy food (d) my best friend
13. 13.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) the peacock (b) making a rangoli (c) flying kites (d) our pet cat
14. 14.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
15. 15.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
16. 16.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) the vegetable market (c) making a rangoli (d) the village fair
17. 17.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. She sleeps in a basket near the window. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
18. 18.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
19. 19.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) my grandfather (b) the school library (c) our postman (d) our classroom
20. 20.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) making a rangoli (b) flying kites (c) a busy railway station (d) the village fair
21. 21.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. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
22. 22.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 ride it to the park every evening. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
23. 23.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) our school sports day (b) the old banyan tree (c) ants (d) our pet cat
24. 24.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 school sports day was full of fun. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
25. 25.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
26. 26.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) our postman (b) a busy railway station (c) our pet cat (d) a cricket match
27. 27.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
28. 28.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
29. 29.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) my new bicycle (c) a visit to an old fort (d) our pet cat
30. 30.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 school library is my favourite place. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
31. 31.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 vegetable market (b) elephants (c) my best friend (d) my grandfather
32. 32.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. Farhan and I play football after school. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
33. 33.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
34. 34.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) a visit to an old fort (b) the village fair (c) elephants (d) my grandfather
35. 35.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) my new bicycle (b) our pet cat (c) the night sky (d) a day at the beach
36. 36.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Our desks are arranged in neat rows. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Milk and curd make our bones strong. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
39. 39.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
40. 40.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 school sports day was full of fun. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) My best friend is Farhan.

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