Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 780 · 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?
   
   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) elephants (c) a cricket match (d) the school library
2. 2.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) saving water (b) our school sports day (c) the old banyan tree (d) our postman
3. 3.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
4. 4.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
5. 5.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 school sports day was full of fun. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
6. 6.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
7. 7.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) flying kites (b) the rainy season (c) the school library (d) my grandfather
8. 8.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. The postman knows every house on our street. (a) We must not waste water. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
9. 9.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) We must not waste water. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
10. 10.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) a day at the beach (b) eating healthy food (c) our pet cat (d) the night sky
11. 11.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 school sports day (b) the night sky (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the old banyan tree
12. 12.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 peacock (b) the rainy season (c) the school library (d) grandma's garden
13. 13.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
14. 14.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
15. 15.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
16. 16.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
17. 17.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) making a rangoli (b) the night sky (c) a busy railway station (d) flying kites
18. 18.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (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.
19. 19.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. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
20. 20.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) grandma's garden (b) my new bicycle (c) a day at the beach (d) ants
21. 21.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) making a rangoli (b) our postman (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the vegetable market
22. 22.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
23. 23.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) We must not waste water.
24. 24.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
25. 25.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The railway station is always busy.
26. 26.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) flying kites (b) saving water (c) our postman (d) a day at the beach
27. 27.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 best friend (b) a day at the beach (c) a busy railway station (d) the rainy season
28. 28.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) We must not waste water. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
29. 29.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 best friend (b) a visit to an old fort (c) our trip to the zoo (d) ants
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
31. 31.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. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
33. 33.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) our classroom (c) the night sky (d) a visit to an old fort
34. 34.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
35. 35.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 rainy season (b) the school library (c) our school sports day (d) my best friend
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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
37. 37.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 school library (b) saving water (c) a day at the beach (d) grandma's garden
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ 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 fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
39. 39.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) my best friend (b) flying kites (c) ants (d) our classroom
40. 40.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) making a rangoli (b) the old banyan tree (c) the rainy season (d) our trip to the zoo

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