Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 783 · 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?
   
   ___ Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
2. 2.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (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) flying kites (b) the vegetable market (c) my best friend (d) the school library
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) the night sky (b) a visit to an old fort (c) grandma's garden (d) our trip to the zoo
5. 5.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) the peacock (b) the night sky (c) a cricket match (d) our trip to the zoo
6. 6.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
7. 7.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The railway station is always busy.
8. 8.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ The waves splashed over our feet. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
9. 9.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 old banyan tree (b) the school library (c) ants (d) our trip to the zoo
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
11. 11.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) flying kites (b) grandma's garden (c) a day at the beach (d) a visit to an old fort
12. 12.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 peacock (c) elephants (d) our postman
13. 13.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 vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
14. 14.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. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) We must not waste water. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
15. 15.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
16. 16.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
17. 17.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) our pet cat (b) my best friend (c) my new bicycle (d) flying kites
18. 18.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) We must not waste water.
19. 19.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
20. 20.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) saving water (b) our pet cat (c) our school sports day (d) making a rangoli
21. 21.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) ants (b) the night sky (c) the school library (d) my best friend
22. 22.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
23. 23.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
24. 24.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) a busy railway station (b) ants (c) the rainy season (d) elephants
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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
26. 26.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. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
27. 27.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 grandfather (b) a visit to an old fort (c) our school sports day (d) our pet cat
28. 28.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
29. 29.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 grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
30. 30.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) a day at the beach (b) the village fair (c) saving water (d) our pet cat
31. 31.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) a day at the beach (b) my new bicycle (c) saving water (d) the rainy season
32. 32.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 grandfather (b) our school sports day (c) the old banyan tree (d) a day at the beach
33. 33.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
34. 34.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) We must not waste water. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
35. 35.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) making a rangoli (b) the rainy season (c) our pet cat (d) our school sports day
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kites of every colour dance in the wind. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) We must not waste water.
38. 38.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 busy railway station (b) the night sky (c) my grandfather (d) the village fair
39. 39.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
40. 40.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) making a rangoli (c) a busy railway station (d) our trip to the zoo

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