Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 797 · 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?
   
   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) our postman (b) grandma's garden (c) a day at the beach (d) the village fair
2. 2.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
3. 3.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 postman (b) making a rangoli (c) grandma's garden (d) our pet cat
4. 4.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
5. 5.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
6. 6.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
7. 7.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) a cricket match (b) a visit to an old fort (c) the school library (d) eating healthy food
8. 8.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 village fair (b) grandma's garden (c) ants (d) our classroom
9. 9.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) our pet cat (c) my best friend (d) our classroom
10. 10.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The railway station is always busy.
11. 11.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) flying kites (c) the vegetable market (d) our trip to the zoo
12. 12.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
13. 13.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) elephants (c) a visit to an old fort (d) my best friend
14. 14.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) our pet cat (b) our trip to the zoo (c) our postman (d) making a rangoli
15. 15.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 busy railway station (b) our trip to the zoo (c) grandma's garden (d) a day at the beach
16. 16.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
17. 17.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
18. 18.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) eating healthy food (c) my grandfather (d) making a rangoli
19. 19.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 vegetable market (b) our trip to the zoo (c) a day at the beach (d) the rainy season
20. 20.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
21. 21.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) my grandfather (b) the old banyan tree (c) ants (d) saving water
22. 22.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
23. 23.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) our trip to the zoo (c) my best friend (d) the school library
24. 24.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 vegetable market (b) my best friend (c) the peacock (d) our classroom
25. 25.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 class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
26. 26.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
27. 27.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
28. 28.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) We must not waste water. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
29. 29.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
30. 30.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
31. 31.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) our postman (b) a cricket match (c) the peacock (d) a visit to an old fort
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. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The railway station is always busy.
33. 33.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 village fair (b) saving water (c) the old banyan tree (d) my new bicycle
34. 34.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The railway station is always busy.
36. 36.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) elephants (b) eating healthy food (c) our school sports day (d) the school library
37. 37.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
38. 38.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
39. 39.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) elephants (b) my new bicycle (c) our trip to the zoo (d) our pet cat
40. 40.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.

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