Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 80 · 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?
   
   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) ants (b) a day at the beach (c) saving water (d) flying kites
2. 2.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
3. 3.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ They have long trunks and big ears. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
4. 4.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) eating healthy food (b) our pet cat (c) our postman (d) our school sports day
5. 5.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 best friend (b) my grandfather (c) our school sports day (d) my new bicycle
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
7. 7.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) We must not waste water. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
8. 8.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) a day at the beach (b) our postman (c) my best friend (d) flying kites
9. 9.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
11. 11.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
12. 12.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 visit to an old fort (b) the old banyan tree (c) a day at the beach (d) grandma's garden
13. 13.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) the vegetable market (b) a visit to an old fort (c) the rainy season (d) the school library
14. 14.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) our pet cat (b) our school sports day (c) the vegetable market (d) the night sky
15. 15.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
16. 16.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 grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
17. 17.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) ants (b) the vegetable market (c) the old banyan tree (d) the night sky
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. Birds build nests in its branches. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
19. 19.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) ants (b) eating healthy food (c) our trip to the zoo (d) our school sports day
20. 20.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
21. 21.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
22. 22.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 rainy season (b) my best friend (c) my grandfather (d) flying kites
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) the peacock (b) our school sports day (c) my new bicycle (d) a busy railway station
24. 24.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 school library (b) my best friend (c) the peacock (d) our school sports day
25. 25.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
26. 26.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) a day at the beach (b) my new bicycle (c) my best friend (d) the old banyan tree
27. 27.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
28. 28.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The railway station is always busy.
29. 29.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
30. 30.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) our pet cat (b) the village fair (c) the night sky (d) my new bicycle
31. 31.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 grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Milk and curd make our bones strong. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
33. 33.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
34. 34.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
35. 35.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. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) We must not waste water. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
36. 36.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) the vegetable market (b) my new bicycle (c) elephants (d) our pet cat
37. 37.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
38. 38.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
39. 39.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (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.
40. 40.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.

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