Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 802 · 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?
   
   ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) We must not waste water. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
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) the school library (b) our pet cat (c) a visit to an old fort (d) grandma's garden
4. 4.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. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
5. 5.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We must not waste water.
6. 6.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The railway station is always busy.
7. 7.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   Our classroom is bright and clean. It has big windows that let in sunlight. Our desks are arranged in neat rows. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) a busy railway station (b) a cricket match (c) my new bicycle (d) our classroom
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 old banyan tree (b) my best friend (c) a day at the beach (d) ants
9. 9.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) the old banyan tree (b) our classroom (c) a busy railway station (d) our pet cat
10. 10.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) the village fair (b) elephants (c) the old banyan tree (d) my new bicycle
11. 11.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
12. 12.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
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) ants (b) my best friend (c) flying kites (d) the peacock
14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. Kites of every colour dance in the wind. We buy strong string for our kites. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
15. 15.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
16. 16.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
17. 17.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
18. 18.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) eating healthy food (b) a cricket match (c) making a rangoli (d) a day at the beach
19. 19.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (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.
20. 20.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
21. 21.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) We must not waste water. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
22. 22.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) elephants (b) our classroom (c) flying kites (d) our trip to the zoo
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ 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 monsoon is my favourite season. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
24. 24.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 postman (b) the village fair (c) my grandfather (d) making a rangoli
25. 25.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) a day at the beach (c) a busy railway station (d) the night sky
26. 26.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
27. 27.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) our pet cat (b) the vegetable market (c) making a rangoli (d) the rainy season
28. 28.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
29. 29.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) grandma's garden (b) the peacock (c) the night sky (d) my grandfather
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has big windows that let in sunlight. Our desks are arranged in neat rows. A green board hangs at the front. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
31. 31.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
32. 32.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 night sky is full of wonders. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
33. 33.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
34. 34.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) saving water (b) a day at the beach (c) my best friend (d) the peacock
35. 35.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) a cricket match (b) grandma's garden (c) our school sports day (d) our postman
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. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
37. 37.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
38. 38.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
39. 39.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.

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