Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 804 · 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?
   
   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) grandma's garden (b) the vegetable market (c) the peacock (d) ants
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ It has a long, bright blue neck. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
3. 3.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 old banyan tree (b) grandma's garden (c) elephants (d) eating healthy food
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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
5. 5.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
6. 6.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) the vegetable market (c) the old banyan tree (d) my new bicycle
7. 7.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) the peacock (b) flying kites (c) a day at the beach (d) the night sky
8. 8.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) making a rangoli (b) our school sports day (c) our classroom (d) the rainy season
9. 9.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
10. 10.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
11. 11.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) the rainy season (c) our pet cat (d) making a rangoli
12. 12.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
13. 13.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 railway station is always busy. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
14. 14.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
15. 15.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It is red with a shiny silver bell. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
16. 16.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) the old banyan tree (b) ants (c) our postman (d) the village fair
17. 17.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 peacock (b) a busy railway station (c) a visit to an old fort (d) making a rangoli
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. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
19. 19.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
20. 20.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) making a rangoli (b) our school sports day (c) my grandfather (d) saving water
21. 21.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
22. 22.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
23. 23.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 trip to the zoo (b) flying kites (c) saving water (d) the peacock
24. 24.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The railway station is always busy.
25. 25.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) the old banyan tree (b) ants (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the peacock
26. 26.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has a long, bright blue neck. Its tail feathers have beautiful eye spots. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
28. 28.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 peacock (b) our school sports day (c) our postman (d) elephants
29. 29.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
31. 31.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) our postman (b) the rainy season (c) the school library (d) our pet cat
32. 32.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 postman (b) our trip to the zoo (c) the peacock (d) a visit to an old fort
33. 33.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ She has soft white fur and green eyes. 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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
35. 35.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) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They have long trunks and big ears. An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) We must not waste water. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
38. 38.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) the rainy season (b) the school library (c) a busy railway station (d) making a rangoli
39. 39.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) ants (c) a day at the beach (d) our school sports day
40. 40.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.

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