Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 811 · 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?
   
   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 school library (b) the peacock (c) our postman (d) eating healthy food
2. 2.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 old banyan tree (b) our pet cat (c) the vegetable market (d) our classroom
3. 3.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) saving water (b) a day at the beach (c) ants (d) our pet cat
4. 4.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) my best friend (b) our trip to the zoo (c) the village fair (d) a visit to an old fort
5. 5.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
6. 6.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) ants (b) the peacock (c) the night sky (d) flying kites
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
8. 8.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) a day at the beach (b) our classroom (c) my grandfather (d) the rainy season
9. 9.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) our postman (b) flying kites (c) our trip to the zoo (d) elephants
10. 10.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
11. 11.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
12. 12.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
13. 13.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) We must not waste water.
14. 14.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 classroom is bright and clean. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
15. 15.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
16. 16.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. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
17. 17.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) 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.
18. 18.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
19. 19.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
20. 20.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) our trip to the zoo (b) my best friend (c) saving water (d) our classroom
21. 21.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The railway station is always busy.
22. 22.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 vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
23. 23.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
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 store food for the winter. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
25. 25.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (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) the school library (b) a busy railway station (c) the old banyan tree (d) the night sky
27. 27.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) We must not waste water. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
28. 28.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) ants (b) my new bicycle (c) the rainy season (d) our school sports day
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has big windows that let in sunlight. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
30. 30.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 sports day was full of fun. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
31. 31.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) my new bicycle (b) flying kites (c) the vegetable market (d) the night sky
32. 32.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) our postman (b) saving water (c) the school library (d) eating healthy food
33. 33.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) my new bicycle (b) elephants (c) my best friend (d) ants
34. 34.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) our trip to the zoo (b) grandma's garden (c) the school library (d) my grandfather
35. 35.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
36. 36.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
38. 38.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The railway station is always busy.
40. 40.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) ants (b) our pet cat (c) saving water (d) the school library

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