Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 817 · 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?
   
   ___ 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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) We must not waste water. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
2. 2.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 pet cat (b) my new bicycle (c) flying kites (d) grandma's garden
3. 3.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) grandma's garden (b) a cricket match (c) our pet cat (d) a busy railway station
4. 4.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) the old banyan tree (c) our school sports day (d) a day at the beach
5. 5.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 school library (b) our school sports day (c) eating healthy food (d) our pet cat
6. 6.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 railway station is always busy. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
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 vegetable market (b) eating healthy food (c) the night sky (d) my best friend
8. 8.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
9. 9.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) the village fair (b) a busy railway station (c) saving water (d) our postman
10. 10.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) elephants (b) the old banyan tree (c) a visit to an old fort (d) our trip to the zoo
11. 11.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
12. 12.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
13. 13.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
14. 14.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. A magician does tricks for the children. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
15. 15.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 peacock (b) the vegetable market (c) the old banyan tree (d) the rainy season
16. 16.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) The railway station is always busy.
17. 17.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
18. 18.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) saving water (b) my new bicycle (c) our postman (d) making a rangoli
19. 19.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) ants (b) a cricket match (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the vegetable market
20. 20.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 best friend (b) the village fair (c) a day at the beach (d) elephants
21. 21.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) We must not waste water. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
22. 22.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
23. 23.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 grandfather (b) my best friend (c) the night sky (d) the vegetable market
24. 24.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
25. 25.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 trip to the zoo (b) ants (c) eating healthy food (d) elephants
26. 26.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
27. 27.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
28. 28.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
29. 29.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
30. 30.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) making a rangoli (b) grandma's garden (c) our school sports day (d) ants
31. 31.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) We must not waste water. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
32. 32.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) my grandfather (c) the peacock (d) eating healthy food
33. 33.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
34. 34.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. She sleeps in a basket near the window. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
35. 35.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its stone walls were very thick. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
37. 37.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
38. 38.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. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) The railway station is always busy.
39. 39.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 village fair (b) grandma's garden (c) the old banyan tree (d) the peacock
40. 40.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.

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