Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 818 · 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?
   
   ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
2. 2.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
3. 3.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 pet cat (b) my new bicycle (c) grandma's garden (d) making a rangoli
4. 4.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
5. 5.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
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) our classroom (c) a busy railway station (d) the rainy season
7. 7.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
8. 8.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 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) The peacock is the national bird of India.
9. 9.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) the village fair (b) eating healthy food (c) saving water (d) a day at the beach
10. 10.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
12. 12.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
13. 13.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) the school library (b) a day at the beach (c) a cricket match (d) the village fair
14. 14.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
15. 15.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
16. 16.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) We must not waste water. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
17. 17.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) flying kites (b) our postman (c) my best friend (d) our trip to the zoo
18. 18.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) flying kites (b) my best friend (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the vegetable market
19. 19.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) We must not waste water. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
20. 20.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) The railway station is always busy.
21. 21.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) saving water (b) grandma's garden (c) the school library (d) our postman
22. 22.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) We must not waste water.
23. 23.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
24. 24.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 classroom (b) my best friend (c) the night sky (d) eating healthy food
25. 25.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) saving water (b) our pet cat (c) our postman (d) a busy railway station
26. 26.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
27. 27.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
28. 28.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
29. 29.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) We must not waste water. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
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) ants (b) my grandfather (c) making a rangoli (d) a cricket match
31. 31.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. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) We must not waste water. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
33. 33.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
34. 34.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 classroom (b) saving water (c) a cricket match (d) a visit to an old fort
35. 35.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) a day at the beach (b) our school sports day (c) the rainy season (d) making a rangoli
36. 36.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 night sky is full of wonders. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
37. 37.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) a busy railway station (b) our trip to the zoo (c) ants (d) our postman
38. 38.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
39. 39.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. (a) We must not waste water. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The railway station is always busy.
40. 40.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) grandma's garden (c) the peacock (d) ants

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