Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 824 · 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. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
2. 2.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   I got a new bicycle on my birthday. It is red with a shiny silver bell. Its seat is soft and comfortable. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) the night sky (b) the village fair (c) elephants (d) my new bicycle
3. 3.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
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) eating healthy food (b) our school sports day (c) a day at the beach (d) our postman
5. 5.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) a busy railway station (c) my new bicycle (d) flying kites
6. 6.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The railway station is always busy.
7. 7.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
8. 8.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
9. 9.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) ants (b) the peacock (c) the night sky (d) the vegetable market
10. 10.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 school library is my favourite place. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
11. 11.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
12. 12.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
13. 13.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
14. 14.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 trip to the zoo (b) making a rangoli (c) grandma's garden (d) the school library
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) a day at the beach (c) the rainy season (d) the night sky
16. 16.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 school library (b) a day at the beach (c) ants (d) grandma's garden
17. 17.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
18. 18.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
19. 19.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) a day at the beach (c) the rainy season (d) a visit to an old fort
20. 20.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
21. 21.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
22. 22.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. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
23. 23.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) a busy railway station (b) grandma's garden (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the rainy season
24. 24.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
25. 25.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
26. 26.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
27. 27.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
28. 28.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
29. 29.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) making a rangoli (b) the peacock (c) our pet cat (d) elephants
30. 30.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) We must not waste water.
31. 31.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) The railway station is always busy.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kites of every colour dance in the wind. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
33. 33.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
34. 34.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 pet cat (b) elephants (c) my grandfather (d) the peacock
35. 35.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) a cricket match (b) ants (c) the village fair (d) flying kites
36. 36.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 night sky is full of wonders. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
37. 37.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 night sky is full of wonders. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The railway station is always busy.
38. 38.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
39. 39.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
40. 40.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) my grandfather (b) the vegetable market (c) our classroom (d) our postman

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