Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 838 · 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?
   
   ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. (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) A fair comes to our village every winter.
2. 2.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) our school sports day (b) ants (c) a day at the beach (d) our trip to the zoo
3. 3.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) my new bicycle (b) the vegetable market (c) elephants (d) the night sky
4. 4.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
5. 5.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
6. 6.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 grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
8. 8.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 school library (b) the peacock (c) grandma's garden (d) our postman
9. 9.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) We must not waste water.
11. 11.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) elephants (b) saving water (c) a cricket match (d) the night sky
12. 12.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) We must not waste water.
13. 13.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
14. 14.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
15. 15.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
17. 17.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 busy railway station (b) the night sky (c) our school sports day (d) eating healthy food
18. 18.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) the vegetable market (b) the rainy season (c) a busy railway station (d) the old banyan tree
19. 19.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ 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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
20. 20.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 vegetable market (b) a cricket match (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the rainy season
21. 21.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. We place small lamps around the design. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
22. 22.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) grandma's garden (b) the rainy season (c) my grandfather (d) the vegetable market
23. 23.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 street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
24. 24.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
25. 25.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) the school library (b) the vegetable market (c) flying kites (d) the old banyan tree
26. 26.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) eating healthy food (b) making a rangoli (c) grandma's garden (d) a cricket match
27. 27.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) my grandfather (b) a visit to an old fort (c) the school library (d) our classroom
28. 28.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) 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) The night sky is full of wonders.
29. 29.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 monsoon is my favourite season. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
30. 30.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 school library (c) my new bicycle (d) the night sky
31. 31.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) the peacock (b) the school library (c) my grandfather (d) the vegetable market
32. 32.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The railway station is always busy.
33. 33.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
34. 34.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) We must not waste water. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
37. 37.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) saving water (b) ants (c) our trip to the zoo (d) making a rangoli
38. 38.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 peacock (b) eating healthy food (c) ants (d) the night sky
39. 39.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
40. 40.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.

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