Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 839 · 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?
   
   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) making a rangoli (b) a visit to an old fort (c) a cricket match (d) eating healthy food
2. 2.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) ants (b) elephants (c) a busy railway station (d) the school library
3. 3.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 grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The railway station is always busy.
4. 4.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) my new bicycle (b) our trip to the zoo (c) the night sky (d) flying kites
5. 5.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 school sports day (b) the old banyan tree (c) the school library (d) a busy railway station
6. 6.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) We must not waste water. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
7. 7.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
8. 8.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
9. 9.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its branches spread very wide. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
10. 10.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 vegetable market (b) saving water (c) grandma's garden (d) my grandfather
11. 11.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) We must not waste water. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
12. 12.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
13. 13.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) our postman (b) a day at the beach (c) our classroom (d) our trip to the zoo
14. 14.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) a visit to an old fort (b) elephants (c) the old banyan tree (d) my new bicycle
15. 15.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) saving water (b) making a rangoli (c) the village fair (d) grandma's garden
16. 16.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
17. 17.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
18. 18.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) the vegetable market (b) flying kites (c) a cricket match (d) our classroom
19. 19.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
20. 20.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The railway station is always busy.
21. 21.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
22. 22.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) flying kites (b) the rainy season (c) our postman (d) elephants
23. 23.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 postman (b) flying kites (c) grandma's garden (d) the old banyan tree
24. 24.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. We may borrow two books every week. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
25. 25.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) our classroom (c) a cricket match (d) grandma's garden
26. 26.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) saving water (b) our classroom (c) elephants (d) the night sky
27. 27.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) our postman (b) making a rangoli (c) a busy railway station (d) my best friend
28. 28.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. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
29. 29.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
30. 30.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. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
31. 31.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) We must not waste water. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
32. 32.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) a day at the beach (b) elephants (c) eating healthy food (d) my new bicycle
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. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. We collected shells near the shore. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
36. 36.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 street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
37. 37.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) a busy railway station (b) my grandfather (c) saving water (d) elephants
38. 38.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) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
39. 39.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 school sports day was full of fun. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
40. 40.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.

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