Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 842 · 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?
   
   ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
2. 2.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) making a rangoli (b) my new bicycle (c) a day at the beach (d) the rainy season
3. 3.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 have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
4. 4.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ He brings letters and parcels every day. The postman knows every house on our street. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
5. 5.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) our trip to the zoo (b) elephants (c) flying kites (d) a cricket match
6. 6.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
8. 8.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) our trip to the zoo (b) our classroom (c) my grandfather (d) saving water
9. 9.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The librarian helps us find good books. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
11. 11.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
12. 12.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
13. 13.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) eating healthy food (c) flying kites (d) making a rangoli
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) the village fair (b) making a rangoli (c) the school library (d) our trip to the zoo
15. 15.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) the rainy season (c) our postman (d) ants
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
17. 17.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
18. 18.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
19. 19.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
20. 20.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) We must not waste water.
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. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
22. 22.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has a long, bright blue neck. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
23. 23.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) the vegetable market (b) a visit to an old fort (c) elephants (d) making a rangoli
24. 24.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) my new bicycle (b) the vegetable market (c) the night sky (d) grandma's garden
25. 25.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) the old banyan tree (b) the village fair (c) our postman (d) the peacock
26. 26.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 peacock (b) a busy railway station (c) elephants (d) our trip to the zoo
27. 27.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) my grandfather (b) my best friend (c) my new bicycle (d) eating healthy food
28. 28.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 village fair (b) the night sky (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the rainy season
29. 29.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
30. 30.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) We must not waste water. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
31. 31.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
32. 32.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) my new bicycle (b) eating healthy food (c) the village fair (d) our school sports day
33. 33.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 postman (b) my grandfather (c) the night sky (d) making a rangoli
34. 34.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) making a rangoli (b) saving water (c) the peacock (d) the school library
35. 35.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 class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We must not waste water.
36. 36.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) our school sports day (b) flying kites (c) my best friend (d) the school library
37. 37.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The railway station is always busy.
38. 38.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
39. 39.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
40. 40.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.

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