Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 845 · 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?
   
   ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
2. 2.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
3. 3.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 day at the beach (b) the village fair (c) saving water (d) a busy railway station
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) the night sky (b) the old banyan tree (c) the vegetable market (d) our trip to the zoo
5. 5.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) ants (b) my new bicycle (c) making a rangoli (d) the vegetable market
6. 6.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) my grandfather (c) the school library (d) my best friend
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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
8. 8.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
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) ants (b) my grandfather (c) eating healthy food (d) the school library
10. 10.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
11. 11.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) my new bicycle (b) saving water (c) the school library (d) the peacock
12. 12.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (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) our trip to the zoo (b) the old banyan tree (c) my best friend (d) flying kites
14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Milk and curd make our bones strong. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
15. 15.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) the old banyan tree (d) the school library
16. 16.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) We must not waste water.
17. 17.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) our trip to the zoo (b) the school library (c) grandma's garden (d) the peacock
18. 18.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
19. 19.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 school sports day (c) my grandfather (d) making a rangoli
20. 20.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) the village fair (c) the night sky (d) our postman
21. 21.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) my new bicycle (c) the vegetable market (d) a cricket match
22. 22.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) my new bicycle (b) a visit to an old fort (c) our pet cat (d) the old banyan tree
23. 23.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Our class visited an old fort on a hill. Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) our postman (b) the school library (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the night sky
24. 24.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) 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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
25. 25.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
26. 26.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. People bargain loudly over prices. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
27. 27.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
28. 28.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) We must not waste water. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
29. 29.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
30. 30.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
31. 31.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 ride it to the park every evening. (a) We must not waste water. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
32. 32.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 must not waste water. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
33. 33.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. Children float paper boats in puddles. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
34. 34.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
35. 35.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
36. 36.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
37. 37.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) flying kites (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the night sky
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It is red with a shiny silver bell. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
39. 39.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) We must not waste water.
40. 40.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) a busy railway station (b) our school sports day (c) the night sky (d) the vegetable market

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