Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 846 · 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?
   
   ___ She has soft white fur and green eyes. Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
2. 2.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 school sports day was full of fun. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
3. 3.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 village fair (b) eating healthy food (c) a busy railway station (d) my best friend
4. 4.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
5. 5.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
6. 6.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 school library (b) the night sky (c) flying kites (d) my new bicycle
7. 7.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) our pet cat (b) elephants (c) my new bicycle (d) a day at the beach
8. 8.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 postman (b) the school library (c) the village fair (d) our school sports day
9. 9.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 school library (b) the village fair (c) our trip to the zoo (d) my new bicycle
10. 10.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
11. 11.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
12. 12.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) my grandfather (b) the night sky (c) ants (d) a visit to an old fort
13. 13.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 visit to an old fort (b) a cricket match (c) the peacock (d) a busy railway station
14. 14.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
15. 15.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its tail feathers have beautiful eye spots. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
16. 16.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) making a rangoli (b) our pet cat (c) our postman (d) the school library
17. 17.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. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
18. 18.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) saving water (b) the vegetable market (c) flying kites (d) a visit to an old fort
19. 19.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
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) ants (b) the old banyan tree (c) the rainy season (d) a visit to an old fort
21. 21.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
22. 22.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
23. 23.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) our trip to the zoo (c) elephants (d) the rainy season
24. 24.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) elephants (b) our classroom (c) our school sports day (d) a visit to an old fort
25. 25.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) a cricket match (c) my best friend (d) the vegetable market
26. 26.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) saving water (b) flying kites (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the school library
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
28. 28.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
29. 29.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
30. 30.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
31. 31.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
32. 32.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
33. 33.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) a cricket match (b) making a rangoli (c) our classroom (d) flying kites
34. 34.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) a visit to an old fort (b) my best friend (c) eating healthy food (d) making a rangoli
35. 35.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) grandma's garden (b) a busy railway station (c) the rainy season (d) our postman
36. 36.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its stone walls were very thick. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
38. 38.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) grandma's garden (b) flying kites (c) the rainy season (d) my new bicycle
39. 39.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ 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 is full of wonders. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
40. 40.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) the rainy season (c) the old banyan tree (d) my grandfather

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