Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 847 · 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?
   
   ___ Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
2. 2.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) grandma's garden (c) the night sky (d) the vegetable market
3. 3.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) elephants (b) flying kites (c) the school library (d) our postman
4. 4.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) a visit to an old fort (c) my grandfather (d) the school library
5. 5.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
6. 6.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 trip to the zoo (b) the night sky (c) a day at the beach (d) grandma's garden
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
8. 8.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
9. 9.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
10. 10.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
11. 11.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 peacock (b) the rainy season (c) grandma's garden (d) the school library
12. 12.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    We have a pet cat named Mishti. She has soft white fur and green eyes. Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) flying kites (b) our pet cat (c) the rainy season (d) the peacock
13. 13.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) the night sky (b) making a rangoli (c) ants (d) my grandfather
14. 14.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 rainy season (b) a busy railway station (c) my grandfather (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) my new bicycle (b) our pet cat (c) ants (d) my grandfather
16. 16.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 night sky (b) my best friend (c) eating healthy food (d) a day at the beach
17. 17.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
18. 18.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) the school library (c) the night sky (d) the rainy season
19. 19.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
20. 20.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They live together in an anthill. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
21. 21.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The railway station is always busy.
22. 22.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) grandma's garden (b) ants (c) our classroom (d) my grandfather
23. 23.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
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) our classroom (b) the rainy season (c) the school library (d) the peacock
25. 25.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. Kites of every colour dance in the wind. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
26. 26.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
27. 27.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
28. 28.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
30. 30.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) the night sky (b) saving water (c) a day at the beach (d) ants
31. 31.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 grandfather (b) the old banyan tree (c) my new bicycle (d) ants
32. 32.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
33. 33.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
34. 34.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
35. 35.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) the rainy season (b) the peacock (c) the night sky (d) a visit to an old fort
36. 36.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ We saw a tiger resting on a big rock. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
38. 38.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
39. 39.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
40. 40.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.

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