Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 853 · 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?
   
   ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
2. 2.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. A green board hangs at the front. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
3. 3.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) my new bicycle (b) the peacock (c) grandma's garden (d) our classroom
4. 4.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 trip to the zoo (b) our classroom (c) making a rangoli (d) grandma's garden
5. 5.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) making a rangoli (b) our school sports day (c) our pet cat (d) ants
6. 6.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
7. 7.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
8. 8.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 vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
9. 9.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) a cricket match (c) the rainy season (d) the night sky
10. 10.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) our pet cat (b) elephants (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the night sky
11. 11.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) my grandfather (c) flying kites (d) my best friend
12. 12.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (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?
    
    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) a day at the beach (b) our pet cat (c) the school library (d) our postman
14. 14.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
15. 15.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) flying kites (b) my grandfather (c) the peacock (d) ants
16. 16.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) our school sports day (b) the old banyan tree (c) a busy railway station (d) making a rangoli
17. 17.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
18. 18.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
19. 19.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
20. 20.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
21. 21.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 rainy season (b) my best friend (c) my new bicycle (d) the night sky
22. 22.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 school library (b) our pet cat (c) the vegetable market (d) making a rangoli
23. 23.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
24. 24.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
25. 25.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) my grandfather (b) elephants (c) the peacock (d) a day at the beach
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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The railway station is always busy.
27. 27.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
28. 28.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
29. 29.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. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) We must not waste water. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My friend always shares his lunch with me. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
31. 31.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
32. 32.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) the vegetable market (b) a day at the beach (c) our school sports day (d) the village fair
33. 33.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) a visit to an old fort (b) the village fair (c) our classroom (d) the school library
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
35. 35.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) our pet cat (b) the school library (c) the old banyan tree (d) flying kites
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has big windows that let in sunlight. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
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) saving water (b) our pet cat (c) our school sports day (d) our classroom
38. 38.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 must not waste water. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
39. 39.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) the rainy season (b) our trip to the zoo (c) our postman (d) a cricket match
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.

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