Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 868 · 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.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 night sky (c) the peacock (d) making a rangoli
2. 2.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) saving water (b) my grandfather (c) a visit to an old fort (d) our trip to the zoo
3. 3.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
4. 4.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
5. 5.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
6. 6.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) my new bicycle (b) the peacock (c) my grandfather (d) making a rangoli
7. 7.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) flying kites (b) the vegetable market (c) the rainy season (d) grandma's garden
8. 8.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 rainy season (b) the school library (c) making a rangoli (d) my best friend
9. 9.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
11. 11.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
12. 12.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) my best friend (b) the village fair (c) a busy railway station (d) our pet cat
13. 13.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. She sleeps in a basket near the window. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
14. 14.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
15. 15.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The railway station is always busy.
16. 16.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. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
17. 17.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 best friend (b) eating healthy food (c) a cricket match (d) ants
18. 18.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. We collected shells near the shore. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
19. 19.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) a day at the beach (b) flying kites (c) elephants (d) my best friend
20. 20.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
21. 21.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) the school library (b) ants (c) the night sky (d) grandma's garden
22. 22.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 vegetable market (b) the school library (c) the peacock (d) ants
23. 23.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) our school sports day (b) a visit to an old fort (c) a cricket match (d) the rainy season
24. 24.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
25. 25.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
26. 26.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 peacock (c) a visit to an old fort (d) flying kites
27. 27.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 day at the beach (b) a visit to an old fort (c) a cricket match (d) the rainy season
28. 28.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) my best friend (d) my grandfather
29. 29.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 cricket match (b) my grandfather (c) our postman (d) ants
30. 30.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) our postman (b) saving water (c) elephants (d) the night sky
31. 31.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) a day at the beach (b) our trip to the zoo (c) our classroom (d) making a rangoli
32. 32.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
33. 33.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) the peacock (d) grandma's garden
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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
35. 35.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) making a rangoli (b) elephants (c) the night sky (d) grandma's garden
36. 36.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 vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
37. 37.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
38. 38.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 grandfather (c) the night sky (d) making a rangoli
39. 39.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) We must not waste water.

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