Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 881 · 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?
   
   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) ants (b) the old banyan tree (c) our pet cat (d) eating healthy food
2. 2.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 village fair (b) a busy railway station (c) our classroom (d) my grandfather
3. 3.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 best friend is Farhan. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
4. 4.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ 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 class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
5. 5.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 classroom (b) our trip to the zoo (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the night sky
6. 6.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The railway station is always busy.
7. 7.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) grandma's garden (b) a day at the beach (c) our classroom (d) the rainy season
8. 8.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
9. 9.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) the peacock (c) eating healthy food (d) grandma's garden
10. 10.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) the village fair (b) my new bicycle (c) the vegetable market (d) my best friend
11. 11.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 vegetable market (b) the village fair (c) our trip to the zoo (d) ants
12. 12.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) making a rangoli (b) a day at the beach (c) a busy railway station (d) our trip to the zoo
13. 13.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
15. 15.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 classroom is bright and clean. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
16. 16.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. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
17. 17.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
18. 18.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
19. 19.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) a day at the beach (b) our trip to the zoo (c) my grandfather (d) elephants
20. 20.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) my new bicycle (b) a busy railway station (c) our school sports day (d) ants
21. 21.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) the night sky (b) the vegetable market (c) a visit to an old fort (d) saving water
22. 22.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
23. 23.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) the vegetable market (b) a visit to an old fort (c) grandma's garden (d) my new bicycle
24. 24.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They have long trunks and big ears. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (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) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
25. 25.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The railway station is always busy.
26. 26.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
27. 27.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They live together in an anthill. Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants store food for the winter. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
29. 29.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 must not waste water. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
30. 30.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
31. 31.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
32. 32.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) We must not waste water. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
34. 34.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 peacock (b) our trip to the zoo (c) ants (d) our pet cat
35. 35.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) We must not waste water. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
36. 36.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) elephants (b) flying kites (c) the peacock (d) the rainy season
37. 37.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) The railway station is always busy.
38. 38.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
39. 39.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) a day at the beach (c) our pet cat (d) my new bicycle
40. 40.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.

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