Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 892 · 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) the village fair (b) elephants (c) a day at the beach (d) our classroom
2. 2.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
3. 3.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) a busy railway station (c) our school sports day (d) the rainy season
4. 4.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 school sports day was full of fun. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
6. 6.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
7. 7.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 vegetable market (b) our trip to the zoo (c) elephants (d) a day at the beach
8. 8.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. We buy strong string for our kites. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) We must not waste water.
9. 9.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) ants (b) the peacock (c) the vegetable market (d) our classroom
10. 10.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
11. 11.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) the school library (b) ants (c) making a rangoli (d) my grandfather
12. 12.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
14. 14.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) a cricket match (b) my grandfather (c) the village fair (d) the vegetable market
15. 15.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) my new bicycle (b) my grandfather (c) making a rangoli (d) a day at the beach
16. 16.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 school sports day (b) elephants (c) our trip to the zoo (d) saving water
17. 17.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
18. 18.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
19. 19.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
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) my grandfather (b) the vegetable market (c) elephants (d) the rainy season
21. 21.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
22. 22.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
23. 23.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
24. 24.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) We must not waste water. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
25. 25.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 busy railway station (b) our trip to the zoo (c) eating healthy food (d) a visit to an old fort
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
27. 27.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 postman (b) the old banyan tree (c) saving water (d) grandma's garden
28. 28.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) making a rangoli (c) a busy railway station (d) eating healthy food
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The librarian helps us find good books. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
30. 30.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) flying kites (b) our school sports day (c) a day at the beach (d) my best friend
31. 31.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 peacock (b) our trip to the zoo (c) my new bicycle (d) our classroom
32. 32.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 grandfather (c) the old banyan tree (d) my best friend
33. 33.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
34. 34.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) a day at the beach (b) my best friend (c) the old banyan tree (d) ants
35. 35.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
36. 36.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) eating healthy food (b) the village fair (c) the rainy season (d) our classroom
37. 37.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
38. 38.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
39. 39.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We must not waste water.
40. 40.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) a visit to an old fort (b) the night sky (c) a busy railway station (d) the school library

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