Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 899 · 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?
   
   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) a busy railway station (c) the vegetable market (d) the village fair
2. 2.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
3. 3.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) the night sky (b) our classroom (c) our school sports day (d) the village fair
4. 4.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) elephants (b) our school sports day (c) the peacock (d) the school library
5. 5.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 cricket match (b) the night sky (c) our pet cat (d) flying kites
6. 6.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) a cricket match (b) ants (c) a visit to an old fort (d) our classroom
7. 7.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
8. 8.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) We must not waste water.
9. 9.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
10. 10.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 cricket match (b) the peacock (c) the old banyan tree (d) a visit to an old fort
11. 11.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 old banyan tree (b) the rainy season (c) our trip to the zoo (d) my best friend
12. 12.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) eating healthy food (b) elephants (c) making a rangoli (d) my new bicycle
13. 13.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
14. 14.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) my best friend (b) grandma's garden (c) a visit to an old fort (d) our pet cat
15. 15.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 library is my favourite place. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
16. 16.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) the old banyan tree (b) the village fair (c) our pet cat (d) elephants
17. 17.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) my grandfather (b) my best friend (c) my new bicycle (d) the village fair
18. 18.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 best friend is Farhan. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
19. 19.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
20. 20.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 postman (c) ants (d) my grandfather
21. 21.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 school library (b) our classroom (c) a cricket match (d) the rainy season
22. 22.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 vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
23. 23.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 peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
24. 24.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 rainy season (b) a day at the beach (c) eating healthy food (d) our school sports day
25. 25.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 monsoon is my favourite season. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
26. 26.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) We must not waste water. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ He brings letters and parcels every day. He carries a big brown bag of letters. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
28. 28.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) the rainy season (b) the night sky (c) eating healthy food (d) a cricket match
29. 29.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
31. 31.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
32. 32.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
33. 33.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 busy railway station (b) my best friend (c) a visit to an old fort (d) elephants
34. 34.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has tall shelves full of storybooks. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
36. 36.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) a busy railway station (b) our trip to the zoo (c) grandma's garden (d) the old banyan tree
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
39. 39.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
40. 40.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 walk one behind the other in a line. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.

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