Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 901 · 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?
   
   ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) We must not waste water. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
2. 2.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
3. 3.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its tail feathers have beautiful eye spots. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
4. 4.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) a day at the beach (b) ants (c) our school sports day (d) a busy railway station
5. 5.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its stone walls were very thick. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
6. 6.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) my new bicycle (b) ants (c) our trip to the zoo (d) a visit to an old fort
7. 7.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. Farhan and I play football after school. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
8. 8.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) the vegetable market (b) our school sports day (c) our classroom (d) our postman
9. 9.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 school sports day (b) our trip to the zoo (c) a day at the beach (d) the night sky
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 visit to an old fort (b) a cricket match (c) a busy railway station (d) elephants
11. 11.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) eating healthy food (b) our pet cat (c) my new bicycle (d) the old banyan tree
12. 12.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) my new bicycle (b) the old banyan tree (c) eating healthy food (d) the school library
13. 13.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
14. 14.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) a busy railway station (b) our trip to the zoo (c) the village fair (d) our postman
15. 15.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
16. 16.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 have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
17. 17.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) our pet cat (b) our classroom (c) my new bicycle (d) the village fair
18. 18.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 busy railway station (b) ants (c) the school library (d) the rainy season
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) elephants (b) flying kites (c) eating healthy food (d) the village fair
20. 20.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) a cricket match (b) a day at the beach (c) the village fair (d) eating healthy food
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) saving water (b) the vegetable market (c) our postman (d) the rainy season
22. 22.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) We must not waste water. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
23. 23.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
24. 24.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) We must not waste water.
25. 25.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. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The day began with a march past. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) We must not waste water. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
27. 27.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 vegetable market (b) the rainy season (c) the school library (d) my grandfather
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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
29. 29.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) We must not waste water.
31. 31.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) our school sports day (b) our classroom (c) flying kites (d) my best friend
32. 32.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
33. 33.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) our school sports day (d) our trip to the zoo
34. 34.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) our pet cat (b) the peacock (c) the rainy season (d) the village fair
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has a long, bright blue neck. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (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) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
36. 36.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
37. 37.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
38. 38.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 sports day was full of fun. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
39. 39.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
40. 40.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) our pet cat (b) the school library (c) my best friend (d) the village fair

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