Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 923 · 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?
   
   ___ They have long trunks and big ears. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
2. 2.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) my new bicycle (b) eating healthy food (c) the vegetable market (d) the night sky
3. 3.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) 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 monsoon is my favourite season.
4. 4.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 visit to an old fort (b) our postman (c) flying kites (d) a day at the beach
5. 5.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 have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
6. 6.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
7. 7.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) ants (b) our postman (c) flying kites (d) our pet cat
8. 8.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 grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
9. 9.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
10. 10.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
11. 11.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) our classroom (b) the school library (c) our trip to the zoo (d) our postman
12. 12.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The day began with a march past. I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
13. 13.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) the vegetable market (b) grandma's garden (c) ants (d) a visit to an old fort
14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They have long trunks and big ears. An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
15. 15.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 oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
16. 16.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
17. 17.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) grandma's garden (b) our school sports day (c) a visit to an old fort (d) eating healthy food
18. 18.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) flying kites (b) ants (c) making a rangoli (d) the village fair
19. 19.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
20. 20.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 school library (b) grandma's garden (c) my best friend (d) a day at the beach
21. 21.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) We must not waste water. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
22. 22.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They have long trunks and big ears. An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
23. 23.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 classroom is bright and clean. (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.
24. 24.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) elephants (b) eating healthy food (c) saving water (d) a cricket match
25. 25.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ We saw a tiger resting on a big rock. 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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
26. 26.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 day at the beach (b) the school library (c) our classroom (d) our trip 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 rainy season (b) grandma's garden (c) the village fair (d) making a rangoli
28. 28.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) grandma's garden (b) making a rangoli (c) a busy railway station (d) my best friend
29. 29.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
30. 30.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
31. 31.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
32. 32.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 busy railway station (b) the school library (c) our classroom (d) our postman
33. 33.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
36. 36.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
38. 38.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
39. 39.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It is red with a shiny silver bell. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) We must not waste water. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
40. 40.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 busy railway station (b) eating healthy food (c) my new bicycle (d) ants

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