Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 924 · 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) ants (b) our trip to the zoo (c) a busy railway station (d) our postman
2. 2.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
3. 3.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) the village fair (b) making a rangoli (c) the rainy season (d) the peacock
4. 4.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
5. 5.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) flying kites (b) our pet cat (c) ants (d) elephants
6. 6.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 busy railway station (c) making a rangoli (d) saving water
7. 7.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
8. 8.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) the old banyan tree (b) my best friend (c) our postman (d) a day at the beach
9. 9.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
10. 10.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) the school library (b) a day at the beach (c) grandma's garden (d) our classroom
11. 11.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 railway station is always busy. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
12. 12.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) our postman (b) eating healthy food (c) the night sky (d) our trip to the zoo
13. 13.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
14. 14.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
15. 15.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
16. 16.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) our school sports day (b) eating healthy food (c) a visit to an old fort (d) a cricket match
17. 17.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
18. 18.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (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) the vegetable market (b) the school library (c) grandma's garden (d) elephants
20. 20.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
21. 21.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) the night sky (c) elephants (d) my grandfather
22. 22.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. A magician does tricks for the children. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) The railway station is always busy.
24. 24.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
25. 25.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) our trip to the zoo (c) the vegetable market (d) my grandfather
26. 26.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) flying kites (b) the vegetable market (c) a day at the beach (d) the school library
27. 27.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) our classroom (b) my best friend (c) grandma's garden (d) our trip to the zoo
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
29. 29.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
30. 30.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 class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
31. 31.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has big windows that let in sunlight. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My friend always shares his lunch with me. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
34. 34.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They live together in an anthill. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
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 day at the beach (b) ants (c) the old banyan tree (d) grandma's garden
37. 37.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
38. 38.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) ants (b) making a rangoli (c) my best friend (d) flying kites
39. 39.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) a visit to an old fort (b) the rainy season (c) elephants (d) our trip to the zoo
40. 40.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) the vegetable market (b) my new bicycle (c) a day at the beach (d) our postman

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