Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 96 · 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?
   
   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) my grandfather (c) a day at the beach (d) my new bicycle
2. 2.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) saving water (b) our classroom (c) the vegetable market (d) the old banyan tree
3. 3.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) a visit to an old fort (b) a busy railway station (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the school library
4. 4.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
5. 5.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Our desks are arranged in neat rows. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. The guide told us about the old kings. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
8. 8.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) my grandfather (b) grandma's garden (c) the night sky (d) saving water
9. 9.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) a cricket match (b) the old banyan tree (c) our pet cat (d) the night sky
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
11. 11.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) We must not waste water.
12. 12.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. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
13. 13.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 peacock (b) our postman (c) a day at the beach (d) the vegetable market
14. 14.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 postman (b) the school library (c) my new bicycle (d) our pet cat
15. 15.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
16. 16.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. The winners got shiny medals. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
17. 17.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
18. 18.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) a cricket match (b) the village fair (c) my best friend (d) the rainy season
19. 19.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
20. 20.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) our pet cat (b) ants (c) the school library (d) a day at the beach
21. 21.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) our pet cat (b) a visit to an old fort (c) making a rangoli (d) the night sky
22. 22.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 visit to an old fort (b) a busy railway station (c) our postman (d) ants
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
24. 24.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. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
25. 25.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 peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
27. 27.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
28. 28.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 monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
30. 30.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
31. 31.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 vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
32. 32.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
33. 33.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
34. 34.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
35. 35.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) my new bicycle (b) our postman (c) the village fair (d) our classroom
36. 36.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
37. 37.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) our school sports day (b) a busy railway station (c) the village fair (d) my grandfather
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Milk and curd make our bones strong. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
39. 39.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
40. 40.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) a visit to an old fort (c) the rainy season (d) making a rangoli

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