Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 962 · 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?
   
   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) my best friend (c) our school sports day (d) saving water
2. 2.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 store food for the winter. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
3. 3.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 school sports day (c) our classroom (d) the peacock
4. 4.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 vegetable market (b) the rainy season (c) the old banyan tree (d) our pet cat
5. 5.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. We buy strong string for our kites. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
6. 6.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) our pet cat (c) saving water (d) a visit to an old fort
7. 7.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
8. 8.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
9. 9.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
11. 11.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 old banyan tree (b) saving water (c) making a rangoli (d) ants
12. 12.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) our postman (b) the rainy season (c) my new bicycle (d) the old banyan tree
13. 13.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
14. 14.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. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
15. 15.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) elephants (b) the vegetable market (c) ants (d) a cricket match
16. 16.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) our pet cat (b) a day at the beach (c) making a rangoli (d) my best friend
17. 17.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Milk and curd make our bones strong. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
18. 18.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
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) our classroom (b) our pet cat (c) grandma's garden (d) the old banyan tree
21. 21.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (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.
22. 22.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) eating healthy food (b) a cricket match (c) our trip to the zoo (d) our pet cat
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) We must not waste water.
24. 24.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 new bicycle (b) a visit to an old fort (c) the village fair (d) the night sky
25. 25.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) our classroom (b) a busy railway station (c) our school sports day (d) my new bicycle
26. 26.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
27. 27.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
28. 28.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) We must not waste water. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
29. 29.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 trip to the zoo (b) the rainy season (c) my new bicycle (d) the peacock
30. 30.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
31. 31.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 day at the beach (b) our classroom (c) the night sky (d) the school library
32. 32.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 must not waste water. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
33. 33.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
34. 34.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
35. 35.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
36. 36.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) my new bicycle (b) our school sports day (c) the peacock (d) a visit to an old fort
37. 37.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
38. 38.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 class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
39. 39.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
40. 40.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. A green board hangs at the front. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.

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