Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 971 · 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?
   
   ___ We climbed up to the tower. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
2. 2.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 vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
3. 3.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) our classroom (b) ants (c) a visit to an old fort (d) grandma's garden
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) our classroom (b) the village fair (c) our pet cat (d) our school sports day
5. 5.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 night sky (b) our school sports day (c) the old banyan tree (d) our postman
6. 6.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 trip to the zoo (b) saving water (c) flying kites (d) the rainy season
7. 7.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
8. 8.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 monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) We must not waste water.
9. 9.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) the old banyan tree (b) my new bicycle (c) our trip to the zoo (d) our pet cat
10. 10.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) a cricket match (b) the vegetable market (c) a busy railway station (d) our pet cat
11. 11.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
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 pet cat (b) the rainy season (c) our postman (d) the school library
13. 13.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) our classroom (d) the rainy season
14. 14.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
15. 15.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
16. 16.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
17. 17.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) the vegetable market (b) a busy railway station (c) saving water (d) a day at the beach
18. 18.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) the old banyan tree (b) a busy railway station (c) our school sports day (d) a day at the beach
19. 19.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 grandfather (c) a day at the beach (d) a visit to an old fort
20. 20.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
21. 21.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ 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 street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
22. 22.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
23. 23.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) my new bicycle (b) the old banyan tree (c) a busy railway station (d) eating healthy food
24. 24.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. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
25. 25.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. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
26. 26.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 grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
27. 27.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 school sports day was full of fun. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
28. 28.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) We must not waste water. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
29. 29.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
30. 30.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) a visit to an old fort (c) elephants (d) the vegetable market
31. 31.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
33. 33.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) making a rangoli (b) eating healthy food (c) the school library (d) grandma's garden
34. 34.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
35. 35.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
37. 37.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) ants (b) saving water (c) the old banyan tree (d) eating healthy food
38. 38.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
39. 39.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) We must not waste water.
40. 40.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. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.

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