Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 983 · 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?
   
   ___ Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
2. 2.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
3. 3.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) my best friend (b) saving water (c) elephants (d) a day at the beach
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) the school library (b) a cricket match (c) the vegetable market (d) our school sports day
5. 5.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
6. 6.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) elephants (b) the night sky (c) a busy railway station (d) ants
7. 7.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
8. 8.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) my new bicycle (b) our postman (c) the school library (d) ants
9. 9.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) We must not waste water.
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
11. 11.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 school sports day (b) my new bicycle (c) our pet cat (d) the night sky
12. 12.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 walk one behind the other in a line. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
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) saving water (b) the night sky (c) our postman (d) the village fair
14. 14.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
15. 15.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 school library (b) our classroom (c) the rainy season (d) the vegetable market
16. 16.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) my new bicycle (b) a visit to an old fort (c) my best friend (d) a busy railway station
17. 17.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) our postman (b) the school library (c) flying kites (d) the old banyan tree
18. 18.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 classroom (b) flying kites (c) our trip to the zoo (d) my best friend
19. 19.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
20. 20.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) my best friend (b) the old banyan tree (c) a day at the beach (d) our classroom
21. 21.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
22. 22.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 class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
23. 23.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 vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
24. 24.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) a cricket match (b) our pet cat (c) my best friend (d) grandma's garden
25. 25.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
26. 26.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 village fair (b) elephants (c) my new bicycle (d) ants
27. 27.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
28. 28.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) eating healthy food (b) the peacock (c) grandma's garden (d) my grandfather
29. 29.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
30. 30.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
31. 31.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 vegetable market (b) the old banyan tree (c) our pet cat (d) our trip to the zoo
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
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) the school library (b) the peacock (c) my best friend (d) grandma's garden
34. 34.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) our trip to the zoo (b) the rainy season (c) a cricket match (d) eating healthy food
35. 35.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
36. 36.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) a day at the beach (b) the school library (c) our postman (d) flying kites
37. 37.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
38. 38.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
39. 39.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
40. 40.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.

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