Topic Sentences

The topic sentence will ALWAYS be the first sentence to a paragraph.

• True

• False

A topic sentence describes a main topic and has a controlling idea that specifies what the author will discuss.

• True

• False

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

The best trip my family ever took was to New Orleans, Louisiana. We drove there in two days. I didn't think it would be very interesting, but I was wrong. We saw the Mississippi River, rode a horse carriage in the French Quarter, and visited a cemetery where everyone was buried above the ground. I liked the food best, especially the New Orleans doughnuts called beignets.

• I didn't think it would be very interesting, but I was wrong.

• We drove there in two days.

• The best trip my family ever took was to New Orleans, Louisiana.

• I liked the food best, especially the New Orleans doughnuts called beignets.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

No one likes to eat with a dirty knife, fork, or spoon. It is important to completely wash all utensils before using them. Using clean, soapy water is best. Clean utensils won't transmit germs and bacteria. They also are more pleasant to eat with. No one likes to pick up a fork with food stuck on it!

• No one likes to eat with a dirty knife, fork, or spoon.

• It is important to completely wash all utensils before using them.

• Clean utensils won't transmit germs and bacteria.

• They also are more pleasant to eat with.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

Many people think poetry is old-fashioned and uninteresting. They don't realize that every time they hear a song sung, they are hearing poetry in the form of song lyrics. Just like many written poems, many song lyrics use rhythm, rhyme, and literary imagery. It turns out that poetry isn't old-fashioned; it's as modern as the latest hit song!

• Many people think poetry is old-fashioned and uninteresting.

• They don't realize that every time they hear a song sung, they are hearing poetry in the form of song lyrics.

• Just like many written poems, many song lyrics use rhythm, rhyme, and literary imagery.

• It turns out that poetry isn't old-fashioned; it's as modern as the latest hit song!

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

Growing a garden can be fun, good exercise, and will provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the gardener. It is interesting to watch the seeds pop their heads above the soil for the first time. It is sometimes hard to believe that a little seed can become a large vine or plant in just a few weeks. Planting the seeds and pulling weeds are good exercise for anyone. Then, after watching the plant grow and produce, the gardener ends up with delicious tomatoes, beans, or other yummy produce from the garden.

• Growing a garden can be fun, good exercise, and will provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the gardener.

• It is interesting to watch the seeds pop their heads above the soil for the first time.

• It is sometimes hard to believe that a little seed can become a large vine or plant in just a few weeks.

• Planting the seeds and pulling weeds are good exercise for anyone.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

Sometimes it is hard to fall asleep. Maybe you are not sleepy, or maybe you are thinking about what happened during the day. You can also lie awake if a big event, like a test or a party, is happening the next day. There are several things you can do to try and fall asleep. You can try counting sheep, or just counting, which will keep your mind busy with a repetitious activity. Sometimes listening to soft music or gentle sounds, like rain, helps. You can even try telling yourself a story, which may distract your mind enough that you will be asleep in no time.

• Sometimes it is hard to fall asleep.

• You can even try telling yourself a story, which may distract your mind enough that you will be asleep in no time.

• There are several things you can do to try and fall asleep.

• Maybe you are not sleepy, or maybe you are thinking about what happened during the day.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

Miniature golf is both fun and relaxing. Because of the wide variety of course themes, playing each individual course is like taking a mini-vacation. You can play in exotic locales like jungles or pirate islands. You can travel in time and play in different places in history. Or you can take a leap of the imagination and play under the sea, in space, or in alien worlds. For a very low price, you can take a different vacation every time you play!

• Miniature golf is both fun and relaxing.

• Because of the wide variety of course themes, playing each individual course is like taking a mini-vacation.

• You can play in exotic locales like jungles or pirate islands.

• For a very low price, you can take a different vacation every time you play!

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

Clarion angelfish live in reef waters. They eat sponges, sea grasses, and algae. They live in small schools typically underneath a ledge or rocky overhanging. A large Clarion angelfish is eight inches long. Its thin body helps it slip in and around rocky reefs. Clarion angelfish are quite unique.

• Clarion angelfish live in reef waters.

• A large Clarion angelfish is eight inches long.

• Clarion angelfish are quite unique.

• They eat sponges, sea grasses, and algae.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

The rides at the fair are awesome! Everyone can find something they enjoy doing. Many people gather to watch the bull riding. Others like to watch the dogs herding the sheep. Everyone comes for the food and dessert. The county fair is a great place for entertainment and fun.

• The rides at the fair are awesome!

• Everyone can find something they enjoy doing.

• Everyone comes for the food and dessert.

• The county fair is a great place for entertainment and fun.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2