The Topic Sentence

Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit.

Topic Sentence: Candy is not a healthy treat.

• It tastes really good.

• Candy contains high amounts of sugar.

• You can find many artificial additives in candy.

• Eating too much candy can give you cavities.

What are the sentences called that tell more about the topic sentence? 

• conclusion 
• main idea 
• supporting details 
• paragraph

Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit.
Topic Sentence: There are many reasons people find clowns scary.

• Their face paint hides their true identity. 
• People often think of the creepy clowns they've seen on movies such as "It."
• There have been some bad clowns in the news lately.
• They makes fun balloon animal. 

Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit.
Topic Sentence: Ms Schultz drinks coffee for a number of reasons.

• She likes the taste of it.
• Coffee isn't as good as tea.
• It helps her stay awake.
• When she doesn't drink it she gets really crabby.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

Choose the best topic sentence for each paragraph.

I usually go skiing every weekend in the winter even though it is expensive. I love the feeling of flying down a mountain. The views are beautiful from the top of a mountain and along the trails. Even the danger of falling and getting hurt can’t keep me away from the slopes on a winter day.

• Skiing is expensive.

• Skiing is my favorite winter sport.

• Skiing is dangerous and potentially deadly.

• There are incredible views on the skiing trail.