Identifying Topic Sentences in Texts

Find the topic sentence.

Owls are a fascinating creature. They have excellent eyesight and hearing that help them hunt in the dark. Owls can turn their heads almost all the way around to spot prey. They eat small animals like mice, insects, and frogs. Owls are mysterious birds that are perfectly adapted to nighttime life.

• They eat small animals like mice, insects, and frogs.

• Owls are a fascinating creature.

• Owls are mysterious birds that are perfectly adapted to nighttime life.

• They have excellent eyesight and hearing that help them hunt in the dark.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Find the topic sentence.

Kangaroos are unique animals. They are known for their strong legs that help them jump long distances. Kangaroos carry their babies, called joeys, in special pouches. They eat mostly grasses and plants. Kangaroos are amazing animals that show how diverse wildlife can be.

• Kangaroos are unique animals.

• Kangaroos carry their babies, called joeys, in special pouches.

• Kangaroos are amazing animals that show how diverse wildlife can be.

• They eat mostly grasses and plants.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Find the topic sentence.

Lions are powerful animals known as the "king of the jungle." They live in groups called prides, which can have many lions together. Male lions are easy to recognize because of their large manes. Lions hunt animals like zebras and antelopes for food. Lions are strong and social animals that are admired around the world.

• Lions are strong and social animals that are admired around the world.

• Male lions are easy to recognize because of their large manes.

• They live in groups called prides, which can have many lions together.

• Lions are powerful animals known as the "king of the jungle."

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Find the topic sentence.

Dolphins are smart mammals that live in the ocean. They can communicate using clicks and whistles. Dolphins often swim in groups called pods and work together to find food. They are playful animals that sometimes leap out of the water for fun. Dolphins are some of the smartest and friendliest animals in the sea.

• Dolphins are some of the smartest and friendliest animals in the sea.

• Dolphins are smart mammals that live in the ocean.

• They can communicate using clicks and whistles.

• They are playful animals that sometimes leap out of the water for fun.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

Find the topic sentence.

Have you ever seen how tall a giraffe is? Their long necks help them reach leaves high up in trees. Giraffes have unique spotted patterns that make them easy to identify. They spend most of their time eating and can eat hundreds of pounds of leaves each week. Giraffes are special animals because of their incredible height and gentle nature.

• They spend most of their time eating and can eat hundreds of pounds of leaves each week.

• Their long necks help them reach leaves high up in trees.

• Giraffes are special animals because of their incredible height and gentle nature.

• Have you ever seen how tall a giraffe is?

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Find the topic sentence.

Penguins are birds that cannot fly but are excellent swimmers. They use their wings like flippers to move quickly through the water. Most penguins live in very cold places like Antarctica, but some live in warmer areas too. They eat fish, krill, and squid to survive. Penguins are fascinating animals that are well-adapted to life in the water.

• They eat fish, krill, and squid to survive.

• They use their wings like flippers to move quickly through the water.

• Penguins are birds that cannot fly but are excellent swimmers.

• Penguins are fascinating animals that are well-adapted to life in the water.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

Find the topic sentence.

Elephants are the largest land animals in the world. They can weigh up to 14,000 pounds and live for about 60–70 years. Elephants use their long trunks to eat, drink, and even communicate with other elephants. They live in groups called herds, usually led by an older female. Elephants are amazing creatures that play an important role in their environment.

• Elephants use their long trunks to eat, drink, and even communicate with other elephants.

• Elephants are amazing creatures that play an important role in their environment.

• Elephants are the largest land animals in the world.

• They can weigh up to 14,000 pounds and live for about 60–70 years.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

Find the topic sentence.

Polar bears live in the cold Arctic regions. They have thick fur and a layer of fat to keep them warm. Polar bears are excellent swimmers and can travel long distances in search of food. They mainly eat seals and spend much of their time on sea ice. Polar bears are well-adapted to survive in harsh, icy environments.

• Polar bears are well-adapted to survive in harsh, icy environments.

• They mainly eat seals and spend much of their time on sea ice.

• Polar bears live in the cold Arctic regions.

• They have thick fur and a layer of fat to keep them warm.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Find the topic sentence.

Monkeys are playful animals that live in forests and jungles. They use their long tails and strong arms to swing from tree to tree. Monkeys eat fruits, leaves, and sometimes insects. They are very social and often live in large groups. Monkeys are interesting creatures because of their intelligence and agility.

• Monkeys are interesting creatures because of their intelligence and agility.

• They are very social and often live in large groups.

• Monkeys eat fruits, leaves, and sometimes insects.

• Monkeys are playful animals that live in forests and jungles.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Find the topic sentence.

Tigers are the largest cats in the world. They have beautiful orange fur with black stripes. Tigers are powerful hunters and can run very fast for short distances. They usually live alone and hunt at night. Tigers are endangered animals that need protection to survive.

• They usually live alone and hunt at night.

• Tigers are the largest cats in the world.

• Tigers are endangered animals that need protection to survive.

• They have beautiful orange fur with black stripes.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2