Identifying the Topic Sentence worksheet - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: Identifying the Topic Sentence worksheet
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Identifying the Topic Sentence worksheet
Let's solve this step by step. The task is to identify the correct topic sentence for each paragraph from the given list (a–e), and write the full sentence in the blank.
A topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It can be at the beginning, middle, or end, but it should summarize what the entire paragraph is about.
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Now, let’s analyze each paragraph and match it with the most appropriate topic sentence from the options (a–e).
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> 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.
- This paragraph talks about a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, describing activities and experiences.
- So, the main idea is: The best trip my family ever took was to New Orleans, Louisiana.
✔ Match: c. The best trip my family ever took was to New Orleans, Louisiana.
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> No one likes to eat with a dirty knife, fork, or spoon. _________________________. Clean utensils won’t transmit germs and bacteria. They also are more pleasant to eat with.
- The paragraph discusses why clean utensils are important—health and comfort.
- The missing sentence must express that it's important to wash utensils before using them.
✔ Match: d. It is important to completely wash all utensils before using them.
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> 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. _________________________
- This paragraph argues that poetry is not old-fashioned because it exists in modern music.
- The key point is that poetry is as modern as the latest hit song.
✔ Match: e. It turns out that poetry isn’t old-fashioned; it’s as modern as the latest hit song!
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> _________________________. 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.
- This paragraph describes the benefits and joys of growing a garden: fun, exercise, fresh food.
- The main idea is clearly about gardening being beneficial and enjoyable.
✔ Match: a. Growing a garden can be fun, good exercise, and will provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the gardener.
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> 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. _________________________. 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.
- This paragraph lists ways to fall asleep when having trouble.
- The missing sentence should introduce the idea that there are things you can do to help sleep.
✔ Match: b. There are several things you can do to try and fall asleep.
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1. c. The best trip my family ever took was to New Orleans, Louisiana.
2. d. It is important to completely wash all utensils before using them.
3. e. It turns out that poetry isn’t old-fashioned; it’s as modern as the latest hit song!
4. a. Growing a garden can be fun, good exercise, and will provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the gardener.
5. b. There are several things you can do to try and fall asleep.
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✔ Summary of Matching:
- 1 → c
- 2 → d
- 3 → e
- 4 → a
- 5 → b
Let me know if you'd like this formatted for printing or submission!
Step 1: Understand what a topic sentence is
A topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It can be at the beginning, middle, or end, but it should summarize what the entire paragraph is about.
---
Now, let’s analyze each paragraph and match it with the most appropriate topic sentence from the options (a–e).
---
Paragraph 1:
> 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.
- This paragraph talks about a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, describing activities and experiences.
- So, the main idea is: The best trip my family ever took was to New Orleans, Louisiana.
✔ Match: c. The best trip my family ever took was to New Orleans, Louisiana.
---
Paragraph 2:
> No one likes to eat with a dirty knife, fork, or spoon. _________________________. Clean utensils won’t transmit germs and bacteria. They also are more pleasant to eat with.
- The paragraph discusses why clean utensils are important—health and comfort.
- The missing sentence must express that it's important to wash utensils before using them.
✔ Match: d. It is important to completely wash all utensils before using them.
---
Paragraph 3:
> 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. _________________________
- This paragraph argues that poetry is not old-fashioned because it exists in modern music.
- The key point is that poetry is as modern as the latest hit song.
✔ Match: e. It turns out that poetry isn’t old-fashioned; it’s as modern as the latest hit song!
---
Paragraph 4:
> _________________________. 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.
- This paragraph describes the benefits and joys of growing a garden: fun, exercise, fresh food.
- The main idea is clearly about gardening being beneficial and enjoyable.
✔ Match: a. Growing a garden can be fun, good exercise, and will provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the gardener.
---
Paragraph 5:
> 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. _________________________. 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.
- This paragraph lists ways to fall asleep when having trouble.
- The missing sentence should introduce the idea that there are things you can do to help sleep.
✔ Match: b. There are several things you can do to try and fall asleep.
---
Final Answers:
1. c. The best trip my family ever took was to New Orleans, Louisiana.
2. d. It is important to completely wash all utensils before using them.
3. e. It turns out that poetry isn’t old-fashioned; it’s as modern as the latest hit song!
4. a. Growing a garden can be fun, good exercise, and will provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the gardener.
5. b. There are several things you can do to try and fall asleep.
---
✔ Summary of Matching:
- 1 → c
- 2 → d
- 3 → e
- 4 → a
- 5 → b
Let me know if you'd like this formatted for printing or submission!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of topic sentence worksheet.
