Find the Topic Sentence is a free printable Grade 3 English worksheet on choosing the sentence that states a paragraph's central idea, aligned to Common Core standard W.3.2. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
Read each paragraph, then circle the right answer.
1."A lighthouse keeper had many jobs. He trimmed the wick every evening. He polished the great lens. He wrote the weather in a log book." Which is the topic sentence?
A.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
B.He trimmed the wick every evening.
C.He polished the great lens.
2."Beavers cut down trees with their strong teeth. They pile the logs across a stream. Beavers are skilled builders. Mud holds their dams together." Which is the topic sentence?
A.Mud holds their dams together.
B.Beavers are skilled builders.
C.They pile the logs across a stream.
3."Ants work together to survive. Some ants gather food. Others look after the young. Soldier ants guard the nest." Which is the topic sentence?
A.Some ants gather food.
B.Ants work together to survive.
C.Soldier ants guard the nest.
4."A library has more than books. You can borrow movies and music there. Many libraries hold story times. Some even lend out tools." Which is the topic sentence?
A.You can borrow movies and music there.
B.Some even lend out tools.
C.A library has more than books.
5."Our school garden gives us a lot. We grow beans and carrots for lunch. Birds and bees visit the flowers. Classes go there to read on sunny days." Which is the topic sentence?
A.Birds and bees visit the flowers.
B.Our school garden gives us a lot.
C.We grow beans and carrots for lunch.
6."Recycling helps the planet in many ways. It saves trees from being cut down. It keeps waste out of the ground. It uses less energy than making new things." Which is the topic sentence?
A.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
B.It saves trees from being cut down.
C.It uses less energy than making new things.
7."Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers. Their wings work like flippers. Their smooth bodies slip through the water. Their feet and tails help them steer." Which is the topic sentence?
A.Their wings work like flippers.
B.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
C.Their feet and tails help them steer.
8."Exercise is good for your body. It makes your heart stronger. It helps your muscles grow. It even helps you sleep well." Which is the topic sentence?
A.It makes your heart stronger.
B.It even helps you sleep well.
C.Exercise is good for your body.
LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
2.Beavers are skilled builders.
3.Ants work together to survive.
4.A library has more than books.
5.Our school garden gives us a lot.
6.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
7.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
8.Exercise is good for your body.
Questions about Find the Topic Sentence
What does the Find the Topic Sentence worksheet cover?
It practices choosing the sentence that states a paragraph's central idea — 8 questions for Grade 3, all on Common Core W.3.2: Write to explain a topic, grouping related information together. The instruction to students is “Read each paragraph, then circle the right answer”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which Common Core standard does Find the Topic Sentence practice?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2 — W.3.2, under Writing for Grade 3. The published standard reads: “Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Find the Topic Sentence is written for Grade 3, typically ages 8-9. It is one of the sheets on W.3.2, so it suits any student working at that standard — including older students revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Find the Topic Sentence come with an answer key?
Yes. All 8 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of Find the Topic Sentence can I print?
25 — one per student, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is Find the Topic Sentence free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Find the Topic Sentence, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
More practice for W.3.2
Write to explain a topic, grouping related information together.