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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 10 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Find the Topic Sentence

W.3.2

NameDate

Read each paragraph, then circle the right answer.

1."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.Soldier ants guard the nest.
  • C.Ants work together to survive.
2."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.Exercise is good for your body.
  • B.It even helps you sleep well.
  • C.It makes your heart stronger.
3."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.Some even lend out tools.
  • B.You can borrow movies and music there.
  • C.A library has more than books.
4."Camels can go for days without drinking. They store fat in their humps. Camels are well suited to life in the desert. Thick lashes keep sand out of their eyes." Which is the topic sentence?
  • A.Camels are well suited to life in the desert.
  • B.They store fat in their humps.
  • C.Thick lashes keep sand out of their eyes.
5."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.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
  • B.Their wings work like flippers.
  • C.Their feet and tails help them steer.
6."Some seeds float away on the wind. Others stick to animals' fur. Plants spread their seeds in clever ways. A few even burst out of their pods." Which is the topic sentence?
  • A.Plants spread their seeds in clever ways.
  • B.Some seeds float away on the wind.
  • C.Others stick to animals' fur.
7."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.
8."First, a caterpillar hatches from an egg. Next it eats and grows. Then it makes a chrysalis. A butterfly goes through four stages in its life." Which is the topic sentence?
  • A.Then it makes a chrysalis.
  • B.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
  • C.First, a caterpillar hatches from an egg.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 10 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 10. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Ants work together to survive.
  2. 2.Exercise is good for your body.
  3. 3.A library has more than books.
  4. 4.Camels are well suited to life in the desert.
  5. 5.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
  6. 6.Plants spread their seeds in clever ways.
  7. 7.Beavers are skilled builders.
  8. 8.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to W.3.2 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.