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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 11 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."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.They pile the logs across a stream.
  • B.Beavers are skilled builders.
  • C.Mud holds their dams together.
2."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.It saves trees from being cut down.
  • B.It uses less energy than making new things.
  • C.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
3."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.
4."The wind turns the sails. The sails turn a long shaft. The shaft turns a heavy stone that grinds the grain. A windmill uses wind to make flour." Which is the topic sentence?
  • A.A windmill uses wind to make flour.
  • B.The wind turns the sails.
  • C.The sails turn a long shaft.
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.Our school garden gives us a lot.
  • B.Birds and bees visit the flowers.
  • C.We grow beans and carrots for lunch.
6."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.
7."Winter can be hard for birds. Food is difficult to find under the snow. Ponds freeze, so there is little to drink. Long nights leave little time to feed." Which is the topic sentence?
  • A.Food is difficult to find under the snow.
  • B.Ponds freeze, so there is little to drink.
  • C.Winter can be hard for birds.
8."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.Ants work together to survive.
  • B.Soldier ants guard the nest.
  • C.Some ants gather food.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 11 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 11. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Beavers are skilled builders.
  2. 2.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
  3. 3.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
  4. 4.A windmill uses wind to make flour.
  5. 5.Our school garden gives us a lot.
  6. 6.Exercise is good for your body.
  7. 7.Winter can be hard for birds.
  8. 8.Ants work together to survive.

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