Skip to content
LessonPrint

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

Next set

One paper per student

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425

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."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.
2."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 polished the great lens.
  • C.He trimmed the wick every evening.
3."Owls hunt at night. Owls are built for hunting in the dark. Their big eyes collect what little light there is. Their soft feathers let them fly without a sound." Which is the topic sentence?
  • A.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
  • B.Their big eyes collect what little light there is.
  • C.Their soft feathers let them fly without a sound.
4."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.
5."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.Ponds freeze, so there is little to drink.
  • B.Food is difficult to find under the snow.
  • C.Winter can be hard for birds.
6."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.
7."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.Thick lashes keep sand out of their eyes.
  • C.They store fat in their humps.
8."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.Others stick to animals' fur.
  • B.Some seeds float away on the wind.
  • C.Plants spread their seeds in clever ways.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 12 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 12. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Our school garden gives us a lot.
  2. 2.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
  3. 3.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
  4. 4.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
  5. 5.Winter can be hard for birds.
  6. 6.Ants work together to survive.
  7. 7.Camels are well suited to life in the desert.
  8. 8.Plants spread their seeds in clever ways.

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