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 13 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."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.They pile the logs across a stream.
  • B.Mud holds their dams together.
  • C.Beavers are skilled builders.
3."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.The sails turn a long shaft.
  • B.The wind turns the sails.
  • C.A windmill uses wind to make flour.
4."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.
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.Their feet and tails help them steer.
  • B.Their wings work like flippers.
  • C.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
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.Exercise is good for your body.
  • B.It makes your heart stronger.
  • C.It even helps you sleep well.
7."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.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
  • C.It uses less energy than making new things.
8."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.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 13 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 13. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
  2. 2.Beavers are skilled builders.
  3. 3.A windmill uses wind to make flour.
  4. 4.Ants work together to survive.
  5. 5.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
  6. 6.Exercise is good for your body.
  7. 7.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
  8. 8.A library has more than books.

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