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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 15 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."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.He polished the great lens.
  • B.He trimmed the wick every evening.
  • C.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
2."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.Thick lashes keep sand out of their eyes.
  • B.Camels are well suited to life in the desert.
  • C.They store fat in their humps.
3."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.Winter can be hard for birds.
  • C.Ponds freeze, so there is little to drink.
4."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.
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."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.A windmill uses wind to make flour.
  • C.The wind turns the sails.
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.It uses less energy than making new things.
  • C.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
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.Exercise is good for your body.
  • B.It makes your heart stronger.
  • C.It even helps you sleep well.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 15 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 15. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
  2. 2.Camels are well suited to life in the desert.
  3. 3.Winter can be hard for birds.
  4. 4.Our school garden gives us a lot.
  5. 5.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
  6. 6.A windmill uses wind to make flour.
  7. 7.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
  8. 8.Exercise is good for your body.

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