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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 16 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."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.Winter can be hard for birds.
  • B.Ponds freeze, so there is little to drink.
  • C.Food is difficult to find under the snow.
2."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.First, a caterpillar hatches from an egg.
  • B.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
  • C.Then it makes a chrysalis.
3."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.
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.Some ants gather food.
  • C.Soldier ants guard the nest.
5."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.
6."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 trimmed the wick every evening.
  • B.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
  • C.He polished the great lens.
7."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.
8."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.They pile the logs across a stream.
  • C.Beavers are skilled builders.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 16 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 16. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Winter can be hard for birds.
  2. 2.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
  3. 3.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
  4. 4.Ants work together to survive.
  5. 5.Exercise is good for your body.
  6. 6.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
  7. 7.Plants spread their seeds in clever ways.
  8. 8.Beavers are skilled builders.

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