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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 17 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.Ponds freeze, so there is little to drink.
  • B.Winter can be hard for birds.
  • C.Food is difficult to find under the snow.
2."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 sails turn a long shaft.
  • C.The wind turns the sails.
3."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.
4."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.You can borrow movies and music there.
  • B.A library has more than books.
  • C.Some even lend out tools.
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."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.Birds and bees visit the flowers.
  • B.Our school garden gives us a lot.
  • C.We grow beans and carrots for lunch.
7."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.Their big eyes collect what little light there is.
  • B.Their soft feathers let them fly without a sound.
  • C.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
8."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.First, a caterpillar hatches from an egg.
  • C.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 17 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 17. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Winter can be hard for birds.
  2. 2.A windmill uses wind to make flour.
  3. 3.Ants work together to survive.
  4. 4.A library has more than books.
  5. 5.Exercise is good for your body.
  6. 6.Our school garden gives us a lot.
  7. 7.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
  8. 8.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.

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