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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 18 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."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.Soldier ants guard the nest.
  • B.Ants work together to survive.
  • C.Some ants gather food.
2."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.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
  • B.Their feet and tails help them steer.
  • C.Their wings work like flippers.
3."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.Some even lend out tools.
  • C.A library has more than books.
4."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.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
  • C.Their soft feathers let them fly without a sound.
5."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.
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.We grow beans and carrots for lunch.
  • B.Birds and bees visit the flowers.
  • C.Our school garden gives us a lot.
7."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.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
  • C.First, a caterpillar hatches from an egg.
8."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.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 18 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 18. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Ants work together to survive.
  2. 2.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
  3. 3.A library has more than books.
  4. 4.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
  5. 5.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
  6. 6.Our school garden gives us a lot.
  7. 7.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
  8. 8.A windmill uses wind to make flour.

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