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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 19 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.Some ants gather food.
  • B.Soldier ants guard the nest.
  • C.Ants work together to survive.
2."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 soft feathers let them fly without a sound.
  • B.Their big eyes collect what little light there is.
  • C.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
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 wind turns the sails.
  • B.The sails turn a long shaft.
  • C.A windmill uses wind to make flour.
4."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.Then it makes a chrysalis.
  • C.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
5."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.
6."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.
7."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.
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.Beavers are skilled builders.
  • C.They pile the logs across a stream.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 19 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 19. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Ants work together to survive.
  2. 2.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
  3. 3.A windmill uses wind to make flour.
  4. 4.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
  5. 5.Our school garden gives us a lot.
  6. 6.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
  7. 7.Exercise is good for your body.
  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.