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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 2 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."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.
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.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
  • B.First, a caterpillar hatches from an egg.
  • C.Then it makes a chrysalis.
3."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.
4."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.Some seeds float away on the wind.
  • B.Others stick to animals' fur.
  • C.Plants spread their seeds in clever ways.
5."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.
6."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.
7."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.
8."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.Some ants gather food.
  • C.Ants work together to survive.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 2 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 2. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
  2. 2.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
  3. 3.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
  4. 4.Plants spread their seeds in clever ways.
  5. 5.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
  6. 6.Beavers are skilled builders.
  7. 7.Our school garden gives us a lot.
  8. 8.Ants work together to survive.

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