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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 21 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.Food is difficult to find under the snow.
  • C.Ponds freeze, so there is little to drink.
2."Camels can go for days without drinking. They store fat in their humps. Camels are well suited to life in the desert. Thick lashes keep sand out of their eyes." Which is the topic sentence?
  • A.They store fat in their humps.
  • B.Camels are well suited to life in the desert.
  • C.Thick lashes keep sand out of their eyes.
3."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.
4."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 wings work like flippers.
  • C.Their feet and tails help them steer.
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.He trimmed the wick every evening.
  • B.He polished the great lens.
  • C.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
6."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.
7."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.They pile the logs across a stream.
  • B.Mud holds their dams together.
  • C.Beavers are skilled builders.
8."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.A library has more than books.
  • B.You can borrow movies and music there.
  • C.Some even lend out tools.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 21 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 21. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Winter can be hard for birds.
  2. 2.Camels are well suited to life in the desert.
  3. 3.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
  4. 4.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
  5. 5.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
  6. 6.Ants work together to survive.
  7. 7.Beavers are skilled builders.
  8. 8.A library has more than books.

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