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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 22 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."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.We grow beans and carrots for lunch.
  • C.Birds and bees visit the flowers.
2."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.Some even lend out tools.
  • C.You can borrow movies and music there.
3."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.Camels are well suited to life in the desert.
  • B.They store fat in their humps.
  • C.Thick lashes keep sand out of their eyes.
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."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 polished the great lens.
  • C.He trimmed the wick every evening.
6."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.
7."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.
8."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 wings work like flippers.
  • B.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
  • C.Their feet and tails help them steer.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 22 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 22. Prints on its own sheet.

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

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