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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 23 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."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.Beavers are skilled builders.
  • B.Mud holds their dams together.
  • C.They pile the logs across a stream.
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.Their wings work like flippers.
  • B.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
  • C.Their feet and tails help them steer.
3."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.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
  • B.Their big eyes collect what little light there is.
  • C.Their soft feathers let them fly without a sound.
4."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.It makes your heart stronger.
  • B.Exercise is good for your body.
  • C.It even helps you sleep well.
5."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.
6."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 sails turn a long shaft.
  • B.The wind turns the sails.
  • C.A windmill uses wind to make flour.
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.First, a caterpillar hatches from an egg.
  • C.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
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.Some even lend out tools.
  • C.You can borrow movies and music there.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 23 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 23. Prints on its own sheet.

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