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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 4 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."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.
2."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.
3."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 uses less energy than making new things.
  • B.It saves trees from being cut down.
  • C.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
4."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.Their soft feathers let them fly without a sound.
  • C.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
5."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.They pile the logs across a stream.
  • C.Beavers are skilled builders.
6."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.
7."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 polished the great lens.
  • B.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
  • C.He trimmed the wick every evening.
8."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.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 4 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 4. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
  2. 2.A windmill uses wind to make flour.
  3. 3.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
  4. 4.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
  5. 5.Beavers are skilled builders.
  6. 6.A library has more than books.
  7. 7.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
  8. 8.Exercise is good for your body.

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