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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 5 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."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 even helps you sleep well.
  • C.It makes your heart stronger.
2."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.Ponds freeze, so there is little to drink.
  • B.Food is difficult to find under the snow.
  • C.Winter can be hard for birds.
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."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.
5."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.
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.Some ants gather food.
  • B.Ants work together to survive.
  • C.Soldier ants guard the nest.
7."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 soft feathers let them fly without a sound.
  • B.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
  • C.Their big eyes collect what little light there is.
8."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.Plants spread their seeds in clever ways.
  • B.Some seeds float away on the wind.
  • C.Others stick to animals' fur.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 5 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 5. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Exercise is good for your body.
  2. 2.Winter can be hard for birds.
  3. 3.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
  4. 4.Our school garden gives us a lot.
  5. 5.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
  6. 6.Ants work together to survive.
  7. 7.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
  8. 8.Plants spread their seeds in clever ways.

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