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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 6 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."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.Their big eyes collect what little light there is.
  • C.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
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.You can borrow movies and music there.
  • B.A library has more than books.
  • C.Some even lend out tools.
3."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.It even helps you sleep well.
  • C.Exercise is good for your body.
4."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.
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 feet and tails help them steer.
  • B.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
  • C.Their wings work like flippers.
6."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.He trimmed the wick every evening.
  • C.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
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."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.Winter can be hard for birds.
  • C.Food is difficult to find under the snow.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 6 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 6. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Owls are built for hunting in the dark.
  2. 2.A library has more than books.
  3. 3.Exercise is good for your body.
  4. 4.Plants spread their seeds in clever ways.
  5. 5.Penguins cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers.
  6. 6.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
  7. 7.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
  8. 8.Winter can be hard for birds.

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