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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 7 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.Mud holds their dams together.
  • B.Beavers are skilled builders.
  • C.They pile the logs across a stream.
2."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.
3."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.
4."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.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
  • B.It saves trees from being cut down.
  • C.It uses less energy than making new things.
5."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.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
  • C.First, a caterpillar hatches from an egg.
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.Food is difficult to find under the snow.
  • B.Winter can be hard for birds.
  • C.Ponds freeze, so there is little to drink.
7."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.A windmill uses wind to make flour.
  • C.The sails turn a long shaft.
8."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.We grow beans and carrots for lunch.
  • B.Our school garden gives us a lot.
  • C.Birds and bees visit the flowers.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 7 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 7. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Beavers are skilled builders.
  2. 2.Ants work together to survive.
  3. 3.A lighthouse keeper had many jobs.
  4. 4.Recycling helps the planet in many ways.
  5. 5.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
  6. 6.Winter can be hard for birds.
  7. 7.A windmill uses wind to make flour.
  8. 8.Our school garden gives us a lot.

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