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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 8 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.They pile the logs across a stream.
  • B.Beavers are skilled builders.
  • C.Mud holds their dams together.
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.Winter can be hard for birds.
  • B.Food is difficult to find under the snow.
  • C.Ponds freeze, so there is little to drink.
3."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.Soldier ants guard the nest.
  • C.Ants work together to survive.
4."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.
5."Camels can go for days without drinking. They store fat in their humps. Camels are well suited to life in the desert. Thick lashes keep sand out of their eyes." Which is the topic sentence?
  • A.Camels are well suited to life in the desert.
  • B.They store fat in their humps.
  • C.Thick lashes keep sand out of their eyes.
6."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.
7."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.Birds and bees visit the flowers.
  • C.Our school garden gives us a lot.
8."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.First, a caterpillar hatches from an egg.
  • B.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.
  • C.Then it makes a chrysalis.

LessonPrint · W.3.2 · Set 8 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Find the Topic Sentence

Set 8. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Beavers are skilled builders.
  2. 2.Winter can be hard for birds.
  3. 3.Ants work together to survive.
  4. 4.A windmill uses wind to make flour.
  5. 5.Camels are well suited to life in the desert.
  6. 6.Plants spread their seeds in clever ways.
  7. 7.Our school garden gives us a lot.
  8. 8.A butterfly goes through four stages in its life.

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