📝 Part 1: Understanding Topic Sentences

1. What is a topic sentence? Circle the best answer:

The last sentence in a paragraph

The sentence that tells the main idea of a paragraph

Any sentence in the middle of a paragraph

A sentence that asks a question

2. Which of these are good topic sentences? Check all that apply:

Dogs make wonderful pets because they are loyal and friendly.

I like ice cream.

My school has many exciting activities for students to enjoy.

The beach is fun.

New Zealand's native birds are fascinating creatures with unique features.

🔧 Part 2: Building Topic Sentences

3. Complete these topic sentence templates:

a) The most important thing about _________________ is _________________.

b) _________________ is interesting because _________________.

c) In _________________, there are many _________________.

d) _________________ is a place that I like because _________________.

4. Choose ONE of your completed sentences from above and write it neatly here:

🎯 Part 3: Topic Sentence Practice

5. Write a topic sentence for each theme below:

Theme: My School

Theme: Favourite Food

Theme: A Day at the Beach

6. Choose your best topic sentence from Question 5 and write three supporting details that could follow it:

My topic sentence: ________________________________________________

Supporting detail 1: ________________________________________________

Supporting detail 2: ________________________________________________

Supporting detail 3: ________________________________________________

🔍 Part 4: Topic Sentence Detective

7. Read each paragraph below and underline the topic sentence:

Paragraph A:
Kiwi birds are amazing native animals of New Zealand. They have long beaks that help them find food in the ground. Their feathers look more like fur than regular bird feathers. Kiwis cannot fly, but they are excellent at running and hiding.

Paragraph B:
Playing rugby teaches many important life skills. First, it helps players learn to work as a team. Rugby also builds physical strength and fitness. Most importantly, the sport teaches respect for teammates and opponents.

8. Match each topic sentence with the best supporting details:

1. Māori culture is rich and important to New Zealand.

2. Summer holidays are the best time of year.

3. Learning te reo Māori has many benefits.

A. Swimming, camping, and long sunny days

B. Traditional dances, language, and art forms

C. Better communication and cultural understanding