How to get first N elements of a list in C#?

In case anyone is interested (even if the question does not ask for this version), in C# 2 would be: (I have edited the answer, following some suggestions)

myList.Sort(CLASS_FOR_COMPARER);
List<string> fiveElements = myList.GetRange(0, 5);

Like pagination you can use below formule for taking slice of list or elements:

var slice = myList.Skip((pageNumber - 1) * pageSize)
                  .Take(pageSize);

Example 1: first five items

var pageNumber = 1;
var pageSize = 5;

Example 2: second five items

var pageNumber = 2;
var pageSize = 5;

Example 3: third five items

var pageNumber = 3;
var pageSize = 5;

If notice to formule parameters pageSize = 5 and pageNumber is changing, if you want to change number of items in slicing you change pageSize.

var firstFiveItems = myList.Take(5);

Or to slice:

var secondFiveItems = myList.Skip(5).Take(5);

And of course often it's convenient to get the first five items according to some kind of order:

var firstFiveArrivals = myList.OrderBy(i => i.ArrivalTime).Take(5);

Working example:

    [Test]
    public void TestListLinqTake()
    {
        List<string> elements = new List<string>() { "storm", "earth", "fire"};
        List<string> noErrorThrown = elements.Take(5).ToList();
        List<string> someElements = elements.Take(2).ToList();

        Assert.True(
            someElements.First().Equals("storm") &&
            someElements.Count == 2 &&
            noErrorThrown.Count == 3);
    }

Don't forget

using System.Linq;

Based on Bellarmine Head's comment