What is the difference between THEME and MAIN IDEA?

Theme is a universal lesson and the main idea is what the story is about.

The theme is what the story is about and main idea is the universal lesson it teaches.

Benjamin Franklin loved to write. When he was twenty-two, he set up his own printing shop and started a newspaper. He also printed a book called Poor Richard’s Almanac. It had funny stories, information about the weather, and wise sayings.

Benjamin Franklin loved to write stories and books.

Benjamin Franklin worked very hard when he was young.

Benjamin Franklin knew a lot about the weather.

Benjamin Franklin was very poor.

There are several events that can change the Earth's surface very quickly. Volcanoes can erupt and spread lava, rock and ash for several miles. Earthquakes can leave large cracks in the Earth's surface.

Several events can change the Earth's surface.

Earthquakes can cause large cracks.

General subject of the text; one or two words

The moral of the story; the message.

Who or what the story is about; one sentence

Define main idea/central idea:

Who or what the story is about; one sentence

The moral of the story; the message

General subject of the text; one or two words

The moral of the story; the message

General subject of the text; one or two words

Who or what the story is about; one sentence

Main Idea vs Theme vs Topic

Quiz

•

English

•

6th - 8th Grade

•

Practice Problem

•

Medium

•

CCSS

RL.6.2, RL.8.2, RL.7.2

+7

Standards-aligned

Olivia Cole

Used 541+ times

FREE Resource

20 questions

Show all answers

1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

The boys never expected to get caught stealing the bag of chips, but the security camera caught their theft.

Theme

Main Idea

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

When Julia fell off the monkey bars and broke her arm, she was terrified to go to the emergency room.

Theme

Main Idea

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

It was a rainy day, and mom had to get creative to keep the kids from getting too bored.

Theme

Main Idea

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

Never give up on something that is important to you.

Theme

Main Idea

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

It doesn't matter what type of clothes you wear or the kind of music you listen to. What matters most is who you are inside.

Theme

Main Idea

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

Even if someone has something else that you want, you should still be thankful for what you have.

Theme

Main Idea

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

No matter the circumstances, a true friend will always be there for you.

Theme

Main idea

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

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The boys never expected to get caught stealing the bag of chips, but the security camera caught their theft.

When Julia fell off the monkey bars and broke her arm, she was terrified to go to the emergency room.

It was a rainy day, and mom had to get creative to keep the kids from getting too bored.

Never give up on something that is important to you.

It doesn't matter what type of clothes you wear or the kind of music you listen to. What matters most is who you are inside.

Even if someone has something else that you want, you should still be thankful for what you have.

No matter the circumstances, a true friend will always be there for you.

It is important to always put family first.

Maria loved to play football with the guys, but she also loved dressing up in fancy clothes to go to parties.

Even though it had been a terrible day, Terrence came home in a pleasant mood, hoping to have a good night.

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