Theme and Main Idea

The best definition of theme is...

• The word choice and tone the author uses

• The message the author is sending.

• A word that summarizes the story.

• The character's main problem.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which of the following is an example of THEME?

• Carry your laptops with two hands at all times.
• Cereal is the healthiest food you can eat.
• How much wood a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood.
• Life is short; make the most of it.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

One way you could figure out the theme is to...

• Skim through the story
• Just read the beginning of the story
• Think about what the character has learned
• Read the ending of the story

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

You can often infer the theme of a piece of literature by ...

• evaluating how a character has changed

• tracking a character's experiences

• determining how the conflict was resolved

• All of the above

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

A story can have more than one theme.

• True

• False

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

During a baseball game, Tanner tried to tag a player leaving first base. When the umpire called the player out, Tanner immediately informed the umpire that he in fact did not tag the runner. Two weeks later, the very same umpire was at another one of Tanner’s baseball games. Tanner was playing short stop and tagged a runner as they approached third base. When the umpire called the player safe, Tanner didn’t say a word, but the umpire noticed the surprised look on Tanner’s face. “Did you tag the runner?” she asked Tanner. When Tanner told her that he did tag the runner, the umpire changed her decision and called the player out. The coaches and parents were furious, but the umpire stood by her decision.

What is a theme for this passage?

• You should cheat to win.

• Always work hard.

• It pays to be honest.

• Teamwork is best.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

One autumn day, a merry Grasshopper was dancing, singing and playing his violin with all his heart. He saw an Ant passing by working hard to store food for the winter.

“Come and sing with me instead of working so hard,” said the Grasshopper. “Let’s have fun together.”

“I must store food for the winter,” said the Ant, “and I advise you to do the same.”

“Don’t worry about winter, it’s still very far away,” said the Grasshopper, laughing at him. But the Ant wouldn’t listen and continued to work.

When winter came, the starving Grasshopper went to the Ant’s house and humbly begged for something to eat.

“If you had listened to my advice in the autumn you would not now be in need,” said the Ant. “I’m afraid I do not have enough to spare,” and he closed the door.

What is a theme for this passage?

• There's always enough time to get work done

• It is better to work before you play

• Be respectful of others

• Have fun while you can

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which of these is not directly related to theme?

• a life lesson that the character learns

• the moral of the story

• how a character is feeling

• the message of the story

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Can TV shows, movies, songs, and performing and visual arts have themes?

• No, only books have themes.

• These things don't really fit into any themes.

• Yes, all forms of art can have themes.

• Performing and visual arts can have themes, but TV shows and movies cannot.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which of the following is NOT a theme?

• Treat other people with respect, even when they don't deserve it

• Money is the root of all evil

• Hard work pays off in the end

• True Love

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2