Theme in Fiction

Miss Emily has worked hard for thirty years. She wants to retire and travel around the world.

• People of all ages need change in their lives.

• Everyone should retire and travel around the world.

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Joey loves to be on stage. He acts in school plays. His dream is to become a famous actor.

• Being in a school play can be fun.

• People like to think about what they can do to be successful.

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.9

Choose the letter of the theme that best matches the actions of the character.

Sam is a pilot. His plane was in a midair accident over a large city. He was in danger of losing his own life, his copilot's life, and perhaps the lives of others on the ground. He grabbed the controls and headed for an open area he saw below him. Carefully, he landed the plane.

• A small plane should never be allowed to fly over a city.

• Sometimes, a person must remain calm to survive in a crisis.

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.9

Choose the letter of the theme that best matches the actions of the character.

A new girl named Lola came into Kerri's class. Some of the kids laughed at her because she dressed a little funny. Kerri started wondering how she would feel if she were in Lola's place. She invited Lola to her home and discovered that Lola was a great storyteller. Kerri and Lola had a great time laughing together.

• We need to look beyond outward appearances to see the real person.

• The right clothes and hairstyle are really important.

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Choose true or false for each statement.

The theme always tells exactly what happens.

• True

• False

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.9

Choose true or false for each statement.

The theme is the meaning of a selection and can be implied or directly stated.

• True

• False

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

Choose true or false for each statement.

Sayings that express something about life in general are often themes.

• True

• False

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Read the following example. Then, circle the best answer for each question.

Wilma Rudolph was an athlete who had a difficult childhood. After she contracted scarlet fever and double pneumonia at the age of four, she could not use her left leg. She learned to walk again at age seven and ran in races when she was twelve. Later, she won gold medals running in the Olympics. Wilma's life is proof that if people try hard enough, they can often overcome great handicaps.

What is the message, or theme, in this paragraph?

• Wilma Rudolph got pneumonia when she was four.

• You can overcome many difficulties if you try.

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read the following example. Then, circle the best answer for each question.

Wilma Rudolph was an athlete who had a difficult childhood. After she contracted scarlet fever and double pneumonia at the age of four, she could not use her left leg. She learned to walk again at age seven and ran in races when she was twelve. Later, she won gold medals running in the Olympics. Wilma's life is proof that if people try hard enough, they can often overcome great handicaps.

Which sentence from the paragraph states the theme?

• Wilma's life is proof that if people try hard enough, they can often overcome great handicaps.

• Wilma Rudolph was an athlete who had a difficult childhood.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read the following example. Then, circle the best answer for each question.

Wilma Rudolph was an athlete who had a difficult childhood. After she contracted scarlet fever and double pneumonia at the age of four, she could not use her left leg. She learned to walk again at age seven and ran in races when she was twelve. Later, she won gold medals running in the Olympics. Wilma's life is proof that if people try hard enough, they can often overcome great handicaps.

Is the theme implied or directly stated?

• implied

• directly stated

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.2