Theme Unit Test

The Dog and the Shadow-

A dog was crossing a bridge over a stream with a bone in his mouth. Looking down, he saw his shadow in the water and thought that it was another dog- a dog with a bone twice as big as his. He immediately dropped the bone in his mouth to attack the other dog and get the larger bone from him. His bone fell into the water and was lost. The dog therefore lost both: that which he grasped at in the water, because it was a shadow; and his own, because the stream swept it away.

Which of the following best describes the theme of this story? (Theme is the message or lesson in the story! It is not about a character or specific event in the story!)

• Be careful what you wish for - you just might get it.

• Watch your shadow, or you might get fooled.

• Don't get too greedy, or you might lose what you have.

• Sometimes dogs will do foolish things just to get a larger bone.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

In the story, The Dog and the Shadow, what details help the reader determine the theme?

• "A dog was crossing a bridge over a stream with a bone in his mouth."

• "It fell into the water and was lost."

• "It seemed they had nothing in common, until the day that report cards came out."

• "He immediately dropped the bone in his mouth to attack the other dog and get the larger bone from him."

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

The Wind and the Sun

The wind and the sun had an argument over who was stronger. Seeing a man walking by, the sun propsed a contest: whoever could get the man's coat off would win. The wind agreed and decided to go first. He blew and blew, but the stronger the rough wind blew, the more tightly the man held onto his coat. Finally, the wind gave up. Then, the sun came out and warmed the man with gentle sunlight. Soon, the man took off his coat, and the sun won.

Which of the following best describes the theme of this piece? (Remember, theme is a message that applies to everyone- it is not about a character or a event in the passage)

• The sun can play tricks on you, but you still shouldn't take off your coat.

• Being gentle and kind can sometimes get you farther than being strong.

• You can never tell what the sun's going to do next.

• Don't design a contest if you think you might lose.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

The Bundle of Sticks

An old monkey on the point of death summoned his sons around him to give them some parting advice. He ordered them to bring in a bundle of sticks, and said to his eldest son: "Break it." The son strained and strained, but with all his efforts was unable to break the sticks. The other sons also tried, but none of them was successful. "Untie the bundle,"said the father, "and each of you take a stick." When they had done son, he called out to them: "Now, break," and each stick was easily broken. "You see my meaning,"said their father.

What is the theme in the passage above?

• Choose the lesser of two evils.

• There is strength in unity.

• If men had all they wished, they would be ruined.

• Every tale is not to be believed.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

The Lion and the Fox

An old lion who could no longer hunt for food decided to try trickery to feed himself, instead. So, he went into his den and, lying there, pretended to be sick. He made sure everyone heard about his illness. The other animals felt sorry for him, and, one by one, came to visit him in his cave. The lion ate each one as they came.

After a long time, the fox figured out what was going on, and he came to visit the lion. He stood at a respectful distance, outside the cave, and asked the lion how he was feeling.

"Not too well,"said the lion. "But why do you stand outside? Please come in and talk with me awhile."

"No, thank you, " said the fox. "I see that there are many prints going into your cave, but none at all coming out." The fox, you see, was very wise.

Which of the following best describes the theme of this piece?

• When you are hungry, the easiest way to get food is always to hunt.

• Never visit a lion on his sickbed, unless you cover up your tracks.

• Pay attention to the mistakes of others, it might save you from making the same ones.

• Be careful in the jungle. Lions are always hungry.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

In the passage, The Lion and the Fox, what details help the reader determine the theme?

• "No, thank you,"said the fox. "I see that there are many prints going into your cave, but none at all coming out."

• "So, he went into his den and, lying there, pretended to be sick."

• "The lion ate each one as they came."

• "The other animals felt sorry for him, and, one by one, came to visit him in his cave."

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Scott looked at the clock. School would be over soon and tryouts would be starting in an hour. His stomach felt funny, and his mouth was dry. Okay, so he was nervous, but it was junior varsity basketball. Besides, he loved basketball, so he had to try out!

Scott had practiced with his friends a lot and was pretty good at running the court, dribbling, and guarding, but he couldn't shoot very well, which he thought might prevent him from making the team.

During tryouts Scott ran, dribbled, and drove hard for the basket. The only problem was that when he shot the ball, it never went into the basket. Scott was worried. He was sure he hadn't made the team. But the coach said, "Good job, Scott. You are in!" Don't worry about shooting the ball. With all the practice you're going to get, you will only get better."

Which of the following best describes the theme of this piece?

• Scott was a good basketball player.

• Worrying about something never gets you anywhere.

• Playng basketball takes a lot of work.

• Practice and do your best, and you can accomplish anything.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

In the story about Scott and the Basketball team tryouts, what details help the reader determine the theme?

• "School would be over soon and tryouts would be starting in an hour."

• "Besides, he loved basketball, so he had to try out!"

• "Scott was worried."

• "Scott had practiced with his friends a lot and was pretty good at running the court, dribbling, and guarding."

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Even though they were sisiters, Suzie and June were nothing alike. If Suzie wanted to jump rope, June wanted to play hopscotch. If June wanted to watch a Disney princess movie, Suzie wanted to watch a basketball game. Tensions rose to the point that the girls could no longer stand one another. It seemed that they had nothing in common, until the day that report cards came out. While riding the bus home from school, the girls, shocked by how upset the other looked, realized that they were both failing a subject. Suzie was failing math and June was failing reading. Since both girls wanted to pass their classes, they got to talking and agreed to help one another. So everyday after school for the next few weeks, Suzie tutored June in reading and then June tutored Suzie in math. The next time report cards came out, Suzie and June were passing all of their classes. The girls were happy, but their mother was happiest of all. Not just because her daughters passed their classes, but because they had learned to be good sisters.

What is the theme of this story?

• Getting good grades is the most important thing in the world.

• Just because you are different doesn't mean you can't help each other.

• All kids need to listen to their mom.

• Getting along with your siblings means you will get good grades.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

In the story about the two sisters, what details help the reader determine the theme?

• "While riding the bus home from school, the girls, shocked by how upset the other looked, realized that they were both failing a subject."

• "Since both girls wanted to pass their classes, they got to talking and agreed to help one another."

• "It seemed that they had nothing in common, until the day that report cards came out."

• "The girls were happy, but their mother was happiest of all."

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9