(F) 09.14 | Theme

Read the excerpt below:

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 would be the theme for this excerpt? Select the best answer choice.

• You should cheat to win.
• Always work hard.
• It pays to be honest.
• Teamwork is best.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Read the excerpt below:

One summer's 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 summer you would not now be in need,” said the Ant. “I’m afraid you will have to go without supper,” and he closed the door.

What would be the theme for this excerpt? Select the best answer choice.

• It is always best to share.

• It is a good idea to do all your work before you play.

• Respect

• You should not be greedy.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Read the excerpt:

A dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying home with his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrow bridge, he looked down and saw his reflection in the quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy dog thought he saw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his own. If he had stopped to think he would have known better. But instead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog in the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to reach the shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stood sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized what a foolish Dog he had been.

What would be the theme for this excerpt? Select the best answer choice.

• Be honest.
• Greed can make your forget all your good things.

• Always share your things with others.
• Be respectful to others.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

An old turtle looked up and said,
“Mr. Sky, I have lived a long time.I have seen it all,
And what they say is true.
There is nothing new under the sun.”
“Really?” said Sky.
And from six miles up, he dropped 
A single snowflake. 
Which sentence describes the theme of the poem?

• There’s always something new to experience.
• Nature always challenges us to think twice.
• Animals understand nature better than humans.
• It’s important to gather new knowledge.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Read the following passage from a story.

Rohan triumphantly lifted the trophy above his head. Despite all the obstacles, he had won. Beneath his cheerful exterior, he felt a twinge of the constant pain he’d learned to live with. Almost unconsciously, Rohan removed one hand from the trophy and rubbed the thin red scar that snaked around his ankle. He thought back to the surgery and the weeks spent lying in his bed, unable to compete. The months of exercises to strengthen his leg. “Rohan!” he heard the crowd scream, as if in slow motion. A smile broke across Rohan’s face, shattering his thoughts. He returned his hand to his trophy, firmly grasping it.

What would be the theme for this excerpt? Select the best answer choice.

• Some goals are too hard to achieve even if you try many times.
  
• Through determination, you can overcome big challenges.
  
• You need the support of your family to overcome challenges.
  
• When you achieve a goal, you shouldn’t brag about it.
  

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read the excerpt:

All Cameron wanted to do with his life was be a singer. He didn't pay attention in school and he spent all of this time at home watching music videos online and impersonating his idols. His mother tried to teach him the value of getting an education and having a backup plan, but Cameron would respond the same way every time, "Mom, I won't need to know any of that boring old stuff when I'm famous, You'll see." But there was one major problem with Cameron's plan; wasn't any good at singing. Cameron wanted to be a singer so badly, that he didn't notice the pained look on the faces of those who endured his singing. Because he wanted to be a singer too badly, when honest people told him to find something else to do with his life, he accused them of being "jealous haters" and ignored their advice. After Cameron dropped out of high school to focus on his music career, the years passed and the doors never opened.  

What would be the theme for this excerpt? Select the best answer choice.

• No matter what your dream or goal in life is, always get an education because you never know what might happen.
• Always listen to what people say about you
• Never give up on your dreams
• You don't necessarily need an education to get ahead in life.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

A novel can have more than one theme.

• TRUE
• FALSE

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

Which of the following is NOT an example of a theme?

• Treat others the way you want to be treated.

• The little boy lied to his mother.

• With hard work, you can accomplish anything.

• You shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Why can't "trust" be a theme?

• There's nothing to learn about it.
• Trust is a theme
• It's only one word, which is a topic.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What does theme add to a story?

• A sense of location

• Motivation for the characters

• An important message

• Dialogue for the characters

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2