Which of the following is an example of THEME?

Life is short; make the most of it.

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.

You can often determine the theme (lesson/message) of a piece of literature by...

Thinking about the CONFLICT (problem) of the story and how it was resolved

Examining the MAIN CHARACTERS' ACTIONS, WORDS, and THOUGHTS

Thinking about what LESSON the characters in the story LEARNED

(2 minutes) What is the THEME of this story? There once was a fish that was tired of being in a school of fish all the time. He picked a fight with the other fish and left the group. As he swam away, he was eaten by a larger fish.

We are stronger together than we are apart.

Slowly but surely always wins the race.

If you try to go out on your own, you will be eaten by a larger fish.

What is the THEME of the story? King Midas wanted everything he touched to turn to gold. So, his wish was granted. Everything was great, until Midas touched his daughter, and she turned to gold.

Always be careful what you wish for.

Daughters only get in the way of happiness.

People should risk everything in their lives for what they want.

(2 minutes) What is the THEME of this story? A farmer had a goose that laid golden eggs, so he sold them and became rich. But, the goose only laid one egg a day, and the farmer wanted more eggs. So, he killed the goose to get the eggs (which means that the goose laid no more eggs).

One should not be greedy with what they have in life.

Gold will always provide extra wealth.

Do whatever you can to get by in life.

Not all animals provide enough assistance to humans.

A theme is the big idea in a story. It's the message about people or the world that the author is trying to get across. Themes are universal, which means they are true in all times and all places. They apply to many different types of people. 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. Which of the following is most likely a theme of the story?

Through determination, you can overcome big challenges.

Some goals are too hard to achieve even if you try many times.

You need the support of your family to overcome challenges.

When you achieve a goal, you shouldn’t brag about it.

Stories that come from different parts of the world, cultures or time periods can have the same theme. Read the following passage from a story. Eriene gazed across the field, noticing how peaceful Creature's Cove seemed now. The only evidence of the battle were the scorched patches of earth dotting the landscape like a sunburn. Eriene clasped the jade pendant that dangled heavily under her robe. Her great-aunt's words echoed in her head. "This necklace has always belonged to the protector of what is good and just in the kingdom. Now, it belongs to you." Eriene had passed her first test, the dragon no longer a threat to the kingdom's way of life. Wisps of smoke drifted up from the land that its poisonous breath had burned. Soon, new grass would poke through, and memories of the battle would recede into the past. But Eriene knew this was not the end. This dragon lay slain in the Yonderland. But its spirit would return again and again in different forms. Which of the following is most likely a theme of the story?

Good and evil always exist together in the world.

Good people are difficult to find.

People often forget the things they don't want to remember.

In most stories, you have to analyze the characters' traits and the events of the plot to infer the theme. Characters are the people, animals or creatures in stories. The plot is the sequence of events in the story. Read the following passage from a story. Marta was stumped. She had turned the details of the case over and over in her head, trying to figure out the answer. The suspect had somehow entered the store, stolen the artwork and exited without leaving any trace or fingerprints. Marta paced, her movements matching her storm of thoughts. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the new technological device she had been given to use, which she'd been avoiding like the plague. "I wonder…" she thought. Hesitantly, Marta typed the details of the case into the device's keyboard. It whirred and spat out a list of similar cases and how they'd been solved. Reading through the information, Marta was amazed. She had been pondering for hours, but 30 seconds with this device, and she could find answer! With new respect, she rushed off. Which detail from the passage provides the best clue that a theme of the story is "technology can have good effects"?

"She had been pondering for hours, but 30 seconds with this device, and she could find her answer!"

"The suspect had somehow entered the store, stolen the artwork and exited without any trace or fingerprints."

"Marta paced, her movements matching her storm of thoughts."

"Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the new technological device she had been given to use, which she'd been avoiding like the plague."

You and your friend might analyze the plot and the characters of a story and come up with two different correct themes. Read the following passage from a story. Wind whipped at Vanessa, Mo and Jaime's faces as they trudged up the mountain. "Do you have the ice samples?" Vanessa questioned Mo again."Why don't you carry them the rest of the way?" he responded irritably. Mo was digging into his backpack to retrieve the samples when suddenly, a gust of wind snatched them out of his hands, sending them tumbling down the mountain." If we lose those, this was all for nothing!" Vanessa cried. The wind roared angrily, churning flakes of snow that had newly begun to fall. How far had the samples gone? The three scientists stared at each other in horrified silence." I'll go back for them," Jaime spoke up quietly. Vanessa and Mo looked at Jaime. He was the smallest and youngest of the group, barely strong enough to carry his large backpack. "I'll go," he said louder. Which sentence from the passage provides the best clue that a theme of the story is "Courage can be found in the people you least expect it"?

"He was the smallest and youngest of the group, barely strong enough to carry his large backpack."

"'Why don't you carry them the rest of the way?'" he responded irritably.

"How far had the samples gone?"

"The wind roared angrily, churning flakes of snow that had newly begun to fall."

What is the main difference between THEME and MAIN IDEA.

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

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

Where can a reader find the theme in MOST stories?

The reader must understand what the character has learned and infer the theme.

It stated directly in the text.

Books or movies do not have themes.

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 is the theme?

Always share your things with others.

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.

Math Drama In math class, Mr. Carico handed the students their graded tests. Nicole showed her friend Maura the score she had gotten. It was bad. Maura, on the other hand, had gotten an A. On the bus ride home, Nicole and Maura were talking about the math homework for that night. "I just don't get this stuff," Nicole said. "I guess I'll bomb the next test, too." "Look, let's do the math homework together. I can help you," said Maura. Nicole shook her head. "No, I'll figure it out." Maura shrugged. "Okay," she said. That evening, Maura called Nicole. "I'm bored. What are you up to?" Maura asked. Nicole had been struggling with the math homework but didn't want to say so. Clearly, Maura had already finished. "Just getting ready for bed. I'm beat," Nicole lied. "It's not even nine!" Nicole bristled. "Well I'm tired, okay? It's not my fault you're bored." Maura was silent for a moment. Then she quietly said she had to go. Nicole hung up, too, and grabbed her pencil again. But the longer she stared at her worksheet, the more the problems looked like a jumble of meaningless symbols. She took a deep breath and reached for her phone. "Yeah?" Maura answered. Nicole told her the truth. "I'm sorry I was a jerk earlier. I was in a bad mood because I was stuck on the homework. I guess I was feeling resentful that you finished already." Maura said she understood. "Do you think . . . would you still be willing to help me?" Nicole asked meekly. "Of course," Maura said. "Like I said, I'm bored. I need something to do." On the next math test, Nicole got an A. The theme of this passage is- Don't let pride keep you from asking for help. What line best supports this theme?

Nicole had been struggling with the math homework but didn't want to say so.

"Do you think . . . would you still be willing to help me?"

But the longer she stared at her worksheet, the more the problems looked like a jumble of meaningless symbols.

Math is the hardest subject of all.

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

Think about what the character has learned

Just read the beginning of the story

Read the following passage from a story. As Tai strummed the guitar, Charlesa looked at her with pride. For so long, Tai's fingers had clumsily tripped over the strings, but now she played the song with ease. Getting to this point hadn't been easy for Charlesa, either. She sighed, trying to bury the memories of all the screaming tantrums Tai had thrown. Once, she nearly threw her guitar against a wall. But now when Tai smiled, and the tune of "Sweet Home Alabama" floated out of the instrument, Charlesa smiled, too. It had been worth it. Which of the following is most likely a theme of the story?

Hard work can bring great rewards.

Playing a musical instrument is too much work.

Friends shouldn't try to teach each other new things.

It's OK to give up on yourself.

Read the following passage from a story. "Ajit is so excited to see you," he heard his mother shout into the phone. She always spoke louder on long-distance calls, as if raising her voice would help it travel across the Atlantic. "Aren't you, Ajit?" she demanded. Ajit slumped in his chair, pushing wrinkled peas around his plate. His suitcases stood at attention in the hallway, holding eight weeks worth of shirts, pants and socks. Suddenly, a loud crash sounded. "Patches!" his mother shrieked.In the hallway, Patches the cat stood next to an overturned suitcase and the remnants of a shattered vase. As Ajit's mother rushed to assess the damage, Patches sidled up to Ajit, rubbing his face against Ajit's leg. Ajit reached down to stroke him, and Patches looked up, blinking his green eyes. He stared at Ajit with his knowing look—a look that seemed to offer so much and ask for so little in return. Which of the following is most likely a theme of the story?

The love of a pet is unlike any other.

Friendship is worth more than material goods.

Pets are more trouble than they're worth.

Themes

Authored by Corbin-Nolan Stewart

English

7th Grade

CCSS covered

Used 5+ times

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30 questions

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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Which of the following could be a theme of a story?

Your past does not define you.

returning home after a long time

A man sees a group of people he used to work for a long time ago.

an old man who used to be a farmer

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Which of the following could be the theme of a story?

Fear is more dangerous than any beast.

A brave young girl pretends to be a man and takes her father's place in the army.

a fear of heights

"I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dogs, too!"

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

2 mins • 1 pt

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 is the theme?

All should share with their neighbors.

There is a time for work and a time for play.

Be respectful of others.

Don't be greedy.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

45 sec • 1 pt

These books are about characters who never give up, even when times get hard! What universal theme is that?

honesty

kindness

loyalty

perseverance

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

45 sec • 1 pt

These books have characters who work together to solve problems. What universal theme is that?

compassion

cooperation

courage

kindness

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

In a spell of dry weather, when the Birds could find very little to drink, a thirsty Crow found a pitcher with a little water in it. But the pitcher was high and had a narrow neck, and no matter how he tried, the Crow could not reach the water. The poor thing felt as if he would die of thirst. Then an idea came to him. Picking up some small pebbles, he dropped them into the pitcher one by one. With each pebble the water rose a little higher until at last it was near enough so he could drink.
What is the theme?

Don't give up; keep trying.

Be honest and kind.

Always share with others.

Respect your family.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for theme?

message

moral

life lesson

fable

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

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Themes

Which of the following could be a theme of a story?

Which of the following could be the theme of a story?

These books are about characters who never give up, even when times get hard! What universal theme is that?

These books have characters who work together to solve problems. What universal theme is that?

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for theme?

Which of the following is an example of THEME?

The theme only applies to the characters in the story. It means nothing to the reader.

What should a student use to show that their chosen theme for a passage is accurate?

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