Theme and Central Idea Assessment

the theme of story is its

•  

  sequence of events

•  

  the message about life the author expresses

•  

  main character

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  a short summary of what the story is about

What is a central idea? 

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  The message about life that an author expresses

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  The sequence of events in a story

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  A description of what the story is mostly about.

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  The main character in a story.

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

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  "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too."

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  A fear of heights.

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

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  Fear is more dangerous than any beast.

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

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  Essie lied to her brother about her identity for two years, but she finally decided to tell him the truth.

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  A 35-year-old woman named Essie and her brother

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  Telling the truth may cause pain, but in the end, it's better than lying.

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  A small apartment in Marfa, Texas

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

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  Returning home after a long time.

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

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  An old man who used to be a farmer.

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  Your past does not define you.

Read the following sentence:

A toad and a lizard learn to get along while on a journey through the wilderness.

The sentence above is an example of a

•  

  central idea

• character

• theme

• plot

Read the following sentence.

Friendship helps people get through hard times.

The sentence above is an example of a

• central idea

• theme

• character

• plot

Read the following sentence.

A woman risks her life to spy for the Union during the Civil War.

The sentence above is an example of a

• plot

• character

• theme

• central idea

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, the tune of "Sweet Home Alabama" floated out of the instrument, Charlesa smiled too. It had been worth it.

What is the theme in this passage?

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

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  Playing a musical instrument is too much work.

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  It's ok to give up on yourself.

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  Hard work can bring great rewards.

"Billy 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, Billy?" she demanded.

Billy 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 Billy's mother rushed to assess the damage, Patches sidled up to Billy, rubbing his face against Billy's leg. Billy reached down to stroke him, and Patches looked up, blinking his green eyes. He stared at Billy with his knowing look- a look that seemed to offer so much and ask for so little in return.

What is the theme in this passage?

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  You must confront your past

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  The love of a pet is unlike any other.

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  Friendship is worth more than material goods

  
  

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  Pets are more trouble than they're worth