Fall Midterm

What is a theme?

• a story line

• the topic/subject

• a universal truth about life and people

• the time and place of an event

You can often infer the theme of a piece of literature by ...

• evaluating how a character has changed
• sharing a character's experience
• determining how the conflict has resolved
• ALL of the above

What is the main difference between THEME and CENTRAL 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.
  

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 is the theme?

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

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 is the central idea?

• Tanner is really good at baseball, but he lies to the umpire in order to win the World Series.

• Tanner tells the truth about tagging or not tagging other players in a baseball game and it pays off in the long run.

• Tanner got tagged out in the first game but was able to slide into home in the second game and help his team win.

• Tanner wasn't very good at playing baseball, but with hard work, he was able to become the world's greatest.

IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA

Being a clown isn't all fun and games. Rodeo clowns expose themselves to great danger every time they perform. When cowboys dismount or bulls buck them off, rodeo clowns jump in front of the bulls and motion wildly to get their attention. In this way rodeo clowns provide an alternate target, and in doing so protect the rider. Of course, this is a very dangerous thing to do. So you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business.

• Sometimes clowns can mean serious bussiness.

• Rodeo clowns protect cowboys by putting themselves in danger.

• Cowboys and Rodeo Clowns are constantly in danger.

• A Rodeo bull's attention is easily caught by Rodeo clowns.

Which sentence is written correctly?

• Wind power is cheaper cleaner and renewable.

• Wind power is cheaper, cleaner and renewable.

• Wind power is cheaper, cleaner, and renewable.

• Wind power is cheaper cleaner, and renewable.

Which sentence is written correctly?

• However solar power, is not as great as you may think.

• However, solar power, is not as great as you may think.

• However solar power is not as great as you may think.

• However, solar power is not as great as you may think.

Which sentence is written correctly?

• Since 1987, scientists have been suggesting we switch to cleaner fuel sources.

• Since 1987 scientists have been suggesting we switch to cleaner fuel sources.

• Since 1987, scientists have been suggesting we switch to cleaner, fuel sources.

• Since 1987 scientists have been suggesting we switch to cleaner, fuel sources.

Which sentence is written correctly?

• Due to these, negative effects more people are switching to wind power.

• Due to these negative effects more people are switching to wind power.

• Due to these negative effects, more people are switching to wind power.

• Due to these, negative effects, more people are switching to wind power.