Theme Uniti Test

What is the theme of a story?

• 1. Theme is the main problem in a story

• 1. The theme is often a life lesson or universal message

• 1. The author tells you the theme in the text.

• 1. A theme can be expressed in one word.

What is the difference between the theme and the main idea of a story?

• 1. A story has only one main idea, but more than one theme

• 1. The author tells you the theme and you use clues to find the main idea

• 1. The main idea is what the story is all about and the theme is the universal message

• 1. There is no difference, they are the same

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

Benny and Danny were twins. Each week, they each got five dollars in allowance. Benny always spent all of his allowance on candy and small toys. Danny always saved his money in a piggy bank that he kept on his nightstand by his bed. Sometimes, Danny did extra chores around the house to earn more money. He always put his earnings into his bank. The months passed and soon school was out for summer. One day, Danny asked his parents to take him to the bike store. He had saved enough money for a new bike! Danny picked out a red bike with blue handlebars. His parents were so impressed with how much he had saved that they bought him a helmet and a bike lock. Danny spent the summer riding his new bike around the neighborhood with his friends. Since he did not have a bike, Benny spent most of his summer alone at home.

What is the theme of this passage?

• You can buy more if you save your money.
  

• Danny is smarter than Benny.
  

• You should not spend all your money on candy.

4. What is the theme of this passage?
A. Michael'sparentsarebetterthanBrian'sparents.
B. Youshouldnotbejealousofyourfriend’snicehouse. C. Therearemoreimportantthingsthanmoney.

• A

• B

• C

Gina could not believe it. She had barely passed her science class again. She took the report card home and felt sad for days. Although she had done well in the other classes, science just was not her thing. “Mom, I need help,” Gina said one day. “I have tried, but I can’t get better in science!” “I knew you were struggling, but I didn’t know you were having such a hard time.” Gina’s mom said lovingly, “Of course, I will help you.” So, Gina spent two hours every day studying her science book. She asked her mom any question she had trouble with. Gina even stayed after class to learn more from her science teacher. Gina was surprised to know that she started understanding things better. When it was time for the next science exam, she felt ready. Before she knew it, Gina made a B on her science exam.

Which of these best shows the theme of the story?

A. Alwaysbebraveandfaceyourfears.
B. Itisimportanttobethankfulforyourgifts.
C. Ifyouworkhard,youwillberewarded.

D. Neverjudgeapersonbyhisorherlooks

• A

• B

• C

• D

Fill in the bubble for the piece of evidence that BEST supports the theme.
a. Gina’s mom said lovingly, “Of course, I will help you.”
b. “Mom, I need help,” Gina said one day.
c. Gina even stayed after class to learn more from her science teacher.
d. She had barely passed her science class again. She took the report card home and felt

sad for days.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Ali was the friendliest boy in town. He helped anyone who asked him for anything. Everyone smiled when they saw Ali riding his bicycle and selling newspapers. Little Ali was also popular in school. After all, who would not like a happy kid like Ali? That is why he made friends everywhere he went. One morning, as Ali was on his newspaper route, he tripped over a rock. He got bruised and went home in a lot of pain. The doctors told him to stay home because he had broken a leg. Now, Ali was sad to miss school, but he was sure his friends would come visit him. Days went by and only Sam from across the street came to see Ali. Sam brought board games and even told Ali what was going on in school each day. Although Ali had been nice to everyone in school, only one person had cared about him.

7. Which of these best shows the theme of the story? A. Nevertrustsomeonewholies.
B. Truefriendsareveryhardtofind.
C. Friendsalwaysforgiveeachother.

D. Realhappinessisfoundathome.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Fill in the bubble for the piece of evidence that BEST supports the theme.
A. AlthoughAlihadbeennicetoeveryoneinschool,onlyonepersonhadcaredabouthim. B. LittleAliwasalsopopularinschool.
C. Thedoctorstoldhimtostayhomebecausehehadbrokenaleg.
D. Now,Aliwassadtomissschool,buthewassurehisfriendswouldcomevisithim

• A

• B

• C

• D

Georgia decided to take a sewing class, but felt very frustrated when she couldn’t sew a straight line on the first day.
“This looks so easy, but it’s not! Clearly I’m just terrible at sewing!” she complained.
Even though she felt frustrated, she continued to go to class week after week. Each week, her sewing instructor helped her. By the last week of class, Georgia finally completed a project all by herself! She created a rectangular pillow for her bed... with four mostly perfect straight lines.

9. What is the theme of the passage?

1. A. Differences of opinion create problems.

2. B. Family should always be there to help.

3. C. If they really want to help, teachers should just do all the work.

4. D. Hard work pays off.

• A

• B

• C

• D

10. What evidence supports your understanding of the theme?

    1. A.Even though she felt frustrated, she continued to go to class week after week.

    2. B.Georgia decided to take a sewing class.

    3. C.“Clearly I’m just terrible at sewing!” she complained.

    4. D. Georgia felt very frustrated when she couldn’t sew a straight line on the first day.

• A

• B

• C

• D