Central ideas and text summaries

The best definition of theme is...

• The lesson the author is teaching. 
• The message the author is sending.
• A word that summarizes the story.
• The character's main problem.

Read the following short story. What is the main lesson the author is teaching?

A long time ago there was a king who wanted nothing but gold. He wished everything that he touched turned into gold. A fairy made this wish come true for him. After his wish was granted, anything he tried to eat turned into gold, so he starved to death.

• Don’t be greedy.

• United we stand; divided we fall.

• Don’t steal.

• Respect your elders.

The theme of this story is

• Help others if you can.

• Be honest.

• Save your money.

Which of these would be a good example of theme in a story?

• math is difficult

• if you steal, something bad will happen to you

• pets make people happy

• respect for others

The _______ of a work is its topic, such as "family," "travel," or "survival."

• setting

• subject

• theme

• mood

• point of view

Which theme best suits “Monsters are Due on Maple Street?”

• appreciate what you have.

• fear can cause chaos.

• better to forgive and forget.

• time heals all wounds.

What is the main conflict in the story?

• Raymond has a disability that holds him back from being normal.

• Gretchen and her sidekicks make fun of Raymond and even Squeaky.

• Squeaky appears to be tough and confidence, but she is struggling to prove herself to everyone.

• Squeaky does not want Gretchen to win the race.

What is the story mostly about?

• the British navy

• the Fort McHenry flag

• the burning of Washington

• the fight to save Baltimore

Read the following sentence:

Friendship helps people get through tough times.

The sentence above is an example of a _________________.

• plot

• character

• main idea

• theme

What is theme?

• how the story ends

• figurative language

• the story's lesson

• where the story takes place