Topic vs. Theme Practice

What is the theme of a story?

• main character

• message about life that the author expresses

• sequence of events

• short summary of what the story is about

Answer explanation

The theme of a story refers to the underlying message about life that the author expresses, making it the correct choice. It is not merely about the main character, sequence of events, or a summary.

What could be the central theme of your tale?

• 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 dog, too."

Answer explanation

The theme "Fear is more dangerous than any beast" conveys a universal idea about the nature of fear, making it a strong thematic statement. The other options are either plot points or specific fears, not overarching themes.

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

• a 35-year-old woman named Emma and her brother Ethan

• a cozy little apartment in Marfa, Texas

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

• Emma lied to Ethan about her identity for two years, but she finally decided to tell the truth.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'Telling the truth may cause pain, but in the end, it's better than lying,' encapsulates a moral lesson, which is a common theme in stories. The other options describe characters or settings, not themes.

What could be the theme of a story you create with others?

• Your past does not define you.

• returning home after a long time

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

• an old man who used to be a farmer

Answer explanation

The theme 'Your past does not define you' conveys a universal message about personal growth and overcoming past experiences, making it a strong thematic choice. The other options describe scenarios rather than themes.

What is friendship being a magical shield an example of?

• plot.

• character.

• main idea.

• theme.

Answer explanation

The sentence illustrates a theme, which is a central idea or message in a text. Here, it conveys that friendship is vital for overcoming challenges, making 'theme' the correct choice.

To find the theme of the story, you should...

• Skim through the story

• Just read the beginning of the story

• Think about what the character has learned

• Read the ending of the story

Answer explanation

The theme often emerges from the character's journey and growth. By considering what the character has learned, you can uncover deeper meanings and insights that reflect the story's central message.

What is the theme of Olivia and Benjamin's journey?

• Bravery

• You must be brave to do what is right

• Avery is brave

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'You must be brave to do what is right', expresses a broader idea about bravery as a theme, while the other options are either a single word or a statement about a character.

What theme might James, William, and Evelyn encounter?

• Power and money

• Power corrupts

• The main character, Dominic, has a lot of power

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'Power corrupts', is a theme as it conveys a universal idea about the nature of power. In contrast, 'Power and money' is a topic, and 'The main character, Dominic, has a lot of power' is a statement about a character.

Which statement best represents freedom as the ultimate treasure?

• It is better to die free than live under the rule of someone else

• Freedom

• No character was truly free except Maddie

Answer explanation

The correct choice, "It is better to die free than live under the rule of someone else," encapsulates a theme about the value of freedom and the extremes one might go to preserve it, making it a broader statement than the other options.

Can you uncover the hidden theme in this story?

• Nora thinks Kyle is the bravest of them all!

• Evelyn believes it's better to be brave than kind.

• Olivia notices that in this tale, kindness is nowhere to be found.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'It is better to be brave than kind', reflects the central theme of the narrative, emphasizing the value of bravery over kindness in the context of the characters' actions and decisions.