Analyze How Parts of a Text Contribute to Theme

Which of the following statements might be the theme of a piece of literature?

• Natural beauty
• I stood alone in a field of daisies.
• Observing nature can change how you view the world.
• The flowers were pretty.

Read the passage on the right. Then, choose the sentence below that best states the theme.
"Why can't you just pack me salami or tuna sandwiches? That's what everyone else eats."
"Don't you like the lunches I pack you?" Abu seemed surprised that I was complaining.
"Of course I love your mansaf, Abu, but it . . . it just smells so strong. People think the jameed in it smells like dirty socks. I feel like everyone's staring at my weird food," I said.
"Are you ashamed of being different?"
I didn't answer my father. He continued, "We have a beautiful heritage. There is no shame in eating the foods your grandparents and great-grandparents ate! Never look down on your traditions, my child."
I knew in my heart Abu was right.

• It is hard to fit in.
• A person should be proud of his or her heritage.
• One should eat ethnic foods.
• Some people don't like to appear "different."

Which statement best supports the story's theme that one should be proud of his or her traditions?
(1) "Why can't you just pack me salami or tuna sandwiches? (2) That's what everyone else eats."
(3) "Don't you like the lunches I pack you?" Abu seemed surprised that I was complaining.
(4) "Of course I love your mansaf, Abu, but it . . . it just smells so strong. (5) People think the jameed in it smells like dirty socks. (6) I feel like everyone's staring at my weird food,"? I said.
(7) "Are you ashamed of being different?"
(8) I didn't answer my father. (9) He continued, "We have a beautiful heritage. (10) There is no shame in eating the foods your grandparents and great-grandparents ate! (11) Never look down on your traditions, my child."
(12) I knew in my heart Abu was right.

• Sentence 1
• Sentence 4
• Sentence 7
• Sentence 11

Which statement below best communicates the theme of this passage?
A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle on a branch of a tree. "I want that cheese," thought Fox. He walked up to the foot of the tree. "Good-day, Miss Crow," he cried. "How well you are looking today: how glossy your feathers; how bright your eyes. I feel sure your voice must surpass that of other birds. Please sing one song so that I may enjoy your lovely voice." The Crow lifted up her head and began to caw her best, but the moment she opened her mouth the piece of cheese fell to the ground, only to be snapped up by Fox.

• Don't trust those who flatter you.
• Appreciate what you have.
• Beauty is only skin deep.
• Be careful what you wish for.

Read this stanza from a poem by Emily Dickinson. Which statement best communicates the theme?
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all, . . .

• Hope has feathers.
• Tunes don't need to have words.
• Hope is what keeps people going.
• Hope is this same thing as love.