Level Up Literacy

A theme is...

• the message about life that the writer wants to communicate
• what the work is about
• the way the reader feels after reading
• the author's attitude toward the subject

Themes are supported by ...

• details that describe the setting
•  details that reveal the characters' words and thoughts
• details that describe the physical appearance of a character
• details that are not described in the passage or poem

You can infer, or guess, the theme of a work by ...

• examining the setting, the physical appearance of the characters, and your own life
• examining the character's background, the color of the character's favorite shoes, and your own life
• examining the conflict, the setting, and the brothers and sisters of the main character
• examining the title, considering the plot and conflict, analyzing the characters, and making connections to your own life

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.

"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.
Choose the sentence below that best states the theme.

• 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."

(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.

Which statement best supports the story's theme that one should be proud of his or her traditions?

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

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.

Which statement below best communicates the theme of this passage?

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

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

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