Theme

Once there was a young boy and an old man. The young boy laughed at the tired, slow old man. Then the young boy needed to interview a veteran for a school project. The old man was very helpful and the boy got an A+ on his paper. The boy felt bad about laughing earlier. 

• Necessity is the mother of invention 

• Don't steal

• Respect your elders

• Slow and steady wins the race

What is the theme of this story?

• Don't steal

• Look both ways before crossing the street. 

• Necessity is the mother of invention. 

• One good turn deserves another.

During a baseball game, Tanner tried to tag a player leaving first base. When the umpire called the player out, Tanner immediately informed the umpire that he in fact did not tag the runner. Two weeks later, the very same umpire was at another one of Tanner’s baseball games. Tanner was playing short stop and tagged a runner as they approached third base. When the umpire called the player safe, Tanner didn’t say a word, but the umpire noticed the surprised look on Tanner’s face. “Did you tag the runner?” she asked Tanner. When Tanner told her that he did tag the runner, the umpire changed her decision and called the player out. The coaches and parents were furious, but the umpire stood by her decision.
What is the theme?

• You should cheat to win.

• Always work hard.

• It pays to be honest.

• Teamwork is best.

In a piece of narrative text, what is the "theme"?

• What the story is about

• The topic of the text

• A message the author is trying to get across to the reader

• Where and when the story happens

Which of these things is not related to the "theme" in a story?

• a specific character's name

• a "life lesson" the main character learns

• a big idea that people from any culture or any place can understand

• the moral of the story

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

• math is difficult

• if you steal money, something bad will happen to you

• Dogs make people happy

• Respect others and they will respect you.

One summer's day, a merry Grasshopper was dancing, singing and playing his violin with all his heart. He saw an Ant passing by working hard to store food for the winter. “Come and sing with me instead of working so hard,” said the Grasshopper “Let’s have fun together.” “I must store food for the winter,” said the Ant,“ and I advise you to do the same.” “Don’t worry about winter, it’s still very far away,” said the Grasshopper, laughing at him. But the Ant wouldn’t listen and continued to work. When winter came, the starving Grasshopper went to the Ant’s house and humbly begged for something to eat. “If you had listened to my advice in the summer you would not now be in need,” said the Ant. “I’m afraid you will have to go without supper,” and he closed the door.
What is the theme?

• share with your neighbor

• work before you play

• be respectful

• don't be greedy

A lion was about to eat a mouse, when the mouse pleaded, "Let me go, and someday I may help you." Laughing, the lion let the mouse go. Later, hunters caught the lion in a trap. The mouse, seeing what happened, came to chew the ropes that bound the lion. The lion escaped. 

• Respect your elders

• Don't be lazy

• Help others because what goes around comes around

• We all are capable of improvement

Read the following passage from a story. As Tai strummed the guitar, Charlesa looked at her with pride. For so long, Tai's fingers had clumsily tripped over the strings, but now she played the song with ease. Getting to this point hadn't been easy for Charlesa, either. She sighed, trying to bury the memories of all the screaming tantrums Tai had thrown. Once, she nearly threw her guitar against a wall. But now when Tai smiled, an dthe tune of "Sweet Home Alabama" floated out of the instrument, Charlesa smiled, too. It had been worth it. Which of the following is most likely a theme of the story?

• Playing a musical instrument is too much work.

• Hard work can bring great rewards.

• Friends shouldn't try to teach each other new things.

• It's OK to give up on yourself.

What is a common theme in literature that involves a character's growth and development?

• A) Love conquers all

• B) Coming of age

• C) Good vs. evil

• D) Man vs. nature