Analyze Themes

Themes are about universal topics. For example, a topic could be compassion, relationships or fate. A theme is often stated as a judgment about one of these topics. For example, a theme about the topic of relationships could be "relationships teach you important lessons."
Which of the following could be the theme of a story?

• You can never turn your back on your family.
  

• A young girl returns to her family after moving far away.
  

• Most people have at least one brother or sister.
  

• “I’ll never speak to you again,” she said quietly to her mother.
  

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In most stories, you have to analyze the characters' traits and the events of the plot to infer the theme. Characters are the people, animals or creatures in stories. The plot is the sequence of events in the story.
Read the following passage from a story.
Marta was stumped. She had turned the details of the case over and over in her head, trying to figure out the answer. The suspect had somehow entered the store, stolen the artwork and exited without leaving any trace or fingerprints. Marta paced, her movements matching her storm of thoughts. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the new technological device she had been given to use, which she'd been avoiding like the plague. "I wonder…" she thought.
Hesitantly, Marta typed the details of the case into the device's keyboard. It whirred and spat out a list of similar cases and how they'd been solved. Reading through the information, Marta was amazed. She had been pondering for hours, but 30 seconds with this device, and she could find answer! With new respect, she rushed off.
Which detail from the passage provides the best clue that a theme of the story is "technology can have good effects"?

• "The suspect had somehow entered the store, stolen the artwork and exited without any trace or fingerprints."

• "Marta paced, her movements matching her storm of thoughts."

• "Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the new technological device she had been given to use, which she'd been avoiding like the plague."

• "She had been pondering for hours, but 30 seconds with this device, and she could find her answer!"

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A theme in literature is...

• summary of a story.

• guide for people's lives.

• message about life or human nature.

• attitude set by word choice.

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Choose the best theme for this poem: Ambition Over Adversity by Tupac Shakur

• Learn from mistakes and turn them into success.

• Keep your eye on the prize.

• Never help people  do bad things.

• Learn to share.

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Which of these tones best describes Tupac's poem? Ambition Over Adversity by Tupac Shakur Take one's adversity Learn from their misfortune Learn from their pain Believe in something Believe in yourself Turn adversity into ambition Now blossom into wealth

• angry

• irritated

• confused

• encouraging

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Which would be the best introductory paragraph for the following prompt:
In a well-developed essay, analyze the theme(s) of both stories.  Compare and contrast how the authors use mood to develop the theme in each text. Use evidence and examples from both texts to support your analysis.

• The themes are be kind to everyone.

• The stories "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Grinch" both share a theme of be kind to everyone. The authors use mood to develop the theme in each text through different methods.

• The stories both share a theme of be kind to everyone. The authors use mood to develop the theme in each text.

• The stories "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Grinch" both share a theme of be kind to everyone. The authors use mood to develop the theme in each text through different methods, and I'm going to tell you about them now.

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Which would be the best concluding paragraph for the following prompt: In a well-developed essay, analyze the theme(s) of both stories.  Compare and contrast how the authors use mood to develop the theme in each text. Use evidence and examples from both texts to support your analysis.

• The themes are be kind to everyone.

• Although both stories share a similar themes, the authors used different ways of expressing their message.  People need to apply the authors message to their own lives more often.

• The stories both share a theme of be kind to everyone. The authors use mood of loneliness.

• People should apply the theme to their lives.

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Eleanor invited the new girl, Jessica, over to play. When Jessica arrived, she didn't bother to wipe her shoes. She got mud all over Eleanor's white bedroom carpet and didn't even say sorry. Then, she hopped onto Eleanor's bed and took out a cherry juice box. When cherry juice dripped onto Eleanor's tan comforter, Jessica just shrugged. Later, when Jessica was eating some Cheetos, she wiped the orange powder on her fingers onto Eleanor's pillowcase. When Jessica left, Eleanor called all of her friends to tell them what had happened. Jessica was never invited to play at any of their houses again. What is the theme of this passage?

• Jessica should have been less messy if she wanted to make friends.

• Don't eat when you're over at a friends house.

• You should always respect other people's property.

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Derek's mother and father were billionaires. Derek always got everyting that he wanted. When Derek was three, his parents paid the cast of Sesame Street to come to his birthday party. In fifth grade, when Derek wanted to win the Science Fair, his parents paid a tutor to create an award-winning project. In tenth grade, when Derek wanted to be the best soccer player, his parents paid for David Beckham to privately train him. By the time Derek was an adult, he was bored and struggled to find anything meaningful to do. None of the things that he could buy with his money made him happy anymore. What is the theme of this passage?

• Derek is unhappy because he alwys got everthing he ever wanted as a child.

• Money can't buy happiness.

• You should save your money to buy things later in life.

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Liza's book report was due tomorrow. Her teacher had given the class an entire month to complete it. Many of Liza's friends were already finished, but Liza hadn't even started hers yet. When she got home, she saw a note from her dad that read, "Surprise! We're all going to the hockey game tonight. Your homework must be done first." Liza loved hockey and couldn't believe her bad luck. She'd never get her book report done before the game. Later, when her family left for the game, Liza had to say home to finish her book report. She vowed to herself that next time she would be sure to start it sooner. What is the theme of this passage?

• Everybody has to deal with bad luck at one time or another.

• Don't put things off until the last minute.

• Liza didn't get to go to the hockey game because she had to finish her report.

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