Theme and Main Idea Review

The theme of Shrek could be to...

• Always be yourself.

• Love yourself because the right person will come your way.

• Follow your heart.

• All of the above

What is the theme of the following passage? "Edward was used to being left out at school. After all, he had been a social outcast since grade 1. This year, he was happy to have finally made one friend. That is why it was so hurtful when he overheard John making fun of him behind his back. The sadness overwhelmed him, and he felt like he was back where he started. Edward wondered if he would ever be happy. ",

• The importance of friendship

• That if you're a loser you'll always be a loser

• Give up on your dreams.

Everyone knows the story of the fisherman who one day pulled a magic fish from the river. Not only was the fish huge, but it could also talk. It said in a small voice, "Fisherman, throw me back into the river, and I'll grant you three wishes."

"I don't need any wishes," the man said. "My life is great just the way it is." And he threw the fish back into the river.

The next day another fisherman came along. Again, the magic fish was caught. "Fisherman," said the huge fish in a small voice, "throw me back into the river and I'll grant you three wishes."

"Hmm, let's see," said the man. "How about some lunch, fresh bait for my hook, and a new pair of boots without holes in them?" The fish granted the man his wishes and leapt back into the river.

The next day yet another fisherman came along. News of the magic fish had spread throughout the village. All day he fished, and he caught lots of huge fish to feed his hungry family. But not a single one of them could talk.

After a while, he started getting hungry too. Finally, he decided not to wait any longer. He would just have to choose -- eat well tonight or go hungry wishing for things he didn't have? When he thought about it that way, he decided to go home to his family.

Choose the main theme.

• A fisherman learns the value of what he already has.

• A magic fish tries to find the river where it came from.

• A kind fisherman helps a magic fish.

• Three men get wishes.

What is the main idea of a story?

• the most important idea in a paragraph

• the "message" of life lesson

• to inform the reader

• to entertain the reader

What is the theme of a story?

• the "life lesson" or moral

• to persuade

• the central idea

• to inform

Read the passage.

Kittens need special care. You have to feed kittens twice a day. They have a lot of energy. You need to play with them often. Kittens will chew on almost anything they find. You have to watch them closely.

Choose the main idea.

• Kittens will chew on almost anything.

• Kittens need special care.

• Kittens liked to be rubbed.

• Kittens are man's best friend.

Read the passage.

The puppy began to eat, but then he stopped. He yawned and stretched. He chased his tail. He rolled over and barked. He licked his paw. Finally, he went back to his dish and finished eating.

What's the main idea?

• The puppy likes to eat.

• The puppy takes a long time to eat.

• The puppy was tired.

• The puppy chased his tail.

Choose the main idea.

Spots was a large grey and white cat. Spots lived in a barn on a farm. Spots liked living in the barn. It was warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There were many mice for Spots to chase. Best of all, Spots had a soft place to sleep in the corner of the barn.

• The barn was dirty.

• Spots was grey and white.

• The barn was a good place for Spots to live.

• Spots often slept outside when it rained.

What is the main idea?

Sully had always dreamed of getting a Jack Russell terrier puppy, and she reminded her mother of this frequently. On Sully’s birthday one year, Sully’s mother, Ms. Reyes, met her daughter after school and told her they had to pick up a few things for dinner. The market was right next to a pet store! But Ms. Reyes bought only sugar, milk, and eggs for a birthday cake, and then they drove home without so much as a glance at the pet store. When they arrived home, Ms. Reyes said, “Why don’t you go play in your room? I think there might be a surprise in there for you.” Sully rushed to her room and flung open the door. Sure enough, on her bed was a puppy—but it was a stuffed toy. Sully was delighted with the toy and thanked her mother, but she still longed for a real, live pet. That night after dinner, after Sully had opened presents from her sister and friends, Ms. Reyes said, “Sully, would you go into the pantry and bring me some paper towels?” Sully rose from the table and opened the pantry door. There on the floor was a tiny baby dog! “Surprise!” shouted her family from the table, and they all got up to see their new pet. Sully finally had the puppy for which she had always wished.

• Sully finally got the dog she wanted!

• Sully's mother didn't like dogs.

• Sully's birthday party had a puppy cake.

• Sully's dog was made out of paper towels.

Do you remember when Mom, Dad, you, and I used to gather around the radio after dinner? That was the best. We would listen to all those great shows with our favorite superheroes. We'd sing along to the theme songs we used to know by heart--in fact, I still know most of them. Then there were the science-fiction shows, with all their marvelous sound effects and crazy situations. The comedy shows were always Dad's favorite. He would laugh enormously at every joke, and get the whole family laughing, too.

• The whole family enjoyed listening to the radio together.

• The whole family sang along with the radio.

• Dad loved the comedy shows.

• The whole family watches Netflix now.