Theme Quiz

What is theme?

• how the reader feels about the story
• What the main character learns 
• the title
• central message or moral of the story

What is the theme of a story?

• the mood of the story

• The story's setting

• What the author wants to teach the reader

• What the narrator says in the story

One way you could figure out the theme is to...

• Skim through the story
• Just read the beginning of the story
• Think about what the character has learned
• Read the ending of the story

A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying home with his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrow bridge, he looked down and saw his reflection in the quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy Dog thought he saw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his own. If he had stopped to think he would have known better. But instead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog in the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to reach the shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stood sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized what a foolish Dog he had been.
What is the theme?

• Be honest.
• Don't be greedy.
• Always share your things with others.
• Be respectful to others.

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 spell of dry weather, when the Birds could find very little to drink, a thirsty Crow found a pitcher with a little water in it. But the pitcher was high and had a narrow neck, and no matter how he tried, the Crow could not reach the water. The poor thing felt as if he would die of thirst. Then an idea came to him. Picking up some small pebbles, he dropped them into the pitcher one by one. With each pebble the water rose a little higher until at last it was near enough so he could drink.
What is the theme?

• be persistent
• be honest
• always share with others
• respect your family

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

Stephanie invited her friends to her birthday party. She didn't know the new girl, but she thought it would be mean to leave her out. When the girl came to Stephanie's house, her mom brought in a huge cake and pizza for all. She told Stephanie thank you for inviting her daughter!

• Slow and steady wins the race
• Actions speak louder than words
• Kind deeds can reward you in many ways
• The new girl had a nice mom

She sobbed for hours trying to think of a way out of having to tell her father she wrecked her new car.  After stewing over it for quite some time, she called her father on his cell phone.  "Thank you," he said.

• Sometimes crying is good for you
• it's important to be honest
• Driving a car is a big responsibility
• expereincing loss/grief is difficult

Jorge had to go to the eye doctor and get glasses. At school the next day, he took them off for recess and left them outside. When he arrived home that day his mom asked where his glasses were and Jorge told her he lost them at school. She made him mow the yard and take out the trash to earn money for a new pair.

• Being honest doesn't always work
• Be responsible and thoughtful with your possessions
• Jorge should have been more responsible
• Parents can be too mean