Theme and Main idea

Which of the following is the best definition of a Theme?

• A summary of the main events in a story.
• The main subject of a text in one or two words.
• A universal message or lesson about life that a story reveals.
• The names of the main characters in a story.

The statement, 'A wizard boy must defeat a dark lord to save the world,' is a clear example of a:

• Theme
• Topic
• Central Idea
• Character Motivation

Which of the following is a Topic, not a Theme?

• Uncontrolled ambition can lead to a person's downfall.
• Betrayal.
• It is important to be loyal to your friends.
• Nature is a powerful and beautiful force.

Adi wanted to win the science fair so badly that he copied his project from a website. He won first place, but felt hollow and ashamed. When his friend, who worked hard, congratulated him sincerely, he felt even worse. The guilt was heavier than the trophy. What is the theme?

• Science fairs are very competitive.
• It is easy to copy things from the internet.
• Friendship is more important than winning.
• Dishonesty brings no true satisfaction.

Mrs. Hartono lived in the biggest house, but she was always lonely. She never spoke to her neighbors. When she fell ill, no one came to help. Pak Budi, who lived in a small hut, was also ill, but his neighbors brought him food because he had always been kind. What is the theme?

• It is important to have a big house.
• Human connection is more valuable than wealth.
• Being wealthy makes people unfriendly.
• Neighbors should always bring food when you are sick.

For years, a factory dumped waste into the river. The town prospered with jobs, but the fish died, the water became undrinkable, and people got sick. The short-term economic gain led to long-term disaster. What is the theme?

• Factories provide important jobs for communities.
• The fish in the river died from the waste.
• Neglecting the environment for profit ultimately harms everyone.
• Economic gain is the most important goal for a town.

The soccer team had a star player, Rio, who never passed the ball. The team kept losing. The coach benched Rio and taught the others to play together. They started winning, even without Rio's amazing goals. What is the theme?

• Rio was the best player on the team.
• Teamwork is more effective than individual talent alone.
• Soccer is a sport where players pass the ball.
• A good coach can help a team win.

Lina had a crippling fear of public speaking. For a project, she chose to give a 10-minute presentation instead of writing a long paper. She practiced for weeks. On the day of the presentation, she was nervous, but she got through it. The applause she received felt better than any easy grade she had ever gotten. What is the theme?

• Public speaking.
• It is always better to choose the easiest path.
• Confronting your fears leads to personal growth and accomplishment.
• Lina gave a 10-minute presentation for her project.

A man's car was stolen by a teenager. When the police caught the teen, the man learned he stole the car to pay for his mother's medicine. Instead of pressing charges, the man helped him find a job. The teen was so moved by this compassion that he turned his life around. What is the theme?

• Stealing is acceptable if you have a good reason.
• Criminals should always be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
• A teenager stole a car to pay for medicine.
• Compassion can be a more powerful tool for change than punishment.

An article describes the 'buy now, pay later' trend. It highlights how easy it is to get expensive items instantly. However, it also shares stories of people now deep in debt, facing stress and regret over purchases they didn't really need. What is the theme?

• Debt and spending.
• 'Buy now, pay later' is a convenient service for everyone.
• The allure of instant gratification can lead to long-term financial hardship.
• You should never buy expensive gadgets or fashion items.