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WorksheetsMain Idea and theme
Total questions: 26
Worksheet time: 43mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Mark wanted to be a great skater. But he didn't want to spend the hours practicing. He wished he could just do the tricks easily. Mark's dream was to have everyone stop and stare when he entered the skate park. He wanted them to say, "Mark is the best skater in the whole world."
What is the main idea?
What is the main idea?
a)
Mark wants everyone to think he's a great skater without doing the hard work.
b)
Mark practices very hard to become a great skater.
c)
Mark is the best skater at the park.
d)
Mark wants to learn how to skate so he can compete.
2.
If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!
What is the main idea?
What is the main idea?
a)
Sometimes people feel sad.
b)
You should do good things for others.
c)
We're not always happy.
d)
There are many ways to make yourself feel better.
3.
I can't wait until this weekend! We’re going to my grandparents’ house and my entire family will be there. I will spend most of my time playing games with my cousins. We always have such a good time together! The day goes by so fast, and by the end we are all exhausted... but we still don’t want to leave!
What is the main idea?
What is the main idea?
a)
Weekends are times to travel.
b)
The author enjoys spending time with her family.
c)
The author's grandparents live far away.
d)
The author is sad to leave her cousins.
4.
There are many fun things to do at the beach. Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people simply like to sunbathe.
What is the main idea?
What is the main idea?
a)
There are many fun things to do at the beach.
b)
It is also fun to look for shells.
c)
Some people simply like to sunbathe.
d)
Going to the beach to swim can be fun.
5.
Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball. They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.
What is the main idea?
What is the main idea?
a)
They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.
b)
Soccer players learn how to dribble.
c)
They learn how to work together as teammates.
d)
Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.
6.
John and Matt want to be firemen. They want to ride on the big fire truck. John wants to climb ladders and rescue people from fires. Matt wants to hold the big hose and spray water on the fires to put them out.
What is the main idea?
What is the main idea?
a)
John wants to climb a ladder.
b)
John and Matt want to be firemen
c)
Matt wants to hold a fire hose.
d)
They want to ride on the big fire truck.
7.
Jenny visited her grandmother in the hospital. She saw how kind and helpful the nurses were to her grandmother. Now she wants to be a nurse when she grows up. She wants to help sick people get well.
What is the main idea?
What is the main idea?
a)
Jenny got sick.
b)
Jenny wants to be a nurse.
c)
Her grandmother was in the hospital.
d)
Jenny was glad the nurses were being kind to her grandmother.
8.
Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown are bakers. They work at a store called Bake Goods to Go. Mrs. Jones works nights. She bakes cakes, cookies, and pies. Mrs. Brown works in the daytime. She bakes bread and rolls. Both Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown are very good bakers.
What is the main idea?
What is the main idea?
a)
Mrs. Jones bakes pies.
b)
Mrs. Brown bakes rolls.
c)
Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown are bakers
d)
They work at a store called Bake Goods to Go.
9.
Mary has a new pet. Her pet is a baby kitten. It is soft and cuddly. The kitten likes to sleep a lot. Mary put a soft blanket in a box for its bed. Mary plays with her kitten when it is awake. She never forgets to feed her kitten.
What is the main idea?
What is the main idea?
a)
The kitten sleeps a lot.
b)
Mary plays with her kitten
c)
Mary’s new pet is a kitten.
d)
Mary want a new pet.
10.
The frog sat on the side of the pond. He was very still. His green color made him hard to see. A bug flew near him. His tongue zipped out, and he gobbled it up. Then the frog was still again. He waited for the next bug.
What is the main idea?
What is the main idea?
a)
Frogs are green .
b)
Frogs eat bugs.
c)
Frogs do not move.
d)
Frogs live in ponds.
11.
It was backward day at school. The students had to do things backward. Some of them wore their T-shirts backward. They took a test before they studied the lesson. Dessert was served first instead of last. They tried to walk home backward, but they bumped into each other and fell down.
What is the main idea?
What is the main idea?
a)
Dessert is supposed to come last.
b)
The students had a backward day.
c)
It is hard to do things backward.
d)
Students failed their tests.
12.
Jon held the ball in his hands. He bounced it slowly on the ground. Once. Twice. He crouched low and then jumped. The ball flew into the air. Up, up, up, it went. Then down, down, into the basket. “Yes!” he yelled. “Nothing but net!”
What is the main idea?
What is the main idea?
a)
How to throw a basketball.
b)
Jon could jump.
c)
Jon liked basketball.
d)
Jon makes a basket.
13.
Many people have not heard giraffes make noises. Giraffes do not use sounds to “talk” with each other. When hurt, giraffes make a low moo, something like a cow. When frightened, they make a short, high sound.
What is the main idea?
What is the main idea?
a)
Giraffes do make noises
b)
Giraffes talk all the time.
c)
Cows and giraffes talk to each other.
d)
Lots of people have heard giraffes talk.
14.
Tom started to reel in his line. The fish tugged and pulled hard. Judging by the weight of his catch, this fish could feed his family for three days. Tom struggled to stay in the boat and not be pulled over the side. Finally his catch came into view. He had snagged a snapping turtle!
What is the main idea?
What is the main idea?
a)
Tom finds enough food for his family.
b)
Tom gets pulled out of his boat by a huge fish.
c)
Tom didn't catch anything.
d)
Tom catches a snapping turtle while fishing.
15.
In a piece of narrative text, what is the theme?
a)
What the story is about
b)
The topic of the text
c)
A message the author is trying to get across to the reader
d)
Where and when the story happens
16.
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?
What is the theme?
a)
You should cheat to win.
b)
Always work hard.
c)
It pays to be honest.
d)
Teamwork is best.
17.
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?
What is the theme?
a)
Be persistent.
b)
Be honest.
c)
You should always share with others.
d)
Respect your family.
18.
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?
What is the theme?
a)
You should share with your neighbor.
b)
You should work before you play.
c)
Be respectful.
d)
Don't be greedy.
19.
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?
What is the theme?
a)
Be persistent.
b)
Be honest.
c)
You should always share with others.
d)
Respect your family.
20.
A theme should always be written as...
a)
A sentence or statement
b)
A phrase
c)
One or two words
d)
A brief summary of 5-8 sentences.
21.
What is the best definition of THEME?
a)
A universal truth, moral, or idea that the author wants to express.
b)
The location and time of the story
c)
The events that occur in the story
d)
The author's reason for writing a story
22.
What is the main difference between THEME and MAIN IDEA.
a)
Theme is a universal lesson, and main idea is what a story is about.
b)
Theme is what a story is about, and main idea is the universal lesson it teaches.
23.
Which of the following is an example of THEME?
a)
Carry your laptops with two hands at all times.
b)
Cereal is the healthiest food you can eat.
c)
You can severely break your leg while crossing the street.
d)
Life is short; make the most of it.
24.
What does the MAIN IDEA of a story tell the reader?
a)
When to eat lunch
b)
The conflict of the story
c)
What the story is about
d)
The universal truth, moral, or idea the author wants to express
25.
What is the theme of this story?
a)
Necessity is the mother of invention.
b)
Don't steal.
c)
Respect your elders.
d)
Slowly but surely wins the race.
26.
What is the theme of this story?
a)
Don't be greedy.
b)
Work together.
c)
Respect your elders.
d)
Don't steal.
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