Read this example and chose the BEST theme statement:

Ali was the friendliest boy in town. He helped anyone who asked him for anything. Everyone smiled when they saw Ali riding his bicycle and selling newspapers. Little Ali was also popular in school. After all, who would not like a happy kid like Ali? That is why he made friends everywhere he went. One morning, as Ali was on his newspaper route, he tripped over a rock. He got bruised and went home in a lot of pain. The doctors told him to stay home because he had broken a leg. Now, Ali was sad to miss school, but he was sure his friends would come visit him. Days went by and only Sam from across the street came to see Ali. Sam brought board games and even told Ali what was going on in school each day. Although Ali had been nice to everyone in school, only one person had cared about him.

Read this example and chose the BEST theme statement:

In the desert, there is a strong river that flows through a valley, and all animals must cross from one side to the other to find food. One day, Scorpion appeared on the riverbank, but was too small to swim the river. Soon after, Frog appeared. Scorpion said to Frog, ”Mr. Frog, if you would be kind enough to carry me across the river on your back, I would be in your debt.” “But how will I know you will not sting me as we crossed? If you sting me, I will drown,” Frog replied. Scorpion scoffed, “If I were to sting you while I was on your back, we would surely both drown.” Frog thought about this. It would be good for him to have a scorpion in his debt, so he agreed. Scorpion climbed onto his back, and Frog jumped into the water. Soon he was swimming to the other side. “You are a strong swimmer, Frog,” said Scorpion. “Thank you. I am a frog, this is what I do,” said Frog. Halfway across the river, Scorpion stung Frog. “But why!” said Frog. “Now we will both drown!” Scorpion replied, “I am a scorpion. This is what I do.“

Read the following story and choose the BEST theme statement:

One day, while walking through her gardens, a princess found a frog sitting next to the fountain. The frog looked up at her as she approached. It spoke. The princess was shocked. She had never heard a frog speak before and they began talking. The princess found the frog interesting. The two became friends, and the princess would come every day to visit with the frog. One night, as she was about to return home, the frog told her that if she were to give him a kiss, all her wishes would come true. The princess laughed because she could never think of kissing a frog. Every night from then on, the frog would ask for a kiss and the princess would say no. Finally, she grew tired of the frog asking. “Fine!” she yelled. “Fine. If you will stop asking, I will give you a kiss.” She leaned over and gave the frog a brief peck on the top of his head. All of a sudden, the frog transformed into a handsome, young prince. The two of them were married, and they lived happily ever after.

What is the theme of this story?

Even though they were sisters, Suzie and June were nothing alike. If Suzie wanted to jump rope, June wanted to play hopscotch. If June wanted to watch soap operas, Suzie wanted to watch talk shows. Tensions rose to the point that the girls could no longer stand one another. It seemed that they had nothing in common, until the day that report cards came out. While riding the bus home from school, the girls—shocked by how upset the other looked—realized that they were both failing a subject. Suzie was failing math and June was failing reading. Since both girls wanted to pass their classes, they got to talking and agreed to help one another. So every day after school for the next few weeks, Suzie tutored June in reading and then June tutored Suzie in math. The next time report cards came, Suzie and June were passing all of their classes. The girls were happy, but their mother was happiest of all. Not just because her daughters passed their classes, but because they had learned to be good sisters.

What is the BEST theme of this story?

A dog was crossing a bridge over a stream with a bone in his mouth. Looking down, he saw his shadow in the water and thought that it was another dog—a dog with a bone twice as big as his. He immediately dropped the bone in his mouth to attack the other dog and get the larger bone from him. It fell into the water and was lost. The dog therefore lost both: that which he grasped at in the water, because it was a shadow; and his own, because the stream swept it away.

What is the BEST theme of this story?

An old lion who could no longer hunt for food decided to try trickery to feed himself, instead. So, he went into his den and, lying there, pretended to be sick. He made sure everyone heard about his illness. The other animals felt sorry for him, and—one by one—came to visit him in his cave. The lion ate each one as they came. After a long time, the fox figured out what was going on, and he came to visit the lion. He stood at a respectful distance, outside the cave, and asked the lion how he was feeling. “Not too well,” the lion said. “But why do you stand outside? Please come in and talk with me awhile.” “No, thank you,” said the fox. “I see that there are many prints going into your cave, but none at all coming out.” The fox, you see, was very wise.

Choose the BEST theme for the following story:

Scott looked at the clock. School would be over soon and tryouts would be starting in an hour. His stomach felt funny, and his mouth was dry. Okay, so he was nervous, but it was junior varsity basketball. Besides, he loved basketball, so he had to try out! Scott had practiced with his friends a lot and was pretty good at running the court, dribbling, and guarding. But he couldn’t shoot very well, which he thought might prevent him from making the team. During tryouts Scott ran, dribbled, and drove hard for the basket. The only problem was that when he shot the ball, it never went into the basket. Scott was worried. He was sure he hadn’t made the team. But the coach said, “Good job, Scott. You are in!” Don’t worry about shooting the ball. With all the practice you’re going to get, you will only get better.”