wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

EXAM Theme/Tone/Mood

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 55mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is the theme of this passage?


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 shortstop 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.

a)

You should cheat to win.

b)

Always work hard.

c)

It pays to be honest.

d)

Teamwork is best.

2.

Which of the following could be a theme of a story?

a)

Your past does not define you.

b)

Returning home after a long time.

c)

A man sees a group of people he used to work for a long time ago.

d)

An old man who used to be a farmer.

3.

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.

4.

Which of the following is the BEST thematic statement?

a)

Cruelty.

b)

Cruelty is bad.

c)

Cruelty might be disguised as kindness.

d)

The cruelty of good people.

5.

Which of the following is the BEST thematic statement?

a)

Young love can be true love.

b)

High-school romances.

c)

Even though Hazel and Gus were teenagers, their love was mature and real.

d)

Love.

6.

Read the passage and answer the question:

"The house itself was far from the sprawling white mansion I remembered from my childhood. It looked smaller. The roof sagged and the plaster was cracked. The windows to the living room, the foyer and the upstairs guest bathroom were broken, patched haphazardly with sheets of clear plastic or wooden boards nailed across the frames. Like so much else in Kabul, my father's house was the picture of fallen splendor." -Hosseini, The Kite Runner

Which word best describes the tone?

a)

Excited

b)

Regretful

c)

Terrified

d)

Sentimental

7.

What does tone do for a story?

a)

It emphasizes the reader's feelings towards the topic/subject of a story.

b)

It emphasizes the author's feelings towards the topic/ subject of a story.

c)

It does nothing.

d)

It emphasizes the theme of a story.

8.

What is Denotation?

a)

The cultural & emotional meaning of a word

b)

The dictionary definition of a word

9.

Select ALL of the words below that have a negative connotation.

a)

Childish

b)

Young

c)

Immature

d)

Youthful

10.

Select the word below that has a more positive connotation.

a)

Gossipy

b)

Chatty

c)

Conversational

11.

How do words like playful, whimsical, & joyful affect the tone of a story?

a)

Creates a fun and lighthearted tone

b)

Creates a courageous and inspirational tone

c)

Creates a formal and no-nonsense tone

d)

Creates a depressing and gloomy tone

12.

Is the mood of this passage positive or negative?

a)

positive

b)

negative

13.

What is the author's purpose for this passage?


Nothing to do tonight? Why not see a play? The theater is alive and well, and tickets are available. Call the ticket hotline now and reserve your seats.

a)

persuade

b)

inform

c)

describe

d)

explain

14.

What is the author's purpose for this passage?


In a recent survey of parents of children in grades 1-8, more than half of the parents agreed that students are overburdened with homework. These parents favored mandating less homework in local schools.

a)

persuade

b)

inform

c)

entertain

15.

What is the author's purpose for this passage?


Janet sighed as she tossed her heavy backpack onto her bed. “Another long night of homework,” she thought. “And I wanted to watch TV tonight!”

a)

persuade

b)

inform

c)

entertain

16.

If you're asked to write an objective summary, which of the following should you avoid?

a)

Listing the major events of the story

b)

Choosing only the most important parts

c)

Explaining your ideas about the meaning of the story

d)

Stating the central conflict of the story

17.

Can be based on facts, but includes people's opinions.

a)

objective

b)

subjective

c)

none

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?

a)

share with your neighbor

b)

work before you play

c)

be respectful

d)

don't be greedy

19.

Read the passage and answer the question:

“They showered me this morning at the courthouse and last night at the jail. And I swear I believe they'd of washed my ears for me on the taxi over if they coulda found the facilities. Hoo boy, seems like every time they ship me someplace I gotta get scrubbed down before, after, and during the operation--and get back away from me with that thermometer, Sam.” --Ken Kesey, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Which word best describes the tone?

a)

Disappointed

b)

Condescending

c)

Curious

d)

Annoyed

20.

In Julius Caesar, (which you will be reading), the Roman Emperor becomes power hungry, and his best friend Brutus is forced to choose between his friend the emperor or assassinating Caesar and preserving the Republic. Select the option(s) could be a theme of this story?

a)

Betrayal

b)

War

c)

Power and Corruption

d)

Survival