Free Printable Theme

1.

Themes are about the big picture.

a)

TRUE

b)

FALSE

2.

Unlike the topic of literature, a theme ...

a)

can be expressed in one word

b)

always shows the setting

c)

is always stated directly in the text

d)

cannot be just one word

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.

Themes are universal because ...

a)

all humans share common experiences: anyone, anywhere and everyone everywhere

b)

authors add them to make the writing meaningful: the author's purpose for writing

c)

the entire universe enjoys them: some stories are just that awesome

d)

the stories go on forever: and you think 20 chapters is big

5.

An author usually does not state the theme in the story. You must use clues and infer his idea.

a)

True

b)

False

6.

To identify a theme in a story, a reader can ask ...

a)

What has the character learned?

b)

What is the setting?

c)

Who is the narrator?

d)

ALL of the above

7.

A theme should be supported by ...

a)

your own words

b)

evidence from the text

c)

rationale/reasoning

d)

ALL of the above

8.

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

9.

Which of the following is the BEST statement of a theme?

a)

Cruelty.

b)

Cruelty is bad.

c)

Cruelty might be disguised as kindness.

d)

The cruelty of good people.

10.

Which of the following is the BEST statement of a theme?

a)

High-school romances.

b)

Love.

c)

Young love can be true love.

d)

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

11.

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?

a)

Be honest.

b)

Don't be greedy.

c)

Always share your things with others.

d)

Be respectful to others.

12.

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?

a)

You should cheat to win.

b)

Always work hard.

c)

It pays to be honest.

d)

Teamwork is best.

13.

An old turtle looked up and said,
“Mr. Sky, I have lived a long time.I have seen it all,
And what they say is true.
There is nothing new under the sun.”
“Really?” said Sky.
And from six miles up, he dropped
A single snowflake.
Which sentence describes the theme of the poem?

a)

There’s always something new to experience.

b)

Nature always challenges us to think twice.

c)

Animals understand nature better than humans.

d)

It’s important to gather new knowledge.

14.

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

15.

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.

Which text best supports the theme?

a)

“Let’s have fun together.”

b)

"One summer's day, a merry Grasshopper was dancing, singing and playing his violin with all his heart."

c)

“Don’t worry about winter, it’s still very far away,” said the Grasshopper, laughing at him."

d)

"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."

16.

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?

a)

Be persistent.

b)

Be honest.

c)

Always share with others.

d)

Respect your family.

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.

Which text best supports the theme?

a)

"a thirsty Crow found a pitcher with a little water in it."

b)

"Then an idea came to him. Picking up some small pebbles, he dropped them into the pitcher one by one."

c)

"The poor thing felt as if he would die of thirst."

d)

"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."

18.

Marta was stumped. She had turned the details of the case over and over in her head, trying to figure out the answer. The suspect had somehow entered the store, stolen the artwork and exited without leaving any trace or fingerprints. Marta paced, her movements matching her storm of thoughts. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the new technological device she had been given to use, which she'd been avoiding like the plague. "I wonder…" she thought.

Hesitantly, Marta typed the details of the case into the device's keyboard. It whirred and spat out a list of similar cases and how they'd been solved. Reading through the information, Marta was amazed. She had been pondering for hours, but 30 seconds with this device, and she could find answer! With new respect, she rushed off.

Which detail from the passage provides the best clue that a theme of the story is "technology can have good effects"?

a)

"Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the new technological device she had been given to use, which she'd been avoiding like the plague."

b)

"She had been pondering for hours, but 30 seconds with this device, and she could find her answer!"

c)

"The suspect had somehow entered the store, stolen the artwork and exited without any trace or fingerprints."

d)

"Marta paced, her movements matching her storm of thoughts."

19.

Wind whipped at Vanessa, Mo and Jaime's faces as they trudged up the mountain. "Do you have the ice samples?" Vanessa questioned Mo again. "Why don't you carry them the rest of the way?" he responded irritably. Mo was digging into his backpack to retrieve the samples when suddenly, a gust of wind snatched them out of his hands, sending them tumbling down the mountain."

If we lose those, this was all for nothing!" Vanessa cried. The wind roared angrily, churning flakes of snow that had newly begun to fall. How far had the samples gone? The three scientists stared at each other in horrified silence."

I'll go back for them," Jaime spoke up quietly.

Vanessa and Mo looked at Jaime. He was the smallest and youngest of the group, barely strong enough to carry his large backpack.

"I'll go," he said louder.

Which sentence from the passage provides the best clue that a theme of the story is "Courage can be found in the people you least expect it"?

a)

"'Why don't you carry them the rest of the way?'" he responded irritably.

b)

"How far had the samples gone?"

c)

"The wind roared angrily, churning flakes of snow that had newly begun to fall."

d)

"He was the smallest and youngest of the group, barely strong enough to carry his large backpack."

20.

Which category best identifies the text pictured?

a)

theme

b)

topic

c)

text details

21.

Which category best identifies the text pictured?

a)

theme

b)

topic

c)

text details

22.

Which category best identifies the text pictured?

a)

theme

b)

topic

c)

text details

23.

Which category best identifies the text pictured?

a)

theme

b)

topic

c)

text details

24.

Which category best identifies the text pictured?

a)

theme

b)

topic

c)

text details

25.

Which category best identifies the text pictured?

a)

theme

b)

topic

c)

text details

26.

Which category best identifies the text pictured?

a)

theme

b)

topic

c)

text details

27.

Which category best identifies the text pictured?

a)

theme

b)

topic

c)

text details

Theme

Total questions: 27

Worksheet time: 58mins

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