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Identify and compare themes

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 16mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

When Curtis transferred to our high school from some fancy private school, I was assigned the job of showing him around our building. First, I showed him our trophy case. Our school has done put together some quality teams and programs over the years, so our trophy case was pretty full. Curtis was not impressed. He claimed that the trophy case at his old school was at least twice as big as ours and much more crowded. Next I showed him our swimming pool. Not every high school has a swimming pool, so we were proud of ours, but Curtis couldn't care less. "The swimming pool at my old school is bigger and more modern. This one looks kind of dirty," he said with disdain. I continued to guide Curtis around the school, showing him our cafeteria, gymnasium, and even our garden, but Curtis seemed disappointed with everything that he saw. He'd quickly compare it to his old school, which in his words was superior to ours in every way. The last thing I showed Curtis was the front door. I told him that he would like this one best because he could walk through it and go back to his old school.


What is the theme of the story?

a)

Do not criticize things that are dear to others.

b)

A thing worth doing is worth doing correctly; cutting corners comes at a cost; better to do a thing once the right way then many times the wrong way.

c)

Give credit where credit is due; a good relationship has to have some give and take.

d)

Treat others as you wish to be treated; what goes around, comes around.

2.

Which is an example of theme?

a)

Connor overcame his obstacles with his mindset.

b)

Risa took a bad situation and made the most of it.

c)

People's decisions are often an indication of their true character.

d)

Jack is a follower.

3.

What role did hope play in the main character's(Yanek's) survival in the Jewish ghetto?

a)

Hope had no impact on the main character's survival in the Jewish ghetto

b)

The main character's survival in the Jewish ghetto was solely due to luck

c)

Hope played a crucial role in the main character's survival in the Jewish ghetto by providing the strength and resilience to endure difficult circumstances and maintain a sense of purpose.

d)

The main character's survival in the Jewish ghetto was because of the help from others

4.

What can be inferred about the theme of knowledge versus ignorance in *A Wrinkle in Time*?

a)

Knowledge is portrayed as dangerous and undesirable

b)

Ignorance is bliss and preferable

c)

Knowledge is a powerful tool against oppression and control

d)

Ignorance helps protect characters from harm

5.

A story must have a theme but it doesn't have to have a moral.

a)

True

b)

False

6.
Identify "Him."
a)
Tony D.
b)
Max's father.
c)
Grim.
d)
Kevin's father.
7.

Do not state the theme as a(n):

a)

one word topic.

b)

cliche.

c)

command.

d)

All of the above.

8.

A theme should be a statement, not just one word. n

a)

False

b)

N/A

c)

True

9.

Which is an example of a thematic topic?

a)

Friendship

b)

Survival of the fittest

c)

Family isn't defined by blood

d)

You are stronger than you believe.

10.

How does the following quote contribute to the theme of the play?

"Inside the little rind of this weak flower, there is both poison and powerful medicine. If you smell it, you feel good all over your body. But if you taste it, you die."

a)

Love is impossible to find.

b)

Love is blind

c)

There is a fine line between good and bad, the helpful and the dangerous

d)

Flowers represent beauty

11.

What is the definition of theme?:

a)

The central idea or underlying message

b)

The plot of a play

c)

A recurring image

d)

Multiple symbols

12.

Read the excerpt from "Introduction to Poetry" by Billy Collins.


I ask them to take a poem

and hold it up to the light

like a color slide

or press an ear against its hive.


Which statement best explains the central idea of these lines?

a)

Poems should be studied in many ways.

b)

Poetry readings should take place outside.

c)

Poems are colorful and noisy.

d)

Poetry should be shared with friends.

13.

Which best describes the theme of The Most Dangerous Game?

a)

The tables can turn at any time.

b)

Friends can come together in unexpected places.

c)

Revenge is always the answer.

d)

Never underestimate your family.

14.

Brady knew he was not the best athlete on the baseball team. Everyday he would go outside and practice throwing and hitting with his Dad. The other kids on the team just seemed to know what they were doing all the time. Brady had to really think about what he should be doing on the field. Where should he throw the ball? When does he steal? But Brady kept practicing and improving. By the end of the season he won most improved

award. What was she going to do? What is the theme?

a)

Money can't buy happiness (or friends).

b)

Helping others

c)

Practice and persistence pay off.

d)

Don't put things off to the last minute

15.

Three flies notice an overturned honey pot. Two of the flies decide to land in the honey and start eating it. But the oldest fly stays back. The two flies tease the older fly, but then get stuck in the honey.

What is the theme of this story?

a)

Some prizes aren't worth it

b)

Overeating leads to illness.

c)

Insects value food over safety

d)

Always send a tester

16.

Every piece of literature you read, whether it's a poem, story, play, or novel, has a theme, and often they have more than one. One theme in The Diary of Anne Frank: A Play is that the teen years are lonely years. So now, if someone asks you about the author's life lesson in a story, you know they're just asking about the story's theme.


Which answer is most correct?

a)

Every piece of literature often has more than one theme

b)

Most pieces of literature only have one theme

c)

The Diary of Anne Frank is a short story

17.

Choose the theme from the choices below.

a)

The tortoise and the hare had a race.

b)

The tortoise was a show-off.

c)

Slow and steady wins the race.

d)

The hare was determined.

18.

WHat is one theme of "Why Couldn't I have Been Named Ashley?"

a)

Hard work always pays off.

b)

Do not despise your name because all names have meaning.

c)

A scholarship should be earned, not paid for.

19.

What is corruption?

a)

When a friend does something unfair

b)

When an authority figure does something unfair

c)

When people get different things

d)

When someone doesn't get something they want

20.

Can themes be interpreted differently from a reader to another?

a)

Yes, depending on the reader's perspective and background.

b)

No, theme are always the same for everyone.