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Theme

Total questions: 46

Worksheet time: 1hrs 5mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

One way you could figure out the theme is to... y

a)
Skim through the story
b)
Just read the beginning of the story
c)
Think about what the character has learned
d)
Read the ending of the story
2.

Which of the following is an example of THEME? e

a)
Carry your laptops with two hands at all times.
b)
Cereal is the healthiest food you can eat.
c)

Life is short; make the most of it.

d)

How much wood could a wood chuck chuck?

3.

Themes are often cliche such as, "Actions speak louder than words." s

a)
True
b)

sorta true sorta false

c)

False

4.

Unlike the topic of literature, a theme ... a

a)

can be expressed in one word

b)

always shows the setting

c)

cannot be just one word

d)

is always stated directly in the text

5.

Themes are universal because ... l

a)

The entire universe enjoys them

b)
authors add them to make the writing meaningful
c)

all humans share common experiences

d)
the stories go on forever
6.

Which of the following is NOT an example of a theme? l

a)

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

b)

With hard work, you can accomplish anything.

c)

A little boy lied to his mother.

d)

You shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

7.

What could be an example of a theme? t

a)

Friendship

b)

baking chocolate chip cookies is easy

c)

Being prepared often leads to success.

d)

Helping others

8.

What is the difference between a theme of a story and a topic of a story? h

a)
They are the same thing. 
b)
Theme is a summary and a topic is a life lesson.
c)
Theme is the life lesson you learn and topic is what the story is mostly about. 
d)
They both summarize the plot.
9.

What was the theme for the story "The boy who cried wolf" e

a)
Take your time when working on a task. 
b)
Believe in yourself. 
c)

Don't be dishonest, because you won't be trusted. 

d)

We can achieve anything we set our minds to.

10.

Select the theme statement that could be inferred from the painting. a

a)

Bombs are blasphemies.

b)

When you're a soldier, you see some stuff.

c)

War often traumatizes those who experience its horrors.

d)

War traumatizes you.

11.

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

a)

False

b)

N/A

c)

True

12.

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? s

a)

Do not criticize things that are dear to others.

b)

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

c)

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.

d)

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

13.

Topic, plot, or Thematic Statement?

Family w

a)

plot

b)

Thematic Statement

c)

topic

14.

Topic, Plot, or Thematic Statement?

People without strong families may rely on other groups for a sense of community. e

a)

Topic

b)

Plot

c)

Thematic statement

15.

Which of the following is NOT a THEME STATEMENT? r

a)

Greediness can cause problems with relationships.

b)

People have to work hard to get what you want in life.

c)

Acceptance

d)

Some tasks are better completed using teamwork.

16.

Which of the following is an example of a THEME STATEMENT? s

a)

Connor overcame his obstacles with his mindset

b)

Rosa took a bad situation and made the best of it

c)

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

d)

Friendship

17.

Matt was always mean to the other younger kids on the school bus. He would make fun of them and put sticky stuff in their seat. He was the oldest and “coolest” kid on the bus. After this year, Matt would be going to high school. He would not have to ride with these little “rug rats” anymore. The summer had passed and Matt was headed to high school. He was a little nervous getting on the bus. When he walked on, he could feel the older kids laughing at him. When he got into his seat there was chocolate sauce smeared all over his seat. What is the theme? a

a)

Loyalty

b)

Money can't buy happiness (or friends)

c)

Treat others how you would like to be treated.

d)

Be yourself

18.

George and Brent were brothers, but you would never know it. They did not really get along. George loved sports, and Brent loved to read. They were complete opposites., but the one thing they had in common was they were both failing a subject. George was failing reading and Brent was failing Math. Their mom would not be happy. They decided to help each other in their failing subjects. By the time the report card came home, they were both passing reading and math. What is the theme? r

a)

Loyalty

b)

Treat others how you would like to be treated.

c)

Two heads are better than one.

d)

Be yourself

19.

Mark had so many toys, but he would not share with his sister. He hid all his toys in his closet so she could not play with them. When his mother came looking for Mark and his sister, she could only find his sister. She handed her a plate of cookies to enjoy. Mark was sure his sister would not share the cookies since he was not sharing his toys. But his sister knew the right thing to do was to share. Mark was so happy that his sister gave him a cookie, that he shared his toys with her. What is the theme? e

a)

Friendship

b)

Helping others

c)

Do the right thing and people will follow.

d)

Practice and persistence pay off.

20.

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? C

a)

You must share with your neighbor.

b)

Friendship

c)

It is wise to work before you play

d)

Don't be greedy.

21.
Themes are about universal topics. For example, a topic could be compassion, relationships or fate. A theme is often stated as a judgment about one of these topics. For example, a theme about the topic of relationships could be "relationships teach you important lessons."

Which of the following could be the theme of a story?
a)
A young girl returns to her family after moving far away.
b)
Most people have at least one brother or sister.
c)

You can never turn your back on your family.

d)

“I’ll never speak to you again,” she said quietly to her mother.

22.
Which of the following could be a theme of a story?
a)
returning home after a long time
b)
A man sees a group of people he used to work with a long time ago.
c)

Your past does not define you.

d)

an old man who used to be a farmer

23.

A novel can have more than one theme.

a)

True

b)

False

24.

One way you could figure out the theme is to...

a)

Skim through the story

b)

Just read the beginning of the story

c)

Think about what the character has learned

d)

Read only the ending of the story

25.

Which of the following is an example of theme?

a)

Cinderella was thoughtful and kind.

b)

Happiness

c)

Don't judge people by outward appearances.

d)

Jack risked his life to save Jane.

26.

Which is an example of theme?

a)

Connor overcame obstacles with his mindset.

b)

Lizzie is a follower.

c)

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

d)

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

27.

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)

Insects value food over safety.

b)

Overeating leads to illness.

c)

Some prizes aren't worth it.

d)

Always send a tester.

28.

The theme is the message or _____________of the story.

a)

potato

b)

plot

c)

moral

d)

language

29.

Which of the following are questions readers can ask themselves to determine the theme of a story?

a)

What did the characters learn?

b)

How did the characters grow or change?

c)

Why did the characters act this way?

d)

All of the above

30.

A well written theme includes character names and the author...

a)

True

b)

False

31.

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 respectful with others

b)

Always share your things with others

c)

Don't be greedy

d)

Be honest

32.

What could be a theme of the following:

In 1946, Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. He became the first African American to play baseball in Major Leagues. Robinson's first game was opening day of the 1947 season. He faced the Boston Braves. He also faced a hostile crowd.

a)

Fish out of water

b)

Join the Dodgers

c)

Follow your dreams

d)

Always play baseball

33.
The best definition of theme is...
a)
The lesson the author is teaching. 
b)
A word that summarizes the story.
c)

The message the author is sending.

d)

The character's main problem.

34.
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)
Life is short; make the most of it.
d)

How much wood a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood.

35.
What is the theme of this story? 
a)
Necessity is the mother of invention.
b)
Don't steal.
c)
Respect your elders.
d)
Slow and steady wins the race.
36.
What is the theme of this story? 
a)
Slow and steady wins the race.
b)
Don't be lazy. 
c)
We are stronger together than we are apart.
d)
If you try to go on your own, you will get eaten by a big fish.
37.
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.
38.

The THEME of a story is the

a)

main character

b)

sequence of events

c)

message about life that the author expresses.

d)

short summary of what the story is about

39.

What is a MAIN IDEA?

a)

The main character in a story

b)

the message about life that an author expresses

c)

a description of what the story is mostly about

d)

the sequence of events in a story

40.

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

a)

A brave young girl pretends to be a man and takes her father's place in the army.

b)

a fear of heights

c)

Fear is more dangerous than any beast.

d)

"I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too."

41.

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

a)

a 35-year-old woman named Essie and her brother

b)

a small apartment in Marfa, Texas

c)

Telling the truth may cause pain, but in the end, it's better than lying.

d)

Essie lied to her brother about her identity for two years, but she finally decided to tell him the truth.

42.

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

a)

returning home after a long time

b)

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

c)

Your past does not define you.

d)

an old man who used to be a farmer

43.

A toad and a lizard learn to get along while on a journey through the wilderness.


The sentence above is an example of a

a)

Plot.

b)

character.

c)

main idea.

d)

theme.

44.

Friendship helps people get through hard times.


The sentence above is an example of a

a)

plot.

b)

character.

c)

theme.

d)

main idea.

45.

A woman risks her life to spy for the Union during the Civil War.


The sentence above is an example of a

a)

plot.

b)

character.

c)

main idea.

d)

theme.

46.

Which of the following is an example of theme?

a)

Cinderella was thoughtful and kind.

b)

Jack risked his life to save Jane.

c)

Don't judge people by outward appearances.

d)

Happiness