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Understanding Themes Y12 English

Total questions: 18

Worksheet time: 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Themes are about the big picture.

a)

TRUE

b)

FALSE

2.
What is the best definition of THEME?
a)

The events that occur in the story

b)
The location and time of the story
c)

A universal truth, moral, or idea that the author wants to express.

d)
The author's reason for writing a story
3.

Themes are the __________ __________ of a text. They usually center around a __________ but they are stated as a comment about human experience. Stories can have __________ themes, some more dominant than others.

a)

background elements, setting, few

b)

minor details, plot, single

c)

central ideas, character, multiple

4.

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

a)
True
b)
False
5.
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 the ending of the story
6.

Remember that themes are __________.

a)

universal

b)

specific

c)

irrelevant

7.
Themes are universal because ...
a)

authors add them to make the writing meaningful

b)

all humans share common experiences

c)
the entire universe enjoys them
d)
the stories go on forever
8.

A work of fiction can have more than one theme.

a)
TRUE
b)
FALSE
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 option below is an example of a solid theme?

a)

Nemo believed in himself so he was able to accomplish great things

b)

You need to believe in yourself

c)

If one puts their mind to something, he/she can accomplish anything

11.

What is the theme of the following text?


“Stuff your eyes with wonder, he said, live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.” (Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury)

a)

Travel is a worthy pursuit.

b)

Live every day to the fullest.

c)

The quest for power is a wasted desire.

d)

Youth and beauty are fleeting.

12.

What is the theme of the following text?


“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go.” (Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss)

a)

You are in charge of your own destiny.

b)

Always know where you are going.

c)

Loss of innocence comes at a price.

d)

Power is the eye of the beholder.

13.

What is the theme of the following text?


“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…” (A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens)

a)

Life is full of paradoxes.

b)

Opposites attract.

c)

Seasons come and go.

d)

Inner strength is more important than outer strength.

14.

What is the theme of the following text?


“Not far away from here lies a poor woman with a little newborn baby. Six children are huddled into one bed to keep from freezing, for they have no fire. There is nothing to eat over there, and the oldest boy came to tell me they were suffering hunger and cold. My girls, will you give them your breakfast as a Christmas present?” (Little Women by Louisa May Alcott)

a)

Hunger is a global issue that should be addressed.

b)

No one should suffer needlessly.

c)

Display generosity through random acts of kindness.

d)

Holidays are joyful celebrations.

15.
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.
16.
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.
17.
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
18.

I understand the concept of theme?

a)

Yes!

b)

Almost.

c)

No!