Theme and Main Idea Quiz

The Ant and the Grasshopper

In a field one summer's day, a grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest. "Why not come and chat with me instead of working so hard?" said the grasshopper. The ant said, "I am storing food for the winter, and I recommend that you do the same." "Why bother about winter?" said the grasshopper. "We have plenty of food." But the ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger, while everyday, it saw the ants distributing corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the grasshopper knew.

What is the theme, or moral of this story?

• Strength in unity

• Question people’s intention

• Work now and play later

• Don’t be greedy

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Yesterday was my birthday. When I woke up, I noticed my brother Josh hung up a big sign that said,"Happy Birthday, Charles!" Mom made spaghetti for dinner.

It's my favorite food in the whole world. My friend Dave came over and handed me a wrapped gift. I wondered what it was. It was a new basketball! I had a great day.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• Josh got lots of gifts.

• Charles got a lot of gifts.

• Charles had a great birthday.

• Josh had a great birthday.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Dear Edith,

Pets should be allowed in restaurants. I brought my dog to dinner, and the waiter threw us out. He said that dogs were dirty, but my dog is cleaner than many people. I know! It's not fair - it's a ridiculous rule, and it should be changed.

What is the author’s purpose for writing this letter?

• to persuade

• to describe

• to inform

• to entertain

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.9

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

Predator in the night

Eyes flashing with intent

Hunting for something to feed

Her and her young

She claws up a tree to perch high above

To watch closely and carefully

Ready to kill, ready to provide

So that they can live another day

What would be a possible theme for the poem?

• People turn into animals if they are left in the wild.

• Hunting is a dangerous sport if you aren't careful.

• Watch out for predators when you are outdoors.

• The predator instinct exists within everyone.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

He had always wanted to serve his country, but this seemed like madness. He was supposed to fight a war in a foreign land, helping to protect people he didn't even know. Michael had a strong sense of patriotism, but he was worried about the bombs, death, and carnage that could await him in Iraq. He pondered whether he would ever see his family again.

What can you infer about Michael from this passage?

• He feels proud of his country.

• He is looking forward to the challenge of being in the military.

• He is afraid of going into battle.

• He regrets joining the military.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

The Monkey and the Snake

One winter a Monkey found a Snake stiff and frozen with cold. He had compassion on it, and taking it up, placed it in his bosom. The Snake was quickly revived by the warmth, and resuming its natural instincts, bit the monkey, inflicting on him a mortal wound.

What is the theme, or moral of this story?

• It is better to do one thing right then a hundred things incorrectly.

• Question people's intentions.

• You cannot always change someone's nature by helping them.

• Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.K.5

The author of an car and truck magazine wrote about a new kind of tire that has just been created for people who live in areas that experience flooding. These tires are for deep water and are supposed to prevent vehicles from slipping off the road. What is the Author's purpose?

• Persuade

• Inform

• Entertain

• Explain

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.6.6

There is a common belief that while the dog is man’s best friend, the coyote is his worst enemy. The bad reputation of the coyote traces back to his fondness for small animals; he hunts at night and is particularly destructive to sheep, young pigs, and poultry. Yet it is sometimes wise to encourage coyotes. Provided valuable farm animals are protected, the coyote will often free the property of other animals, like rabbits, which are ruinous to crops and certain trees. He is especially beneficial in keeping down the rodent population. Where coyotes have been allowed to do their work without molestation, ranchers and fruit growers have found them so valuable that they would no more shoot them than they would shoot their dogs.

What is the central idea of this passage?

• Under certain conditions the coyote is helpful to man.

• The coyote is feared because of his fondness for small animals

• Modern ranchers would no sooner shoot coyotes than they would shoot dogs.

• The coyote usually prefers rabbits and other rodents to sheep and poultry.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Vote for Carl for class president! Carl is a leader! Last year in fourth grade, he was a great vice president. This year he volunteers to help with after-school clubs. He will do great things for our class! Carl promises more school dances. And better choices at lunch. So vote for Carl for class president.

The author's purpose in writing this is to:

• persuade the reader that Carl is a good candidate

• inform the reader of Carl's intentions

• entertain the reader with Carl's antics

• describe Carl’s leadership skills

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Katina and her brother, Jess were playing with the water hose outside one day. Jess was hiding from Katina so she wouldn't squirt him with the water. The back door opened and Katina pointed the water hose toward the door. It was Mom and she was dripping wet!

The author wrote this story to:

• entertain the reader with a funny anecdote

• explain how Jess hide from Katina

• persuade the reader to play a joke on their mom

• inform the reader of the effects of a prank

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6