central idea and theme

Which of the following statements might be the theme of a piece of literature?"Why can't you just pack me salami or tuna sandwiches? That's what everyone else eats."

"Don't you like the lunches I pack you?" Abu seemed surprised that I was complaining.

"Of course I love your mansaf, Abu, but it . . . it just smells so strong. People think the jameed in it smells like dirty socks. I feel like everyone's staring at my weird food," I said.

"Are you ashamed of being different?"

I didn't answer my father. He continued, "We have a beautiful heritage. There is no shame in eating the foods your grandparents and great-grandparents ate! Never look down on your traditions, my child."

I knew in my heart Abu was right.

Read the passage on the right. Then, choose the sentence below that best states the theme.

• It is hard to fit in.

• A person should be proud of his or her heritage.

• One should eat ethnic foods.

• The flowers were pretty.Some people don't like to appear "different."

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.4.9

(1) "Why can't you just pack me salami or tuna sandwiches? (2) That's what everyone else eats."

(3) "Don't you like the lunches I pack you?" Abu seemed surprised that I was complaining.

(4) "Of course I love your mansaf, Abu, but it . . . it just smells so strong. (5) People think the jameed in it smells like dirty socks. (6) I feel like everyone's staring at my weird food,"? I said.

(7) "Are you ashamed of being different?"

(8) I didn't answer my father. (9) He continued, "We have a beautiful heritage. (10) There is no shame in eating the foods your grandparents and great-grandparents ate! (11) Never look down on your traditions, my child."

(12) I knew in my heart Abu was right.

Which statement best supports the story's theme that one should be proud of his or her traditions?

• Sentence 1

• Sentence 4

• Sentence 7

• Sentence 11

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle on a branch of a tree. "I want that cheese," thought Fox. He walked up to the foot of the tree. "Good-day, Miss Crow," he cried. "How well you are looking today: how glossy your feathers; how bright your eyes. I feel sure your voice must surpass that of other birds. Please sing one song so that I may enjoy your lovely voice." The Crow lifted up her head and began to caw her best, but the moment she opened her mouth the piece of cheese fell to the ground, only to be snapped up by Fox.

Which statement below best communicates the theme of this passage?

• Don't trust those who flatter you.

• Appreciate what you have.

• Beauty is only skin deep.

• Be careful what you wish for.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all, . . .

• Hope has feathers.

• Tunes don't need to have words.

• Hope is what keeps people going.

• Hope is this same thing as love.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

The central idea of a text is...

• what the text is mostly about

• 
  a detail from the text.

• a quote you provide from the text.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

School uniforms are far cheaper than the currently popular fashions. Many students work long hours at a paying job instead of doing homework because they feel they have to "keep up appearances." If students wore uniforms, there would be no need for most of them to have jobs that take away from their study time.

What is the central idea of this text?

• popular fashions being expensive

• school uniforms being a good idea.

• students working many hours at jobs.

• teens enjoying wearing uniforms.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

It's no surprise that exercise increases energy. The physical challenge prepares your body in a variety of ways. Blood sugar is more quickly converted to fuel, more oxygen is supplied to your cells, and fight-or-flight hormones are released. Instead of leaving you exhausted, exercise energizes. Do it in the morning for an all-day high or later in the afternoon for a pick-me-up.

What is the central (main) idea of this text?

• 
  Exercise increases your energy

• Exercise is easier than it looks.

• 
  Exercise makes you live longer.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

What is your favorite way to eat a potato? Potatoes are one of the most versatile foods in the world. You can bake a potato and eat it whole, or you can cut it up and roast it in the oven. Many people boil potatoes and then beat them until they are smooth, creating mashed potatoes that can be covered with gravy. Potatoes can also be fried to form french fries or chips. No one can accuse the potato of being useless!

What is the central (main) idea of this text?

• Potatoes can be cooked in different ways.

• potatoes

• You can boil and beat potatoes to make them mashed

• cooking

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

An average beehive consists of about 20,000 bees. Within the colony there are three types of bees, each with its own important job. One queen lives in a hive and her only job is to fill the hive with eggs. In fact, a queen will lay about 1,500 eggs in just one day! Male bees are called drones. Their only job is to mate with the queen. Worker bees, on the other hand, are extremely busy. They are female bees that lay no eggs. Their many jobs include cleaning, gathering pollen, and taking care of the larvae.

Which option below is the correct central (main) idea?

• There are different types of bees each with their own jobs.

• The queen lives in the hive and her only job is to fill the hive with eggs.

• Three (3) types of bees

• 
  Bees

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

An average beehive consists of about 20,000 bees. Within the colony there are three types of bees, each with its own important job. One queen lives in a hive and her only job is to fill the hive with eggs. In fact, a queen will lay about 1,500 eggs in just one day! Male bees are called drones. Their only job is to mate with the queen. Worker bees, on the other hand, are extremely busy. They are female bees that lay no eggs. Their many jobs include cleaning, gathering pollen, and taking care of the larvae.

The central idea of this text is "There are different types of bees each with their own jobs.." Select ALL the details that support the central idea.

• The average beehive consists of 20,000 bees.

• One queen lives in a hive, and her only job is to fill the hive with eggs.

• They are female bees that lay no eggs. Their many jobs include cleaning, gathering pollen, and taking care of the larvae.

• Male bees are called drones. Their only job is to mate with the queen.

• In fact, a queen will lay about 1,500 eggs in just one day!

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.1