ESL Test on Theme

What is a theme?

• Ideas about life the author is trying to express

• Stories, novels, plays, and poems

• Ideas about a story, novel, play, or poem an author is trying to express.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What is the definition of theme?

• topic/subject + message = theme

• topic of the story

• life lesson, meaning, moral, or meaning about life or human nature communicated by a literary work

• the reason why an authors writes

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the theme of this story? 

• Necessity is the mother of invention.

• Don't steal.

• Respect your elders.

• Slow and steady wins the race.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What is the theme of this story? 

• Slow and steady wins the race.

• Don't be lazy. 

• We are stronger together than we are apart.

• If you try to go on your own, you will get eaten by a big fish.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the theme of this story? 

• Don't steal. 

• Don't judge others. You don't know what they are capable of. 

• Being beautiful is the most important thing.

• Swans are prettier than ducks.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

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?

• Loyalty

• Treat others how you would like to be treated.

• Money can't buy happiness (or friends)

• Be yourself

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

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?

• Loyalty

• Treat others how you would like to be treated.

• Two heads are better than one.

• Be yourself

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

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?

• Friendship

• Helping others

• Do the right thing and people will follow.

• Practice and persistence pay off.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

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?

• You must share with your neighbor.

• It is wise to work before you play.

• Friendship

• 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

Lucy is a superhero. There is an evil villain approaching Lucy's small-town of Gray. Lucy hears of this news, and she instantly begins training so she can defeat him.

What theme can we take away from this summary of a story?

• Friendship is important.

• Treat others how you would like to be treated.

• You must work hard to reach your goals.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2