Theme
Define theme.
What is the lesson or message the author is trying to convey.
Define dramatic irony.
What is when the opposite of what you expect actually happens.
How many times should you read a poem?
What is at least twice
Define character traits.
The qualities or characteristics that describe a character.
How much of the text should you read to determine the theme?
What is the entire text.
What are the two things that dramatic irony reveal?
What is suspense and humor.
What two things should you read for?
What is literal and deeper meaning?
Which of the following words could describe a character trait?
A. Brave
B. Forest
C. Quickly
D. Tall
Which of the following is a character trait?
A. Honest
B. Running
C. Blue
D. Table
Which word BEST describes a character trait?
A. Caring
B. House
C. Slowly
D. Chair
Which of these is an example of a character trait?
A. Loyal
B. Mountain
C. Yesterday
D. Jump
Which of these could describe a character’s personality or behavior?
A. Fast
B. Window
C. Kind
D. Tall
What is (A) Brave, (A) Honest, (A) Caring, (A) Loyal, (C) Kind
Which word choice BEST supports a theme about growth or change?
A. Stuck
B. Transform
C. Stop
D. Brave
What is "Transform"
Maya crept quietly through the house, careful not to make a sound. The lights were off, and the only noise came from the ticking clock in the hallway.
“Hello?” she called softly, stepping inside. No answer. She laughed nervously. “Guess I’m just imagining things.”
Upstairs, a floorboard creaked. Maya froze, then shook her head. “Old houses make noise,” she whispered to herself.
What Maya didn’t know was that her brother had arrived home early and was hiding in her room, waiting to surprise her for her birthday. He struggled to stay quiet, barely holding in his excitement.
Maya slowly climbed the stairs, her heart pounding, convinced she was completely alone.
How does the use of dramatic irony affect the reader’s experience in this passage?
A. It creates humor because the reader knows something Maya does not
B. It makes the setting more detailed
C. It explains Maya’s background
D. It removes all suspense from the story
What is "It creates humor because the reader knows something Maya does not"
What should you always do when analyzing a poem?
ANNOTATE!!!
Julian surveyed the pile of papers on his desk, each one a reminder of the deadlines he had neglected. Most students would have panicked, but he remained unflappable. Carefully, he prioritized his tasks, drafting a plan that would allow him to complete each assignment efficiently. Even when a friend called to complain about her own stress, Julian offered practical advice without condescension.
Which character trait BEST describes Julian?
A. Anxious
B. Composed
C. Impulsive
D. Indifferent
What is collected
The train station was nearly empty when Lila arrived, her suitcase bumping against the cracked pavement as she walked. She checked the time again—still ten minutes before departure. Around her, people hurried past without looking up, each focused on their own destinations.
Lila hesitated. Just hours ago, she had stood in her kitchen, staring at the note she’d left behind. It was short—only a few lines explaining that she needed something different, something more. Still, her hand had shaken as she wrote it.
A loudspeaker crackled overhead, announcing the train’s arrival. Lila stepped closer to the edge of the platform, her heart racing. She thought about everything she was leaving behind: the familiar streets, the routine, the expectations. For a moment, doubt crept in, whispering that she should turn back.
But then she tightened her grip on the suitcase handle. The train roared into the station, wind whipping her hair across her face. As the doors slid open, Lila took a deep breath and stepped forward.
Question: What is the theme of this passage?
A. Traveling is dangerous and unpredictable
B. Change requires courage and letting go of the familiar
C. People should always follow their routines
D. Trains are an important part of daily life
What is "Change requires courage and letting go of the familiar"
The storm had knocked out the power hours ago, leaving the house wrapped in darkness. Elena sat at the kitchen table, a single candle flickering in front of her. The wind rattled the windows, and every creak of the house made her glance over her shoulder.
“It’s just the storm,” she muttered, gripping the edge of the table.
Earlier that evening, her father had called to say he would be late getting home. Since then, Elena had tried to distract herself with a book, but the silence felt too heavy. When she heard the front door slowly open, her breath caught.
“Hello?” she called, her voice barely steady. No response.
She stood, inching toward the hallway. The door creaked again, and soft footsteps echoed across the floor. Elena’s heart pounded. She reached for her phone, but the battery had died hours ago.
What Elena didn’t realize was that her father had finally returned and was carefully making his way inside, trying not to startle her in the dark.
As the footsteps drew closer, Elena backed away, her fear growing with each step.
Which detail BEST contributes to the development of dramatic irony in the passage?
A. “The storm had knocked out the power hours ago”
B. “Elena sat at the kitchen table, a single candle flickering”
C. “What Elena didn’t realize was that her father had finally returned”
D. “The wind rattled the windows”
What is “What Elena didn’t realize was that her father had finally returned”
“Between the Lines”
I walk the path I’ve always known,
Each step a map that’s been well drawn,
The voices say, “Stay safe, stay sure,”
But something calls me toward the dawn.
The road ahead is unmarked still,
No signs to promise what I’ll find,
Yet in the silence, soft and low,
A restless whisper fills my mind.
It tells me more than fear can hold,
That change is more than loss or pain,
And though I may not see the end,
I’ll never be the same again.
What is the theme of the poem?
A. It is better to avoid change
B. Change can be uncertain but leads to growth
C. Following rules always leads to success
D. The past is more important than the future
What is "Change can be uncertain but leads to growth."
Serena moved through the crowded streets with a quiet confidence, observing every detail. When a street performer faltered and dropped his instrument, she instinctively bent down to help, offering a reassuring smile. She continued on her way but remained aware of the world around her, balancing her focus on personal objectives with empathy for others. Her friends often described her as meticulous, thoughtful, and uncommonly perceptive.
Which character trait BEST describes Serena?
A. Reckless
B. Compassionate
C. Arrogant
D. Neglectful
What is Compassionate
Jordan had always taken the easy way out. When assignments got difficult, he found excuses. When practices became exhausting, he skipped them. It wasn’t that he didn’t care—he just didn’t like discomfort.
But things changed the day he failed his first major exam. The red ink across the top of the page felt heavier than the paper itself. For once, there was no excuse that could erase the result.
That afternoon, instead of heading home, Jordan sat in the empty classroom. He opened his notebook and began reviewing every mistake. The process was frustrating, slow, and at times embarrassing. Still, he kept going.
Over the next few weeks, Jordan stayed after school, asked questions, and pushed himself even when it was uncomfortable. Gradually, the work became easier—not because it changed, but because he did.
One afternoon, as he walked home, Jordan noticed the sky glowing orange and pink. He paused, appreciating the moment before continuing on his way.
Question: Which quote from the passage is irrelevant to the development of the theme?
A. “When assignments got difficult, he found excuses.”
B. “For once, there was no excuse that could erase the result.”
C. “He opened his notebook and began reviewing every mistake.”
D. “Jordan noticed the sky glowing orange and pink.”
What is “Jordan noticed the sky glowing orange and pink.”
The crowd filled the auditorium, their voices buzzing with anticipation. On stage, Marcus adjusted the microphone, scanning the audience for his parents. He spotted them near the front, smiling proudly.
“This is my moment,” he whispered to himself. Weeks of preparation had led to this speech—one he was certain would impress the judges.
Backstage, however, two judges quietly reviewed his application. One frowned. “There’s been a mistake,” she said. “His name was accidentally included in the finalists. He wasn’t supposed to present.”
The other judge sighed. “We’ll let him finish. It’s too late to stop him now.”
Unaware, Marcus began speaking with confidence, his voice steady and strong. The audience nodded along, clearly engaged. He even noticed one of the judges writing notes and took it as a good sign.
As he reached the final lines of his speech, Marcus smiled, convinced he had secured his victory.
How does the dramatic irony MOST impact the reader’s understanding of Marcus’s situation?
A. It emphasizes how prepared Marcus is for his speech
B. It creates tension by showing that Marcus’s confidence is based on incomplete information
C. It explains why the judges are impressed with Marcus
D. It suggests that Marcus will definitely win the competition
What is "It creates tension by showing that Marcus’s confidence is based on incomplete information"
What does the phrase “the road ahead is unmarked still” most likely symbolize?
A. A physical road that is difficult to travel
B. A journey that is dangerous and should be avoided
C. An uncertain future without clear direction
D. A map that has been lost
What is "An uncertain future without clear direction"
Dr. Langston had spent decades researching the migratory patterns of Arctic birds, but his dedication extended beyond mere data collection. During a particularly brutal winter, he braved treacherous winds and frozen tundra to rescue a trapped flock. Even as his colleagues cautioned him against unnecessary risk, he persevered, guided by an unwavering sense of duty to his research and the creatures he studied. Observers noted that his perseverance was matched only by his integrity and compassion.
Which character trait BEST describes Dr. Langston?
A. Reckless
B. Compassionate
C. Impatient
D. Apathetic
What is compassionate