Theme
In a story where a character keeps trying to achieve a goal even after failing several times, what theme is most likely being developed?
Perseverance/determination leads to success.
What is the difference between a main idea and a summary?
The main idea is the central message; a summary includes the main idea plus key supporting details.
What is the initiating event in a story?
The event that starts the main conflict or action.
What is the difference between a static and dynamic character?
A static character doesn’t change; a dynamic character grows or changes through the story.
If the root bio means “life,” what does biology mean?
The study of life.
"Lena placed another rejection letter on the pile. She sighed, then opened her laptop and started writing again."
What theme is shown in this passage?
Never give up / Resilience in the face of failure.
"Maria studied the stars every night, sketching their patterns in her notebook. She dreamed of becoming an astronomer."
What is the main idea?
Maria is passionate about astronomy and dreams of becoming a scientist.
How does the climax affect the rest of the story?
It’s the turning point that leads to the resolution and shows how the conflict will end.
Who is usually the protagonist of a story?
The main character who faces the central conflict.
If rupt means “to break,” what does interrupt mean?
To break in or stop something temporarily.
How does an author typically develop a theme throughout a text?
Through the characters’ actions, conflicts, and the outcomes of their choices.
What should a good summary always include?
Only the most important ideas in order, no opinions or unnecessary details.
What is the climax of a story, and why is it important to the plot?
The climax is the turning point or moment of greatest tension in the story. It’s important because it decides how the main conflict will be resolved and shows the character’s true growth or choices.
"At the start, Maya was selfish and impatient. By the end, she learned to put others first."
What kind of character is Maya?
Dynamic character.
"The ancient ruins were covered in prehistoric carvings."
What does prehistoric most likely mean?
From before recorded history (pre- = before).
"After the flood destroyed the town, neighbors shared what little food they had. For the first time, everyone realized they needed one another."
Which theme best fits this passage?
Community and cooperation help people overcome hardship.
"The rainforest is home to thousands of species, but deforestation is threatening their survival. Conservation efforts are helping, but more needs to be done."
Which sentence best summarizes this passage?
Deforestation is endangering rainforest species, though conservation efforts are helping.
How does conflict drive the plot?
It motivates the characters’ actions and decisions, moving the story forward.
How does the antagonist affect the plot?
The antagonist creates obstacles for the protagonist, driving conflict and tension.
The word transport contains the root port, meaning “to carry.” What does transport mean?
To carry something from one place to another.
A story’s theme is rarely stated outright. What clues should readers look for to infer it?
Repeated ideas, character growth, and how conflicts are resolved.
Why is identifying the main idea important before writing a summary?
It helps ensure the summary stays focused on the author’s central point.
In most stories, the rising action takes up the largest portion of the plot. Why do authors spend so much time on this section, and how does it affect the reader’s understanding of the conflict?
Authors use the rising action to develop characters, build suspense, and deepen the conflict, helping readers understand what’s at stake and why the climax matters.
"Even though Mr. Vance was strict, his rules pushed the students to discover their potential."
What role does Mr. Vance play?
Antagonist—but one who indirectly helps the protagonist grow.
"Because the doctor specialized in dermatology, she helped patients with rashes and skin conditions."
What does the root derm mean?
Skin