Random Theme Questions
True or False
A theme is a central message.
True
Mrs. Smith was doing a unit on healthy living with her students. All week she taught her students about eating the correct foods like fruits and vegetables. Over the weekend, some of Mrs. Smith's students were at the mall and saw her eating pizza, a milkshake, and candy. Mrs. Smith's student Molly was going to order a salad but now decided to order junk food too. What is the theme?
A. Actions speak louder than words
B. Never eat pizza at the mall
C. Vegetables are good for you
A. Actions speak louder than words
Money Mark was born rich. He never had to work a day in his life and he got everything handed to him on a silver platter. When he was six, Money Mark wanted to go to a basketball game. His father paid the starting five of the Bulls and Celtics to play a private game of Nerf-ball in Money Mark's bedroom. When Money Mark turned thirteen, he wanted to start a band. His father hired the Rolling Stones to play with him every Saturday at the family's private concert hall, though his family was never there. By the time he was twenty-one, Money Mark was bored with life. He was surrounded by a bunch of possessions that he didn't appreciate and Money Mark could find nothing new or exciting in his life. Despite his vast wealth, Money Mark was never satisfied. What is the theme?
Money can't buy happiness.
What is theme?
The life lesson, author's message, or moral of a story
True or False
Fables are short stories, fiction, and teach a lesson or message.
True
True or False
A synonym for theme would be "life lesson".
True
Julia wanted to become a doctor for as long as she could remember. In college when her friends were out at the mall or going out with friends, Julia spent all of her time studying. At graduation, Julia graduated with high honors and was offered a job shortly after. What is the theme?
A. Studying is important.
B. It is important to go to college.
C. Hard work pays off.
C. Hard work pays off.
The theme is not...
The main topic/idea
The author's purpose
Can the theme be just one word? Explain
No, a theme can not be just one word. It is a statement. If it is just one word it is considered a theme topic.
What figurative language is referred to in fables?
A. Simile
B. Personification
C. Metaphors
B. Personification
True or False
"Big idea" would be a synonym for theme.
True
Growing up, Sally was always in the shadow of her older sister Mary. Mary always got better grades, was better at sports, and seemed to even be prettier. Sally spent a lot of time in the family's garden feeling sorry for herself. Then one day Mary needed help on a science project about plants. Due to all of her time in the garden, Sally knew a lot about plants and was able to help Mary with the project. Sally was shocked that she was better at something than her sister. What is the theme?
A. Accept yourself for who you are.
B. Sports are not important
C. You can learn a lot from plants.
A. A Accept yourself for who you are.
The theme can be...
Inferred
Implied
Stated
True or False
Themes must be inferred.
True
Name a story we/you have read that has a moral.
Answers may vary...
The Dog and the Bone
The Bad Kangeroo
The Hippopotamus at Dinner
The Fox and the Grapes
What is the difference between the main idea of a story and the theme of a story?
The main idea is mostly what the story is about (a short summary). The theme is the life lesson or moral that the author wants us to remember. It may have nothing to do with the details of the story itself.
The Monkey and the Cookies A monkey put his hand into the jar of cookies. He grasped as many as he could possibly hold, but when he tried to pull his hand, he was prevented from doing so by the neck of the cookie jar. Unwilling to lose the cookies, and yet unable to withdraw his hand, he burst into tears and cried bitterly. What is the theme?
A. Eating cookies can be dangerous.
B. If you are greedy, you might get nothing.
C. Don't put your hand in a jar.
B. If you are greedy, you might get nothing.
Blaine opened up the present and began pouting. He screamed in a high-pitched voice, "This is Captain Thunder! I wanted Captain Lightning!" His mother looked at him with dismay and handed him another present, which he greedily opened. "Why did you get me a red hat? You know I like blue more," Blaine whined as he threw the hat across the room. His mother straightened her expression and squinted at him. Earlier she had hoped to take some pictures of this moment, but by now she had put away her camera. She sighed and handed him one more present in hopes that this year wouldn't be a total bust. Blaine huffed and opened it. "A Game Box 4000� wow. Where's the Game Box 5000 that I asked for?" His mother could bear his ingratitude no longer. The next time that Blaine returned from his father's house, he was shocked to find that all of these toys and gifts, along with many other of his things, had been generously donated to needy children. What is the theme?
Be thankful for what you have in life.
Which of the following is a theme example.
A. You will never make a shot that you don't take.
B. risking
C. cleaning is good
A. You will never make a shot that you don't take.
True or False
Fables do not have talking animals with human-like characteristics.
False
True or False
A universal theme refers to a theme of any story, person, or culture.
True
One winter, a monkey found a snake stiff and frozen. The monkey felt sorry for the snake and so he picked the snake up and held it to his chest to try to warm it. The snake was quickly revived by the warmth, and because of its instincts, bit the monkey with all its might. What is the theme?
A. Even though you have good intentions, others may not
B. Don't hold snakes close to your chest.
C. Snakes are dangerous.
A. Even though you have good intentions, others may not
Common topics for themes can be...
Answers may vary:
love
jealousy
never give up
There can only be one theme or universal theme in a story. True or False.
False
***Bonus Question Extra 200 Points***
True or False
Fables are not one of Mrs. Richburg's favorite genre of literature.
False