Theme, Plot, Context Clues Review

Theme

100

Friendship is a gift. Is this a theme or main idea?

Theme

200

What is a theme? A) a message B) a lesson C) a central idea D) a moral E) all of the above

E) all of the above

300

If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain. -From "Part One: Life" by Emily Dickinson What theme is communicated by the first 2 lines of the poem? A) A broken heart is the best part of life. B) A broken heart is the worst part of life. C) Doing good for others makes life worthwhile. D) Life is lived in vain if the heart never hurts.

C) Doing good for others makes life worthwhile.

400

Marilyn’s heart felt like it was going to explode in her chest when she took the final picture out. The photo was of her father sitting in Nana’s living room. On his lap was a little girl with fierce red curls wrapped up in his arms. It was Marilyn. This was the treasure she had been searching for all along. Marilyn ran home. She held the box tightly against her chest. Marilyn had her treasure now, and although it was only a few photos and old toys, it was worth more to her than all the pirate treasure in the sea. What is the theme of this passage? A) Things that mean a lot to someone can be more valuable than wealth. B) The love of a father cannot be replaced by physical belongings. C) It is difficult but important to confront the past if it bothers you. D) The pursuit of riches and fame will only lead to loneliness.

A) Things that mean a lot to someone can be more valuable than wealth.

500

A Tortoise, seeing an Eagle in flight, wanted much to fly like him. So she asked him if he would not teach her to fly. He told her that it was impossible; that Tortoises could not fly. All the more did she urge him; so at last the Eagle seized her in his claws, bore her to a great height, and then, letting her go, bade her fly. She fell like a stone to the earth, and the blow knocked the breath out of her body. -From "The Tortoise and the Eagle" by Horace E. Scudder Looking at how the Tortoise responds to the challenge of being told she cannot fly, what is the theme of the text? A) If you refuse to take advice from someone who knows more than you, then you might get hurt. B) If your strength is swimming, then you should never try something new, like flying. C) Taking a small risk is a great way to expand your horizons. D) Do not listen to someone who tries to stop you from following your dreams.

A) If you refuse to take advice from someone who knows more than you, then you might get hurt.

Theme 2

100

How is the theme of a text sometimes communicated? A) through the narrator's words B) by examining what statement the author is making about life C) directly D) all of the above

D) all of the above

200

Once upon a time, a Wolf resolved to disguise his appearance in order to secure food more easily. Encased in the skin of a sheep, he pastured with the flock, deceiving the shepherd by his costume. In the evening he was shut up by the shepherd in the fold; the gate was closed, and the entrance made thoroughly secure. But the shepherd, returning to the fold during the night to obtain meat for the next day, mistakenly caught up the Wolf instead of a sheep, and killed him instantly. Those who seek harm will find it. Is the theme of this story a stated or an unstated theme?

The theme of this story is a stated theme -"Those who seek harm will find it"

300

Marilyn’s heart felt like it was going to explode in her chest when she took the final picture out. The photo was of her father sitting in Nana’s living room. On his lap was a little girl with fierce red curls wrapped up in his arms. It was Marilyn. This was the treasure she had been searching for all along. Marilyn ran home. She held the box tightly against her chest. Marilyn had her treasure now, and although it was only a few photos and old toys, it was worth more to her than all the pirate treasure in the sea. Which sentence shares a lesson learned? A) On his lap was a little girl with fierce red curls wrapped up in his arms. B) Although it was only a few photos and old toys, it was worth more to her than all the pirate treasure in the sea. C) Marilyn’s heart felt like it was going to explode in her chest when she took the final picture out. D) She held the box tightly against her chest.

B) Although it was only a few photos and old toys, it was worth more to her than all the pirate treasure in the sea.

400

When James sat down next to Luis at the lunch table, he wrinkled his nose in distaste. "What are you eating, Luis? Those look like dried-up bananas?" "They're fried plantains, man. Try one. It's just like a potato chip!" Luis said. "Well, it looks like a banana," James replied. "So I doubt it tastes like a potato chip." Luis just shrugged and continued eating. After a few minutes, James decided to try one of the fried plantains. Luis handed him a crispy, yellow plantain chip. James sniffed it. Then he gingerly took a bite. "Wow, you're right," he said, as the salty chip cracked between his teeth. "That's delicious." Which is most likely the theme of the story? A) Plantains look like bananas. B) It's good to try new things. C) Don't let your friends pressure you. D) New foods taste really strange.

B) It's good to try new things.

500

This story is about how ants learned to work hard. A long time ago, Mother Nature created ants and instructed them to work together. Mother Nature also instructed other animals to work together. The ants refused to obey Mother Nature’s guidelines and became very weak. In order to get better, the ants worked together to find Mother Nature. Mother Nature agreed to heal the ants if they worked hard, which is why ants work hard today. Which detail should be removed from the summary? A) This story is about how ants learned to work hard. B) Mother Nature also instructed other animals to work together. C) The ants refused to obey Mother Nature’s guidelines and became very weak. D) Mother Nature agreed to heal the ants if they worked hard, which is why ants work hard today.

B) Mother Nature also instructed other animals to work together.

Elements of Fiction

100

This is the series of events that make up a story

Plot

200

Which statement describes an aspect of the setting of a story? a. The Curtis brothers are poor. b. The 1960s c. Johnny is gravely injured

b. The 1960s

300

Which stage of plot is the ending, where all loose ends are tied up?

Resolution

400

The Lion and the Boar - An Aesop’s Fable Once upon a time a lion and a great boar, or wild pig, lived in the scorching hot desert. One day, the boar made his way to a small stream, the only source of water in the desert, to get a cool drink. Suddenly, a lion leapt from the trees. “Stay away from my water, Boar!” cried the lion. “If I fight you, I may be hurt,” said the boar. “But, if I don’t, I won’t be able to drink from the stream, and I’ll surely die. So, I must fight.” The lion and the boar wrestled for some time. At first, it seemed the lion would win. Then, it seemed certain the boar would beat the lion. Breathless and tired, the two animals stopped for a moment, and the lion looked up. “Look at the vultures circling us. What can they want?” “They want one of us to lose,” said the boar. “The loser will provide their dinner.” “Then we shall outsmart them,” said the lion, “and be friends.” The two animals walked side by side to the stream where they drank from the cool water and promised to be friends forever. What conflict does the boar encounter? a. He is thirsty. b. He notices the vultures. c. The lion is between him and the stream.

c. The lion is between him and the stream.

500

Read this brief passage about the movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Harry Potter is an eleven-year-old boy who discovers he is really a wizard. He is whisked away to Hogwarts School for Witches and Wizards to learn about witchcraft and magic. Unfortunately, he also discovers that an evil wizard named Voldemort murdered his parents. As he learns about his new magical life, he must also prepare to face Voldemort and defend himself against his evil plan. What conflict does Harry Potter face? A) Hogwarts is a school for witches and wizards B) He discovers that an evil wizard named Voldemort murdered his parents C) He must defend himself against Voldemort's evil plan

C) He must defend himself against Voldemort's evil plan

Stages of Plot

100

This stage of plot is the beginning where characters/setting are introduced

Exposition

200

This stage of plot is the turning point, or the most exciting part of the story

Climax

300

This stage of plot is all of the events leading up to the climax

Rising Action

400

This stage of plot contains the events leading to a story’s resolution

Falling Action

500

Name the 5 elements of plot in order.

Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution

Context Clues

100

The witness was charged with perjury for lying under oath. What is the meaning of perjury in this sentence? Which type of context clue did you use? A) providing an illegal drug B) providing a murder weapon C) providing false information D) providing a bribe

C) providing false information type of clue - synonym (lying)

200

The attacking army could not breach the city's walls. They remained on the perimeter, unable to do anything that might get them in. What is the meaning of breach as used in this sentence? What type of context clue did you use? A) break through B) attack from within C) explode into pieces D) destroy completely

A) break through type of clue - inference or general

300

My mom became very irate with me because I disobeyed the rules. She was so angry with me that I was grounded for a month. I was sorrowful and apologized for my actions. I never want to see my mom so upset again. What is the meaning of "irate" as used in this passage? What type of context clue did you use? A) to disobey B) to apologize C) to be extremely angry D) to be sorrowful

C) to be extremely angry type of clue - synonym (angry)

400

Yanni is considerate of his younger brother's feelings, unlike his mean sister who yells horrible insults at him. What is the meaning of the word "considerate" as used in this sentence? Which type of clue was used? What was the signal word? A) angry B) mean C) insulting D) nice

D) nice Antonym clues (yells horrible insults) signal word - unlike

500

The hill was too arduous for us to climb. We had to walk our bikes up the hill. What does arduous mean? What type of clue did you use? A) easy, not difficult B) fun C) difficult, steep D) exciting

C) difficult, steep Type of clue - inference or general