Theme in Literature — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The theme of the story about a lost dog is friendship.
Corrected: The topic of the story about a lost dog is friendship, but the theme is a message such as 'True friends never give up on each other.'
The corrected sentence is: "The topic of the story about a lost dog is friendship, but the theme is a message such as 'True friends never give up on each other.'". The original sentence "The theme of the story about a lost dog is friendship." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
The theme of the poem is sadness.
Corrected: The topic of the poem is sadness, but the theme might be 'Sharing your feelings with others can help you heal.'
The corrected sentence is: "The topic of the poem is sadness, but the theme might be 'Sharing your feelings with others can help you heal.'". The original sentence "The theme of the poem is sadness." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
The theme of the fairy tale is that the princess lived happily ever after.
Corrected: The theme of the fairy tale is that kindness and courage are rewarded in the end.
The corrected sentence is: "The theme of the fairy tale is that kindness and courage are rewarded in the end.". The original sentence "The theme of the fairy tale is that the princess lived happily ever after." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The theme of a story is the central message or life lesson the author wants to share.
The theme is the underlying message or lesson of a story. Unlike the plot (what happens), the theme communicates a broader truth about life.
2. Unlike theme, the topic of a story is simply what the story is about in one or two words.
Topic is the subject of the story (e.g., 'friendship'). Theme is the message about that subject (e.g., 'True friends support each other through hard times').
3. A theme is always expressed as a complete sentence, not just a single word.
A theme must be expressed as a complete statement or sentence to capture its full meaning. 'Friendship' is a topic; 'True friends stand by each other' is a theme.
4. In a story where a boy practices piano every day and wins the contest, the theme is that hard work leads to success.
The theme here is that dedication and effort pay off. Events in the story — practicing, studying, earning the scholarship — all support this message.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Read: A girl shares her lunch with a new student who forgot hers. Later, that student helps the girl when she trips and falls. What is the theme? Use evidence from the text.
Sample answer: The theme is that kindness is often returned. The evidence is that the girl shared her lunch, and later the new student helped her when she fell, showing that acts of kindness come back to you.
The pattern of giving kindness and receiving it in return supports a theme about generosity and reciprocity. Text evidence connects story events to the theme.
2. What is the difference between the topic and the theme of a story? Give an example of each using a story about honesty.
Sample answer: The topic is what the story is about in one word, such as 'honesty.' The theme is the lesson, such as 'Being honest, even when it is hard, earns the trust of others.' The topic is a word; the theme is a full message.
Topic names the broad subject; theme states a specific message or lesson about that subject. Topics are single words or phrases; themes are complete, arguable statements.