Theme Vs. Topic & Basic Theme

1. Which option is the BEST statement of a theme for this passage?

High school students have too much homework.

It’s important to color-code your planner.

Saying no and setting boundaries can be an important part of taking care of yourself.

Jobs are more important than school.

The passage focuses on Mara’s decision to say no and how that choice improves her well-being.

Explanation

The passage focuses on Mara’s decision to say no and how that choice improves her well-being.

2. Which option is only a topic, not a full theme?

Self-care

Sometimes guilt follows healthy decisions.

People can learn to ask for help.

Overwork can damage a person’s well-being.

“Self-care” is a single word subject; a theme is usually a full statement about that subject.

Explanation

“Self-care” is a single word subject; a theme is usually a full statement about that subject.

3. True or False: The passage suggests that other people in Mara’s life are completely helpless without her.

True

False

When she says no, others step in, showing they can manage.

Explanation

When she says no, others step in, showing they can manage.

4. At the beginning of the passage, how does Mara mostly define her value?

By how much rest she gets

By how many responsibilities she carries

By how often she says no

By how much fun she has

She’s described as “the responsible one,” always taking on tasks for others.

Explanation

She’s described as “the responsible one,” always taking on tasks for others.

5. Which detail BEST supports the idea that Mara is beginning to change by the end?

She forgets to do her homework.

She throws away her planner.

She blocks off a Saturday in her planner labeled “Rest.”

She quits her job.

Scheduling rest shows a new priority and a shift in how she views her responsibilities.

Explanation

Scheduling rest shows a new priority and a shift in how she views her responsibilities.

6. Which sentence is the BEST objective summary of the passage?

Mara is dramatic and overreacts to her homework, which isn’t that bad.

Mara learns that jobs are terrible and no one should work in high school.

Mara’s family is lazy and makes her do everything.

This summary is neutral, concise, and includes the central situation and main idea.

Explanation

This summary is neutral, concise, and includes the central situation and main idea.

7. Mara’s decision to say “I can’t tonight” has only negative consequences.

True

False

She feels guilt but later experiences rest and better work quality.

Explanation

She feels guilt but later experiences rest and better work quality.

8. Which detail BEST shows Mara’s emotional conflict about changing her behavior?

She writes in her planner.

She walks the dog.

The word send felt heavier than any textbook.

Her brother forgets his lunch.

The metaphor shows how difficult it is emotionally to send that message.

Explanation

The metaphor shows how difficult it is emotionally to send that message.

9. Which statement is LEAST connected to the central idea of the passage?

People sometimes feel guilty when they break old habits.

One person shouldn’t be responsible for solving everyone’s problems.

Learning to say no can create healthier balance.

Cafés should always schedule extra workers on Wednesdays.

The passage is not really about café scheduling.

Explanation

The passage is not really about café scheduling.

10. By the end, the passage suggests that the world does not fall apart when Mara sets boundaries.

True

False

Others step up and life continues.

Explanation

Others step up and life continues.

11. Which line BEST marks the turning point in Mara’s thinking?

“Mara had always been ‘the responsible one.’”

“Instead, she typed, ‘I’m sorry, I can’t tonight.’”

“Her brother still forgot his lunch…”

“She took the hardest classes…”

That’s the moment she acts differently from her usual pattern.

Explanation

That’s the moment she acts differently from her usual pattern.

12. What does the planner symbolize MOST strongly by the end of the passage?

Chaos

Her love for her job

Her ability to control other people

Her chance to shape her life differently, including adding rest

She moves from filling it with tasks to deliberately scheduling rest.

Explanation

She moves from filling it with tasks to deliberately scheduling rest.

13. Which statement is another valid theme supported by the passage?

Parents should force their children to do less.

It’s wrong to help others with their problems.

Balance between helping others and caring for yourself is important.

Nobody should ever work a part-time job.

The passage shows caring for others is good, but not at the cost of your own health.

Explanation

The passage shows caring for others is good, but not at the cost of your own health.

14. The passage criticizes Mara for being responsible and suggests responsibility is always bad.

True

False

It suggests over-responsibility without boundaries is unhealthy, not responsibility itself.

Explanation

It suggests over-responsibility without boundaries is unhealthy, not responsibility itself.

15. Which question would BEST explain the theme of this passage in a short response?

What color is Mara’s planner?

How does Mara’s choice to say no change her evening and her view of herself?

How many essays does Mara write?

What time does Mara go to bed?

This question focuses on her decision and its impact, which leads directly to the theme.

Explanation

This question focuses on her decision and its impact, which leads directly to the theme.

Theme vs. Topic & Basic Theme