Theme Development In One Text

1. Which is the BEST statement of the main theme of this passage?

Track is the hardest sport.

College applications are unfair.

Real growth comes when you stop doing things halfway and start pushing yourself for your own improvement.

Only winners matter in sports.

The passage focuses on Tomas shifting from a shallow reason for running to a deeper interest in self-improvement.

Explanation

The passage focuses on Tomas shifting from a shallow reason for running to a deeper interest in self-improvement.

2. At the beginning, why does Tomas join the track team?

He loves running.

He wants to impress Malik.

He wants an easy activity to list on college applications.

He is forced by his parents.

The opening lines clearly say he joined for his résumé.

Explanation

The opening lines clearly say he joined for his résumé.

3. Early in the passage, Tomas understands why Malik is proud of “almost winning.”

True

False

He “doesn’t quite understand” why Malik is so happy about a near-win.

Explanation

He “doesn’t quite understand” why Malik is so happy about a near-win.

4. Which moment MOST clearly begins to change Tomas’s view of running?

The first day he joins the team

When he sees Malik’s joy at beating his own time

When his parents sign the permission form

When he buys new shoes

Malik’s reaction plants the idea that personal improvement might matter.

Explanation

Malik’s reaction plants the idea that personal improvement might matter.

5. What does the chart of times posted by the coach mainly show Tomas?

That the coach is unfair

That everyone else’s running times are staying the same

That other runners are improving while he is not

That track meets are cancelled

He notices his line is flat while others’ lines go down (faster times).

Explanation

He notices his line is flat while others’ lines go down (faster times).

6. The theme is developed partly through Tomas comparing himself to his teammates.

True

False

Seeing others improve pushes him to question his own effort.

Explanation

Seeing others improve pushes him to question his own effort.

7. Which detail BEST shows Tomas actively beginning to live the theme?

He reads about college applications online.

He pushes his legs until they burn and nearly collapses during practice.

He writes his résumé in class.

He quits the team.

This is the moment he truly pushes himself rather than coasting.

Explanation

This is the moment he truly pushes himself rather than coasting.

8. How does Tomas’s motivation change from the beginning to the end of the passage?

He stops caring about college completely.

He goes from doing track only for his résumé to also caring about personal improvement.

He only wants to beat Malik.

He decides to avoid all sports.

The text says he “still cared about college applications,” but now also thinks about what he can improve.

Explanation

The text says he “still cared about college applications,” but now also thinks about what he can improve.

9. Which sentence would be the BEST addition to an objective summary of the passage?

Tomas learns that running shoes are overpriced.

Tomas discovers that he enjoys pushing himself and improving his own times, not just adding an activity to his résumé.

Tomas becomes the fastest runner in the state.

Tomas stops watching the clock.

This captures the central change and connects directly to the theme.

Explanation

This captures the central change and connects directly to the theme.

10. The passage suggests that a small improvement (like half a second) can still feel meaningful.

True

False

Both Malik and later Tomas feel real joy at tiny time drops.

Explanation

Both Malik and later Tomas feel real joy at tiny time drops.

11. Which option is another theme also supported by the passage?

Comparing yourself to others is always harmful.

External rewards are the only reason to try.

Sometimes watching someone else’s effort can inspire you to change your own.

Sports are a waste of time.

Malik’s example clearly influences Tomas’s thinking.

Explanation

Malik’s example clearly influences Tomas’s thinking.

12. What is the main contrast used to develop the theme?

Beginning vs. end of the season’s weather

Tomas’s old jogging shoes vs. new running shoes

Tomas’s attitude when he is coasting vs. his attitude when he starts trying

Indoor practice vs. outdoor practice

His internal change is the central contrast that reveals the theme.

Explanation

His internal change is the central contrast that reveals the theme.

13. The passage shows that Tomas becomes the top runner on the team.

True

False

It never says he becomes the best, only that he beats his own time and feels proud.

Explanation

It never says he becomes the best, only that he beats his own time and feels proud.

14. Which statement BEST explains how the last sentence supports the theme?

It shows he wants to quit school.

It shows that his new way of thinking might spread to other parts of his life, not just running.

It shows he no longer cares about anything.

It shows he only cares about beating Malik.

The wording suggests he sees “not doing things halfway” as a new general approach.

Explanation

The wording suggests he sees “not doing things halfway” as a new general approach.

15. Which question would BEST guide a written explanation of the theme?

What brand of clock does the coach use?

How does Tomas’s view of success change from the beginning to the end of the passage?

How many laps does Tomas run?

What is Malik’s favorite color?

This question directly invites a discussion of the central idea and its development.

Explanation

This question directly invites a discussion of the central idea and its development.

Theme Development in One Text