Multiple Themes In One Text

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

Roses are hard to grow.

You either have a talent or you don’t.

Growth often comes from patience and not giving up, even when something feels “broken.”

Grandparents never talk to their grandchildren.

The rose and Lila’s math struggle both point to perseverance and slow growth.

Explanation

The rose and Lila’s math struggle both point to perseverance and slow growth.

2. Which sentence from the passage MOST directly supports that theme?

Lila watched from the kitchen window, doing homework at the table…

Its petals were still drooping, but someone had tied the stem gently to a thin stick…

It never stood straight, but the petals slowly opened into a lopsided bloom that still caught the light.

Her grandmother shuffled in, carrying a single rose with a broken stem.

The description of imperfect but real blooming parallels Lila’s potential progress.

Explanation

The description of imperfect but real blooming parallels Lila’s potential progress.

3. A second theme in the passage is that small, quiet actions can communicate more than long speeches.

True

False

The grandmother says very little but teaches through the rose and her actions.

Explanation

The grandmother says very little but teaches through the rose and her actions.

4. Which option is the BEST statement of that second theme?

Silence is always better than talking.

Actions and small symbols can teach powerful lessons without long explanations.

People should never talk about their feelings.

Gardens are more important than school.

The grandmother uses the rose as a quiet symbol instead of lecturing.

Explanation

The grandmother uses the rose as a quiet symbol instead of lecturing.

5. What does the broken rose MOST clearly symbolize for Lila?

A plant she forgot to water

Her belief that she is “not a math person”

The backyard needing more flowers

Her grandmother’s health

Both the rose and Lila’s mindset are treated as “broken,” yet both can still grow.

Explanation

Both the rose and Lila’s mindset are treated as “broken,” yet both can still grow.

6. The change from “I’m not a math person” to “Yet” shows a shift in Lila’s mindset.

True

False

Adding “yet” turns a fixed belief into a belief in future growth.

Explanation

Adding “yet” turns a fixed belief into a belief in future growth.

7. Which sentence would be MOST important to include in an objective summary?

Lila’s grandmother wears old shoes.

Lila’s grandmother uses a broken rose to wordlessly encourage Lila not to give up on math.

Lila wants to move to a different house.

Lila hates all flowers.

This sentence captures both the central relationship and the main idea.

Explanation

This sentence captures both the central relationship and the main idea.

8. How do the two themes—perseverance and quiet teaching—work together in this passage?

They clash and create confusion.

The grandmother’s quiet teaching encourages Lila to persevere.

The grandmother gives up easily, while Lila talks a lot.

They are unrelated to each other.

The grandmother’s subtle actions are what inspire Lila’s change.

Explanation

The grandmother’s subtle actions are what inspire Lila’s change.

9. By the end, the passage suggests Lila has already become excellent at math.

True

False

We only see a change in attitude, not proof of perfect skill.

Explanation

We only see a change in attitude, not proof of perfect skill.

10. Which statement is MOST accurate about the ending?

It shows that effort is pointless.

It proves the rose is more important than school.

It shows that Lila is beginning to believe improvement is possible, even if she isn’t “good” yet.

It shows Lila refuses to do math.

The word “Yet” signals belief in growth over time.

Explanation

The word “Yet” signals belief in growth over time.

11. Which question would BEST help students explain the symbolism in a written response?

What color are the roses?

How does the broken rose’s progress mirror Lila’s struggle with math?

How old is Lila’s grandmother?

What time does Lila do homework?

This question links the symbol (rose) to the character’s growth.

Explanation

This question links the symbol (rose) to the character’s growth.

12. The passage suggests that something imperfect can still be beautiful and meaningful.

True

False

The rose never stands straight, but its lopsided bloom still “catches the light.”

Explanation

The rose never stands straight, but its lopsided bloom still “catches the light.”

13. Which line BEST shows that the grandmother understands Lila without needing a long conversation?

Her grandmother spent hours in the small backyard…

The back door creaked.

“This one,” Grandma said, holding up the flower, “I nearly threw away when it snapped.”

Look again tomorrow.

She chooses the broken rose and explains just enough for Lila to think about it.

Explanation

She chooses the broken rose and explains just enough for Lila to think about it.

14. Another valid theme supported by the passage is:

Elderly people cannot help with schoolwork.

Giving up quickly is always the best choice.

People we live with may teach us the most when we finally pay attention to them.

Only teachers in school can teach real lessons.

Lila learns an important lesson from someone at home, not from a classroom.

Explanation

Lila learns an important lesson from someone at home, not from a classroom.

15. Which sentence would be the BEST claim for an analytical paragraph about this passage?

Lila’s grandmother likes roses.

The story describes a backyard.

Math is difficult.

This claim connects symbol, theme, and character change.

Explanation

This claim connects symbol, theme, and character change.

Multiple Themes in One Text