Paired Texts & Theme Comparison

1. Which theme is clearly present in both passages?

The importance of physical strength in sports

The struggle between fear and the courage to make a difficult choice

The value of expensive education

The unfairness of teachers

Elias faces fear about his health and job; Marta confronts fear of performing.

Explanation

Elias faces fear about his health and job; Marta confronts fear of performing.

2. In Passage 1, money and responsibility make Elias’s decision about his health more complicated.

True

False

The unpaid bills and tuition make it hard for him to slow down or stop working.

Explanation

The unpaid bills and tuition make it hard for him to slow down or stop working.

3. In Passage 1, which detail BEST supports the theme about choosing health despite pressure?

The machines’ steady rhythm

The unpaid bills on the table

The poster that reads, “Your health is your wealth.”

Elias going to the clinic and admitting his fear to the doctor

His choice to seek help and speak honestly shows a turning point.

Explanation

His choice to seek help and speak honestly shows a turning point.

4. Which is the BEST statement of a theme for Passage 1?

Work is always more important than health.

Ignoring physical problems makes them go away.

Facing the truth about your limits can be frightening but necessary.

Colleges cause all financial problems.

Elias must honestly confront his body’s limits despite financial fear.

Explanation

Elias must honestly confront his body’s limits despite financial fear.

5. In Passage 2, Marta originally loves being the center of attention.

True

False

She hides at the back of the room and blends in.

Explanation

She hides at the back of the room and blends in.

6. Which is the BEST statement of a theme for Passage 2?

Only loud people can succeed.

Taking a risk to step out of the background can lead to unexpected confidence.

Choir is not important.

Teachers should never assign solos.

Marta’s decision to volunteer leads to growth and a new feeling of rightness.

Explanation

Marta’s decision to volunteer leads to growth and a new feeling of rightness.

7. Which detail in Passage 2 MOST clearly shows Marta pushing through her fear?

She sits at the back of the room.

The director looks around the room.

Her hand rises before she can talk herself out of it.

Someone starts clapping.

Despite fear, she raises her hand, taking the risk.

Explanation

Despite fear, she raises her hand, taking the risk.

8. Both passages end with the main character feeling completely calm and relaxed.

True

False

Both still feel physical signs (pounding heart, swallowed fear), but move in a new direction.

Explanation

Both still feel physical signs (pounding heart, swallowed fear), but move in a new direction.

9. How are the endings of the two passages similar in terms of theme?

Both show the characters ignoring their problems.

Both show the characters taking a first step toward a change, even though their fear is not completely gone.

Both show the characters giving up on their goals.

Both show everything being easily solved.

Elias tells the doctor the truth; Marta sings the solo. These are first steps, not final solutions.

Explanation

Elias tells the doctor the truth; Marta sings the solo. These are first steps, not final solutions.

10. Which sentence below would be the BEST claim comparing the themes of both passages?

Elias and Marta both like music.

Both passages are about factories.

Only Marta’s story contains real conflict.

This claim points out the different situations but shared theme.

Explanation

This claim points out the different situations but shared theme.

11. In Passage 1, the poster “Your health is your wealth” is ironic because Elias cannot afford to stop working.

True

False

The slogan clashes with his financial reality, making his choice harder.

Explanation

The slogan clashes with his financial reality, making his choice harder.

12. In Passage 2, what does the phrase “pounding in the right direction” at the end suggest?

Marta is about to faint.

Marta regrets volunteering.

Marta’s fear has turned into a feeling of pride and forward movement.

Marta wants to quit choir.

Her nervous energy has become connected to courage and growth.

Explanation

Her nervous energy has become connected to courage and growth.

13. Which question would BEST help students analyze how each author develops the theme?

What color are the factory walls and the choir chairs?

What specific moments show the characters choosing to act despite fear, and how are those moments described?

How much money does Elias owe?

How many students are in the choir?

This focuses on key scenes and language showing the characters’ decisions.

Explanation

This focuses on key scenes and language showing the characters’ decisions.

14. In Passage 1, which detail would be LEAST important for an objective summary?

Elias has worked at the factory for a long time.

Elias’s hands begin to tremble, worrying him and his supervisor.

Elias has unpaid bills and his daughter’s tuition to consider.

The machines’ rhythm has become the “background music” of his life.

It’s a nice image, but the basic fact of his long work history matters more than that phrase.

Explanation

It’s a nice image, but the basic fact of his long work history matters more than that phrase.

15. Both passages show that bravery always removes all problems instantly.

True

False

Elias still faces bills and health issues; Marta still feels nervous. The passages show first brave steps, not instant perfection.

Explanation

Elias still faces bills and health issues; Marta still feels nervous. The passages show first brave steps, not instant perfection.