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Theme statements versus topics

10th grade (Year 11 in England) · 16 questions · Common Core: RL.9-10.2 · England: GCSE English Literature (themes), GCSE English Language Paper 1 Q4

Name

Date

Score/ 16

The Last Lap

Ruby had trained for the school relay every morning since September, running laps of the park while her breath made clouds in the cold air. She was the fastest in her class, and everyone expected her team to win. On the day of the race, the team's second runner, Theo, tripped on the bend and dropped the baton. By the time he scrambled up, two teams were far ahead. Ruby, waiting for the last leg, felt her heart sink. When the baton finally reached her, she ran harder than she ever had. She passed one runner. The finish line rushed towards her. The crowd was roaring. Then, a metre from the tape, the leader dipped her shoulder and won by a hand's width. Theo couldn't look at anyone. Ruby walked over, still panting, and held out the silver ribbon. "Second place," she said, "and that comeback was the best part of the whole race." Later, the team hung the ribbon on the classroom wall, right next to the first-place trophy from the year before. Somehow it seemed brighter.

  1. Question 1

    Read "The Last Lap". Which statement best expresses a theme of the story?

    • A. The fastest runner always wins.
    • B. Relay races are dangerous.
    • C. Training every morning is boring.
    • D. How we respond to setbacks can matter more than winning.

  1. Question 2

    Two rival bakeries spend years trying to ruin each other. When a flood destroys both, the owners share one oven to keep the town fed, and discover they make better bread together. Which statement best expresses the theme?

    • A. Bread is important.
    • B. Crisis can turn rivals into partners.
    • C. Bakers wake up early.
    • D. Floods are dangerous.

  2. Question 3

    Which choice is a THEME statement rather than just a topic?

    • A. appearances
    • B. People often judge others too quickly by appearances.
    • C. first impressions
    • D. judging

The Last Lap

Ruby had trained for the school relay every morning since September, running laps of the park while her breath made clouds in the cold air. She was the fastest in her class, and everyone expected her team to win. On the day of the race, the team's second runner, Theo, tripped on the bend and dropped the baton. By the time he scrambled up, two teams were far ahead. Ruby, waiting for the last leg, felt her heart sink. When the baton finally reached her, she ran harder than she ever had. She passed one runner. The finish line rushed towards her. The crowd was roaring. Then, a metre from the tape, the leader dipped her shoulder and won by a hand's width. Theo couldn't look at anyone. Ruby walked over, still panting, and held out the silver ribbon. "Second place," she said, "and that comeback was the best part of the whole race." Later, the team hung the ribbon on the classroom wall, right next to the first-place trophy from the year before. Somehow it seemed brighter.

  1. Question 4

    Read "The Last Lap". Which statement best expresses a theme of the story?

    • A. Relay races are dangerous.
    • B. How we respond to setbacks can matter more than winning.
    • C. The fastest runner always wins.
    • D. Training every morning is boring.

  1. Question 5

    Nadia lies to her friends about having an expensive phone. The lie grows until she is afraid to invite anyone home. When she finally tells the truth, her friends simply laugh and say they never cared. Which statement best expresses the theme?

    • A. Phones are expensive.
    • B. Friends always laugh at you.
    • C. Nadia needs a new phone.
    • D. Lies meant to impress others can trap us more than the truth ever would.

  2. Question 6

    Which choice is a THEME statement rather than just a topic?

    • A. Small acts of kindness can change a whole community.
    • B. community
    • C. helping neighbours
    • D. kindness

The Last Lap

Ruby had trained for the school relay every morning since September, running laps of the park while her breath made clouds in the cold air. She was the fastest in her class, and everyone expected her team to win. On the day of the race, the team's second runner, Theo, tripped on the bend and dropped the baton. By the time he scrambled up, two teams were far ahead. Ruby, waiting for the last leg, felt her heart sink. When the baton finally reached her, she ran harder than she ever had. She passed one runner. The finish line rushed towards her. The crowd was roaring. Then, a metre from the tape, the leader dipped her shoulder and won by a hand's width. Theo couldn't look at anyone. Ruby walked over, still panting, and held out the silver ribbon. "Second place," she said, "and that comeback was the best part of the whole race." Later, the team hung the ribbon on the classroom wall, right next to the first-place trophy from the year before. Somehow it seemed brighter.

  1. Question 7

    Read "The Last Lap". Which statement best expresses a theme of the story?

    • A. Relay races are dangerous.
    • B. Training every morning is boring.
    • C. How we respond to setbacks can matter more than winning.
    • D. The fastest runner always wins.

  1. Question 8

    Nadia lies to her friends about having an expensive phone. The lie grows until she is afraid to invite anyone home. When she finally tells the truth, her friends simply laugh and say they never cared. Which statement best expresses the theme?

    • A. Phones are expensive.
    • B. Friends always laugh at you.
    • C. Lies meant to impress others can trap us more than the truth ever would.
    • D. Nadia needs a new phone.

  2. Question 9

    Which choice is a THEME statement rather than just a topic?

    • A. growing up
    • B. Growing up often means letting go of childhood certainties.
    • C. becoming a teenager
    • D. childhood

The Last Lap

Ruby had trained for the school relay every morning since September, running laps of the park while her breath made clouds in the cold air. She was the fastest in her class, and everyone expected her team to win. On the day of the race, the team's second runner, Theo, tripped on the bend and dropped the baton. By the time he scrambled up, two teams were far ahead. Ruby, waiting for the last leg, felt her heart sink. When the baton finally reached her, she ran harder than she ever had. She passed one runner. The finish line rushed towards her. The crowd was roaring. Then, a metre from the tape, the leader dipped her shoulder and won by a hand's width. Theo couldn't look at anyone. Ruby walked over, still panting, and held out the silver ribbon. "Second place," she said, "and that comeback was the best part of the whole race." Later, the team hung the ribbon on the classroom wall, right next to the first-place trophy from the year before. Somehow it seemed brighter.

  1. Question 10

    Read "The Last Lap". Which statement best expresses a theme of the story?

    • A. How we respond to setbacks can matter more than winning.
    • B. Relay races are dangerous.
    • C. Training every morning is boring.
    • D. The fastest runner always wins.

  1. Question 11

    Two rival bakeries spend years trying to ruin each other. When a flood destroys both, the owners share one oven to keep the town fed, and discover they make better bread together. Which statement best expresses the theme?

    • A. Bakers wake up early.
    • B. Crisis can turn rivals into partners.
    • C. Bread is important.
    • D. Floods are dangerous.

  2. Question 12

    Which choice is a THEME statement rather than just a topic?

    • A. bravery in war
    • B. Courage is not the absence of fear but acting despite it.
    • C. courage
    • D. fear

The Last Lap

Ruby had trained for the school relay every morning since September, running laps of the park while her breath made clouds in the cold air. She was the fastest in her class, and everyone expected her team to win. On the day of the race, the team's second runner, Theo, tripped on the bend and dropped the baton. By the time he scrambled up, two teams were far ahead. Ruby, waiting for the last leg, felt her heart sink. When the baton finally reached her, she ran harder than she ever had. She passed one runner. The finish line rushed towards her. The crowd was roaring. Then, a metre from the tape, the leader dipped her shoulder and won by a hand's width. Theo couldn't look at anyone. Ruby walked over, still panting, and held out the silver ribbon. "Second place," she said, "and that comeback was the best part of the whole race." Later, the team hung the ribbon on the classroom wall, right next to the first-place trophy from the year before. Somehow it seemed brighter.

  1. Question 13

    Read "The Last Lap". Which statement best expresses a theme of the story?

    • A. Training every morning is boring.
    • B. How we respond to setbacks can matter more than winning.
    • C. The fastest runner always wins.
    • D. Relay races are dangerous.

  1. Question 14

    An old fisherman refuses to sell his boat to a developer, even for a fortune. The village laughs at him, but years later his boat is the only one left, and children learn to fish from him. Which statement best expresses the theme?

    • A. Holding on to what we value can matter more than money.
    • B. Villages are always changing.
    • C. Developers build houses.
    • D. Fishing is a difficult job.

  2. Question 15

    Which choice is a THEME statement rather than just a topic?

    • A. bravery in war
    • B. Courage is not the absence of fear but acting despite it.
    • C. courage
    • D. fear

The Last Lap

Ruby had trained for the school relay every morning since September, running laps of the park while her breath made clouds in the cold air. She was the fastest in her class, and everyone expected her team to win. On the day of the race, the team's second runner, Theo, tripped on the bend and dropped the baton. By the time he scrambled up, two teams were far ahead. Ruby, waiting for the last leg, felt her heart sink. When the baton finally reached her, she ran harder than she ever had. She passed one runner. The finish line rushed towards her. The crowd was roaring. Then, a metre from the tape, the leader dipped her shoulder and won by a hand's width. Theo couldn't look at anyone. Ruby walked over, still panting, and held out the silver ribbon. "Second place," she said, "and that comeback was the best part of the whole race." Later, the team hung the ribbon on the classroom wall, right next to the first-place trophy from the year before. Somehow it seemed brighter.

  1. Question 16

    Read "The Last Lap". Which statement best expresses a theme of the story?

    • A. The fastest runner always wins.
    • B. How we respond to setbacks can matter more than winning.
    • C. Relay races are dangerous.
    • D. Training every morning is boring.

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Answer key: Theme statements versus topics

  1. 1. D. How we respond to setbacks can matter more than winning.

  2. 2. B. Crisis can turn rivals into partners.

  3. 3. B. People often judge others too quickly by appearances.

  4. 4. B. How we respond to setbacks can matter more than winning.

  5. 5. D. Lies meant to impress others can trap us more than the truth ever would.

  6. 6. A. Small acts of kindness can change a whole community.

  7. 7. C. How we respond to setbacks can matter more than winning.

  8. 8. C. Lies meant to impress others can trap us more than the truth ever would.

  9. 9. B. Growing up often means letting go of childhood certainties.

  10. 10. A. How we respond to setbacks can matter more than winning.

  11. 11. B. Crisis can turn rivals into partners.

  12. 12. B. Courage is not the absence of fear but acting despite it.

  13. 13. B. How we respond to setbacks can matter more than winning.

  14. 14. A. Holding on to what we value can matter more than money.

  15. 15. B. Courage is not the absence of fear but acting despite it.

  16. 16. B. How we respond to setbacks can matter more than winning.