TCAP SPI 8.8.5 ELA: SIMILAR THEMES

8TH GRADE ENGLISH

SPI 8.8.5 SIMILAR THEMES

• SPI 0801.8.5 Analyze the development of similar themes across two or more literary texts.

REVIEW: WHAT IS A THEME?

A theme is the main idea, or message, of an essay, paragraph, or a book. The message may be about life, society, or human nature. Themes often explore timeless and universal ideas and may be implied rather than stated explicitly. The thematic patterning is the distribution of recurrent thematic concepts and moralistic motifs among the various incidents and frames of a story. Authors often have common themes within several different stories they have written. For example, in Shakespeare's plays he commonly uses the themes of love, revenge, and "the great battle."

THE POEM, "IF I CAN STOP ONE HEART FROM BREAKING" BY EMILY DICKINSON, WOULD MOST LIKELY REMIND THE READER OF WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING? If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

A. a science chapter, "The Heart and its Function" B. a short story, "The Tell-Tale Heart" C. a medical report, "Your Heart and Your Body" D. a song, "How Can We Help Others?"

QUESTION 1 OF 11

The poem, "If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking" by Emily Dickinson, would most likely remind the reader of which of the following?

A. a science chapter, "The Heart and its Function"

B. a short story, "The Tell-Tale Heart"

C. a medical report, "Your Heart and Your Body"

D. a song, "How Can We Help Others?"

QUESTION 2 OF 11

What theme do the two passages share?

A. Fathers' advice should be heeded by their children.

B. Hard work and determination can help a person succeed.

C. Athletics are important for self-esteem and personal health.

D. One's appearance cannot be neglected in the struggle to succeed.

QUESTION 3 OF 11

What theme do the two passages share?

A. Sometimes the answer is right under your nose.

B. Real friends know how to make you smile when you're feeling your worst.

C. Believe in yourself, even if some people don't believe in you.

D. Truth is often stranger than fiction.

QUESTION 4 OF 11

What topic is shared by the two poems?

A. the death of someone honorable

B. Lincoln's freeing of the slaves

C. England's control of the colonies

D. the terrible conditions of slavery

QUESTION 5 OF 11

What is a theme that Passage 1 and Passage 2 share?

A. It's never too late to succeed.

B. Even the mighty can fall.

C. Follow your dreams.

D. Learn from your mistakes.

QUESTION 6 OF 11

The themes of classical and contemporary literature are alike because they both often deal with ____________.

A. universal issues such as rags to riches

B. medieval issues such as chivalry and honor

C. issues in the media such as celebrity crimes

D. moral issues such as the treatment of juveniles in jail

QUESTION 7 OF 11

You have been asked to write a paper on famous bridges. You have chosen to contrast the Brooklyn Bridge in New York and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. Which sentence best compares the two bridges? A. The Golden Gate is the second longest bridge in the United States. B. Both the Brooklyn and the Golden Gate bridges are technological wonders. C. John Augustus Roebling designed the Brooklyn Bridge. D. The Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1912; the Golden Gate was opened in 1937.

QUESTION 8 OF 11

Robert E. Lee was offered the leadership of both the Union and the Confederate armies at the beginning of the Civil War. He had spent his military career serving in the United States Army and felt very loyal to the U. S. Army. At the same time, he saw himself as a Virginian first. General Lee resigned his commission in the U. S. Army and led the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. What were the similarities between Lee's attitude toward both the Union and the Confederacy? A. Lee disliked both. B. Lee refused to serve in either army. C. Lee wanted to serve in both armies. D. Lee felt loyalty toward both sides.

QUESTION 9 OF 11

In Cinderella, there is conflict between the fairy godmother and the stepmother. Which of the following would be the best comparison? A. the conflict between the three pigs and the wolf in The Three Little Pigs B. the conflict between Glenda, the good witch and the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz C. the conflict between the goats and the troll in The Three Billy Goats Gruff D. the conflict between children in Hansel and Gretel

QUESTION 10 OF 11

How are the two poems different? A. The speaker of one poem is grieving for a loss, while the speaker of the other poem is surprised by his lack of grief. B. The theme of the first poem is the death of a president, while the theme of the second poem is the death of a soldier. C. In the first poem, the speaker feels a sense of loss that is far greater than that felt by the speaker of the second poem. D. The speaker of one poem laments the loss of a comrade, while the speaker of the other poem grieves for the loss of a national icon.

QUESTION 11 OF 11 Which of the following is not a recurring theme that occurs in many types of literature from different time periods and cultures? A. good is rewarded, evil is punished B. good vs. evil C. love conquers all D. everybody wins

ANSWER KEY

• 1 D Moderate • 2 B Moderate • 3 C Moderate • 4 A Moderate • 5 C Moderate • 6 A Moderate

• 7 D Moderate • 8 D Hard • 9 B Hard • 10 D Hard • 11 D Hard