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A theme is the central message or meaning of a literary work. It is usually not stated directly but needs to be inferred by the reader. It is a general conclusion or lesson about human nature or society. An example of a theme might be, “Money can’t buy happiness.” Below you will find reading comprehension passages that can be used for instruction on themes. Check out our theme anchor chart resources too!
Little Women is about the March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. They are growing up during the American Civil War, and their father is with the Union Army. The family has fallen on hard times, and the two oldest girls, Meg and Jo, have gone to work to earn…
Stacy rushed in her house and went straight to her mom’s office. “Mom! I need your signature. We’re going on a field trip to the San Diego Zoo.” “That sounds fascinating.” Mom jotted her signature on the paper and gave it back to Stacy. The class handed in their consent…
Cupid went to bed early. Tomorrow was a big day! Every year he went flying around, shooting his special arrows at people to make them fall in love. Valentine’s Day was always the busiest time for him. He took a final look at his Love List. It held the…
There comes a day In merry May When fairies play Together. The sun shines down And all around The tiny town There’s dancing. They beat their wings, The robin sings, And Nature brings Warm weather. Goodbye to snow! To Spring, hello! Cry fairies aglow And prancing.
With her clever mind to go with the golden crown atop her curly hair, Marjorie was a queen who ruled with fairness. She was well-respected by her people; when she spoke, everybody listened because she was smart and sensible and made excellent decisions. Queen Marjorie had inherited the throne from…
Long ago, a group of mice lived on a farm. The mice were happy because the farm cat was old. Lulu was a lazy cat. She liked to sleep all day. Lulu was not interested in chasing the mice, so they ate all the farmer’s grain. One day, the farmer…
L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was written in 1900. It tells the story of Dorothy, a Kansas farm girl, who has been swept up by a cyclone to the magical land of Oz. She wants to return home and has been told by the Wizard of Oz…
Farmer Hicks had two horses. One was named Surly and the other Softly. Every day the farmer would feed the horses. Every day he’d brush the horses. And every day the farmer would exercise the horses. Surly was strong. But, he didn’t like being brushed. He didn’t’ like getting exercise…
The Possum used to have a long, bushy tail, and was so proud of it that he combed it out every morning and sang about it at the dance, until the Rabbit, who had had no tail since the Bear pulled it out, became very jealous and made up his…
Frostberry lived by himself in Antarctica. Being a penguin, he didn’t mind the cold and snow at all, but he was lonely. Frostberry decided he should go someplace new to find himself a friend. The little penguin jumped into the icy waters and swam. After a long time, the…
