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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!
In Anne of Green Gables, Marilla Cuthbert and Matthew Cuthbert have sent to a nearby orphanage for a boy to come live with them and help work the farm. In a mixup, Anne Shirley was set instead of a boy. Anne loves the farm, but Marilla is firm she must…
Anne Shirley is a young Canadian orphan girl who has come to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. Anne is usually a sweet and happy person, but that changes when the Cuthberts’ nosy neighbor Mrs. Lynde comes to visit. As this passage begins, Mrs. Lynde has said some rude things…
This passage is based on a true story of a collie dog named Lad. Lad lives with his Master and Mistress on a farm called “The Place.” He is well-loved by the Master and Mistress. Master and Mistress have taken Lad to a dog show. They have never been to…
Robby Robin was a very happy bird. He had brown feathers everywhere except his belly, which was bright orange. Most robins were interested in keeping their pretty feathers clean and in finding fat worms to eat. Robby didn’t care much about his feathers. He only wanted to sing. From the…
This poem be Edgar Allan Poe contains a riddle. Poe challenges his readers to solve the riddle to find out who the valentine was written about. —————————— For her this rhyme is penned, whose luminous eyes, Brightly expressive as the twins of Loeda, Shall find her own sweet name,…
In Little Women, Jo March has gone to New York to be a governess for a family who runs a boarding house. There she meets one of the residents, Professor Bhaer. She becomes friends with him, and she finds that all the people in the house are very fond of…
The four March sisters are the central characters of Little Women. The reader has watched them grow up in the mid-1800s, and they are now young women. Beth, the third sister, has never been very healthy. Lately, she has become weaker. Her sister Jo has noticed Beth’s decline and has…
I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me, And what can be the use of him is more than I can see. He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head; And I see him jump before me, when I jump into…
A Christmas Carol is the classic story of rich and miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge hates Christmas, hates happiness, hates kindness, and hates people. He is visited on Christmas Eve by the ghost of Marley, his dead business partner. Marley tells Scrooge that three spirits will visit Scrooge that night. It…
Little Women is the story of four sisters growing up during the Civil War. Each March sister has a distinct personality. Meg, the oldest, is dignified and proper. Jo, next in age, is energetic and wants to be a writer. Beth is shy and quiet and loves music. Amy, the…
