Theme & Central Idea | Answer Keys

Student Concept Worksheet Answers

Question	Answer
1	Friendship (or Identity, Authenticity, Popularity) Accept any one-word topic that captures the story's subject matter.
2	Authentic friendships based on genuine connection are more valuable than superficial popularity. Accept any theme statement that captures the idea that real friendship matters more than popularity.
3	Maya changes from following unwritten rules about who to avoid, to choosing a genuine friendship over her popular status. Her willingness to give up popularity for authentic connection demonstrates that real friendship is more valuable than social status.
4	B. Sleep is essential for students' academic, emotional, and physical health. This captures the main point with all three areas the article discusses.
5	C. "Sleep-deprived students score significantly lower on tests." This provides specific evidence of sleep's impact on academic performance.

Practice Worksheet Answers

Question	Answer
1	Identity (or Authenticity, Self-discovery)
2	C. Being authentically yourself leads to greater success than trying to imitate others.
3	Jordan changes from trying to be like his sister Keisha (practicing to be perfect, expecting to win the lead) to accepting his own identity ("Maybe this smaller part is where I can figure out who Jordan is on stage"). His authentic performance earns praise because he "wasn't trying to be anyone else."
4	B. "I kept trying to be Keisha, but that's not who I am." Jordan explicitly realizes he was trying to imitate someone else rather than be himself.
5	The conflict is Jordan's internal struggle between trying to match others' expectations (being like Keisha) and finding his own identity. He faces pressure from family ("just like Keisha") and fails when trying to imitate her. The resolution comes when he accepts a different role and performs authentically, proving that being yourself is more successful than imitation.
6	B. Fast fashion has severe environmental consequences that require consumer action to address.
7	B. "The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions." This statistic provides concrete evidence of environmental impact.
8	The author first introduces the problem (environmental costs of fast fashion), then provides multiple types of evidence (carbon emissions, water usage, landfill statistics), explains the causes, and finally offers solutions. This structure builds the case for why consumers should act.
9	1) Fashion industry causes 10% of global carbon emissions 2) Single t-shirt requires 2,700 liters of water 3) Average American throws away 81 pounds of clothing yearly 4) Synthetic materials take 200 years to decompose (any two)
10	B. Individual initiative and cooperation can overcome long-standing divisions.
11	The divided town with East and West sides separated by the bridge represents the long-standing division. The setting creates the conflict (the feud) and provides the opportunity for resolution (rebuilding the bridge together). The physical bridge becomes symbolic of connection between communities.
12	The old bridge collapse represents the opportunity to break down old barriers. As Elena realizes, "the old bridge hadn't just connected land. It had been a barrier." The destruction of the old way allows the construction of something new - both physically and socially.
13	C. Students from both sides working together to build a new bridge. This event demonstrates that cooperation can overcome division.
14	Both passages teach that positive change requires someone to take initiative. In "The Audition," Jordan changes by choosing to be himself rather than imitate his sister. In "The Bridge," Elena and Marcus take the first step toward cooperation. SIMILARITY: Both show change happens when someone makes a brave choice. DIFFERENCE: "The Audition" focuses on individual/internal change, while "The Bridge" focuses on community/external change.

FAST Format Quiz Answers

Question	Answer
1	B. True innovation focuses on solving meaningful problems, not demonstrating technical ability.
2	A. He goes from focusing on impressive technology to understanding that solving real problems matters more.
3	C. "Invention isn't about showing how smart you are. It's about solving real problems for real people." Priya directly states the theme in this quote.
4	B. Amir has internalized the theme and changed his approach to invention. Writing "Problems worth solving" shows he now understands the message.
5	B. Lack of internet access creates educational inequalities that require systemic solutions.
6	B. "Students without home internet score 15 percentile points lower on standardized tests." This provides concrete evidence of educational inequality.
7	B. By presenting the problem, providing evidence of its impact, explaining causes, and discussing solutions.
8	A. "The Invention" uses character change and conflict; "The Digital Divide" uses facts, statistics, and evidence. This correctly identifies how literary vs. informational texts develop their main messages.
9	See rubric and sample response below.
10	See rubric and sample response below.

Question 9 Scoring Rubric (Theme Development)

Score	Criteria
2	Identifies TWO story elements (character, conflict, setting, plot), provides specific evidence for each, AND clearly explains how both contribute to theme development
1	Identifies two elements but with weak evidence or explanation, OR thoroughly discusses only one element
0	Does not identify story elements clearly, provides no evidence, or response does not address theme development

Sample 2-Point Response for Question 9:
Two story elements that develop the theme are CHARACTER and CONFLICT. Amir's character changes from someone who creates impressive technology to show off ("He'd designed something complex because he could") to someone who wants to solve real problems (writing "Problems worth solving"). The conflict between Amir's approach and Priya's approach highlights the difference between showing off and helping people. Amir's technically impressive invention was "complicated, expensive, and fragile," while Priya's could be built by anyone, including her grandmother. When Amir loses and feels "clarity" instead of jealousy, his character change confirms the theme that true innovation solves real problems.

Question 10 Scoring Rubric (Central Idea Evidence)

Score	Criteria
2	Explains why temporary solutions are insufficient, identifies what changes are needed, AND cites at least TWO specific pieces of evidence from the text
1	Addresses the question but provides only one piece of evidence OR explains without clear textual support
0	Does not address why temporary solutions are insufficient, provides no evidence, or response is off-topic

Sample 2-Point Response for Question 10:
The author believes temporary solutions are insufficient because the digital divide causes serious, ongoing educational harm. The text states that students without internet score "15 percentile points lower on standardized tests" - this gap won't be fixed by temporary hotspot programs. The author argues that "sustainable change requires investment in infrastructure, affordable pricing policies, and recognition that internet access has become as essential to education as textbooks once were." This shows that real solutions require permanent changes to how internet is provided and priced, not just short-term programs during emergencies.

Quick Reference: Theme vs. Central Idea