What is the theme in this passage?As Joy reached her class, she noticed that Mr. Somers looked annoyed."And what's your excuse for being late today?" he asked, peering over the edge of his glasses."It was my mother,” Joy answered. “She had to leave for Ohio this morning and forgot to wake me." Joy hoped her teacher would buy her excuse."Really, now?" Mr. Somers commented as Joy entered the class."May I come in?" Bianca announced from behind Joy."And what is your excuse, Miss Temple?" Mr. Somers looked like he was used to this routine."It’s my fault,” Bianca replied honestly. “I woke up late.""Well, make sure it never happens again. Go take your seat." Mr. Somers sighed.As the girls moved to their desks, Mr. Somers interrupted."Miss Rodman, as punishment for your late arrival, you will be helping the drama club for the next two weeks. Either that, or you can go see the principal.""What? Why are you punishing me alone? Bianca's late too,” Joy complained."Yes. But unlike you, she told me what really made her late," Mr. Somers said.Joy glanced at Bianca as she flipped her hair over shoulders and grinned. A. A child's life is full of troubles. B. Adults do not trust children. C. A lie does not go unpunished. D. A positive attitude wins every situation. E. Everyone should be self-reliant.

Select the correct answer.Which excerpt helps refine the idea that Bertha gets joy from little moments? A. "Mary brought in the fruit on a tray and with it a glass bowl, and a blue dish, very lovely, with a strange sheen on it as though it had been dipped in milk." (paragraph 11) B. "'We went to the park and I sat down on a chair and took her out of the pram and a big dog came along and put its head on my knee and she clutched its ear, tugged it. Oh, you should have seen her.' Bertha wanted to ask if it wasn't rather dangerous to let her clutch at a strange dog's ear. But she did not dare to." (paragraphs 20–21) C. "Some yellow pears, smooth as silk, some white grapes covered with a silver bloom and a big cluster of purple ones. These last she had bought to tone in with the new dining-room carpet. Yes, that did sound rather far-fetched and absurd, but it was really why she had bought them. She had thought in the shop: 'I must have some purple ones to bring the carpet up to the table.'" (paragraph 14) D. "[The baby] ate delightfully, holding up her lips for spoon and then waving her hands. Sometimes she wouldn't let the spoon go; and sometimes, just as Bertha had filled it, she waved it away to the four winds. When the soup was finished Bertha turned round to the fire." (paragraphs 31–32)

Select the quotation from the story that most strongly suggests that the theme is Traditions can bring people together in unique ways.Everyone laughed and smiled at each other at the reminder of that well-known family story.Luis battled the need to yawn as he listened to all the familiar old tales.Submit

Select the quotation from the story that most strongly suggests that the theme is Even the smartest people need help sometimes.But no one called, and no matter where she looked, she saw no sign of Pogo.Allegra's perfect record was still intact—thanks to some assistance from a little girl."I know you're upset, Violet," Allegra told her, "but don't worry. I'm not giving up that easily."Submit

Select the quotation from the story that most strongly suggests that the theme is It's good to tackle new challenges.Later that morning, as Marco gazed out the window, something small caught his eye: a puddle in the street reflected the neon sign of a storefront.It was hard at first, but Marco's brushstrokes grew more confident as the morning wore on.Submit

Select the quotation from the story that most strongly suggests that the theme is Just because you find something funny doesn't mean others will."I had an important presentation at work that morning, but I was late to my meeting because I needed to change clothes," his mom said."I'm sorry, Mom," he said. "I didn't think that one through."One day, Asher decided to pull a prank on her. He had heard about this trick from a friend and wanted to try it.Submit