Determining Theme and Summarizing Texts Practice Test

Read the story: During kickball, kids picked teams quickly and left Ben until last. Ben was quiet, and some students thought he could not run well. When the game started, Ben watched the field carefully and kicked a low, fast ball. He sprinted to first base and then to second, surprising everyone. Later, he helped his team by calling out smart plays. After the game, the captain said, “I’m glad you were on our team.” What is the theme of this story?​​

Read the story: Ben had to present his science project to the class. His hands felt sweaty, and his knees bounced under his desk. When his name was called, he wanted to pretend he was sick. Ben stood up anyway and carried his poster to the front. His voice started quiet, but he kept going and looked at friendly faces. When he finished, the class clapped and Ben felt taller inside. Afterward, he told his teacher, "I was scared, but I did it." What message does the story show about courage?