PSSA English Language Arts (ELA) – Grade 4 Practice Test

The central point or message that an author wants to convey in a story is known as the theme. The theme represents the underlying message or insight about life and human nature that is woven throughout the narrative. It can often be expressed as a moral or a lesson learned from the events of the story.

While the main idea refers to the primary concept or major point of a text, the theme digs deeper into the meaning behind the events and characters, exploring broader concepts like love, conflict, friendship, or perseverance. Character traits describe the qualities or characteristics of the individuals in the story, and a plot twist is a surprising turn in the narrative that changes the direction of the story unexpectedly. Focusing on the theme allows readers to engage with the deeper significance of the narrative, helping to enhance their overall understanding of the text.