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Theme and Rheme Practice

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Theme and Rheme Practice

The theme is the starting point of a sentence: what it is about or the context it sets. The rheme is what the sentence says about that starting point. A time or condition phrase can come first; use a comma after an opening phrase or clause.

Identify Theme and Rheme

Read each complete sentence carefully.

1.In “At sunrise, the kookaburra called from the gum tree”, write the theme and the rheme.
2.Choose the theme in this sentence: “During the footy match, our team scored twice.”
  • During the footy match
  • our team scored twice
  • scored twice
3.Choose the rheme in this sentence: “If the creek rises, the walking track may close.”
  • If the creek rises
  • the walking track may close
  • the creek

Move the Opening Phrase

Rewrite each sentence so its time or condition phrase comes first. Add a comma after the opening phrase or clause.

4.The magpies began singing at dawn. Move “at dawn” to the beginning.
5.We will set up the cricket game if the oval is dry. Move the condition clause to the beginning.
6.The class packed their bags after the excursion ended. Move “after the excursion ended” to the beginning.
7.You may borrow the library book when your reading log is signed. Move the time clause to the beginning.

Paragraph Practice

Use the paragraph below for the following questions.

On Saturday morning, Charlie rode her bike to the park. She saw a family of ducks beside the pond. While the ducks paddled in the water, Charlie sketched them in her notebook. Before she left, she dropped a few crumbs for the birds.
8.In “On Saturday morning, Charlie rode her bike to the park”, identify the theme and the rheme.
9.In “While the ducks paddled in the water, Charlie sketched them in her notebook”, identify the theme and the rheme.
10.Rewrite the paragraph so that “beside the pond” begins the second sentence, “while the ducks paddled in the water” begins the third sentence, and “before she left” begins the last sentence. Keep the first sentence as it is and punctuate the openings correctly.

Commas with Opening Clauses

Choose correctly punctuated sentences, then add missing commas.

11.Select every sentence that is correctly punctuated.
  • Before the sun set, we reached the campsite.
  • If the bus is late we will wait near the gate.
  • After lunch, the students practised their song.
  • When the wind calmed we launched the kite.
  • While Dad cooked dinner, I set the table.
12.Add the comma needed: “When the clouds cleared the mountains came into view.”
13.Add the comma needed: “If you finish your puzzle you can choose a game.”
14.Add the comma needed: “Before the guests arrive we will put out the chairs.”

Create and Explain

Use your understanding of sentence openings and punctuation.

15.Write three different sentences that begin with a time or condition phrase. Use a comma after each opening phrase or clause.
16.Explain how starting a sentence with a time or condition phrase can help a reader follow the information.

Match the Sentence Halves

Match each opening with the ending that completes its meaning. Write the matching letter beside each number.

17.Match each sentence opening with its best ending.
  • After the library closed,
  • If the temperature drops,
  • When the final player arrived,
  • Before we crossed the road,
  • As soon as the kettle boiled,
  • Whenever the class earns a reward,
  • B. we will wear our warm jackets.
  • D. the group checked both ways.
  • C. Dylan returned her books the next day.
  • A. the coach blew the whistle.
  • E. Lee poured hot water into the mug.
  • F. the students vote on a shared activity.

4 printable pages

  • Theme and Rheme Practice, page 1 of 4: Identify Theme and Rheme, Move the Opening Phrase

    Page 1

  • Theme and Rheme Practice, page 2 of 4: Paragraph Practice

    Page 2

  • Theme and Rheme Practice, page 3 of 4: Commas with Opening Clauses

    Page 3

  • Theme and Rheme Practice, page 4 of 4: Create and Explain, Match the Sentence Halves

    Page 4

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