Which term refers to the meaning or moral of a story?

• A. Text
• B. Theme
• C. Trace
• D. Textual Evidence

Answer: (B)

Theme is the meaning or moral a story communicates about life or people. It’s the underlying idea the author wants you to take away, shown through how characters act, the conflicts they face, and the outcomes—the story’s message rather than just the sequence of events or the exact words used. For example, a tale about honesty and its consequences points to the theme of honesty. This is why it’s the best answer: it naming the story’s overall message or lesson. The text refers to the actual words of the story, while textual evidence is the specific quotes or details used to support an interpretation. Trace isn’t a standard term for the story’s meaning in this context.