Question

Scott and Jacob had been friends since first grade. They had played

soccer together, had ridden their bikes together, and had even done
their science projects together. But now, their opportunity to spend
time "together" was decreasing. At the beginning of the school year,
Scott decided to join the marching band, and Jacob became a member
of the technology club. Since Scott loves to learn new languages, he
enrolled in Spanish, while Jacob signed up for digital photography.
Both of them loved their new school adventures because it improved
their individual talents, but there was little time to build their friendship.
Which statement best describes the theme or author's purpose of this text?
A. The theme of the text is that learning a new hobby can open up a
world of new friends.
B. The theme of the text is that developing individuality can cause a
separation from people you care about.
C. The author's purpose is to entertain readers by telling a story
about best friends.
D. The author's purpose is to convince teens to pursue their interests
by joining clubs and taking fun classes.

Answer 1

The theme of the text is that developing individuality can cause a separation from people you care about, highlighting the complexity of maintaining friendships amidst personal growth and new interests in high school.

Step-by-step explanation:

To explain the theme of the text, we should consider the main idea or message based on the details provided. In this case, the story describes Scott and Jacob's transition into high school activities that reflect their personal interests, which has the unintended consequence of reducing the time they have to spend together. This indicates that the text is addressing the complexities of friendship and personal growth, suggesting that developing individuality may sometimes lead to a separation from people you care about, aligning with option B. The storyline demonstrates how both characters embrace their new pursuits, indicative of the challenges that come with growing up and finding one's own path.

While the author's purpose could include entertaining the reader (option C) and encouraging them to pursue their interests (option D), the central theme of this narrative upon the evolution of a friendship amidst personal development. Consequently, the theme is less about making new friends through hobbies or outright encouraging readers to join clubs, but about the complex relationship between friendship and personal growth.