Question

"I started to see through that dangerous lie that all kids were taught: 'Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you.'

Sticks and stones can indeed break bones, but words often do worse. They can stifle, destroy, and mutilate all of the beautiful, hopeful things inside of us.

My middle-school classmates massacred my self- esteem. My grades dropped. I got my first D in eighth grade and started to wonder if I could make it academically. High school was fast approaching, and I feared that it might chew me up and spit me out.

But the good thing about words is that they can also breath life into our spirits. My brother and family encouraged me: Don't give up. You're smart enough. All you have to do is work hard and believe."



What is the BEST theme for the passage above?


Read the following excerpt:



"I started to see through that dangerous lie that all kids were taught: 'Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you.'

Sticks and stones can indeed break bones, but words often do worse. They can stifle, destroy, and mutilate all of the beautiful, hopeful things inside of us.

My middle-school classmates massacred my self- esteem. My grades dropped. I got my first D in eighth grade and started to wonder if I could make it academically. High school was fast approaching, and I feared that it might chew me up and spit me out.

But the good thing about words is that they can also breath life into our spirits. My brother and family encouraged me: Don't give up. You're smart enough. All you have to do is work hard and believe."



What is the BEST theme for the passage above?


What you say to someone matters, so be kind.


You can overcome anything through hard work and dedication.

Answer 1

The BEST theme for the passage above is "The power of words and their impact on self-esteem and motivation." The passage describes how negative words from the author's middle-school classmates had a detrimental effect on their self-esteem and academic performance, while positive words from their family provided encouragement and motivation to overcome these challenges. This theme highlights the importance of being mindful of the language we use and the impact it can have on others. It also emphasizes the role that supportive words and encouragement can play in boosting self-esteem and helping individuals overcome obstacles.

~~~Harsha~~~