Final answer:
A topic is about the subject of the text, often expressed in a word or phrase, while a theme is the lesson or message of the text, expressed in a complete sentence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between a theme and a topic can be illustrated through their definitions and roles in literature. A topic is what the text is about; it is often a word or short phrase summarizing the subject or focus of the text, such as 'friendship' or 'war'. In contrast, a theme is the main idea, lesson, or message that the text is trying to convey to the reader, and must be expressed in a complete sentence. For example, for the topic of 'friendship', the theme could be 'True friendship withstands life's challenges and brings out the best in individuals'. Thus, the accurate statement that explains the difference between a theme and a topic is: A topic is what the text is about; a theme is the lesson delivered to the reader.