Category Archives: Comprehension Questions

Comprehension Questions – Ready, Freddy! Halloween Fraidy-Cat

Halloween Fraidy-Cat

By Abby Klein

Grades PreK-3; Genre – Fiction; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

Join Freddy and his friends for another 1st grade adventure! The eighth in the popular series by an elementary school teacher who's seen it all.

Since Freddy is in the first grade, he should be old enough to go to a Halloween party without his parents. When a ghostly howl terrifies Freddy and all of his friends at the party, can Freddy find the courage to save the day?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

What did Chloe invite everyone in the class to? A Halloween party p.9 

What does Freddy like to dress up as for Halloween? Different kinds of sharks p.14

How does Freddy feel about scary stuff? He doesn’t like it; he’s worried he’ll get nightmares for months if he sees something scary p.19

Chapter 2

What does it mean to be a “fraidy-cat”? someone who is easily scared p.22

Where does Freddy’s shark costume come from every year? His mom makes it p.29

How did Freddy behave so his family would support him going to the party? Pretended to not be scared p.30

Chapter 3

What did Suzie want to be for Halloween? Frankenstein’s bride p.34

What was on the wall that scared Freddy? Scary masks p.36

What did Freddy decide to be after going to the costume store? A shark p.40

Chapter 4

What type of figurative language is “scare the pants off you” and what does it really mean? Idiom; you frightened me very badly p.43

What game did Max love? Bobbing for apples p.46

Why did Max threaten Freddy? Freddy made a comment about Max’s mouth being big, so Max told Freddy he’d be sorry for saying that and to wait until the party p.48

Chapter 5

What always helped Freddy feel better? Rubbing his lucky shark tooth p.50

How was Suzie a good sister in this chapter? She helped Freddy find his lucky shark tooth p.52

How did Freddy whisper to himself when looking at himself in the mirror with the costume on? That he was a big, tough shark p.57

Chapter 6

What characteristic did Freddy have as he went to the party even though he was scared? Courage p.59

Who did he hold hands with and why? Jesse because she wasn’t scared of anything p.61

Describe the Halloween party. Dracula and Frankenstein were there; Dracula let the children into a room with skeletons and ghosts floating around; another room full of coffins with zombies coming out and screaming; a room full of jars the children had to put their hands in that felt that eyeballs, brains and worms; a room with bats flying around; games p.62

Chapter 7

What game did Max challenge Freddy at? Bobbing for apples p.70

What helped Freddy not be afraid during the contest? Max calling him a fraidy-cat; pretending he was a shark p.75

Who won the contest? Freddy p.76

Chapter 8

What noise did the children hear coming from the basement? An eerie noise p.80

Who went downstairs to check it out? Max and Freddy p.81

Summarize what happened when Max and Freddy went downstairs? Max was so scared he couldn’t move and Freddy went to go check out what the noise was and found a kitten p.84

What was Freddy’s response to Max being a fraidy-cat? Freddy was very kind and didn’t tell any of the other kids and in fact told them that Max and he saved the cat together p.86

Comprehension Questions – Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia

By Katherine Paterson

Grades 4-8; Genre – Fiction; GRL T; AR pts: 5.0

There's only one thing Jess Aarons is looking forward to in fifth grade, and that's being the fastest kid in school. He's been practicing all summer. He hasn't had much else to do, since his mom spends all her time with his four sisters and his dad is always working. But when Jess arrives at the school playground to show off his speed, his new neighbor, Leslie Burke, beats him to it. She's way faster than Jess. But instead of being jealous, Jess admires Leslie's skill, confidence, and wild imagination. The two become instant friends, spending hours in the woods by their houses creating a magical kingdom. Then tragedy strikes, and Jess is left alone. How can he ever go on?

Vocabulary

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the main character. His name is Jesse, loves to draw, love to run and wants to win at school, straw colored hair, long legs, 10 years old, in 5th grade determined p.4
  2. Find an example of figurative language and what type it is on page 5.  like a country music star – simile;  Pop her buttons - simile; something to chew their cuds on - idiom 
  3. Describe the main character’s family situation. He had three sisters, two younger with May Belle who adored him, and two older sisters; they all seemed to whine and complain about him to their mother; his mother didn’t have much patience for him and doted on his sisters; Jesse’s dad drove a truck and was tired all of the time p.6
  4. On page 7, what does “Miss Bessie’s bag is probably dragging ground by now” mean? Her udder is so full of milk it’s dragging on the ground p.7

Chapter 2

  1. Who did Jess love and adore? Miss Edmunds the music teacher Why? She had a soft voice, played the guitar well, was gorgeous and kind to him about his art p.14
  2. What word would you use to describe how Jess felt when his father paid attention to the little girls? Jealous; sad p.19
  3. Who did Jess meet in this chapter? His neighbor, Leslie Burke p.22

Chapter 3

  1. Why was everyone shocked to see the new student Leslie Burke, when she came into class? She was dressed in faded blue jeans and a t-shirt, wearing shoes without socks when the rest of the students were wearing their Sunday best p.24
  2. Where did the students each their lunch? In their classrooms p.29
  3. Why didn’t Jess want to look at Leslie during the races? Maybe she would go away; he didn’t want her there p.32
  4. Who had run the race and how did Jesse react? Leslie; Jess still wanted nothing to do with her p.35

Chapter 4

  1. Explain the change that happened to Jess during music time. He wanted to become Leslie’s friend p.40
  2. How did students respond to Leslie stating she didn’t have a television? Shocked; made fun of her p.44
  3. How did Leslie get May Belle to go home when she and Jess wanted to run in the woods? Gave her paper dolls p.48
  4. What is Terabithia? A pretend country where Leslie and Jess would build their fortress p.51
  5. How did Jess feel about Leslie? She was more than a friend; she was his other, more exciting self p.59

Chapter 5

  1. Why was May Belle so upset with Janice Avery? Janice stole her twinkies p.62
  2. How did Leslie and Jess get back at Janice for stealing the twinkies? Writing a love note from a boy everyone has a crush on; humiliating her p.65
  3. How did Leslie distract the teacher Mrs. Pierce from going into the classroom where Jess was hiding the note for Janice? To go look at a nest and identify what built it p.68
  4. Why were May Belle’s eyes shining at the end of this chapter? She was so happy and excited Jess and Leslie got Janice back for stealing her twinkies p.71

Chapter 6

  1. Why did Jess want to give Leslie a Christmas present? She was a good friend; he cared for her p.73
  2. Who is Prince Terrien? The puppy Jess gave Leslie for Christmas p.77
  3. Describe two examples of how Jess’s family reacted on Christmas morning? Jealousy for not getting hose, frustration cars wouldn’t work on racetrack, crying since doll stopped talking, showing off and rubbing in present, patience with May Belle p.80
  4. What did Leslie do to help it feel like Christmas again? She came and visited with Jess while he milked the cow that morning p.82

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Jess have a hard time liking Leslie’s dad? He was jealous of him taking all of Leslie’s time p.86
  2. How was Jess helpful to Leslie and her dad? He knew how to do things around the house p.87
  3. Why was Janice Avery crying in the bathroom? She’s embarrassed because she told her friends about her father beating her and they told the entire seventh grade p.95
  4. Why was it so important to Jess that May Belle keep Terabithia a secret? It’s a special place that he and Leslie go, and he doesn’t want that to get ruined p.98

Chapter 8

  1. was Leslie interested in going to church on Easter? She’d never been to church before and she’d like to experience it p.103
  2. How did Leslie feel about the church service? She thought it was beautiful p.107
  3. What did May Belle, Jess debate about after church? That Leslie needed to believe in the Bible or she’d be damned to hell p.109

Chapter 9

  1. What was the result of Jess and Leslie’s adventures to Terabithia as rain was pouring? Wet; had to cross the creek bed as it rose higher and higher; water beginning to leak into their fortress p.115
  2. Why did Jess want to go to Terabithia when it was raining? It scared him p.119

Chapter 10

  1. When thinking about crossing the creek come summertime, what solution did Jess come up with to help him get over his fear? Leslie could teach him to swim p.122
  2. Why had Miss Edmunds invited Jess to go to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.? so he could go to an art gallery p.126
  3. How was the display of the Indians and buffalo like Jess’s drawings? He had animals falling off cliffs p.128
  4. Why was Jess’s family so worried about him when he came home from Washington D.C.? Leslie had died and they thought he was with her and died too p.130

Chapter 11

  1. What word could describe Jess as he learned how Leslie had died? Sad, in denial, shocked p.131
  2. Why was Jess eating pancakes like nothing had happened? He thought it was all a bad dream and didn’t really happen p.137
  3. Why was it important for Jess and his parents to go see the neighbors about Leslie’s death? To show them they care and were sorry for their daughter’s death p.139

Chapter 12

  1. Why did Jess feel important when he realized his best friend was dead? People would treat him with respect and be nice to him p.143
  2. When Jess found out Leslie was being cremated, why was he so angry? He wouldn’t be able to see her again, even dead p.145
  3. Why did Jess throw his painting supplies and paper into the creek? He was angry at Leslie for leaving him p.147

Chapter 13

  1. What important thing did Jess do in the stronghold? Make a funeral wreath for Leslie p.152
  2. Where had Jess gotten the words he said aloud in the sacred grove? The Bible; Jesus Christ said them as he died on the cross p.153
  3. Why did May Belle try to cross the creek? She didn’t want Jess to be lonesome p.156
  4. What did Jess learn from his conversation with Ms. Myers? That he would never forget Leslie p.160
  5. How did Jess turn Terabithia over to May Belle? Put flowers in her hair and helped her see the magic of Terabithia and making her queen p.163

Comprehension Questions – My Father’s Dragon

My Father’s Dragon

By Ruth Stiles Gannett

Grades 3-5; Genre – Fantasy; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

When Elmer Elevator hears about the plight of an overworked and under-appreciated flying baby dragon, he packs his knapsack with supplies and stows away on a ship headed for Wild Island. Nothing will stop Elmer from rescuing the dragon!

Vocabulary

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What point of view is this story being told in? third person p.9
  2. Who is narrating and who is this story about? A son telling a story about his father, Elmer Elevator p.9
  3. How did Elmer’s mother feel about feeding the stray cat and why? She didn’t like it because if she fed it more stray cats would come around p.11
  4. Describe the alley cat. Old, female, can talk, traveler, good companionship for Elmer, kind p.9

Chapter 2

  1. What example of figurative language describes the cat speaking like a human? Alliteration p.15
  2. Why did the animals on the island want to catch the dragon? So they could use him as transportation instead of walking all the way around to the other side of the island p.17
  3. How did the animals treat the baby dragon if he complains? Beat him and twist his wing p.17

Chapter 3

  1. How did the author’s father get off the ship without getting caught? Hid inside a grain bag and used a rubber band to tie it on the inside p.22
  2. Why wasn’t the author’s father bothered when the fisherman shook with fear talking about Wild Island? He knew the dragon wasn’t scary p.24
  3. Why was it important for the author’s father to travel to the island at night? He was hopping over rocks and the animals on the island would have seen him in the day and he didn’t want them to see him p.25

Chapter 4

  1. How did the animals know something strange was on the island? Saw tangerine peels laying around, the “rock” had moved from its place p.32
  2. How was the main character able to stay hidden? Traveled at night and held onto his peels p.32

Chapter 5

  1. Why couldn’t the main character continue to follow the river and instead ventured further into the jungle? The river was so muddy he got stuck in the ooze and decided to travel in the jungle next to the river using his compass, but the river had a bend he didn’t know about that took him away from it p.35
  2. How many tigers crept up on Elmer? 7 p.37
  3. What knowledge did the cat give to the main character that helped him stop the tigers from eating him? The tigers love chewing gum p.38

Chapter 6

  1. Who was the main character careful to hide from at the beginning of this chapter? Two wild boars p.44
  2. Explain why the rhinoceros was weeping as well as how Elmer helped him. His tusk used to be white, but with age has turned yellow-gray and Elmer brushed his tusk with a toothbrush and toothpaste p.48

Chapter 7

  1. Why was the lion so upset? He had blackberry twigs stuck in his mane and was worried for his mom see him such a mess that she would stop his allowance p.52
  2. What did Elder do to help the lion? Give him a comb, brush and ribbons and showed him how to make his mane pretty p.54

Chapter 8

  1. What animal threatened to twist the main character’s arms like he does the dragon’s wings? A gorilla p.60
  2. What did Elmer give the monkeys to help them get the fleas off the gorilla and how did that help? Magnifying glasses so they could see the tiny fleas p.62
  3. Explain how the main character was freed from the gorilla. More monkeys came out of the trees and surrounded the gorilla as they were wanting to try the magnifying glasses p.64

Chapter 9

  1. Why didn’t the main character pull on the rope to have the dragon fly over to him? Elmer was worried about the gorilla twisting the dragon’s wings and stopping him from freeing him p.65
  2. Why was Elmer not interested in swimming in the river with the crocodiles? He knew he’d be eaten p.66
  3. What did Elmer do to get to the other side of the river? Used lollipops to make the crocodiles line up so he could walk across them. He put the first lollipop in the sand on the beach, then walked across the crocodile and used a robber band to tie a lollipop onto his tail for the next crocodile and so on p.68

Chapter 10

  1. Explain how the crocodiles helped Elmer have the time he needed to free the dragon? The first crocodile finished his sucker and began floating down the river with all the other crocodiles following as they wanted to finish their suckers. The animals had been crossing the river and were stuck on the crocodiles p.76
  2. Who called to the main character and the dragon from the island as they were heading to Tangerine island? The mouse p.76

Comprehension Questions – The Dark is Rising Sequence #1 Over Sea, Under Stone

Over Sea, Under Stone

By Susan Cooper

Grades 6-8; Genre – Fantasy; GRL X; AR pts: 12.0

Barney, Simon and Jane find themselves beset by deadly dangers as they embark on a great quest. Having found a crumbling parchment map, they begin their search for ancient treasure linked to King Arthur. More precious than life itself, the treasure, found by the right people, would help keep at bay the ancient forces of evil that were once again powerful in the world. They turn for help to their Great-Uncle Merry, who draws on his vast knowledge of ancient lore to protect them.

Vocabulary

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. List the characters and describe the setting of this story. Barney, Jane, Mother, Father, Great-Uncle Merry, Simon, Rufus the dog; setting: train station, then a city called Cornwall p.1
  2. Describe Great-Uncle Merry. Not really their mother’s uncle, but an old friend her father’s, tall and straight, thick wild white hair; deep set eyes, brown nose curved like a bow, no one knew how old he was, there was something ancient about him p.3
  3. List Barney’s passion and Simon’s passion. King Arthur; boats p.4;5
  4. What is so mysterious about the yacht? Great-Uncle Merry seemed upset by it; Young Bill wouldn’t talk about the supplies he had gathered for it and was really upset after running into Jane; the old fisherman called Young Bill evil; the yacht appeared and disappeared silently and strangely p.6

Chapter 2

  1. What did the children do for entertainment while stuck inside during the rain? Pretended they were explorers and explored the house p.14
  2. Describe the adventure the children pretended they went on. They were explorers in a jungle and made sure to take food for a picnic. They worked their way through each area of the house, then pretended they heard the natives coming after them.
  3. What did they find that was curious while on their adventure? A door behind the wardrobe p.19

Chapter 3

  1. Sketch a picture of the scroll Barney found when searching for his thrown apple core. Brownish parchment springy as steel, cracks through it, another sheet stuck down in it that was darker and older, covered with small writing in strange squashed-looking dark brown letters. Below the writing was singed p.23
  2. Why did Jane and Barney expect Simon to understand the manuscript? They thought it was written in Latin and Simon has been taking Latin at school. 25
  3. Who did Barney think the scroll was written about? King Arthur and his King Mark p.26
  4. Why didn’t the children want to tell their parents about the manuscript? They feared their parents would make them put it back where they found it p.26
  5. Who came to visit the Drew’s during their supper and why? People from the yacht at sea; they invited to spend the day on the yacht out at sea p.29

Chapter 4

  1. On page 36, the author used a word to describe how Jane felt about the Withers. What is it and what does it mean? Sinister- evil or productive of evil p.36
  2. What did Jane find when coming down the stairs for lunch? A small book in the treasure chest p.38
  3. What was her discovery of the book? It had the name King Mark Head which was similar to the name on the map on the manuscript p.39
  4. Describe what a vicarage is and what this one looked like. Home of the vicar or clergy of a village; Scruffy house with neglected overgrown plants; grass as high as hay; weeds in the gravel of the drive; inside was not taken care of and worn p.41

Chapter 5

  1. What did Simon find the morning after Jane visited the vicar? Their house had been broken into and books from all of the main floor had been gone through and thrown on the floor p.48
  2. What do the children think the burglars were after? The manuscript with the map p.53
  3. Who do you think broke into the house? the Withers or Mr. Hastings the vicar p.54
  4. Who do the children feel they can tell about the manuscript? Great-Uncle Merry p.55

Chapter 6

  1. What was Great-Uncle Merry’s response after seeing the manuscript? Happy and Relieved p.58
  2. Explain the battle the children put themselves in the middle of by finding the manuscript. Between King Arthur and the evil ones from the world long ago; people who are trying to remember the world at the time of King Arthur; good and evil that still lives on and is seeking the grail p.60
  3. What do you think over sea and under stone mean?  Listen to your child’s ideas p.62
  4. What was Great-Uncle Merry doing while the children were in the house finding the manuscript? Leading the enemies on a detour and distracting them p.65
  5. Why can’t the children or their great-uncle go tell the police about the Withers? They wouldn’t believe them p.69

Chapter 7

  1. Why would the white yacht, named the Lady Mary, be following the children’s dad and uncle out to sea? The Withers were on it and they were following Great-Uncle Merry to see if he’s lead them to something about the manuscript p.72
  2. Who did the children see as they were sitting on the grass halfway up the Kemare Head? Mrs. Withers and Bill p.74
  3. Where was the clue the children were looking for as the sun was setting? On a large rock on the opposite headland on Kemare Head p.79
  4. Who was the man Bill saw and spoke to while trying to find Simon? Mr. Hastings p.84
  5. How did Simon get away from Bill and the man? Great-Uncle Merry came driving up, Simon got in the car and drove away p.86

Chapter 8

  1. What type of figurative language did the author use on page 89 in the phrase, “He would have given his ears to be the hero of the chase.”? An idiom p.89
  2. What did Jane realize the blodge mark was on the map? The moon p.92
  3. When the children’s parents left for the night, what did that mean the children could do? To go wander out at night to see if the clue worked with the moon p.95
  4. What did Simon and Jane find using the moon as a guide? That the rocks on the end of the headland is where the grail is buried p.100
  5. What was the threat on the hill that night? There were people there trying to get to Jane and Simon p.103

Chapter 9

  1. What is your conclusion about Mrs. Palk sneaking around Barney’s room? That she was looking for the map p.107
  2. Why didn’t Barney want to talk about the grail or map around Mrs. Palk? He was suspicious of her being a part of the evil p.108
  3. Where did Mrs. Palk tell Gumerry where the children went? To St. Austell    Why? To get rid of Gumerry so the evil ones could get to the children p.112

Chapter 10

  1. Why were the rocks at the end of the headland called the Gravestones? The children figured the Knight Bedwin was buried there as well as the grail p.115
  2. What did Rufus find? An area to dig in the ground next to a rock; the children found a large hole in the ground under that area p.119
  3. What could Jane hear in the gaping hole? The sea p.122
  4. What was Simon’s conclusion as he realized the Withers hadn’t seen a cave while scoping out the area? The cave might be under water p.124

Chapter 11

  1. Explain the connection between Bill and Mrs. Palk. She is Bill’s auntie p.130
  2. How had the children missed seeing Barney as he came down the hill? The procession was in the way and the other children were on a stone wall at the corner of the front quay instead of being in inner quay p.131

Chapter 12

  1. What happened to Barney when he couldn’t find Simon and Jane? He was kidnapped p.136
  2. Who had kidnapped Barney and where did they take him? The Withers; to a big deserted looking house p.138
  3. Describe the interaction between Barney and Mr. Hastings. Mr. Hastings asked Barney where the grail was hiding and Barney said he didn’t know what he was talking about. Mr. Hastings was shocked when Barney asked for another sandwich and excused Mr. Withers.  Mr. Hastings tried to convince Barney that he wasn’t bad, but that Gumerry was bad instead and hoping to get information about the grail p.142
  4. What did Barney say in his conversation with Mr. Hastings? He questioned him and said that Gumerry was doing it in the name of King Arthur and the old world before the dark came p.147

Chapter 13

  1. Why did Barney relax and heed his new master, Mr. Hastings? Mr. Hastings hypnotized him p.150
  2. What snapped him out of his trance? Rufus’ howl p.151
  3. How did the children get away from the men chasing them? They hid in a field p.154
  4. Why were the children nervous when they heard the owl hooting? Jane realized it was the enemy and not an owl and they feared the enemy had seen them p.160
  5. What did the children do to take extra precautions at the cave? Tie fishing line around Barney; had matches to light; figured out signals to communicate to each other p.165

Chapter 14

  1. Choose a word that describes Barney as he’s finding his way through the cave. Brave, courageous, determined, P.168
  2. What did Barney find in the cavern with the natural cupboard? The grail p.173
  3. Sketch the grail and describe it. P.173
  4. Summarize what Jane experienced while waiting outside for her brothers while they were in the cave. She felt a significant amount of responsibility holding the manuscript; anxious and worried as she let the string out; worried about the enemies; worried about the tide p.176
  5. What did the boys find with the grail? Another manuscript p. 178
  6. Summarize the battle in the last chapter. The children were starting to head back to the beach and saw the yacht. As they hurried, they saw another dinghy at the shore blocking them off. They were intercepted by the two enemy groups. Mr. Hastings and Mr. Withers were on the rocks with the children and Barney threatened to throw both artifacts into the water. Gumerry came to their rescue in a speed boat with Mr. Penhallow driving. Simon grabbed the artifacts and tried to throw them to Gumerry. Gumerry caught the Grail, but an oar intercepted the telescope case and broke it, sending its contents into the sea. The children all got into the boat and the enemies retreated and left the bay p.179

Epilogue

  1. Who do the children think Great-Uncle Merry is? Merlin p.193

Comprehension Questions – Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

By Mildred D. Taylor

Grades 6-9; Genre – Fiction; GRL W; AR pts: 10.0

The land is all-important to the Logan family. But it takes a while for Cassie and her three brothers to understand just how lucky they are to have it. They must learn the hard way that having a place they can call their own in rural Mississippi permits the Logans the luxuries of pride and courage that their poor black sharecropper neighbors can't afford.

Vocabulary

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the setting of this story. 1933 in Mississippi, autumn time, it was morning as the main characters were walking to school on a dirt road, passing the white kids school, then in the school for black kids p.24
  2. Who are the Logan children? Little Man, Cassie, Christopher-John and Stacey; children who are a family who live in Mississippi with their mama, papa, and Big Ma; children who are the descendents of slaves p.2
  3. Define racism and give an example from this chapter. A belief that one group of persons is superior to another, usually with color of skin. Ex. Berry’s getting burned by some white men p.6; White kids on a bus, where our characters can’t ride the bus p.8; Jeremy getting beat up because he walks with the main characters to school p.9; white kids go to one school our main characters have to go to another p.10; they got all of the old used books the white kids had used and what the books called them p.17
  4. Why were most of the children at the Great Faith school have such thread worn clothes and shoes that were too small to wear? They were all so poor; they worked on plantations and didn’t make very much money p.11
  5. Why didn’t Cassie and Little Man want the books the school was giving them? Because of what the books called them p.18

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Papa bring home Mr. Morrison? He lost his job and he was going to work as a hired hand at the Logan’s farm p.27
  2. Explain in your own words what happened to the Berry’s. they stopped at a gas station for gas and Henrietta heard some white men talk about the men she was with. John Henry left without getting gas and after dropping her off to her home, the white men drove up behind them and rammed into their car. He stopped at his uncle’s house for fear he was going to run out of gas and the men came and dragged him, Beacon and his uncle out of the house and set them all on fire p.29
  3. Why did Cassie’s dad tell them all not to go the Wallace’s store? There was drinking, dancing and smoking and he felt there was going to be trouble one day for those kids who went p.30

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Big Ma use the term “ignorant white folks” when talking to Little Man about getting dirty by the school bus each day? Ignorant means lacking knowledge or comprehension of something, so she understands that the white people don’t understand that black people should be treated similarly p.33
  2. How did Big Ma show Little Man tough love when they were talking about the bus issue? Didn’t feel sorry for him and told him to stop fretting over it; told him to study hard in school and get a good education and he’d be ok; told him he could buy a car when he grew up to drive himself where he wanted to go p.33
  3. What was Stacey’s plan to stop the bus from splashing them to and from school? To dig into the road to make it look like it was washed out p.38
  4. When the bus fell into the deep ditch, why was Mama and Big Ma happy? Now the white kids will have to walk to school just like their kids do every day; now there’s no special privilege for white kids p.42
  5. Why do you think the men in the cars with the headlights came to Cassie’s home that night? To punish the children for digging the ditch; to capture Mr. Morrison p.50

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Mama and Big Ma suspect something was wrong with the children? They were listless, didn’t eat or sleep well p.53
  2. Why were the children relieved after talking to TJ and hearing about the man who got tarred and feathered? They learned it wasn’t because of their prank to stop the bus p.57
  3. Why did Papa bring Mr. Morrison to live near his family? To protect them p.59
  4. Why did Stacey get whipped in school? TJ handed him his cheat notes and the teacher saw p.61
  5. Why did Stacey decide to tell his Mama about fighting at the Wallace’s store? Mr. Morrison helped him understand he needed to. Stacey respected Mr. Morrison and wanted to do what he said p.66
  6. Explain why Mr. Granger wants to buy their land? He just wants it to own it, he doesn’t need it; to take away their privilege of having land; it was his before the ward, but his family had to sell it since they didn’t have any money p.67

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Big Ma park the wagon at the back of the field on market day? Only the white people’s wagons could park near the entrance p.80
  2. How was Cassie supposed to act in the store while Mr. Barnette was helping everyone else before them? Patient, wait until he’s ready to help; helps everyone who’s white before helping her p.85
  3. How had Cassie been insulted when in town? Mr. Barnette yelled at her for having no manners and expecting to be helped in proper order at the store and Lillian Jean made her apologize for bumping into her and expected Cassie to walk in the road p.86

Chapter 6

  1. How did Uncle Hammer react when Cassie told him what happened in Strawberry? He was angry and wanted to get revenge on Mr. Simms so got into his car to go to Mr. Simms home p.93
  2. How did Cassie’s mama explain the reason for Lillian Jean’s treatment? She explained that people are still stuck thinking that white people are better than black people even though slavery had ended decades before p.95
  3. What did Uncle Hammer give Stacey on the way to church and why did he give it to him then instead of at Christmas? A new coat because his was worn and too small p.101
  4. When Uncle Hammer persisted across the bridge to make the other car stop and wait for them, why was Mama so worried as she said, “one day we’ll pay.” Uncle Hammer’s actions will cause the Wallace’s to take offense and cause the Logan family to have issues because of it p.105

Chapter 7

  1. What did Stacey do to the coat Uncle Hammer gave to him and what was his uncle’s reaction when he found out? Gave it to TJ; Uncle Hammer told him not to got get it, but got after him for doing whatever TJ wanted him to do and told him he needed to stick up for himself and not be influenced easily p.107
  2. Summarize Mr. Morrison’s story about the night men. His little town got attacked by them since a woman complained some boys had hurt her. The night men came, started the town on fire, and killed women, children and men. His sisters died and his mother threw him out of the house so he wouldn’t get hurt and she fought next to his dad. They both died that night p.112
  3. What did the children get for Christmas? Books, clothes and candy/food p.116
  4. What did Mr. Jamison propose to Papa and Uncle Hammer? That he’ll back the credit for people to shop at the store in Vicksburg p.122
  5. Why did Mr. Granger come to visit the Logan’s? to tell them not to go to Vicksburg for the groceries or he would cause them to lose their land p.122

Chapter 8

  1. Describe the advice Cassie’s papa gave her about the incident with Lillian Jean? She has Uncle Hammer’s temper and she has to consider what is worse, the hurt you receive or the hurt your family would receive if they reacted the way they wanted to, but you can’t back down at some things or theya eat you alive ; he told her not to be mad, but she needed to decide how she was going to respond this treatment p.133
  2. Why was Cassie so kind to Lillian Jean and being her “pet”? to get her to trust her and tell her things, so when she beat her up and made her apologize, she had leverage to keep Lillian Jean from telling anyone what she had done p.137
  3. Explain why Mama lost her job as a schoolteacher? Mr. Granger came to her class and she admitted to not teaching everything in the book that the school board provided because it wasn’t true p.140
  4. What did TJ say that got their Mama fired?  That she wasn’t a good teacher and destroyed school property by covering the books with paper and that she was the one who told everyone not to go to the Wallace’s store p.143
  5. What’s a consequence of TJ talking to Kaleb Wallace about Ms. Logan and getting her fired? Nobody will talk to him at school p.146
  6. Predict what’s going to happen to TJ and how his actions are going to affect his relationship with the Logan’s.  He’s going to side more with the white people and help them ruin the Logan’s p.147

Chapter 9

  1. What’s the problem with TJ hanging out with Jeremy’s brothers who are 18 & 19? They’re much older than him; could be a bad influence; don’t treat him well when he’s not with them p.150
  2. What’s a chain gang? A group of men who have been arrested or convicts that are forced to working on road construction, ditch digging or farming while chained together p.155
  3. Describe the example Papa used when answering Cassie’s question if they were going to give up. He used a fig tree growing in an area with lots of trees overshadowing it. That fig tree keeps on growing and doesn’t give up. It has a right to be in the yard too. They aren’t giving up either p.156
  4. What had happened to Stacey, Mr. Morrison and Papa on their way back from Vicksburg in the rain? Someone had loosened the wheels on the cart, they came off and while the men were putting the wheels on a car came from behind and someone shot Papa. Jack the mule got scared and the cart rolled and ran over Papa. Mr. Morrison went after the men and stopped them from hurting any of them. The men left and they brought Papa home with a broken leg and his head wrapped from the shot p.162

Chapter 10

  1. Why were Cassie’s parents worried about money? Because her papa couldn’t work on the railroad to get the mortgage payments and her mom lost her teaching job p.166
  2. What did Mr. Morrison do when Kaleb Wallace blocked the road with his truck? He picked up each end of the truck and moved it p.170
  3. When Jeremy came to the pond and trees to see the Logan children, what did he tell them about TJ? That he was hanging around with white boys and stealing stuff from people p.173
  4. What does it mean that the bank called up the note? The bank wanted the Logan’s to pay for the debt on the land immediately p.175
  5. What did Uncle Hammer do to get the money to pay the debt at the bank? Sold his nice car and other things as well as borrowed some money p.178
  6. Why did TJ come to the revival? To show off his new friends to his old friends and boast about his new clothes and friends and how they’d give him anything he wanted p.182

Chapter 11

  1. Explain what happened at the Barnette’s store with TJ, R.W. and Melvin. TJ, M.W. and Melvin went to the store to get the pistol, but the store was closed. TJ climbed into the window and opened the door for the other boys. Once in they got the gun and were trying to get the metal case with money, but the Barnette’s came down the stairs. Mr. Barnette tried to stop them but got knocked in the head by the flat part of the ax and Mrs. Barnette fell and hit her head on the stove. The older boys beat up TJ since he said he was going to tell. They ran to do some business and TJ got a ride with a farmer close to the Logan’s home p.187
  2. What will be the consequence of Stacey taking TJ home instead of telling his parents? The children all saw the Avery family with TJ get pulled out of their home. TJ was accused of breaking into the store p.191
  3. Who came and tried to help the Avery family and TJ from getting hurt? Mr. Jamison p.193
  4. Why did Cassie and her brothers need to run and tell Papa and Mr. Morrison about the events at the Avery home? To warn them and protect them from Kaleb Wallace and the Simms since they want to hang them both as well as TJ p.195

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Mama so worried about Papa taking a gun to find Stacey and help TJ? She knew if he fired at the men he would be hung p.197
  2. What started the fire on their cotton? Lightning p.199
  3. What did Papa and Mr. Granger do to stop the fire? Dig a trench p.202
  4. What had happened to TJ? He got taken into Strawberry to jail so he could be tried for breaking into the mercantile store and hurting/killing the Barnette’s p.205
  5. How did Papa stop the hangings that night? He started a fire which caused Mr. Granger to stop focusing on TJ and instead putting out the fire on his fields p.208
  6. Why did Cassie cry at the end of the story? She mourned what would happen to TJ; she cried for the things that happened in the night, but what would not pass; for the land p.210

Comprehension Questions – Stuart Little

Stuart Little

by E.B. White

Grades 4-5; Genre – Fiction; GRL R; AR pts: 3.0

"When Mrs. Frederick C. Little's second son arrived, everybody noticed that he was not much bigger than a mouse. The truth of the matter was, the baby looked very much like a mouse in every way." So begins E.B. White's tale of a sensitive, erudite mouse that is somehow born to a family of humans.

Vocabulary

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did Stuart’s mother send for the doctor? He only gained a third of an ounce pg 3
  2. Why did Stuart go down the drain? To find his mother’s ring pg 4
  3. How did the family feel when Stuart recovered the ring? That he was “awfully good” pg 6

Chapter 2

  1. How did Stuart help around the house? Retrieving ping-pong balls, sticky piano keys pg 7
  2. Why did they tear up the nursery rhyme? Stuart would feel badly about carving knives pg 9
  3. Why did they change “The Night before Christmas” words? It would embarrass Stuart pg 10

Chapter 3

  1. Every morning what does Stuart do with George first thing? Touch toes 10 times pg 13
  2. How did Stuart turn on the bathroom light? Long string to light chain pg 14
  3. How did Stuart turn on the water faucet? 3 strikes with a little hammer pg 16

Chapter 4

  1. What did Stuart argue with Snowbell over? Who had stronger stomach muscles pg 18
  2. What happened when he jumped on the window shade ring? Rolled up inside pg 19
  3. What did Snowbell do? Placed Stuart’s things in front of mouse hole pg 20

Chapter 5

  1. What did George want to do to find Stuart? Rip up the floor pg 21
  2. What did they end up doing? All called together and waited to hear his answer pg 22
  3. Why did George pull down the shades? To respect Stuart who was “dead” pg 25

Chapter 6

  1. What did Stuart watch out for when outside? Dogs pg 27
  2. How did Stuart step up onto a bus? He held onto a man’s pants pg 28
  3. What boat did Stuart want to sail on and beat? The Wasp, The Lillian B. Womarth  pg 33

Chapter 7

  1. What accident happened at the beginning of the race? The policeman fell into the water pg 38
  2. What did the policeman cause? A big wave pg 39
  3. What caused the crash between the boats? A paper bag pg 43
  4. Why did Stuart win? He sailed the Wasp “straight and true” pg 45

Chapter 8

  1. How did Stuart catch bronchitis? He got locked in the refrigerator pg 47
  2. What did Stuart do for Margalo? Take her temperature pg 52
  3. What did Stuart do to Snowbell’s ear? Shoot it with an arrow pg 55

Chapter 9

  1. Why did Stuart jump into the garbage can? To avoid the Irish Terrier pg 57
  2. Where was the garbage truck going? To dump the load on the scow pg 60
  3. Why was Stuart sad that he might die? He would miss his home pg 61

Chapter 10

  1. What did the Angora cat tell Snowbell? You have more self-control than me pg 69
  2. Who overheard the plot to kill Margalo? The pigeon pg 71
  3. What did Margalo do when she read the note? Fly away pg 71

Chapter 11

  1. Why did Stuart run away from home? To look for Margalo pg 73
  2. Who did he go see for advice? Dr. Carey pg 75
  3. Why wouldn’t Stuart’s car attract attention? It was invisible pg 79

Chapter 12

  1. Why were the scholars delighted at #7 School? They would have a substitute for                         Mrs. Gunderson pg 87
  2. What would fix the world being in a lot of trouble? A chairman of the world pg 92
  3. What would be a fine law? Absolutely no being mean pg 94

Chapter 13

  1. What did Stuart want to drink? Sarsaparilla pg 102
  2. Who did the storekeeper want Stuart to meet? Harriet Ames pg 103
  3. What did Stuart invite Harriet to do? Paddle in his canoe pg 110

Chapter 14

  1. What were the paddles for the canoe? wooden ice cream spoons pg 114
  2. Why did Stuart keep changing his shirts? Nervous perspiration pg 118
  3. How did the evening on the river end? It was ruined pg 124

Chapter 15

  1. How much gas did Stuart want? Five drops pg 125
  2. What direction did the repairman say is not making any mistakes? North pg 12

Comprehension Questions without Answers

Chapter 1

  1. Why did Stuart’s mother send for the doctor?
  2. Why did Stuart go down the drain?
  3. How did the family feel when Stuart recovered the ring?

Chapter 2

  1. How did Stuart help around the house?
  2. Why did they tear up the nursery rhyme?
  3. Why did they change “The Night before Christmas” words?

Chapter 3

  1. Every morning what does Stuart do with George first thing?
  2. How did Stuart turn on the bathroom light?
  3. How did Stuart turn on the water faucet?

Chapter 4

  1. What did Stuart argue with Snowbell over?
  2. What happened when he jumped on the window shade ring?
  3. What did Snowbell do?

Chapter 5

  1. What did George want to do to find Stuart?
  2. What did they end up doing?
  3. Why did George pull down the shades?

Chapter 6

  1. What did Stuart watch out for when outside?
  2. How did Stuart step up onto a bus?
  3. What boat did Stuart want to sail on and beat?

Chapter 7

  1. What accident happened at the beginning of the race?
  2. What did the policeman cause?
  3. What caused the crash between the boats?
  4. Why did Stuart win?

Chapter 8

  1. How did Stuart catch bronchitis?
  2. What did Stuart do for Margalo?
  3. What did Stuart do to Snowbell’s ear?

Chapter 9

  1. Why did Stuart jump into the garbage can?
  2. Where was the garbage truck going?
  3. Why was Stuart sad that he might die?

Chapter 10

  1. What did the Angora cat tell Snowbell?
  2. Who overheard the plot to kill Margalo?
  3. What did Margalo do when she read the note?

Chapter 11

  1. Why did Stuart run away from home?
  2. Who did he go see for advice?
  3. Why wouldn’t Stuart’s car attract attention?

Chapter 12

  1. Why were the scholars delighted at #7 School?
  2. What would fix the world being in a lot of trouble?
  3. What would be a fine law?

Chapter 13

  1. What did Stuart want to drink?
  2. Who did the storekeeper want Stuart to meet?
  3. What did Stuart invite Harriet to do?

Chapter 14

  1. What were the paddles for the canoe?
  2. Why did Stuart keep changing his shirts?
  3. How did the evening on the river end?

Chapter 15

  1. How much gas did Stuart want?
  2. What direction did the repairman say is not making any mistakes?

Comprehension Questions – #5 Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake

Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake

By Barbara Park

Grades 1-5; Genre – Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

When the teacher announces that there will be a school carnival, Junie B. plans to win hundreds of prizes. The heavy fruitcake she wins at the Cake Walk may be more of a prize than Junie B. can manage!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Who came to babysit Junie B.? Grandpa Miller p.2
  2. What does Junie B. use as a booster seat when she eats at the table? A telephone book p.7
  3. Why didn’t Junie B. like the cereal she had made herself? She had poured orange juice on it instead of milk p.8

Chapter 2

  1. Why did the children call Junie B. a cheater? She said she had won tic tac toe, but didn’t realize her X’s weren’t in a row p.13
  2. Who did Junie B. have a hopping content with? Lucille p.17
  3. How did Junie B. feel about losing? Sad p.19
  4. How did Junie B. act that let you know she was sad? Glum; walked to her class slow; put her head on the table p.19

Chapter 3

  1. What’s a school carnival? A fun event held inside or outside of the school that has lots of games with prizes p.23
  2. What game would you want to play at the carnival Mrs. explained in the book? Fishing booth; penny toss; moon walk tent; putting green; clothespins in the bottle; basketball shoot; ring toss; throw the sponges at the principal p.24
  3. Junie B. had a hard time being polite. Give three examples of being polite. Raising hand; speaking softly; using kind words p.25

Chapter 4

  1. What did Junie B. do to prepare for the carnival so she could win the games? Practiced the games at home p.29
  2. What happened when Junie B. flushed the sponge down the toilet? It got stuck and made the toilet overflow p.35
  3. What did Junie B.’s mom try to teach her about winning? We don’t always have to win, but it’s important to realize we have fun while we’re playing the game p.35

Chapter 5

  1. What did Lucille have on her face at the carnival? painted red hearts p.38
  2. What happened when Junie B. played the putting green game and clothespin game? She knocked the golf ball into the air and hit people and she couldn’t drop the clothespins into the carton p.40

Chapter 6

  1. What’s a word that describes Junie B.’s feelings after Grace showed her the prizes she’s won? Jealous; sad; mad p.47
  2. How would you feel if someone made fun of you when it was your turn for the sponge game like Jim did to Junie B.? Have trouble concentrating, feel self-conscious, feel bad with low self-esteem p.50
  3. Why was Junie B. able to do the cake walk after she got in trouble from hitting Jim in the face with a sponge? She’s lost her shoe and her dad said he’d look for it while she went to the cake walk p.55

Chapter 7

  1. What cake did Junie Choose for a prize for winning the cake walk? Fruitcake p.61
  2. When Junie B.’s mother tried to hand her the cake, she dropped it on the ground. Why? It was so heavy p.62
  3. How did Junie B. get the cake out of the room and outside to where her dad was? She dragged it p.63

Chapter 8

  1. Where did Junie B.’s dad find her shoe? Under the jumping tent p.63
  2. How did Junie B. feel about her fruitcake when she unwrapped it and looked at it? Disgusted; thought it had rotted p.65
  3. What uses did Junie B. find for her fruitcake? Booster in the car and at the table p.68
  4. Describe Junie B.’s attitude as she went to bed that night after the carnival? she appreciated her prizes p.71

Comprehension Questions – Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie

By Kate DiCamillo

Grades 4-7; Genre – Fiction; GRL R; AR pts: 3.0

The summer Opal and her father, the preacher, move to Naomi, Florida, Opal goes into the Winn-Dixie supermarket and comes out with a dog. A big, ugly, suffering dog with a sterling sense of humor. A dog she names Winn-Dixie.

Vocabulary

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the setting of this story. In the Winn-Dixie grocery store in the produce department p.7
  2. Explain how Opal became Winn-Dixie’s owner? He followed her into the store and the manager said to call the pound and she couldn’t let him go to the pound, so she said the dog was hers p.8
  3. Describe Winn-Dixie. Dirty; ugly; bald patches on him; could see his ribs; big; smiles p.8

Chapter 2

  1. Why does Opal’s father call her by her second or middle name? it’s his mother’s name and he loves her a lot p.14
  2. What did Opal tell Winn-Dixie on their way home from the store? How she got her name; how she had just moved to Naomi; about the preacher p.14
  3. How did Opal convince her dad she needed to keep Winn-Dixie? She convinced him that Winn-Dixie needed her p.17

Chapter 3

  1. How are Opal and Winn-Dixie similar? They’re both like orphans p.21
  2. Why doesn’t Opal know very much about her mother? Her father doesn’t talk about her p.22
  3. What did Opal finally have to courage to ask her father? To tell her 10 things about her mother p.25

Chapter 4

  1. List 2 things about Opal’s mother that was similar to Opal. She had freckles and red hair; she could run fast p.26
  2. Why do you think Opal’s mother left? She didn’t like being the preacher’s wife; they fought when she drank alcohol p.28
  3. Why did Opal write down all ten things? So she could memorize them and remember them, so that if her mother came back, she’d know who she was and never let her go again p.30

Chapter 5

  1. What happened when the preacher and Opal left Winn-Dixie home? He howled or tore the house apart p.31
  2. Explain what happened when Opal brought Winn-Dixie into the church. He saw a mouse, caught it and brought it to the preacher, who threw it outside p.36
  3. List the things Opal prayed for at the end of this chapter. She was lonely; the mouse; her mama and that she could tell her the story of the mouse and Winn-Dixie p.38

Chapter 6

  1. What did Miss Franny think Winn-Dixie was as he looked in the window of the library? A bear p.41
  2. Why was Miss Franny so worried about seeing a bear? She had a bad experience with a bear coming into the library p.42

Chapter 7

  1. How did the Herman W. Block Library come to be? Miss Franny was the daughter of Herman W. Block and told her dad she wanted a little house full of books she could read and share with others p.46
  2. Explain the story of the bear in the library. Miss Franny was reading her book on a hot day with all of the windows and doors open. A shadow crossed by her and she looked up when no one answered her question and saw the bear sniffing her p.47
  3. Who was Opal’s first friend in Naomi? Miss Franny p.51

Chapter 8

  1. What plan did Opal come up to pay for the collar and leash? Do jobs around the pet store p.54
  2. How did Gertrude feel about Winn-Dixie? She landed on his head, so she liked him p.56
  3. Describe Sweetie Pie Thomas. She’s a 5 year-old little girl; sucks on her third knuckle; wants a dog, but can’t have one; goes to Opal’s church p.57

Chapter 9

  1. Who was the witch Stevie and Dunlap were talking about? Gloria Dump p.64
  2. Why did they call her a witch? She was old, had crinkly brown skin, wore a big floppy hat and had no teeth p.63
  3. What did Gloria feed Winn-Dixie? Peanut butter p.63

Chapter 10

  1. What does it mean to have a green thumb? Being good at growing plants p.69
  2. How was Winn-Dixie helping Opal? He helped her find friends; he helped her get a job p.70

Chapter 11

  1. Find a simile on page 74. Barreling like a bowling ball
  2. How did Winn-Dixie continue to behave during the thunderstorm? out of his mind with fear; racing back and forth every time there was thunder p.76
  3. Opal had a difficult time talking when the preacher said they need to keep Winn-Dixie safe during thunderstorms. What was she feeling? Lots of love for the preacher and felt like crying p.78

Chapter 12

  1. What was Otis doing in the pet store when Opal arrived early to work? Playing his guitar with every animal out of its cage p.80
  2. What effect did Otis have over the animals as he played his guitar? He was like a snake charmer p.81
  3. What did Otis and the animals have in common? They’d both been locked up p.83

Chapter 13

  1. What was Opal’s favorite place to go that summer? Gloria Dump’s p.88
  2. Why did the twins make Opal so mad? They continued to call Gloria a witch p.89
  3. Why did Opal enjoy going over there so much? Gloria would make her a sandwich and coffee/milk and talk to her p.90

Chapter 14

  1. Why couldn’t Gloria get glasses to see? Because her eyes were too bad p.92
  2. What was hanging from the tree in Gloria’s backyard? Whiskey, wine and beer bottles p.94
  3. Why were there bottles hanging from it? Gloria used to drink and these were the bottles she had drunken out of; they were her ghosts of the things she’s done wrong in her life p.95
  4. Why did Gloria show Opal the tree? To teach her that she shouldn’t judge Otis for being in jail p.96

Chapter 15

  1. Find a simile on one of the first two pages of this chapter. Fur blowing off like a dandelion puff; stop and start shaking like a leaf; protecting her like soldiers p.98&99
  2. Why did Opal want to tell Gloria a story? To keep the ghosts away from the bottles hitting together in the wind p.100
  3. How did Miss Franny react when Amanda Wilkinson came into the library and demanded a book? She told her she’d have to wait until she finished telling Opal the story of her great grandfather in the Civil War p.102

Chapter 16

  1. Describe Miss Franny’s great grandfather’s experience of fighting in the war. Hot or cold; covered in vermin, fleas and ticks; always hungry; always getting shot at; stinky in the summer p.106
  2. What did Littmus find after walking home from the war? His home was burned; his mom and sisters dead from typhoid fever and his dad on the battlefield p.107

Chapter 17

  1. What did Miss Franny’s great grandfather do with his life after the war? Built the candy factory and made candy p.111
  2. What’s the secret ingredient of the candy Miss Franny gave the girls? Sorrow p.114
  3. What did Opal decide to do as she passed the twins on her bike? Wave to them p.116

Chapter 18

  1. What did the preacher think the candy tasted like? Opal’s mother; melancholy p.121
  2. What did the preacher want Opal to say to Stevie? That she was sorry for calling him a bald-headed baby p.123
  3. Who is Carson and what happened to him? Amanda’s five year-old brother who had drowned last year p.124

Chapter 19

  1. Why did Otis go to jail? He wouldn’t stop playing his guitar when the policemen asked him too and he hit one of them when they put handcuffs on him p.130
  2. How did Sweetie Pie respond to the candy Opal gave her? She spit it out and tasted like not having a dog p.132

Chapter 20

  1. How did Opal come up with the idea to have a party and invite her friends? From the book, Gone with the Wind p.125
  2. How did Gloria respond to Opal’s idea? She made her promise to invite the twins p.137
  3. What was Otis’s reaction when Opal asked him to come to the party? He didn’t want to come at first, but told him she would do her jobs for free for a week and then told him to bring his guitar p.142

Chapter 21

  1. What kind of sandwiches did Gloria and Opal make for the party? Egg-salad sandwiches p.143
  2. Why did Miss Franny wobble when she walked and sway when standing still? She was wearing high heels p.145
  3. Why was Otis hesitant to come to the party? He was nervous to be around people p.149

Chapter 22

  1. What did Otis do that made Sweetie Pie laugh? Leaned over and his guitar on his back bonked him on the head p.151
  2. What did the weather turn into just as the party got started? A rain storm p.154

Chapter 23

  1. Who did Opal forget to bring inside as the thunder started to roll? Winn-Dixie p.157
  2. Why was she so worried about him? In thunderstorms he gets scared and this time she didn’t hold onto him, so he ran away p.157

Chapter 24

  1. Why did Opal make a list to describe Winn-Dixie? If she had to make a sign about him it would tell people about him p.162
  2. Explain what the preacher told Opal when she blamed him for not trying to stop her mother from leaving. He told her he did try, but he couldn’t stop her; he wished she’d come back every day; was very grateful she had left Opal p.165

Chapter 25

  1. Where had Winn-Dixie been during the thunderstorm? Under Gloria’s bed p.173
  2. What helped him come out from under the bed? Otis’s music p.174

Chapter 26

  1. Opal stood out at the tree looking up at the sky and constellations. What was she doing there? Telling her mama that she wasn’t going to think about her as much and that her heart had been filled p.178
  2. Why did Dunlap and Stevie call Gloria a witch? To tease Opal p.179
  3. Describe how Opal relationship with her father had changed at the end of the story. They had grown together in understanding and were connecting with each other

Comprehension Questions – The Indian in the Cupboard

The Indian in the Cupboard

By Lynne Reid Banks

Grades 4-6; Genre – Fiction; GRL R; AR pts: 6.0

When Omri's big brother has no birthday present for him, he gives Omri an old wooden medicine cabinet he's found. The cabinet doesn't seem like much of a present to nine-year-old Omri, until he deposits inside it another present he receives for his birthday: a miniature plastic Indian. His mother comes up with a key for the cabinet, and the real magic begins. When Omri turns the key once, the Indian, named Little Bear, comes alive; but turn the key a second time and it's an ordinary plastic Indian again.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. How does Omri feel when Patrick gives him the plastic Indian? Disappointed pg 2
  2. What does Omri’s mum give him for the cabinet? A boxful of keys pg. 3
  3. What does the Indian do when Omri tries to pick him up? Stab him pg 9.

Chapter 2

  1. What does Omri worry happened to the Indian while at school? He dies without food, drink pg 15
  2. What did the Indian think was magic? Electricity pg 21
  3. Did Little Bear live in a tepee? No, a longhouse pg 21
  4. Who is the Indian? Iroquois brave, son of chief, Little Bear pg 23

Chapter 3

  1. Omri finds out that Little Bear fought in a war with whom and against whom. With the English against the French and the Algonquin pg 29
  2. What did Little Bear say that scared Omri? He scalped 30 French soldiers pg 30
  3. Why did Omri not tell anyone about Little Bear? They would make him an experiment in a laboratory pg 31

Chapter 4

  1. How did Little Bear hurt his leg? Horse kicked when box was squeezed pg 41
  2. What did Little Bear call fire water? Water and Listerine; disinfectant pg 41
  3. What plastic figure did Omri grab to help Little Bear’s injury? WW I orderly pg 42

Chapter 5

  1. What does Omri tell Tommy so he won’t be afraid? It’s just a dream pg 45
  2. What supplies does Omri gather for Little Bear? Seed tray, posts and bark pg 47
  3. Where does Omri get an ax for Little Bear? From a knight pg 48

Chapter 6

  1. Omri sneaks away at lunchtime at school to buy what? Plastic chief with bow and arrow pg 52
  2. How does Little Bear check to see if the chief is dead? Puts his feather in front of his mouth pg 59
  3. What does Little Bear take from the dead chief and why? Cape, headdress, bow and arrow and now he’s the new chief pg 59
  4. What does Omri’s father make him do? Replace items he used at hardware shop pg 60

Chapter 7

  1. When they get to Omri’s room who do they find there? Gillon and Adiel pg 65
  2. What did the brothers feel about the longhouse? Admiration at the details pg 67
  3. Why did Omri not want Patrick to put a lot of toys in the cupboard? Because they are real pg 69
  4. What did Patrick beg Omri for? One live toy of his own pg 74

Chapter 8

  1. What did Patrick do when Omri went to get some food for the Indian? Put the cowboy in the cupboard pg 78
  2. What does the cowboy do to Patrick? Shoots him pg 80
  3. What does Omri promise Patrick to do? Bring the Cowboy to school pg 85

Chapter 9

  1. Why does Little Bear do a dance? He is getting a wife pg 89
  2. What happened when Omri was a sleep? The cowboy escaped pg 90
  3. What does Little Bear want Omri to do? Take him to school too pg 94

Chapter 10

  1. What did Omri fix for breakfast? Egg, beans and bread crust pg 98
  2. What did Omri make the cowboy and Indian do to eat? Call a truce pg 99
  3. What did Boone threaten Little Bear he’d do if he didn’t fight fair? Set his hallucy-nation on him pg 103

Chapter 11

  1. How does April taunt Patrick? She says “Lookit he’s blu-shing!” pg 108
  2. Why do Omri and Patrick get thrown out of class? Little Bear stabs him in the side  pg 111
  3. What does Omri do with the little men? Puts them in the same pocket pg 114

Chapter 12

  1. When Omri couldn’t find Patrick where was he? The music room pg 119
  2. When Patrick was late to class by 20 minutes what did Miss Hilton do? Sent both boys to the headmaster Mr. Jonson pg 120
  3. Why did Omri attack Patrick in Mr. Johnson’s office? He was going to tell him about the little men pg 124
  4. Did Patrick show the little men to Mr. Johnson? Yes pg 126

Chapter 13

  1. Why did Patrick say he had to show the little men? They would tell his dad pg 128
  2. How did Omri feel when the art teacher saw Boone’s drawing? It was fun pg133
  3. How did Omri trick Mr. Yapp with the little men? He told them to act like plastic pg 139

Chapter 14

  1. Why did Adiel take Omri’s cupboard? He thought Omri took his football shorts pg 142
  2. Why was the magic gone from the cupboard? Because the key was lost pg 145
  3. Why does Little Bear shoot Boone with an arrow? TV shows portrayed Indians as bad pg 150

Chapter 15

  1. Why was Omri worried for the safety of the little men? The rat was loose pg 155
  2. What did Omri worry would happen to Little Bear under the floor? the rat would eat him pg 161
  3. How did Omri think he could stop the little men from fighting? Become blood brothers pg 167

Chapter 16

  1. Why was Little Bears’ wife called Bright Stars? Her shining eyes pg 173
  2. Who became blood brothers? Little Bear and Boone pg 176 Little Bear and Omri pg 178
  3. Where was Omri’s mum going to keep the key? She was going to wear it on a chain pg 181

Comprehension Questions without Answers

Chapter 1

  1. How does Omri feel when Patrick gives him the plastic Indian?
  2. What does Omri’s mum give him for the cabinet?
  3. What does the Indian do when Omri tries to pick him up?

Chapter 2

  1. What does Omri worry happened to the Indian while at school?
  2. What did the Indian think was magic?
  3. Did Little Bear live in a tepee?
  4. Who is the Indian?

Chapter 3

  1. Omri finds out that Little Bear fought in a war with whom and against whom.
  2. What did Little Bear say that scared Omri? Why did Omri not tell anyone about Little Bear?

Chapter 4

  1. How did Little Bear hurt his leg?
  2. What did Little Bear call fire water?
  3. What plastic figure did Omri grab to help Little Bear’s injury?

Chapter 5

  1. What does Omri tell Tommy so he won’t be afraid?
  2. What supplies does Omri gather for Little Bear?
  3. Where does Omri get an ax for Little Bear?

Chapter 6

  1. Omri sneaks away at lunchtime at school to buy what?
  2. How does Little Bear check to see if the chief is dead?
  3. What does Little Bear take from the dead chief and why?
  4. What does Omri’s father make him do?

Chapter 7

  1. When they get to Omri’s room who do they find there?
  2. What did the brothers feel about the longhouse?
  3. Why did Omri not want Patrick to put a lot of toys in the cupboard?
  4. What did Patrick beg Omri for?

Chapter 8

  1. What did Patrick do when Omri went to get some food for the Indian?
  2. What does the cowboy do to Patrick?
  3. What does Omri promise Patrick to do?

Chapter 9

  1. Why does Little Bear do a dance?
  2. What happened when Omri was a sleep?
  3. What does Little Bear want Omri to do?

Chapter 10

  1. What did Omri fix for breakfast?
  2. What did Omri make the cowboy and Indian do to eat?
  3. What did Boone threaten Little Bear he’d do if he didn’t fight fair?

Chapter 11

  1. How does April taunt Patrick?
  2. Why do Omri and Patrick get thrown out of class?
  3. What does Omri do with the little men?

Chapter 12

  1. When Omri couldn’t find Patrick where was he?
  2. When Patrick was late to class by 20 minutes what did Miss Hilton do?
  3. Why did Omri attack Patrick in Mr. Johnson’s office?
  4. Did Patrick show the little men to Mr. Johnson?

Chapter 13

  1. Why did Patrick say he had to show the little men?
  2. How did Omri feel when the art teacher saw Boone’s drawing?
  3. How did Omri trick Mr. Yapp with the little men?

Chapter 14

  1. Why did Adiel take Omri’s cupboard?
  2. Why was the magic gone from the cupboard?
  3. Why does Little Bear shoot Boone with an arrow?

Chapter 15

  1. Why was Omri worried for the safety of the little men?
  2. What did Omri worry would happen to Little Bear under the floor?
  3. How did Omri think he could stop the little men from fighting?

Chapter 16

  1. Why was Little Bears’ wife called Bright Stars?
  2. Who became blood brothers?
  3. Where was Omri’s mum going to keep the key?

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House #29 A Big Day for Baseball

A Big Day for Baseball

by Mary Pope Osborne

Comprehension Questions; Vocabulary; Writing Prompts

Grades 3-5; Genre – Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

Chapter 1

Why didn’t Jack and Annie want to go to baseball tryouts? They felt they were terrible at baseball p.4

Where were jack and Annie traveling too this time? Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York p.7

Why were Jack and Annie excited to go there and play baseball? They would have magical gray baseball caps to help them be good at baseball p.8

Chapter 2

What’s a bat boy? Someone who helps a baseball team during a game p.11

Who helped Jack and Annie get to Ebbets Field? Some twins named Olive and Otis p.16

Why was there a huge crowd outside the baseball stadium? There was a baseball game that afternoon p.19

Chapter 3

How do the twins usually watch baseball games since they can’t pay to get into the stadium? Lay on the sidewalk and peek under the gate p.22

Give two differences from a baseball game at Frog Creek in 2017 from what Jack and Annie saw in Ebbets Field in 1947? What people wore to the game and half of the stadium was filled with white people the other half had black people p.24

Who do you think was the baseball player Jack and Annie saw signing autographs? Jackie Robinson p.24

Chapter 4

 Why didn’t the Braves team ignore Jack and Annie? Bat boys never bother the players or get in their way p.28

Name three tasks Jack and Annie needed to do as they acted as bat boys? Hung uniforms in lockers; wiped off equipment and lined up the shoes on the benches; pushed the trunk of bats out to the dugout; unloaded bats and placed them on shelves; took the first aid kit, catcher’s gear, and chewing gum to the dugout; filled jugs with water; took towels and baseball to the dugout p.30

What’s the national anthem? A song we sing in the United States to show respect and appreciation for our country; The Star-Spangled Banner p.32

Chapter 5

What were Jack’s and Annie’s responsibilities while the Braves were up to bat? Jack’s: Retrieve foul balls, gave new baseballs to the umpire always making sure he had three, had to count the baseballs; Annie’s: picked up bats that the players dropped and put them on the rack p.36

Why were the people in the stands heckling the black player? Because he was a different skin color p.41

What happened to Jack’s cap? It blew off in the wind and some kid jumped who had from the stands and grabbed it p.42

Chapter 6

What did Jack and Annie do to confuse the security guard and manager? They took turns wearing the hat to try to prove they were bat boys p.47

Why was Jack worried about people seeing him as they walked out of the stadium? He was embarrassed and humiliated p.48

Give a descriptive word to describe the manager and security guard. Intolerant; angry; impatient p.48

Chapter 7

Who helped Jack and Annie after they got kicked out of the stadium? Olive and Otis p.51

How did the Dodger’s team get their name? Fans need to dodge streetcars to get to the ballpark p.53

Where did Otis and Olive take Jack and Annie to hear the game? To their grannies’ house p.55

Chapter 8

Why were the grannies so fervent on Jackie hitting the ball? They were also people of color and wanted Jackie to be successful p.57

Why was this baseball game so important? Jackie Robinson was the first black player allowed to play with white players in major league baseball and he made history that game p.60

Why were the grannies so surprised to see Jack and Annie in their home? Jack and Annie were the first white people ever to come into their home p.61

Chapter 9

What was significant about the twin’s great-great-granny? She was 101 years old and born a slave p.64

What’s the advice Great-Great-Granny Beck gave to Jack and Annie? Always keep your eyes on the good and always keep your self-respect p.66

Why was it strange for Jack and Annie to be the first white people to go into the grannies’ home? During the history of the United States there had been a lot of racism against black people, but Jackie Robinson helped begin to change it p.69

Chapter 10

What made Jack decide he wanted to try out for baseball? After reading about Jackie Robinson, he realized he didn’t care so much what people thought of him p.75

What was the real reason Morgan sent Jack and Annie to Brooklyn? To help them learn to be brave and keep going p.75