Tag Archives: Grades 5-8

Comprehension Questions – The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Grades 5-8; Genre - Fiction; GRL U; AR pts. 13.0

After the sudden death of her parents in India, Mary Lennox is sent 'home' to England, and the Yorkshire estate of a distant relative. Sad and lonely, her only interest lies in a secret garden, abandoned after a tragic accident. With the help of Dickon, a local country boy, and Colin, her guardian's invalid son, Mary's spirit is reawakened as they bring the garden back to life.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the main character and how she became alone. Mary Lennox; disagreeable looking, spoiled, sickly, thin, yellow hair and face, born in India; was raised by a servant because her mother didn’t want her since she was a girl; her parents, Ayah and other servants died of cholera; she was alone and was going to live with her uncle p.7

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Mrs. Medlock. Mary’s uncle’s housekeeper; short and stout; stern and would take no nonsense from children p.16
  2. Describe her uncle’s house. has a hundred rooms with doors that are mostly locked; gloomy; on the edge of a moor p.17

Chapter 3

  1. Define a moor. Miles of wild land without trees; used for animals to graze on p.21
  2. Summarize this chapter. Mary and Mrs. Medlock travel in the carriage for the last leg of their journey to her uncle’s house p.19

Chapter 4

  1. Describe Martha. Pleasant, good attitude, talkative, hard worker, has 11 siblings, strong p.24
  2. What does the following phrase mean, “give you some stomach for your meat”? Help her be hungry so she’ll eat p.29
  3. What did Mary learn about herself in this chapter? She’s lonely; she’s not pretty and has a nasty temper p.35

Chapter 5

  1. Summarize why Mary’s uncle hates the garden. He and his wife used to tend the garden and spend time together in it; one day she sat on a branch which broke and she died p.40
  2. List two good things that have happened to Mary since arriving at Misselthwaite Manor? She understood the robin; she’s run in the wind until her blood ran warm, she was hungry for the first time in her life; she felt sorry for someone p.41

Chapter 6

  1. How did Mary amuse herself in the chapter? Wandered the house and explored p.45
  2. Why did Mrs. Medlock get angry with her? Mary heard crying and left her rooms p.48

Chapter 7

  1. How did Mary acquire the old key? The robin landed in a hole that had been dug by a dog p.53

Chapter 8

  1. What did Mary say for the first time in her life and why? Thank you; Martha’s mother had purchased her a skipping rope p.56
  2. How did Mary find the secret garden door? She was skipping rope and the robin landed on a vine that blew in the breeze and uncovered it p.59

Chapter 9

  1. Summarize this chapter. Mary goes into the Secret Garden and explores; she finds bulbs growing and digs around them to give them room to grow; she wrote to Dickon and sent him some shillings to purchase garden tools and seeds; Mary heard the crying sound again p.62

Chapter 10

  1. Describe Dickon. 12 years old; Martha’s brother; purchased seeds and tools for Mary and brought them to her; he has a way with animals; he’s kind; round blue eyes; wears clothes with patches; is trustworthy p.76

Chapter 11

  1. Summarize what Dickon and Mary did in this chapter. Explore the Secret Garden and look for plants that were alive p.82

Chapter 12

  1. Describe Mr. Craven. Mary’s uncle; kind and handsome; worried and distracted; miserable; tall with crooked shoulders; black hair with white streaks 91

Chapter 13

  1. Describe Colin. Mr. Craven’s son; sickly; said he’s going to die young; 10 years old; black hair; big eyes; delicate face the color of ivory; doesn’t like people talking about him p.97
  2. How did Colin feel about the Secret Garden and how did Mary stop him from telling others about it? He was curious and wouldn’t stop asking about it; Mary described it, pretending she hadn’t been there and said it was important to keep a secret p.102

Chapter 14

  1. Why does everyone want Colon to remember he’s sick? So he doesn’t get better p.115

Chapter 15

  1. How are Colin and Mary similar? Colin’s father doesn’t want him and Mary’s mother didn’t want her; they both have lived without love in their lives; they are spoiled, both have been given everything they want, p.124

Chapter 16

  1. Why was it good for Mary to stand up to Colin? He’s never had anyone stand up to him p.130

Chapter 17

  1. How did Mary stop Colin’s tantrum? She didn’t have sympathy and wasn’t scared of him; she told him to stop and that he didn’t have a lump on his back and that he wouldn’t die p.134

Chapter 18

  1. Choose a word that describes how Mary feels about Colin. Explain. Compassionate; trusting; love; friendship. Listen to your child’s answer p.139

Chapter 19

  1. Summarize Colin’s reaction to meeting Dickon and his animal friends. He was speechless and in awe p.151

Chapter 20

  1. Why did Colin feel stronger and healthier? He has something to look forward to, a reason to live; he was distracted from his illness p.158
  2. Why did he feel like he will live forever? He felt good and had hope p.160

Chapter 21

  1. Why were the children so joyous to see spring? Mary and Colin had never seen it blossom before p.161
  2. Why didn’t Mary and Dickon want to talk about the old tree with the broken branch? They thought it would be too sad for Collin to know that his mother died from the broken branch p.163
  3. Why did Ben Weatherstaff cry when he saw Colin stand? He was so happy p.169

Chapter 22

  1. Summarize this chapter. Ben Weatherstaff came into the garden and asked Colin what he could do for him; Collin told him to keep the garden a secret; Ben had been the one coming in to the garden; Colin planted a rose as a king in his new place p.170
  2. Why was this chapter so special? Colin is learning he is strong and will be healthy; Colin has people who love and support him p.174

Chapter 23

  1. Why does Colon talk of Magic? What is it to him? The Magic in the garden is what’s going to make him stronger like the sun and the flowers p.176

Chapter 24

  1. Explain Colin and Mary’s predicament and how it’s solved. They were eating so much food it was going to ruin Colin’s secret that he was getting strong; Colin wanted to show his father that he’s strong and walking; Dickon’s mother made buns for them and told Dickon to take a bucket of fresh milk for them; Dickon baked potatoes and carrots in a little oven he concocted in the woods near the manor; they didn’t need to request more food from the cook in the manor p.188

Chapter 25

  1. How did the children entertain themselves on rainy days? Exploring the house and using the empty rooms to do their exercises and run about p.198
  2. Why is Colin going to keep the curtain pulled back? So he can see his mother laughing and being happy for him p.201

Chapter 26

  1. List two names used to describe God in this chapter. Magic; the Big Good Thing; the Good Thing; the Joy Maker p.207
  2. How did Susan Sowerby respond when Colin said he wanted her for a mother. She gave him a hug and said his mother is in the garden p.208

Chapter 27

  1. Summarize the conclusion of this story. Mr. Craven started to awake out of his despair and went home; he went to the Secret Garden; Colin ran into him and told him everything; Mr. Craven was joyous to see his son p.209

Comprehension Questions – Wings of Fire #1 The Dragonet Prophecy

The Dragonet Prophecy

by Tui T. Sutherland

Grades 5-8; Genre - Fantasy; GRL X; AR pts. 10.0

The seven dragon tribes have been at war for generations, locked in an endless battle over an ancient, lost treasure. A secret movement called the Talons of Peace is determined to bring an end to the fighting, with the help of a prophecy, a foretelling that calls for great sacrifice.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the introduction to the story. Clay is a dragonet learning to fight, but he doesn’t like it. Kestrel is his teacher and wants more out of him. Tsunami is another dragonet who stands up for Clay. She suggests they leave the caves earlier than two years when the prophecy is to take place p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Summarize this chapter. The five dragonets acted out the prophesy, but got in trouble when Kestrel found them; Tsunami shared her desire to escape with the other dragons, except for Sunny since she can’t keep a secret p.12

Chapter 3

  1. Describe how the Minders treat the dragonets and if you’d like to be under their tutelage. Why, or why not?  Angry, mean, bossy, condescending and say rude things to them; listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize Morrowseer’s visit? He wanted to see which of the dragonets were up to the task p.34

Chapter 5

  1. What disturbing information did Clay hear when he spied on the Minders? Morrowseer ordered them to kill Glory by noon the next day p.53

Chapter 6

  1. Describe the plan the dragonets put in place to save Glory? Clay would swim downriver until he was out of the cave; the dragonets in the cave would build a fire so Clay could see where the cave is from the outside; meanwhile Glory would use her dragon skills and camouflage herself to prevent the Minders from finding and killing her p.60

Chapter 7

  1. Summarize this chapter. Clay took to his journey in the river; he was still underground when he came to a stream and a waterfall; he decided to go up the stream, but something stung him and he blacked out p.66

Chapter 8

  1. Who helped Clay? Tsunami p. 74
  2. How did she break free of the chains? Sunny and Fireflight breathed fire on them together p.75

Chapter 9

  1. Why was Clay excited to see dirt? He’s a mud dragon; he’s much more comfortable in the dirt p.84

Chapter 10

  1. Who did the dragonets run into above the surface? Scarlet, the queen of the Sky Wings p.93
  2. Is that good or bad? Why? Bad; she will want to prevent the prophecy and destroy the dragonets p.93

Chapter 11

  1. Describe the interaction Tsunami and Clay had with Scarlet. She wanted to take them with her, but they knew they couldn’t go with her; Tsunami stabbed her tail with a claw and the dragonets flew off p.95

Chapter 12

  1. List a consequence the dragonets will have because they left the cave. Queen Scarlet knows where the secret hideout is; she knows about the 5 dragonets p.109

Chapter 13

  1. Why is Clay surprised Kestrel was willing to give herself up to save the dragonets? Kestrel isn’t loyal to any dragon except her own kind and she hated the dragonets p.114

Chapter 14

  1. Describe the prison cell Clay has. It’s outside, hundreds of feet above the ground; on a spire/column by himself with many other columns around him with dragons on them; high above the arena p.119

Chapter 15

  1. Describe the battle between Peril and Horizon. Peril burned Horizon with her touch, to end the fight, Horizon held onto Peril and died p.132
  2. Predict what will happen the next day. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 16

  1. Describe Peril. She’s the queen’s champion; she’s a Sky Wing dragon; she burned her twin to death in their egg; her mother tried to drop her over a cliff but the queen saved her; she has too much fire, anyone that touches her is burned; needs a friend p.138

Chapter 17

  1. Why did the queen bring the three friends to her? To decide who she should put in the arena with an Ice Wing p.152
  2. Why did both Clay and Tsunami volunteer to fight in the arena? They wanted to protect each other and their friends p.153

Chapter 18

  1. Who do you think won the fight? Why? Listen to your child’s answer p.161

Chapter 19

  1. Why does Clay think he’s going to make the prophecy fail? Because he thinks he’s weak p.163
  2. Who does Clay think Peril’s mother is? Kestrel p.172

Chapter 20

  1. What’s Kestrel and Peril’s story? Kestrel had the twins and fled, but the queen caught her and told her if she killed one of the dragonets she and the other dragonet could go free; Kestrel killed the one twin, but the queen lied and didn’t free her; Kestrel tried to escape, but was burned when she grabbed Peril; she dropped her and left her to the queen p.180

Chapter 21

  1. Why did Clay feel like they had to escape that night? Queen Burn was coming and she will be ruthless with the dragonets; he was worried one of them would have to fight Peril the next day; he knew he had to save Sunny before Burn took her home p.188

Chapter 22

  1. What’s stopping the dragonets from leaving Peril’s cave? A fire burning from black rocks p.197
  2. Who do you think sprayed Fjord with poison? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter23

  1. Describe Peril’s actions in this chapter. The dragonets thought she was helping them, instead she betrayed them p.209

Chapter 24

  1. How did Clay fulfill a prophecy? He came from a blood red egg and can walk through fire p.212

Chapter 25

  1. Describe the crowd’s attitude toward the fighting in the arena? They like the fight; they wanted death p.221
  2. Compare the relationship the five dragonets have to the rest of the dragons in this world. They care about each other; they are friends and help each other; the other dragons have no care for each other and don’t know how to be real friends p.221

Chapter 26

  1. How did the audience react when Tsunami and Starflight wouldn’t fight? They thought it was sweet p.224
  2. Who showed up at the end of the chapter? Morrowseer p.228

Chapter 27

  1. What did Morrowseer do in this chapter? He saved Starflight and flew away p.231

Chapter 28

  1. What word would you use to describe Clay in this chapter? Why? Noble; loyal; dedicated; listen to your child’s answer p.241

Chapter 29

  1. Do you agree that the dragonets should free Kestrel? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 30

  1. How did Peril grow in this chapter? She realized Clay would be her friend even if she helped free him and his friends p.259

Chapter 31

  1. Why is Glory mad at Clay? He made her feel like she wasn’t wanted p.266

Chapter 32

  1. Describe Clay’s experience as he walked into the Mud Wing domain? They weren’t friendly; no one paid him and Glory any attention; people seemed bothered by them; they were in military groups and only talked with each other p.280

Chapter 33

  1. Why was Clay disappointed after speaking with his mother? She wasn’t happy to see him; she didn’t care about him; he didn’t receive any answers from her about his father; she sold Clay’s egg to the Talons of Peace p.283

Chapter 34

  1. What did Clay find in this chapter? Explain. The answers he’d been looking for; his family; what life would have been like had he been born in the tribe p. 290
  2. Why couldn’t Clay stay with them? He has his own destiny; he didn’t want to tear his sibs apart; his sibs would feel like they had to choose between him and Reed who was their current bigwings p.293

Chapter 35

  1. What did Clay realize at the end of this story? That he was good enough to fulfill the prophecy just the way he was p.300
  2. Why is that important? Listen to your child’s answer

Epilogue
1. What did you learn from reading the epilogue? Morrowseer is evil and has made a deal with Blister; he wants her to be the next queen; Morrowseer gave instructions to Starflight to betray his friends; the dragonets are in danger; he killed Kestrel and are looking for Webs p.301

Comprehension Questions – #3 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

J.K. Rowling

Grades 5-8; Genre - Fantasy; GRL V; AR pts: 18.0

When Harry and his best friends go back for their third year at Hogwarts, an escaped mass murderer is on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school. The plot contains profanity.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why was Harry up in the middle of the night doing his homework? He wasn’t supposed to have his school books p.3
  2. Who did he receive birthday presents from? Ron, Hermione and Hagrid p.7
  3. Why were the Weasley’s in Egypt? Their father had won a grand prize and they wanted to visit their son Bill in Egypt p.8
  4. Why was Harry finally like everyone else? He was glad it was his birthday p.15

Chapter 2

  1. Describe the man who escaped and was on the news? His name is Sirius Black, he has long black hair, he’s a prisoner, armed and dangerous, gaunt face p.17
  2. Why did harry hide his presents and send Hedwig away? To look as normal as possible while Aunt Marge was in town so his uncle would sign his Hogsmeade permission form p.21
  3. Why was having Aunt Marge around so difficult for Harry? She was very rude to him all the time p.23
  4. What did Harry do to Aunt Marge when she spoke badly of his father? Made her blow up like a balloon p.29

Chapter 3

  1. Why was Harry worried that he might go to Azkaban? He’s broken laws, like blowing up his aunt p.40
  2. How did Harry travel to London after leaving the Dursleys? the Knight Bus p.34
  3. What was Aunt Marge’s outcome? She was deflated and her memory was altered p.44
  4. Why did Harry think his conversation with the Minister of Magic was strange? He didn’t get punished for what he’d done, the minister didn’t usually deal with underage magic, the minister made everything right with Aunt Marge p.45

Chapter 4

  1. What item did Harry want to spend his gold on, but knew he couldn’t? the Firebolt broomstick p.51
  2. How did Harry feel about staying at the Leaky Cauldron? Why? He enjoyed it; it was great not having anyone telling him what to do or when to do it; he could do his homework in the sunshine; he could explore the shops on Diagon Alley p.49
  3. What did Hermione end up buying with her birthday money? A very large ginger colored cat p.60
  4. Why does Mr. Weasley and the Ministry of Magic think Black is after Harry? Black would say “He’s at Hogwarts” in his sleep p.66

Chapter 5

  1. What did Mr. Weasley tell Harry when he was about to get on the Hogwarts Express? About Sirius Black p.72
  2. What saved Harry and his friends from getting in a brawl with Malfoy on the train? The kids had a professor of Hogwarts in their train car p.80
  3. What happened to Harry when he saw the dementor on the train? He heard screaming, got cold, saw white fog and fainted p.83
  4. Why was Hagrid crying after Dumbledore announced he was a new teacher? Hagrid was so happy p.93

Chapter 6

  1. Describe what Divinations is going to teach? Fortune telling p.103
  2. What types of things did Professor Trelawney say that made the students tense and tremble? Things about their futures, mostly bad p.103
  3. How did Professor McGonagall feel about Professor Trelawney’s prediction for Harry’s future? That it’s not going to happen; Professor Trelawney’s not reliable p.109
  4. Why did Hagrid think he was going to get fired? Malfoy got hurt during his class by a hippogriff because he insulted it p.120

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Professor Snape so upset when Hermione helped Neville with his potion? He had previously told her not to help him p.128
  2. What does “practical” mean in this sentence on page 130, “today’s will be a practical lesson”? learning by application or personal experience p.130
  3. Why was Harry deflated after leaving Professor Lupin’s class? He didn’t get to fight the boggart and felt Professor Lupin didn’t have faith in him p.140
  4. How did the rest of the class feel about Lupin’s lesson? They were excited; felt it was the best lesson they’d ever had in that class p.140

Chapter 8

  1. Why were Hermione and Ron not speaking to each other? Crookshanks tried to catch Scabbers p.147
  2. What did Professor Trelawney predict that happened on October 16th? Lavender got a letter saying her rabbit died p.148
  3. Why didn’t Professor McGonagall give permission to Harry to go to Hogsmeade? His parent or guardian didn’t sign the permission form p.150
  4. What was a positive outcome from Harry staying home from Hogsmeade? He got to talk to Professor Lupin and clear up what had been bothering him p.155

Chapter 9

  1. Why are all the students sleeping in the Great Hall on Halloween night? For safety; The fat lady in Gryffindor’s password portrait was missing and she wouldn’t let in Black, so the teachers looking for Black p.162
  2. What was Professor McGonagall going to do so Harry could still practice Quidditch with his team? Have Madam Hooch oversee the training sessions p.168
  3. How did Ron get detention? He spoke out of turn and was disrespectful to Snape p.172
  4. Why did Harry miss the snitch during the Quidditch match? He saw dementors on the field and fainted again p.179

Chapter 10

  1. Why do the dementors affect Harry so badly? He has horrors in his past that others don’t p.187
  2. How did Harry find his way to Hogsmeade? A magical map Fred and George gave him that has secret passages to Hogsmeade p.195
  3. Why was Hermione upset that Harry came to Hogsmeade? She was worried about his safety and about getting caught p.198
  4. Why were Ron and Hermione lost for words after the professors and minister of magic left the Three Broomsticks? They had overheard how Sirius Black betrayed Harry’s parents to the Dark Lord p.210

Chapter 11

  1. What did Harry want to do with Black? Kill him; go after him p.215
  2. Why was Hagrid so upset? His hippogriff was under trial and could be executed p.219
  3. What was Harry’s most exciting Christmas present and who gave it to him? The Firebolt; he doesn’t know who gave it to him p.223
  4. Who did Hermione think gave the broom to Harry? Black p.232

Chapter 12

  1.  What happy memory finally worked when Harry was practicing with Professor Lupin? When he learned he was leaving the Dursleys for Hogwarts p.241
  2. Who did Professor Lupin attend Hogwarts with as a child? Harry’s mom and dad p.243
  3. Why would Professor Lupin be suspicious of Harry when he gave him butterbeer? He wondered how Harry would get some when it’s only found in Hogsmeade, and he’s not supposed to go there p.246
  4. Did Mrs. McGonagall find any curses on the Firebolt? No p.248

Chapter 13

  1. What did Harry notice about Ravenclaw’s seeker before the Quidditch match? She’s really pretty p.259
  2. What did Harry do when he saw the three dementors below him? He pulled out his wand and cast the spell he’d been practicing with Professor Lupin p.262
  3. Why did Ron cry out in the night? He awoke to Black looming over him with a knife p.266
  4. Where did Black get Gryffindor’s passwords? Neville wrote them down and lost them p.268

Chapter 14

  1. What did Hagrid summon Ron and Harry? He wanted to tell them that Hermione is lonely and overwhelmed from school and needs a friend p.274
  2. Why did Harry have to race back to the castle from Hogsmeade? Draco and his friends saw him and were going to tell on him p.281
  3. What did Professor Lupin do for Harry in Snape’s office? Covered for him so he wouldn’t get in trouble p.290
  4. Why wasn’t Lupin going to cover for Harry again? Harry’s gambling his parents’ sacrifice for a bag of tricks and he’s not going to support him if he’s going to be foolish p.290

Chapter 15

  1. Why did Hermione punch Draco? He was mocking Hagrid p.293
  2. Why was the Gryffindor house so anxious for the Quidditch game? They knew they had to win by a certain amount to win the Cup p.301
  3. During the Quidditch match, what did Harry do to distract Draco from seeing the snitch? He knew Draco was following him, so he led him away from it p.308
  4. Who won the Quidditch Cup? Gryffindor p.313

Chapter 16

  1. Why was Cornelius Fudge at Hogwarts? Buckbeak’s appeal and execution and to check on the Black situation p.320
  2. What did Harry say he saw during his final in Divinations? A hippogriff flying away p.323
  3. What happened to Professor Trelawney during Harry’s final? She was possessed and spoke of a servant of the Dark Lord breaking free and joining the Dark Lord that night p.324
  4. Why didn’t Hagrid want the kids present during the execution? He didn’t want them to see it and he didn’t want them to get caught p.328

Chapter 17

  1. Where did the dog take Ron? Into the secret tunnel under the Whomping Willow p.335
  2. Where did the tunnel lead? Hogsmeade in the Shrieking Shack p.337
  3. What can Professor Lupin turn into? A werewolf p.345
  4. Who is Scabbers? Peter Pettigrew p.348

Chapter 18

  1. What were the precautions Dumbledore took so Professor Lupin could attend Hogwarts as a child? He had the Whomping Willow planted, the secret tunnel made, the Shrieking Shack made with the tunnel leading to it; all so Lupin could go there during the full moon p.353
  2. What did Lupin’s friends learn and why? How to shape shift; to help Lupin when he turned into a werewolf p.354
  3. Why doesn’t Snape trust Lupin? He knows what he is and thinks he was in on the joke that almost had him killed as a student at Hogwarts p.357
  4. How did Snape get Harry’s invisibility cloak? Harry and Hermione had thrown it off at the willow tree so they could chase Ron and he saw it when he followed them p.357

Chapter 19

  1. How did Lupin and Black prove Peter Pettigrew was Scabbers? They used a spell that turned him back into a human p.366
  2. How did Black survive and escape Azkaban? He knew he was innocent and would change into a dog so the dementors wouldn’t affect him as much; he escaped by turning into a dog and easily slipping passed the guards when they opened his p.371
  3. Why did Black expect Peter to have died rather than betray his friends? Because they would have died for him p.375
  4. Why did it offend Ron to know that Scabbers really was Peter Pettigrew? Peter had used Ron’s family to hear word of the Dark Lord and he betrayed Harry and his parents p.377

Chapter 20

  1. How did Harry feel about the prospect of living with Sirius instead of the Dursleys? He was thrilled and couldn’t wait p.379
  2. How did Pettigrew get away as the group headed to the castle? The full moon came out from behind the clouds, Lupin changed into a werewolf and Pettigrew turned back into a rat and scampered away p.381
  3. What saved Harry, Hermione and Black from the dementors? Someone else had cast the Expecto Patronum spell and protected them p.385

Chapter 21

  1. Why is Sirius going to be receiving the dementors Kiss? Snape has convinced Fudge that Sirius is guilty and that the children are delusional p.391
  2. What can the hourglass do on Hermione’s chain? time travel p.395
  3. What innocent lives did Harry and Hermione save? Buckbeak, Sirius Black, and their own p.396
  4. Who really saved Harry and his friends? Harry did when he went back in time p.411

Chapter 22

  1. Why was Fudge going to remove the dementors from Hogwarts? They almost killed Harry p.421
  2. Why did Lupin need to resign? Parents wouldn’t stand for a werewolf teaching their children; he knows he could have hurt Harry and his friends p.423
  3. Why was Harry so upset he stopped Black and Lupin from killing Pettigrew? He’s the Dark Lord’s servant and now the Dark Lord will come back again p.426
  4. What did Sirius give Harry permission to do the next year? Go to Hogsmeade p.433

Comprehension Questions – #2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

by J.K. Rowling

Grades 5-8; Genre - Fantasy; GRL V; AR pts: 14.0

When Harry and his best friends go back for their third year at Hogwarts, an escaped mass murderer is on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school. The plot contains profanity.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Find the simile on page five that the author used to describe how the Dursleys treated Harry now that he’s back home with them again.  “back to being treated like a dog that had rolled in something smelly”
  2. How was Harry spending his birthday? Doing chores and in his room, making no noise and pretending he doesn’t exist p.6
  3. How did Dudley get Harry in trouble? He taunted him about not getting any cards on his birthday and asked if he had any friends at his school p.9

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Dobby and the message he gave to Harry. Small creature with bat-like ears and bulging green eyes the size of tennis balls, a house elf; he warned Harry not to go back to Hogwarts because he’ll be in mortal danger p.12
  2. Why did Dobby come to warn him? Because Harry escaped Lord Voldemort twice, Dobby thinks Harry’s too great and too good to lose p.16
  3. What did Uncle Vernon do to punish Harry for ruining his deal and for not telling them that he couldn’t use magic outside of school? Put bars on his windows, locked him in his room, put food through a cat door, only let him out in the morning and evening for the bathroom, and told Harry he was never going back to school p.21

Chapter 3

  1. How did Harry become free from his room and the Durleys? Ron and his older twin brothers came to find out why Harry hadn’t written him all summer and broke him out of his room, ripping the bars from his window with their flying car p.25
  2. Why did they think Draco Malfoy could have sent the house elf to Harry? It wouldn’t surprise them if Draco wanted to stop Harry from going to school p.28
  3. What softened Mrs. Weasley’s anger when the boys arrived home with Harry? George told her the Dursleys were starving Harry p.34
  4. How did the boys get rid of the gnomes? They twirled them in the air to make them dizzy, then threw them over the wall p.37

Chapter 4

  1. Who was the author of the majority of the books Harry needed to purchase for his school year? Gilderoy Lockhart p.44
  2. Where did Harry land when using the Floo powder and who did he see? In a wizard’s shop on Knockturn Alley; Draco Malfoy and his father selling illegal items p.49
  3. Who did Harry see in Knockturn Alley? Hagrid p.54
  4. Who’s the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts? Gilderoy Lockhart p.60

Chapter 5

  1. When Ron and Harry missed the train, how did they get to Hagwarts? Mr. Weasley’s flying car p.69
  2. What attacked the car after the boys crashed? The tree they hit into p.75
  3. What is Ron’s and Harry’s consequence for being seen in the flying car and crashing into the Whomping Willow? They had to miss the feast and detention p.81
  4. How did the other boys treat Ron and Harry after learning about the flying car? They cheered them on like they’d just won a marathon p.84

Chapter 6

  1. Explain what type of letter Ron received. It’s called a Howler and is a punishment letter; when you open it, the messenger is yelling at you and after the message is given, it burns up p.87
  2. What did Colin and Harry have in common? They both came from muggle homes and didn’t know how they could do the odd things they did. Hogwarts sent a letter to them both inviting them to wizardry school p.96
  3. What does Professor Lockhart think Harry’s doing when he arrives in a flying car and learns Colin wants a photo with him? Thinks he’s trying to publicize himself p.98
  4. What did Ron and Harry think about Professor Lockhart as he ran out of the room and left the three friends to take care of the pixies? That he doesn’t know what he’s doing p.103

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Wood so determined to win the Quidditch Cup this year? Because they lost it last year since Harry was in the hospital and they were short a player p.109
  2. Why did the kids go to Hagrid’s home? They needed help; because of Ron’s broken wand, he accidentally cast a slug spell on himself p.113
  3. Why were Hagrid’s pumpkins so large? He’d been putting an engorgement spell on them p.118
  4. What did Harry hear while in detention with Professor Lockhart and who do you think said it? “Come…come to me…Let me rip you…Let me tear you…Let me kill you…; listen to your child’s answers p.120

Chapter 8

  1. Why was Harry in Mr. Filch’s office and what did he read while waiting for Mr. Filch? He was in trouble for wearing his muddy and dripping wet robes into the building; a letter on Kwikspell to learn magic p.126
  2. Why does Hermione avoid the girls’ bathroom on the first floor? A ghost named Moaning Myrtle haunts one of the toilets, throws tantrums and causes the bathroom to flood p.132
  3. What did the kids find as Harry listened to the voice and climbed the stairs? Writing on the wall that said, “the Chamber of Secrets has been opened, enemies of the heir, beware,” and Mrs. Norris, the cat, looking dead, hanging by its tail p.138

Chapter 9

  1. After analyzing the cat, what conclusion did Dumbledore come to? It’s not dead, but is petrified p.142
  2. Explain what a Squib is. It’s a person born into a wizarding family, but they themselves don’t have any magic powers p.145
  3. How did Professor Binns feel about the Chamber of Secrets? That it’s a myth and that there’s no truth to it p.152
  4. What’s Hermione’s idea of getting into Slytherin to question Draco Malfoy? Use the Polyjuice Potion to change their appearance to look like Draco’s friends p.159

Chapter 10

  1. What was the problem with the Bludger during the Quidditch match? Instead of going toward all players, it only went after Harry p.168
  2. How did Harry win the game for Gryffindor? He got the snitch p.171
  3. Who made the Bludger focus on Harry during the match and why? Dobby; so Harry would get hurt and be sent home p.177
  4. What happened to Colin Creevey? He was petrified on his way to visit Harry p.179

Chapter 11

  1. Why did the students trade talismans, amulets, and other protective devices? To protect themselves from the creature in the Chamber of Secrets p.185
  2. What distraction did Harry cause to help Hermione sneak into Snape’s office? Lit a firework to land in a cauldron; Snape had to help those that got hurt p.187
  3. What did Harry do to stop the snake from attacking Justin? Told the snake to “leave him alone” p.194
  4. What did Harry trip over in the dark passage? Justin and Nearly Headless Nick who were both petrified p.202

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Harry happy most people were leaving for the Christmas holiday? He was tired of people skirting around him in the corridors and from hearing their hissing, pointing, and muttering p.209
  2. How were Ron and Harry supposed to get a bit of Crabbe and Goyle, as well as keep them out of the way while they talked Malfoy? Hermione filled two chocolate cakes with a sleeping potion p.213
  3. What did the boys learn when they interrogated Malfoy? That Malfoy didn’t do it and where his father’s hidden chamber was p.222
  4. What happened to Hermione and why couldn’t she go with the boys to the Slytherin common room? Her potion turned her into a cat p.225

Chapter 13

  1. Why was Moaning Myrtle so upset when Harry and Ron came into talk to her? Someone had thrown a book at her p.230
  2. What was the book and who did it belong to? A journal; Tom M. Riddle p.231
  3. What was odd about the journal? There wasn’t any writing in it. When Harry wrote in it, the ink disappeared, but reappeared onto the pages as Tom wrote back to him p.239
  4. What did Harry learn after following Tom Riddle in the book? That Tom turned in Hagrid for opening the Chamber of Secrets 50 years before p.245

Chapter 14

  1. Why doesn’t Harry want to report the stolen journal? He didn’t want to expose Hagrid being expelled as a youth p.254
  2. Why was Harry more worried about what the voice said this time? He was worried someone would die p.255
  3. Why was the Quidditch cup match cancelled? Two students had been petrified, one of them being Hermione p.257
  4. What message did Dumbledore and Hagrid give the boys before they were accompanied off the school property? That Hogwarts will help anyone who comes asking for it; to follow the spiders and to feed Fang p.264

Chapter 15

  1. What made Ernie apologize to Harry? He realized Harry would never hurt Hermione p.268
  2. Where did the spiders lead Harry and Ron? Into the Forbidden Forest, p,272
  3. What did Harry and Ron find in the forest that had been lost? Ron’s family’s car p.274
  4. What saved Harry, Ron and Fang after Aragog was finished talking to them? Ron’s car p.279

Chapter 16

  1. Why did Harry want to speak with Moaning Myrtle? She might be the child that was killed the first time the Chamber of Secrets was opened p.287
  2. What did Harry see in Hermione’s hand? A paper torn out of an old book about a basilisk p.290
  3. Why do you think it was good that Harry and Ron found the paper before going to talk to Moaning Myrtle? They now knew what the monster was and how to get to it p.292
  4. How did Harry get the sink to open? By saying “open up” in Parseltongue p.300

Chapter 17

  1. Who did Harry see in the Chamber of Secrets? Ginny and Tom Riddle who is Lord Voldemort p.307
  2. Who opened the Chamber of Secrets and how? Ginny Weasley; Tom Riddle had her in his power p.310
  3. How did Fawkes and the Sorting Hat help Harry defeat the basilisk and Tom? The phoenix poked out the basilisk’s eyes, the Sorting Hat gave Harry a sword to pierce the basilisk, the phoenix healed Harry with his tears, Fawkes dropped the diary in Harry’s lap and healed Harry p.319
  4. How did the children and Lockhart get back up to the bathroom? They all held onto each other and Fawkes flew/lifted them p.325

Chapter 18

  1. Why did the phoenix come to help Harry? He showed loyalty to Dumbledore p.332
  2. Why can Harry speak Parseltongue? Voldemort transferred some of his own power into Harry the night he gave him the scar p.333
  3. What did Harry do to show he belongs in the Gryffindor House? He chose to be there and wielded the sword from Godric Gryffindor p.333
  4. How did Harry free Dobby? Harry put the diary in his sock and gave it to Lucius Malfoy, Malfoy threw the sock and Dobby caught it p.338

Comprehension Questions – The Phantom Tollbooth

The Phantom Tollbooth

By Norton Juster

Grades 5-8; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts: 7.0

Milo is a boy who seems unhappy in everything he's doing.  He gets a special delivery which turns out to be a magical tollbooth.  He gets in his little car and decides to try out the phantom tollbooth.  He ends up in a strange land with many strange creatures and ends up trying to help them by saving two princesses that have been banished. Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions- Johnny Tremain

Johnny Tremain

By Esther Forbes

Grades 5-8; Genre - Fiction; GRL Z; AR pts: 13.0

Johnny is a fourteen year old apprentice as a silversmith living in Boston before the Revolutionary War.  He burns his hand and is not able to be a silversmith any more.  So he starts delivering the newspaper and gets caught up in taking sides with the rebels and the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. Continue reading →