Read the whole passage once, then go back to find answers.
The main idea is what most of the passage is about, not one small detail.
For a new word, read the words around it. They often explain it.
Example: A passage tells how Amir feeds the class pet, cleans its cage and gives it water. What is the main idea? Each sentence tells one way Amir looks after the pet. Together they tell one big idea. Answer: Amir takes good care of the class pet.
Question 1
The rain was “drumming” on the window. What does that tell you?
The Indoor Picnic
Zoe and her grandpa had planned a picnic at the park for Saturday. But when Zoe woke up, rain was drumming on her window.
“Our picnic is ruined,” Zoe sighed, pressing her nose against the cold glass.
Grandpa smiled. “Who says a picnic has to be outside?” He spread a blanket on the living room floor. Zoe packed sandwiches, grapes and lemonade into the basket, just as they had planned.
They ate on the blanket and listened to the rain. After lunch, they built a blanket fort and read stories inside it. “This was even better than the park,” Zoe said with a grin.
The rain was tapping hard and loudly.
Someone was playing a drum.
The rain had stopped.
The rain was tapping hard and loudly.
Hint: Think about the sound a drum makes. How would rain sound if it was drumming?
Question 2
What was the problem in this story?
The Indoor Picnic
Zoe and her grandpa had planned a picnic at the park for Saturday. But when Zoe woke up, rain was drumming on her window.
“Our picnic is ruined,” Zoe sighed, pressing her nose against the cold glass.
Grandpa smiled. “Who says a picnic has to be outside?” He spread a blanket on the living room floor. Zoe packed sandwiches, grapes and lemonade into the basket, just as they had planned.
They ate on the blanket and listened to the rain. After lunch, they built a blanket fort and read stories inside it. “This was even better than the park,” Zoe said with a grin.
Grandpa lost the picnic blanket.
Zoe forgot to pack the sandwiches.
Rain spoiled their plan for a picnic at the park.
Rain spoiled their plan for a picnic at the park.
Hint: What went wrong at the very beginning of the story?
Question 3
How did Zoe feel when she first saw the rain?
The Indoor Picnic
Zoe and her grandpa had planned a picnic at the park for Saturday. But when Zoe woke up, rain was drumming on her window.
“Our picnic is ruined,” Zoe sighed, pressing her nose against the cold glass.
Grandpa smiled. “Who says a picnic has to be outside?” He spread a blanket on the living room floor. Zoe packed sandwiches, grapes and lemonade into the basket, just as they had planned.
They ate on the blanket and listened to the rain. After lunch, they built a blanket fort and read stories inside it. “This was even better than the park,” Zoe said with a grin.
Disappointed
Excited
Proud
Disappointed
Hint: Zoe sighed and said the picnic was ruined. What feeling do those clues show?
Question 4
Where did Zoe and Grandpa have their picnic?
The Indoor Picnic
Zoe and her grandpa had planned a picnic at the park for Saturday. But when Zoe woke up, rain was drumming on her window.
“Our picnic is ruined,” Zoe sighed, pressing her nose against the cold glass.
Grandpa smiled. “Who says a picnic has to be outside?” He spread a blanket on the living room floor. Zoe packed sandwiches, grapes and lemonade into the basket, just as they had planned.
They ate on the blanket and listened to the rain. After lunch, they built a blanket fort and read stories inside it. “This was even better than the park,” Zoe said with a grin.
On the living room floor
On the front steps
At the park
On the living room floor
Hint: Read the third paragraph. Where did Grandpa spread the blanket?
Question 5
Put these in order, from first to last.
Ravi's Rocks
Ravi was going to share his rock collection at show and tell on Monday. All weekend, his stomach felt fluttery whenever he thought about talking in front of the whole class.
On Sunday, Ravi practised his talk for his mom. Then he practised for his little sister. Last of all, he practised for the cat, who yawned. Each time, Ravi spoke a little more clearly.
On Monday, Ravi held up a shiny piece of quartz. His voice wobbled at first, but then he remembered his practice. He told the class where he had found each rock. When he finished, so many hands went up with questions that the bell rang before he could answer them all.
Ravi practised for his mom.
Ravi practised for his little sister.
Ravi held up a piece of quartz.
Ravi practised for the cat.
Ravi practised for his mom. → Ravi practised for his little sister. → Ravi practised for the cat. → Ravi held up a piece of quartz.
Hint: Look back at the passage. Find each part, then see which one comes first.
Question 6
Who did Ravi practise for last?
Ravi's Rocks
Ravi was going to share his rock collection at show and tell on Monday. All weekend, his stomach felt fluttery whenever he thought about talking in front of the whole class.
On Sunday, Ravi practised his talk for his mom. Then he practised for his little sister. Last of all, he practised for the cat, who yawned. Each time, Ravi spoke a little more clearly.
On Monday, Ravi held up a shiny piece of quartz. His voice wobbled at first, but then he remembered his practice. He told the class where he had found each rock. When he finished, so many hands went up with questions that the bell rang before he could answer them all.
His mom
His little sister
The cat
The cat
Hint: Look for the words “Last of all” in the second paragraph.
Question 7
In this story, what does “wobbled” mean?
Ravi's Rocks
Ravi was going to share his rock collection at show and tell on Monday. All weekend, his stomach felt fluttery whenever he thought about talking in front of the whole class.
On Sunday, Ravi practised his talk for his mom. Then he practised for his little sister. Last of all, he practised for the cat, who yawned. Each time, Ravi spoke a little more clearly.
On Monday, Ravi held up a shiny piece of quartz. His voice wobbled at first, but then he remembered his practice. He told the class where he had found each rock. When he finished, so many hands went up with questions that the bell rang before he could answer them all.
Got very loud
Shook a little
Stopped completely
Shook a little
Hint: Ravi was nervous. How might a nervous voice sound at first?
Question 8
What did Ravi share at show and tell?
Ravi's Rocks
Ravi was going to share his rock collection at show and tell on Monday. All weekend, his stomach felt fluttery whenever he thought about talking in front of the whole class.
On Sunday, Ravi practised his talk for his mom. Then he practised for his little sister. Last of all, he practised for the cat, who yawned. Each time, Ravi spoke a little more clearly.
On Monday, Ravi held up a shiny piece of quartz. His voice wobbled at first, but then he remembered his practice. He told the class where he had found each rock. When he finished, so many hands went up with questions that the bell rang before he could answer them all.
A book about rocks
His rock collection
His pet cat
His rock collection
Hint: Read the first sentence of the story.
Question 9
How did Dev feel at the end of the story?
The Lost Mitten
On a snowy morning, Priya walked to school with her little brother, Dev. Dev was wearing his new red mittens.
At recess, Dev ran up to Priya. He had only one mitten! His other hand was cold and pink.
Priya and Dev looked by the slide. They looked under the bench. Then Priya saw something red poking out of a snowbank. It was the mitten!
Dev pulled it on and smiled. “Thanks for helping me look,” he said.
Cold and grumpy
Happy and thankful
Scared and worried
Happy and thankful
Hint: Dev smiled and said thanks. What feelings do those clues show?
Question 10
Where did Priya find the mitten?
The Lost Mitten
On a snowy morning, Priya walked to school with her little brother, Dev. Dev was wearing his new red mittens.
At recess, Dev ran up to Priya. He had only one mitten! His other hand was cold and pink.
Priya and Dev looked by the slide. They looked under the bench. Then Priya saw something red poking out of a snowbank. It was the mitten!
Dev pulled it on and smiled. “Thanks for helping me look,” he said.
By the slide
Under the bench
In a snowbank
In a snowbank
Hint: They looked in a few places. Where did Priya see something red poking out?
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Answer key
1. The rain was tapping hard and loudly.
2. Rain spoiled their plan for a picnic at the park.
3. Disappointed
4. On the living room floor
5. Ravi practised for his mom. → Ravi practised for his little sister. → Ravi practised for the cat. → Ravi held up a piece of quartz.
6. The cat
7. Shook a little
8. His rock collection
9. Happy and thankful
10. In a snowbank
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