READTHEORY

TEACHING STUDENTS TO READ AND THINK CRITICALLY

®

"Birth Order"
Reading Comprehension Assessment

ReadTheory.org

For exciting updates, offers, and other helpful information, follow us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/ReadTheory and Twitter at www.twitter.com/ReadTheory.

Comprehension materials similar to those featured in this workbook are available online at
www.ReadTheory.org -- an interactive teaching tool where students can take reading comprehension
quizzes, earn achievements, enter contests, track their performance, and more. Supplementary materials
to this workbook are available in printable worksheet form at www.EnglishForEveryone.org.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Reproduction and or duplication on websites, creation of digital or online quizzes or tests, publication on
intranets, and or use of this publication for commercial gain is strictly prohibited.

Use of this publication is restricted to the purchaser and his or her students. This publication and its
contents are non-transferrable between teachers.

All materials in our publications, such as graphics, text, and logos are the property of Read Theory LLC
and are protected by United States and international copyright laws.

© Copyright Read Theory LLC, 2012. All rights reserved.

© Copyright Read Theory LLC, 2012. All rights reserved.

1
 READTHEORY Passage and Questions

Name________________
Date________________
• Reading Comprehension Assessment
Directions: Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.

Birth Order
For years, people have believed that the birth order of children
has an effect on personality. In other words, whether you are the oldest
child, the middle child, or the youngest child means you act in different
ways. Is this just a stereotype or is there some proof to support this
belief?
People say that the oldest child in a family tends to be more
responsible than the other children. Firstborns seem more likely to
make safer choices in life and to be high achievers. These qualities
may develop because oldest children grow up taking care of younger
siblings. It also may be because parents usually invest lots of time,
attention, and money in their firstborn.
On the other hand, the youngest child in a family is often seen as wilder, more willing to take
risks, and more creative than the other children. People also say the youngest child is more likely to be
funny, perhaps because humor is a way to get attention in a large family. Though the youngest is seen as
less responsible, he or she may be more agreeable than the oldest child. The youngest has to learn how
to get along with other people in a way that the oldest does not.
Children born in the middle of the birth order are a puzzle. Sometimes they copy their older
siblings’ paths, but they may end up being compared unfavorably. Sometimes they rebel against their
older siblings by doing the opposite thing. If an older sibling goes to college and gets a dependable job
close to home, the next-oldest sibling may choose to skip college and work on a boat in Alaska. People
wonder if life is difficult for middle siblings because they tend to get less of their parents’ time and
attention.
This could just be a case of people seeing patterns where there really are none. However,
science now suggests that birth order may well affect personality. Studies show a disproportionate
number of Congressmen, heads of companies, and professional athletes are firstborns. Comedians,
artists, and acrobats are more likely to be the youngest in their families. Still, most people would agree
that many things affect people’s personalities, not just birth order.

1) Based on information in the passage, it can be understood that people who are clowns, painters, or
gamblers may be more likely to be

A. a youngest child
B. a middle child Answer is oldest child
C. an oldest child
D. parents

2) The author claims that since oldest children often end up taking care of their younger siblings, oldest
children may
Answer is A
A. have younger siblings who follow their paths
B. be more responsible
C. get less of their parent's time and attention
D. earn more money

© Copyright Read Theory LLC, 2012. All rights reserved.

2
 READTHEORY Questions

3) In paragraph 4, the author writes, “If an older sibling goes to college and gets a dependable job close
to home, the next-oldest sibling may choose to skip college and work on a boat in Alaska.” This
statement is intended to

A. explain a problem Answer is C

B. provide an example
C. summarize an idea
D. support an argument

4) Based on its use in the final paragraph, it can be understood that the word disproportionate belongs
to which of the following word groups?

A. unbalanced, unequal, uneven

B. dishonest, tricky, unfair
Answer is A
C. uncertain, undecided, unsure
D. counted, guessed, measured

5) How is this passage organized?

A. Three examples are used to prove a theory. I think B

B. A scientific study is described and then questioned.
C. A question is asked, explored, and answered.
D. Events are listed in the order that they happen.

6) According to the passage, which of the following statements about birth order is TRUE?

A. The birth order in a family determines the children’s personalities.

B. Firstborns are never wild, risky, or creative, but the youngest children in a family are. I think A
C. Middle children always rebel against their older siblings by making different choices.
D. Birth order may cause the oldest child to make safer choices than the youngest child.

7) What is the birth order like in your family? Do you and your siblings follow the behavioral
characteristics described in the passage? Why or why not? If you are an only child, talk about your
own behavioral characteristics. Are you most similar to the youngest, middle, or oldest sibling?
I just have an older sister, we’re pretty close together and friendly together. Definetily not as described in the passage. In
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________

© Copyright Read Theory LLC, 2012. All rights reserved.

3
 READTHEORY Questions

8) What types of evidence could the author of the passage provide to make his or her argument even
more convincing? What kinds of evidence are lacking in this article? Explain.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

9) Why do you believe the author was interested in writing a passage like this? What kind of a
background do you think he or she has? Who is he or she trying to reach with this article, and how?
Explain your inferences below.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________

© Copyright Read Theory LLC, 2012. All rights reserved.

4