Guided Reading

Level K & L
Comprehension
passages
with questions
Name ________________________________________________

Redwood Trees
Redwood trees are sometimes called “nature’s
skyscrapers” because they are the tallest trees in
the world. Many redwoods are over 300 feet tall.
Scientists have even found some redwood trees
that are over 350 feet tall. That’s taller than the
Statue of Liberty!
The largest redwood trees grow within 50 miles of the
Pacific Ocean. Many of these giant trees can be found
along the coasts of California and Oregon. The climate
along the coast is foggy and rainy. This gives the
redwoods a steady supply of water.
The bark of a redwood tree can be up to one foot
thick. This thick bark helps protect the tree from insects,
disease and even fire. The bark and wood of a redwood
tree contain tannin, which repels insects. Termites and
carpenter ants that damage many other trees will not
burrow into redwood trees because of the tannin.
Redwood trees have shallow roots that can reach out
100 feet from the base of the tree. These roots intertwine
with the roots of other redwood trees, helping to keep the
trees stable during floods and strong winds. In this way,
redwoods truly help support each other!
Redwood trees are the largest living thing on earth. It is
difficult to imagine how big redwood trees can be. Want
to get a better understanding of the size of these trees?
Cut a piece of string about 95 feet long. Tie the ends of
the string together and spread the string out into a circle.
The circle will be about as big around as the base of one
of the larger redwood trees. That’s a very big tree!
Name ___________________________________

All About Redwood Trees

1. Redwood trees are ___________________________.

A. trees that have thick bark
B. trees that have shallow roots
C. sometimes called “nature’s skyscrapers”
D. all of the above

2. The author wrote this passage mainly to _________.

A. teach the reader about California
B. help the reader learn about termites
C. help the reader learn about redwood trees
D. teach the reader about the roots of trees

3. Which statement is true?

A. All redwood trees are taller than the Statue of
Liberty.
B. Redwood trees have deep roots.
C. Most redwood trees grow near the Atlantic Ocean.
D. None of the above.

4. Why don’t termites burrow into redwood trees?

A. Redwood trees are too big for termites to eat.
B. Redwood trees have shallow roots.
C. The bark and wood of a redwood contain tannin.
D. None of the above.
Name ___________________________________

All About Redwood Trees

Jane read this article and then stated, “All redwood
trees are taller than the Statue of Liberty.”
Do you agree with Jane? Why or why not?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

What could a person learn about redwood trees from this

passage? Include at least 3 details from the story.

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________
Name __________________________________________________________

The Amazing Elephant Trunk

People have long been fascinated by elephants.
There could be many reasons for this. The African
elephant is the world’s largest land animal, growing
up to 11 feet tall and weighing as much as 14,000
pounds. These huge animals can survive by eating
grass, bark, leaves and berries. An elephant’s tusks
never stop growing. But, it is primarily the elephant’s
trunk that makes this animal so interesting.
An elephant’s strong, flexible trunk can do many
things. Elephants can use their trunks, which can be up
to five feet long, to pick up small pieces of fruit or lift
large tree branches. With their trunks, they can reach
high up into trees to gather the tastiest leaves.
Elephants drink large amounts of water each day.
An elephant’s trunk can hold over a gallon of water.
Elephants can use their trunks like straws. First, the
elephant will suck water into its trunk. Then, it pokes the
end of its trunk into its mouth to give itself a nice
refreshing drink. Sometimes, elephants will use their
trunks like showers. They can fill their trunk up with water
and spray themselves.
Elephants use their trunks to smell and to breathe.
They also reach out to greet one another with their
trunks. A baby elephant will sometimes use its trunk to
hold onto its mother’s tail so it doesn’t get lost as they
walk to find a new feeding area. As it swims, an
elephant can hold its trunk above the water to breathe.
It looks like the elephant is using a snorkel!
Name ___________________________________

The Amazing Elephant Trunk

1. According to this passage, an elephant can use its

trunk to ________________________.
A. pick up small pieces of fruit
B. lift heavy branches
C. greet another elephant
D. all of the above

2. Why would a baby elephant hold onto its mother’s

tail?
A. to play
B. so it doesn’t get lost
C. to use it as a snorkel
D. all of the above.

3. Which of these statements is an opinion?

A. Elephants use their trunks to smell and to breathe.
B. An African elephant can weigh as much as 14,000
pounds.
C. Elephants are the most amazing animals on earth.
D. All of the above.

4. The author wrote this passage mainly to ____________.

A. teach the reader how big elephants are
B. help the reader learn about elephant trunks
C. prove that elephants are more interesting than
hippos
D. none of the above.
Name ___________________________________

The Amazing Elephant Trunk

Write two facts about an elephant’s trunk.

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Write an opinion about an elephant’s trunk.

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

What did you find most surprising or interesting as you

read this passage?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________
Name __________________________________________________

Reptiles and Birds

Birds and reptiles are similar in many ways. They
are both vertebrates, meaning they have a
backbone. Both birds and reptiles lay eggs that
have a protective shell. The shell keeps the eggs
from drying out. Both birds and reptiles have lungs
and breathe air.
Reptiles and birds are also different in some
important ways. Birds are warm-blooded. They
are able to regulate the temperature of their
bodies. Birds do not have teeth. They grind their
food in their gizzard.
Birds have feathers that help keep them warm.
All birds have wings, but not all birds fly. Penguins,
for instance, use their wings as flippers to help
them swim. Ostriches use their wings to help them
balance as they run at speeds of up to 50 miles
per hour.
Reptiles are cold-blooded. They can’t regulate
their own body heat, so they rely on warmth from
the sun. Turtles, crocodiles, snakes and lizards are
reptiles. Reptiles are covered with scales and all
reptiles have teeth.
Some people believe that birds may have
evolved from reptiles. That may be one reason
that birds and reptiles are so similar.
Name ___________________________________

Reptiles and Birds

1. How are reptiles and birds similar?

A. Reptiles and birds are both vertebrates.
B. Reptiles and birds both have wings.
C. Reptiles and birds both have teeth.
D. All of the above

2. Which statement is an opinion?

A. Birds are more interesting than reptiles.
B. Reptiles are cold-blooded.
C. Birds are warm-blooded.
D. Reptiles and birds both lay eggs.

3. Which statement is true?

A. All birds have wings.
B. All birds can fly.
C. Reptiles have gills that help them breathe
underwater.
D. None of the above.

4. What is one way in which birds and reptiles are

different?
A. Birds have scales and reptiles don’t.
B. Birds and reptiles both lay eggs.
C. Reptiles have teeth and birds don’t.
D. None of the above.
Name ___________________________________

Reptiles and Birds

List two ways in which birds and reptiles are similar.

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

List two ways in which birds and reptiles are different.

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Rate this passage on a scale of 1 – 10 with 10 meaning

that you found this passage very interesting and 1
meaning you did not find this passage interesting at all.
Justify your rating.

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________
Name _______________________________________

All About Helicopters

A helicopter is a type of aircraft that uses rotors to
fly. Rotors allow helicopters to do things that airplanes
cannot do. Unlike an airplane, a helicopter can hover
in one spot and can fly both forwards and backwards.
Helicopters can take off without a runway and can
land where there is not enough room for an airplane to
land. This allows them to get to many hard to access
areas.
Some small helicopters are designed to carry just
one person. Larger helicopters can carry many people
and can lift and transport heavy objects. The military
uses helicopters to move troops and to get supplies to
remote areas.
Firefighters sometimes use helicopters to help fight
wildfires. A big bucket, called a helibucket, can hang
under the helicopter and drop water directly on the
fire.
Police also use helicopters. Police helicopters have
special equipment such as strong lights that can shine
down on the ground. This can be very helpful for
search and rescue missions.
Helicopters are useful for medical transport. They
can be used as flying ambulances to bring sick or
injured people from one place to another quickly.
Most helicopters are quite noisy. Because of the
sound they make, they are sometimes called choppers.
Name ___________________________________

All About Helicopters

1. This passage is ____________________.
A. a news article
B. an informational passage
C. a folktale
D. all of the above

2. What do rotors allow helicopters to do?

A. hover in one place
B. fly backwards
C. fly forwards
D. all of the above

3. According to this passage, helicopters are used by

A. firefighters and construction workers.
B. schools and newspaper reporters.
C. firefighters and police.
D. all of the above.

4. The author most likely believes that ______________.

A. airplanes are much better than helicopters
B. helicopters can be useful
C. riding in a helicopter is quiet and peaceful
D. all of the above
Name ___________________________________

All About Helicopters

Why do people sometimes call helicopters choppers?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

How are helicopters used? Give at least 2 examples

from the passage.

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Think of a time when a helicopter would be more useful

than an airplane. Explain why a helicopter would be
better in this situation.

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________
Name ___________________________________

Elephant and Monkey

A Tale from India ~ Retold by Anne Gardner

Long ago and far away, a wise old owl heard Monkey
and Elephant arguing. Elephant boasted, “I am so strong
that I can push down a tree with my trunk!”
Monkey bragged, “I can run and climb like no other
animal!” As the owl flew by, monkey asked, “Is it better to
be strong like an elephant or to be agile like a monkey?”
The wise owl said, “Whooo is ready for a task that will
help you solve your problem? There is a fruit tree across
the river. Go, pick the ripest fruit, and bring it to me.”
Elephant and Monkey went straight to the river. The
water ran quickly, and Monkey was afraid to cross. “Get
on my back,” said Elephant. “I am big and strong. I can
walk across the river.” Reluctantly, Monkey climbed on
Elephant’s back. Across the river they went.
They found that the trunk of the tree was wide and
strong. The fruit hung high above them. Elephant tried to
break the tree down, but he could not budge it. He tried
to reach the fruit with his trunk, but it was much too high.
“I can climb,” exclaimed Monkey. He scampered up
the tree and threw the ripest, juiciest fruit down to
Elephant. Elephant grasped the fruit with his trunk.
Monkey climbed on elephant’s back, and they
proceeded to cross the river and bring the fruit to the owl.
The wise old owl gratefully accepted the fruit and
asked, “Whooo learned a lesson today?”
Monkey and Elephant looked at one another, smiled
and said, “Together, we can do great things!”
Name ___________________________________

Elephant and Monkey

1. Why didn’t Monkey get the fruit by himself?

A. Monkey didn’t like fruit.
B. The fruit was too high up in the tree.
C. Monkey was scared to cross the river.
D. Elephant had already eaten it up.

2. How did the wise old owl help Elephant and Monkey?
A. He told them where to find fruit.
B. He proved that being strong was more important.
C. He proved that being agile was more important.
D. He helped them learn to work together.

3. How did Monkey feel about climbing on Elephant’s

back?
A. He was angry because he did not like the river.
B. He was tired, so he was happy to get a ride.
C. He really didn’t want to, but he did anyway.
D. He was very scared to ride on Elephant’s back.

4. What lesson could be learned from this story?

A. It is hard to find food in the jungle.
B. Only large animals should cross rivers.
C. It is best to work together.
D. It is important to be the strongest.
Name ___________________________________

Elephant and Monkey

How did Elephant help Monkey in this story?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

How did Monkey help Elephant in this story?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

What lesson could be learned from this story?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________
Name ___________________________________
Silly Simon
A Traditional Tale from Holland ~ Retold by Anne Gardner

A poor boy named Simon lived in Holland many years

ago. One day, Simon’s mother told him to take their only
cow to town and sell her for no less than fifty silver coins.
About a mile down the road, Simon passed three
rascals. “Let’s trick Simon out of his cow,” said the first
rascal. They put their heads together and quickly came
up with a plan. The three rascals raced ahead and stood
about a half a mile apart along the road.
As Simon passed the first rascal, the man said, “What a
nice old horse you have!” Simon shook his head and kept
on walking until he came to the second rascal.
“Good day,” said the second rascal. “Why aren’t you
riding your horse?”
Simon replied, “Are you blind? This is a cow. I am taking
her to market as my mama asked me to.”
As Simon neared the village, the third rascal
approached him and asked, “Good man, is your horse for
sale?”
“That does it,” said Simon to himself. “It must be a horse
after all.”
“I will give you twenty silver coins for the horse,” said the
third rascal. Simon knew that twenty silver coins was a
good price for a horse.
“It’s a deal,” said Simon. Simon walked home, quite
pleased with himself. When Simon arrived home, he gave
his mama the twenty silver coins and told her the story of
how he had sold their horse.
Mama quietly replied, ‘What comes around, goes
around. We shall pay those rascals a visit tomorrow.”
Name ___________________________________

Silly Simon

1. What happened as Simon was taking the cow to

town?
A. He talked to the rascals along the way.
B. He walked at least a mile.
C. He sold the cow along the way.
D. All of the above.

2. What do we know about Simon?

A. His family was rich.
B. He had a goat.
C. He was very clever.
D. None of the above.

3. What did Mama want Simon to come home with?

A. twenty silver coins
B. a horse
C. at least 50 silver coins
D. none of the above

4. Why did Simon sell the animal for 20 silver coins?

A. His Mama asked him to.
B. He was too tired to walk all the way to the market.
C. The rascals convinced him it was a horse.
D. All of the above.
Name ___________________________________

Silly Simon
What was the rascal’s plan? How do you know?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

What lesson could Simon learn from this story?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________
Name ___________________________________
Silly Simon’s Revenge
A Traditional Tale from Holland ~ Retold by Anne Gardner

Long ago, three rascals tricked Simon out of his family’s

only cow. The very next day, Simon and his Mama set out to
teach those rascals a lesson. In the morning, Mama walked
to town to set the stage. Then she returned home, gave
Simon a tarnished old ring, and told him exactly what to do.
Simon set out for town that afternoon. He arrived at an
inn where the three rascals were planning their next heist.
Simon joined them and offered to buy their drinks. When it
came time to pay the bill, Simon held up his hand and slowly
twisted the ring on his finger three times. Then he asked the
innkeeper, “How much do I owe?”
“Nothing,” said the innkeeper. “It’s taken care of.”
The three rascals looked at one another, but said
nothing. They walked with Simon to the next inn, where
Simon offered to treat them to a fine dinner. After dinner,
Simon held up his hand and slowly twisted the ring three
times. The innkeeper came to the table, thanked them for
coming and announced that the bill was covered.
The rascals asked Simon where the ring had come from.
Simon replied, “Mama found it buried in the sand. She said it
is worth a fortune.”
“We’ll give you one hundred silver coins for it!” said the first
rascal.
“It’s a deal,” Simon replied. He took the coins straight
home.
Mama was pleased. “Now we have one hundred silver
coins,” she said. “Fifty coins will pay for the cow. Twenty
coins will cover the food and drink and the final thirty coins
will teach those rascals a lesson.” The three rascals never
bothered Simon again.
Name ___________________________________

Silly Simon’s Revenge

1. Why did Mama want to teach the rascals a lesson?

A. The rascals did not pay for their dinner.
B. The rascals tricked Simon out of his family’s cow.
C. The rascals took Simon’s horse.
D. None of the above.

2. Why did Mama most likely go to town?

A. to find the rascals
B. to give the innkeepers money for the food and
drinks
C. to find the cow Simon sold and get it back
D. none of the above

3. What happened before the rascals bought the ring?

A. The rascals tricked Simon out of his family’s cow.
B. Simon held up his hand and slowly twisted the ring.
C. Simon offered to treat the rascals to dinner.
D. All of the above.

4. The author most likely wrote this story to _____________.

A. teach the reader about Holland
B. teach the reader about magic rings
C. entertain the reader
D. none of the above
Name ___________________________________

Silly Simon’s Revenge

Who do you think Mama talked to when she went to
town? What do you think she might have said?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Was the old ring really magic? How do you know?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Do you think Mama and Simon should have tricked the

rascals? Why or why not?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________
Name ___________________________________
Rabbit’s Great Escape
A traditional tale ~ Retold by Anne Gardner

Rabbit was stranded on an island not far from the

mainland. Looking across the water, she was able to see her
cousins hopping, playing and eating fresh green grass. She
was the only rabbit on the island, and she was very lonely.
One day, rabbit looked out and saw the tip of an
alligator’s tail. He lurked in the water, swimming back and
forth in front of her. As Rabbit watched, she came up with an
idea. Rabbit called out, “Alligator, Alligator, what a lovely day
for a swim!”
“Who dares call my name?” grumbled alligator, as he
popped his head above the water.
“It’s me! I’m over here,” responded Rabbit. “You live in the
ocean and I enjoy my home on this island. Do you think there
are more alligators in the sea or more rabbits on land?”
“Of course, there are more alligators,” Alligator answered.
“I have seen far more rabbits than alligators,” Rabbit
teased. “But then, you alligators are always hiding under the
water.”
“If I were to call all my brothers and sisters, you would see,”
replied Alligator.
Rabbit responded, “There could never be enough alligators
to reach from this island to the mainland.”
“See for yourself,” said alligator. He called to all his relatives,
who joined him by the island. “It will be simple for us to make
a line stretching from here to the mainland.”
“Oh, it’s wonderful,” responded Rabbit. “Would you splendid
creatures let me count you? Don’t move!” Rabbit counted
out loud as she hopped from one alligator to another.
When she reached the mainland, Rabbit called out, “Thank
you so much for helping me build a bridge from the island.”
Then Rabbit hopped away, just as fast as she could.
Name ___________________________________

Rabbit’s Great Escape

1. Why did Rabbit want to talk to Alligator?

A. Alligator was Rabbit’s friend.
B. Rabbit was planning to trick Alligator.
C. Rabbit wanted to learn to swim.
D. All of the above.

2. What happened before Rabbit counted the

alligators?
A. Alligator called his brothers and sisters.
B. Rabbit was stranded on an island.
C. Rabbit could see her cousins eating green grass.
D. All of the above.

3. This passage is ______________________.

A. an informational article
B. a traditional tale
C. a news story
D. none of the above

4. This passage is mostly about ______________________.

A. life on an island
B. how Rabbit tricked Alligator
C. a grumpy alligator
D. counting alligators
Name ___________________________________

Rabbit’s Great Escape

Rabbit told alligator that she liked her home on the
island. Do you think she really liked her island home?
How do you know?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Do you think rabbit’s plan was a good one? Why or why

not? Use details from the story to justify your answer.

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Why did rabbit hop away as fast as she could when she
reached the mainland?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________
Name ___________________________________
The Mirror
A Traditional Tale ~ Retold by Anne Gardner

Many years ago, the Pandetti family lived in the

mountains. Grandpa Pandetti traveled into the village to
trade his goods.
While he was there, he looked for a special gift for his
family. After a long search, he found a lovely mirror. No
one in his family had ever seen a mirror. Grandpa
Pandetti bought the mirror and hurried home to his family.
It was late when Grandpa arrived home. He hung the
mirror on the wall and then fell fast asleep. Early in the
morning, little Paul Pandetti awoke. As he walked into the
room, he saw a young boy looking back at him. “Papa,
Papa, someone has broken into our house,” Paul cried.
Papa hurried down. He glanced at the mirror and saw
a strong man looking back at him. He glared at the man.
The man glared back. He pounded his hand on the table
and watched as the man pounded his hand on the table.
Mama Pandetti came into the room. She stopped in
her tracks when she saw a young woman looking at her.
Mama Pandetti smiled and waved at the woman. The
woman smiled and waved back at Mama.
Papa watch her with curiosity and then stepped up to
the mirror with a smile. The strong man appeared once
again in the mirror, but this time he wore a smile upon his
face. From that day forward, the Pandetti family smiled
as they walked through the room. They were always
greeted by a smile in return.

Moral : Smile and the world will smile along with you.
Name ___________________________________

The Mirror
1. Why did Grandpa Pandetti go to town?
A. to learn about mirrors
B. to trade his goods
C. to visit his family
D. all of the above

2. What did Grandpa Pandetti do when he got home?

A. He told his family about the mirror.
B. He hung the mirror on the wall.
C. He made dinner for himself.
D. None of the above.

3. The author most likely wrote this story to ____________.

A. teach the reader about mirrors
B. teach the reader about life in the mountains
C. entertain the reader
D. none of the above

4. How did the Pandettis solve the problem in this story?

A. They took the mirror off the wall.
B. They smiled whenever they looked in the mirror.
C. They made friends with their visitors.
D. All of the above.
Name ___________________________________

The Mirror
Why did Paul Pandetti think someone had broken into
the house?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Do you think the mirror was a good gift for Grandpa to

get for the family? Why or why not?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________
Name ___________________________________
Tug of War
Traditional African Tale ~ Retold by Anne Gardner

Tortoise crawled slowly along a trail. Hippo had just

chased him out of the river, and he was angry. Just then,
Elephant came along and nearly stepped on him.
“Watch where you are stepping, you big brute,” called
Tortoise.
Elephant harshly replied, “You step off my trail, Tortoise,
or your day will go from bad to worse.”
“You don’t scare me,” Tortoise replied. “I am much
stronger than you know. I am easily as strong as you.”
Elephant laughed at Tortoise’s reply.
“I challenge you to a contest of tug of war!” Tortoise
called. Elephant chuckled as he accepted. Tortoise
called, “Hold onto one end of this vine. I’ll walk to the river
with the other end. When I call, ‘Pull with all your might,’
the contest shall begin.”
Elephant held the vine in his trunk as Tortoise plodded
back to the river, where he found hippo. Tortoise
challenged Hippo to the very same contest. Hippo held
tight to the other end of the vine as Tortoise walked up the
trail.
Tortoise hid in the bushes and called, “Pull with all your
might!” Hippo and Elephant each pulled and tugged, but
neither of them could gain any ground. After a long battle,
Tortoise suggested, “Let’s call it a tie before the vine
breaks.” Both Elephant and Hippo were happy to have a
chance to catch their breath.
Tortoise ambled on and neither Elephant nor Hippo ever
bothered him again.
Name ___________________________________

Tug of War
1. What happened after Tortoise challenged Elephant
to a contest of tug of war?
A. Hippo chased Tortoise out of the river.
B. Tortoise challenged Hippo to the very same contest.
C. Elephant almost stepped on Tortoise.
D. All of the above.

2. What happened before Tortoise suggested they call the

contest a tie?
A. Elephant held one end of the vine.
B. Hippo and Elephant tugged and pulled on the vine.
C. Tortoise plodded to the river.
D. All of the above.

3. The author most likely wrote this story to ____________.

A. teach the reader about animals
B. teach the reader all about tug of war
C. entertain the reader
D. none of the above.

4. This passage is ___________________.

A. an informational passage
B. a nonfiction passage
C. a tale from Africa
D. all of the above
Name ___________________________________

Tug of War
In your opinion, which animal in this story was smartest?
Justify your answer.

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

If you decided to create your own version of this folktale,

what would you change? Why?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Do you think the author wants the reader to think it is

more important to be strong or to be smart? How do
you know?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________
Name ___________________________________

The Dog and His Bone

A Traditional Tale retold by Anne Gardner

One day, Dog was walking through the forest on a

lovely little path. By the path, he found a big bone
with lots of meat on it. He was overjoyed!
Dog picked up the bone and took just a little taste
of the juicy meat. Then, he set out to carry the bone
home. As he walked, he sang, “This bone is mine, all
mine, and it is mighty fine!”
Soon, Dog came to a little bridge. A clear blue
stream ran under the bridge. Dog looked down at
the water and stopped in his tracks. In the water, he
saw another dog. The dog had a bone, and that
bone was bigger than his.
Dog thought for a moment. His bone was fine, but
the other bone was bigger and it looked even better.
Greed overtook him. Dog opened his mouth to grab
the other dog’s bone. As he did, his own bone fell into
the clear water.
Dog watched as ripples spread across the water.
His bone fell through the water and settled at the
bottom of the stream. Instead of going home with
the bigger bone, Dog went home with none. That
night, Dog slept restlessly as he dreamed of the bone
he had found along the forest path.

Moral: It is often best to be happy with what you have.

Name _______________________________

The Dog and His Bone

1. This passage is _________________________________.
A. a story with a moral
B. fiction
C. a traditional tale
D. all of the above

2. Why did Dog drop his bone?

A. He did not like the bone.
B. He wanted to wash it in the stream.
C. He wanted to get a bigger bone.
D. None of the above.

3. What happened after Dog dropped his bone?

A. He came to a little bridge.
B. He sang a little song.
C. He slept restlessly.
D. None of the above.

4. The Dog and His Bone is mostly about_______________.

A. what dogs like to eat
B. a greedy dog
C. a path in the forest
D. a bridge over a stream
Name ________________________________

The Dog and His Bone

What did Dog think he saw when he looked down from
the bridge?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

What did dog really see when he looked down from the
bridge?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Each person who tells a traditional tale can put his or her
own spin on the story. If you were telling The Dog and His
Bone, how would you change the story? Why?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________
Name _____________________________________

All About Hippos

A hippopotamus is a very large, heavy animal. A
hippo can be up to 12 feet long and can weigh 2 – 3
tons.
Hippos have thick barrel-shaped bodies. Even their
skin is thick. Hippos’ legs look short compared to their
huge bodies. Hippos have small eyes and ears on their
big heads.
Hippos are mammals, and all mammals have hair. It
can be difficult to see a hippo’s hair, as they have just a
few hairs on their ears, their nose and the tip of their tail.
Like other mammals, hippos give birth to live young.
Baby hippos usually weigh between 50 and 100 pounds
when they are born. They are most often born
underwater. As soon as a baby hippo is born, it must
swim to the surface to breathe. In the water, baby
hippos can often be seen riding on their mothers’ backs.
This helps them stay safe from crocodiles.
Hippos live in herds and tend to stay close together.
They live by streams and rivers in many parts of Africa.
During the day, they like to sleep and rest in the water.
At night, hippos often leave the water to feed on
grass. When food is plentiful, a hippo will spend about
6 hours a day eating grass. Hippos often pull the grass
right up out of the ground. When the ground is bare, the
herd moves on to look for another feeding place.
During a drought, streams and feeding places can
dry up. When this happens, hippos coat themselves in
mud to keep the hot sun off their skin, lie down, and wait
for the rain to come.
Name _______________________________

All About Hippos

1. The author’s purpose in writing this passage was to ____.

A. warn people to stay away from hippos
B. help the reader learn about hippos
C. compare hippos to elephants
D. all of the above

2. According to this passage, a hippo ________________.

A. is a mammal
B. usually weighs 50 to 100 pounds when it is born
C. often pulls grass out of the ground as it eats
D. all of the above

3. Hippos are very big! They have huge _________.

A. eyes
B. bodies
C. ears
D. all of the above

4. Why does a baby hippo ride on its mother’s back?

A. to keep the sun off her skin
B. to feed on grass
C. to stay safe from crocodiles
D. none of the above
Name ________________________________

All About Hippos

What could a person learn about baby hippos from this
article? (Use at least 2 details from the passage.)

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

What do hippos do during a drought?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Jill said, “Hippos do not have hair so they are not

mammals.” Would the author of this passage agree with
Jill?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________
Name _____________________________________

All About Soil

Soil is an important natural resource. Most plants
need soil to live. Farmers grow crops in soil. The grass
we walk on grows in soil. Most plants have roots that
reach down into the soil. The roots spread out. Soil
helps the plants stand up. Plants get some of their food
and water from the soil. Their roots collect nutrients and
water that help the plants grow.
Animals, including people, need soil to live too.
Some animals eat plants. Other animals eat the
animals that eat plants. Without soil, most plants could
not grow. Without plants, many animals would have
nothing to eat. Animals need soil.
Not all soils are the same. Sandy soil is very dry. It
does not hold water very well. Most plants do not grow
well in sandy soil.
Rich, moist soil that has humus in it is good for
growing most plants. Humus has a lot of food, or
nutrients, in it. Soil that has a lot of humus is often wet
and crumbly. Farmers and gardeners usually prefer this
kind of soil, which some gardeners refer to as “black
gold.”
Earthworms dig through soil. As they do, they loosen
the soil. That makes the soil good for growing things.
We need soil so we can have grass to walk on, trees
to climb, and healthy food to eat.

Humus: Rich, dark material that forms in soil when

plant and animal matter decays.
Name ___________________________________

All About Soil

1. According to this passage ________________________.
A. people need soil
B. some people call rich soil “black gold”
C. plants can get some nutrients from soil
D. all of the above

2. The author wrote this passage mostly to _______________.

A. teach the reader about growing a garden
B. help the reader learn why worms are important
C. explain why soil is important
D. none of the above

3. The author implies that humus _____________.

A. is disgusting because it is made from decaying plants
B. makes soil dry
C. should not be allowed in soil used to grow food
D. none of the above

4. Why do gardeners refer to some soil as black gold?

A. It has little chunks of gold in it.
B. It is sandy and dry.
C. It is good for growing plants.
D. All of the above.
Name ___________________________________

All About Soil

Randy stated, “Before you plant a garden, it is important
to get all the worms out of the soil.”
Do you agree with Randy? Why or why not?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

The author states that soil is an important natural

resource. Why is soil important? Provide at least 3 details
from the passage to support your answer.

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________
Name _______________________________

Lions and Tigers

Lions and tigers both belong to the cat family. They are
similar in many ways. Both lions and tigers are mammals.
They give birth to live young called cubs. The cubs are
blind and helpless when they are born. A cub must drink
its mother’s milk until it is ready to eat solid food.
Both lions and tigers need to eat meat to survive. Most
lions live in a group called a pride. The females, called
lionesses, hunt together. Tigers most often live on their
own, except for when a mother tiger is raising cubs.
Like all cats, both lions and tigers can see well in the
dark. This may be one of the reasons they often hunt at
night. Lions and tigers both have big paws with long,
sharp claws and a fearsome roar!
Most lions live in Africa. Their fur is the color of dry grass.
This makes them difficult to see on the grassy plains where
they live. Lion cubs are born with spots that fade away as
they grow.
Most tigers live in Asia. Tigers have stripes that help them
blend into the forests and jungles where they live. On hot
days, a tiger will cool off in a jungle pool or look for a
shady spot where it can sleep.
Both lions and tigers are apex predators. This means
that they are each at the top of their food chain. In the
wild, they hunt for other animals but have no natural
predators.
Name _______________________________

Lions and Tigers

1. According to this passage ____________________________.

A. all lions are tigers and all tigers are lions
B. all mammals are lions and tigers
C. lions and tigers are members of the cat family
D. all of the above

2. The author wrote this passage mostly to _______________.

A. teach the reader about lions and tigers
B. help the reader stay safe while watching big cats
C. explain why tigers are better than lions
D. explain why lions are better than tigers

3. How are lions and tigers alike?

A. Both lions and tigers live in Africa.
B. Both lions and tigers are mammals.
C. Both lions and tigers cool off in jungle pools.
D. All of the above.

4. According to this passage, tiger and lion cubs _________.

A. are mammals
B. drink their mother’s milk
C. are blind when they are born
D. all of the above
Name ________________________________

Lions and Tigers

If the author asked you to choose one word from this
passage to present in bold print, which word would you
choose? Why?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

What is one way in which lions and tigers are different?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Joe said, “Lions are better than tigers.” Do you agree

with him? Is Joe’s statement a fact or an opinion?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________
Name _______________________________

States of Matter
Everything we can see and touch is made of matter.
Rocks are made of matter. Water and air are matter.
Matter can take different forms. The water we swim in is
in liquid form. Liquids take the shape of whatever
container they are in. Water in a round swimming pool
takes the shape of the round pool. If it rains too much,
water may spill over. If we change the temperature of
water, we can also change its state.
In the winter, we can skate on ice. Ice is water frozen
into a solid state. Solids can keep their size and shape,
even when they are moved from one location to
another. Some solids, like ice, can change into another
form of matter when they are heated.
Water can also take the form of a gas. When we boil
water to make hot coca or tea, the steam that rises
from the kettle is a gas. We can see the steam in the air.
Be careful not to reach out and touch it. Steam can
leave a nasty burn!

A Simple Experiment: Would you like to see the three

states of matter? Try this. Start with an ice cube. Ice is a
solid. Put the ice cube in a pan for an hour. The ice
cube will melt into a liquid form. Ask an adult to help
you boil the water on the stove. Watch as the liquid
evaporates, turning into a gas. Steam is a gas. When
steam cools, it can turn back into water.
Name ___________________________________

States of Matter

1. According to this passage __________________________.

A. a liquid takes the shapes of its container
B. a solid takes the shape of its container
C. water cannot turn into steam
D. none of the above

2. The author wrote this passage mostly to __________.

A. teach children about staying safe
B. help the reader learn about the states of matter
C. prove that solids are better than liquids
D. none of the above.

3. What is an example of matter in a liquid form?

A. ice
B. steam
C. water
D. all of the above.

4. Why would someone do the experiment at the bottom

of the page?
A. to melt some snow
B. to see the 3 states of matter
C. to make hot cocoa
D. none of the above.
Name ________________________________

States of Matter
What are the three states of matter discussed in this
passage?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Use what you know and information from this passage to

name at least three examples of matter in a liquid state.

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Tom said, “A solid takes the shape of its container.” Do

you agree with Tom? Explain your answer.

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________
Answer Key for Reading Comprehension Passages – Levels K/L

Redwood The Amazing Reptiles All About Elephant

Trees Elephant & Birds Helicopters And Monkey
1. D Trunk 1. A 1. B 1. C
2. C 1. D 2. A 2. D 2. D
3. D 2. B 3. A 3. C 3. C
4. C 3. C 4. C 4. B 4. C
4. B

Silly Simon “illy “i o ’s Ra it’s The Mirror Tug of War

Revenge Great Escape
1. D 1. B 1. B 1. B 1. B
2. D 2. B 2. D 2. B 2. D
3. C 3. D 3. B 3. C 3. C
4. C 4. C 4. B 4. B 4. C

The Dog & All About All About Lions & States of
His Bone Hippos Soil Tigers Matter
1. D 1. B 1. D 1. C 1. A
2. C 2. D 2. C 2. A 2. B
3. C 3. B 3. D 3. B 3. C
4. B 4. C 4. C 4. D 4. B