Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Homework or Video Games

Brad loves to play video games. His favorites are Disney
games.

Brad got home from school one day, and his mom asked
him if he had homework. He did, but he thought about
saying no because he wanted to play his games.

Then he changed his mind. He knew that if he lied, he would

lose his games for a week.

He did his homework first and still had time to play two
games before dinner. He knows it is best to be honest.

Questions:

1. What are Brad’s favorite video games?

_______________________________________________________

2. Did Brad have homework?

_______________________________________________________

3. What would happen if he lied?

_______________________________________________________

4. How many games did he play before dinner?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Sun, Stars and Moon

In the sky, you can see the sun, stars, and the moon.

The sun is up during the day. It is very hot. The sun gives us light and heat.
Plants need the sun to grow.

We can see the stars at night. They give off light and heat, like the sun.
That is because the sun is a star, too! There are more stars than we can
count.

Some people see shapes in the stars. A group of stars that make a shape
is called a constellation. Have you ever seen the Big Dipper? That is a
constellation!

The moon is out at night. Sometimes we can still see it during the day! It
does not give off light and heat.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. What is this short story about?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. How are the sun and the stars the same?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. What is a constellation? Highlight the words that helped you.

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. How is the moon different than the sun and the stars?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

5. Do you know any other facts about the sun, stars, or moon? Write
what you know.

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Shoveling Snow
I want a new toy. Mom says toys cost money. How can I
get money? I look outside. There is a lot of snow!

Mom says I can earn money if I shovel our driveway. I do.

It is fun! I do not have enough money for my new toy.

I look around. Mrs. Jen has a shovel. Can I shovel her

driveway? She says yes! I almost have enough money for
my new toy.

Mr. Tom has a shovel. Can I shovel his driveway? He

says yes! I can get my new toy!

Questions:

1. Who are the characters?

_______________________________________________________

2. Where is the setting?

_______________________________________________________

3. What is the problem?

_______________________________________________________

4. How does he solve the problem?

_______________________________________________________

5. What other jobs could he do to earn money?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Peanuts and Popcorn

John is going to a baseball game with his aunt. He can’t wait to get there. It
is the first game of the season. The stadium is almost full.

He loves to watch baseball, but his favorite part of going to games is eating
the snacks. There are many different snacks at baseball games.

A man in a red hat walks up and

down the aisles selling peanuts and
popcorn.

Guess which is John’s favorite.

John likes them both. He

especially likes mixing peanuts and
popcorn together. If he is really
hungry he will have a hot dog.

Questions:

1. Where is John going?

_______________________________________________________

2. Who is he going with?

_______________________________________________________

3. Who sells the peanuts and popcorn?

_______________________________________________________

4. What does John do with the peanuts and popcorn?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

The Boat Parade

The boats are floating along the lakeshore. It is the summer
boat parade.

There are motorboats, rowboats and sailboats.

Jessica’s favorite is the yellow motor boat with

the flag. The rowboat decorated with flowers is
Lisa’s favorite. Tony likes the purple sailboat.

The boats float by one at a time. The

people on the boats waive at the crowds.
The crowds cheer the boats.

The boat parade is so much fun to

watch. It is the best part of the
summer.

Questions:

1. Where are the boats floating?

_______________________________________________________

2. What kind of boats are there?

_______________________________________________________

3. What is Lisa’s favorite boat?

_______________________________________________________

4. What is the best part of summer?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

All About Bears

There are many kinds of bears. Some bears live in warm places, like sun
bears. Some bears live in cold places, like polar bears. Bears are different
colors, too. They can be white, brown, or black. Some bears eat plants.
Some bears eat animals.

Bears have long snouts, or noses. They

have claws and fur, too. Baby bears
are called cubs.

When it gets cold, bears sleep

in dens for the winter. Dens
can be in trees or caves.
When they are sleeping all
winter, it is called hibernating.
Bears do not eat when they are
hibernating.

Questions:

1. Do all bears live in warm places?

_______________________________________________________

2. How are sun bears and polar bears different?

_______________________________________________________

3. What does hibernating mean? Highlight the words that helped you.

_______________________________________________________

4. What is a baby bear called?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

The Puppy and the Kitten

My family just adopted a puppy and a kitten from the animal shelter. They
were so young, they did not even have names yet. We had to think of good
names for them.

The puppy likes to jump up. The kitten likes to curl

up in our laps.

“What do you want to name

them?” asked Mom.

My sister said, “Pounce for the

puppy and Cuddles for the
kitten.”

We all thought those names

were perfect.

Questions:

1. What animals did they adopt?

_______________________________________________________

2. What does the kitten like to do?

_______________________________________________________

3. What is the puppy’s name going to be?

_______________________________________________________

4. Who thought the names were perfect?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Summer Nights
It is nighttime in the summer.

Luke, Jake and Connor look up at the sky. Jake sees the Milky Way. Luke
points to the moon. It is a half moon. Connor looks at all of the bright stars.

After they study the sky, they collect fireflies in a jar. They hear an owl hoot
loudly from a nearby tree.

The boys love being outside on summer nights. They sleep in

a tent so they can stay out all night.

When they are ready to go bed, they climb into the tent
and use the fireflies as a nightlight.

They let the fireflies go in the morning so they can

catch them again the next time they sleep outside.

Questions:

1. What do Luke, Jake and Connor look at?

a. The night b. The sky
c. a bird d. The sun

2. What does Luke point to in the sky?

a. The clouds b. The stars
c. The moon d. The plane

3. What do the boys collect in a jar?

a. Fireflies b. Worms
c. Ants d. Leaves

4. Where do the boys sleep?

a. In bed b. On a cot
c. In a tent d. On the grass

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Monster Learns Rules

One day, a monster came to our classroom. He didn’t know any of the
rules!

We had to show him how to sit on the carpet. We had to show him how to
use a quiet voice. We had to show him how to use supplies.

We went to P.E. class. Monster tried to sit on the carpet. No, Monster! We
don’t have to sit on a carpet in the gym! Monster tried to use a quiet voice.
No, Monster! We don’t have to be quiet in the gym. Monster didn’t know
what to do with the supplies. We showed him how to throw a ball.

We went to the lunchroom. Monster sat at a table. Good job, Monster!

Monster used a loud voice. No, Monster! We can’t be too loud in the
lunchroom. Monster tried to throw his food. No, Monster! We can’t throw
food. Monster was confused. Poor Monster.

We went to our classroom. We wrote the rules for the different places at
school. Rules are different in different places. It is tricky but it keeps us
safe!

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. Who is the main character?

_______________________________________________________

2. Where is the monster sitting?

_______________________________________________________

3. What is the problem?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. How do they solve the problem?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

5. What rules would you teach Monster if he came to your house?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Making Cookies
Greg likes to help his mom make cookies. Chocolate chip cookies are his
favorite. His mom likes them too.

He adds the chocolate chips to the batter. Then he

stirs them in. He forms the batter into balls
and places them on a baking sheet. His
mom places the baking sheet into the
oven.

When the cookies are in the oven,

Greg licks the last bits of batter from
the bowl. He can hardly wait for the
cookies to be ready.

In 30 minutes the cookies are finished

baking. The cookies are hot and yummy.

Questions:

1. What kind of cookies are Greg’s favorite?

_______________________________________________________

2. What does he do when the chocolate chips are in the batter?

_______________________________________________________

3. Where does he place the balls of batter?

_______________________________________________________

4. What does he do with the bowl?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Mule’s Thoughts
Leroy F. Jackson

A silly little mule

Sat on a milking stool

And tried to write a letter to his father.

But he couldn’t find the ink,

So he said: “I rather think

This writing letters home is too much bother.”

Questions:

1. Where did the mule sit?

_______________________________________________________

2. What was he trying to write?

_______________________________________________________

3. What couldn’t he find?

_______________________________________________________

4. What did he think about writing letters home?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Kitten’s Choice
Kitten plays with her new toy. She loves her new toy. Her brother likes her
new toy, too. When Kitten isn’t playing with it, her brother takes it to play.

Kitten is having fun. Then, she sees a mouse! She wants to chase the
mouse. If she chases the mouse, her brother will take her toy.

Kitten thinks. She can only choose one thing to play with. If she picks the
mouse, her toy will go away with her brother. If she picks the toy, the
mouse will run away. Which one should Kitten pick?

Kitten runs after the mouse. She does not see a lot of mice, so that is more
fun. She does not catch the mouse, but she has fun running after him.
Kitten is happy with her choice.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. Who are the characters?

_______________________________________________________

2. What is the problem?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. How does she solve the problem?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. Why does Kitten pick the mouse? Highlight the sentence that told
you.

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

5. Do you think Kitten will make the same choice next time? Why?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

How to Tie Your Shoes

First, make an “X” with the laces. Take the bottom lace and put it in the
space between the shoe and the middle of the “X.” Pull the
ends of both laces tight.

Next, make a loop with each lace. Make an “X” with both
loops. Take the bottom loop and put it in the space between
the shoe and the middle of the “X.” Pull both loops tight.

Last, do the steps again with the laces on your other shoe.
Pat yourself on the back. You tied your shoes!

It will take you a few times to get it right. Keep on practicing!

Questions:

1. What materials do you need to tie your shoes?

_______________________________________________________

2. What do you do first?

_______________________________________________________

3. Why did the author put in pictures instead of just using words?

_______________________________________________________

4. Will it be easy for everyone to tie their shoes?

_______________________________________________________

5. How will you feel when you tie your shoes for the first time?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the poem. Then answer each question.

Dessert Time!
Yum! It is time for dessert.

First, Tim gets a cookie.

Next, Jan gets some cake.
Then, Ben gets a donut.
Last, Deb gets some pie.

Oh no! There is none left for Sam. What will he do?

First, Tim shares his cookie.

Next, Jan shares her cake.
Then, Ben shares his donut.
Last, Deb shares her pie.

Yum! Sam and his friends are happy. It is time for dessert!

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. Who are the characters?

_______________________________________________________

2. What is the problem?

_______________________________________________________

3. How do the kids solve the problem?

_______________________________________________________

4. How do the kids feel at the end of the story?

_______________________________________________________

5. What is your favorite dessert?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Apples
Do you like apples? Apples can be red, yellow, or
green. Each color tastes different. They are fruit.
You can make apples into treats.

Apples grow on trees. They finish growing in the

fall. Then you can pick them to eat. When you pick
an apple, you twist it and then pull it off the tree.

There are five parts of an apple. The outside is the

skin. The inside is the flesh. There are seeds inside
of the apple. The stem is on top. Some apples have
leaves by the stem. What else do you know about
apples?

Questions:

1. When do apples finish growing?

_______________________________________________________

2. What is this passage about?

_______________________________________________________

3. How many parts does an apple have?

_______________________________________________________

4. What is something you wonder about apples after reading this

passage?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

The Thunderstorm
The kids were outside playing catch. They heard a rumble in the sky.

They didn’t want to stop playing, but they

knew it wasn’t safe to be out in a storm.
Also, they did not want to get wet.

They decided to go inside and play a

board game. They loved listening to
the thunder as they played their
game.

The kids went outside again after the storm had

passed. They saw a rainbow!

Questions:

1. What were the kids playing outside?

_______________________________________________________

2. What did they hear?

_______________________________________________________

3. Where did they go?

_______________________________________________________

4. What did they play inside?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

A Puzzle a Day
Anna and her family love doing puzzles. Anna is best at little puzzles.

Anna and her brother work on medium size

puzzles together. Anna’s brother likes
puzzles with cars in them.

When the whole family does a puzzle, they

do really big puzzles. It can take them a week
to finish a really big puzzle. Last year they did
a puzzle with 500 pieces!

Anna tries to finish one small puzzle a day by

herself. Her puzzles have about 50 pieces.

They all glue their favorite puzzles together

and frame them. The puzzles look so nice on
the wall.

Questions:

1. What puzzles is Anna best at?

_______________________________________________________

2. What puzzles does she do with her brother?

_______________________________________________________

3. How long does it take her family to finish a really big puzzle?

_______________________________________________________

4. What do they do with their favorite puzzles?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the poem. Then answer each question.

A Cold Bear
Brrrr! It is getting cold.
Bear needs to get ready for winter.

First, he eats a lot.

Next, he finds a den.
Then, he fills the den with leaves, so he will stay warm.
Last, he eats even more!

Is Bear ready for winter?

Yes, he is. Winter is here!

Questions:

1. Who is the character?

_______________________________________________________

2. What does Bear need to do?

_______________________________________________________

3. How does Bear get ready for winter?

_______________________________________________________

4. What do you think a den is? How could you find out?

_______________________________________________________

4. Share your opinion! Do you like winter? Why?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

At the Zoo
By William Makepeace Thackeray

First I saw the white bear, then I saw the black;

Then I saw the camel with a hump upon his back;

Then I saw the grey wolf, with mutton in his

maw;

Then I saw the wombat waddle in the straw;

Then I saw the elephant a-waving of his trunk;

Then I saw the monkeys—mercy, how

unpleasantly they smelt!

Questions:

1. What colors were the two bears?

_______________________________________________________

2. What did the camel have upon his back?

_______________________________________________________

3. What did the wombat do in the straw?

_______________________________________________________

4. Which is the last animal that was seen?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

The New Bicycle

Emma has a new bicycle. It is bright pink and shiny.

It was a gift from her uncle. He hid it behind a bush to

surprise her.

When Emma looked behind the

bush and saw the bicycle, she
jumped for joy. It was just what
she wanted. She gave her
uncle a big hug.

She loves her new bicycle, and

she loves her uncle.

Questions:

1. What color is the bicycle?

_______________________________________________________

2. Who was it a gift from?

_______________________________________________________

3. Where was it hidden?

_______________________________________________________

4. What did Emma do when she saw the bicycle?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 1 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

A Visit to the Water Park

There is a new water park in town. We go there on the first day of summer.

It has pools and water slides. There are sprinklers too. The slides are scary
at first. After the first ride, we love the water slides.

The sprinklers are cool on hot days. One of the pools

makes its own waves. All the kids try to surf the waves. It
is really fun.

The water park can be very crowded. There are

many kids and adults, but they do not allow
pets.

We really like the ice cream at the snack bar.

They also sell pop and donuts.

We all love the new water park.

Questions:

1. What is new in town?

_______________________________________________________

2. What is scary at first?

_______________________________________________________

3. What is cool on a hot day?

_______________________________________________________

4. What do they love at the snack bar?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

The Washing Machine Box

Sarah’s family’s washing machine stopped working, so her dad ordered a
new one. It was going to be delivered on Saturday.

When Saturday came, Sarah and her friend Emily sat in the front yard
waiting for the delivery. They were excited because they knew that they
would get to play with the box. “Big boxes are so much fun,” said Sarah.

Emily agreed and said, “We can make the box into whatever we want.”
“Here comes the delivery truck,” yelled Emily.

As soon as the washing machine was out of the box, Sarah and Emily took
out some crayons and colored all over it. They turned it into a pink, red,
blue and yellow clubhouse.

It was their clubhouse for a while, and then it was a fancy car. After that,
they cut out a square on one side and made it into a TV. They acted out
their favorite TV shows for the rest of Sarah’s family.

It was a fun day for everyone.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. What did Sarah’s dad order?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What would Sarah and Emily get to do with the box?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. What colors did they use for the clubhouse?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. What is the last thing Sarah and Emily turned the box into?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Race Cars
Zoom! Zoom! Zoom! The race cars were all practicing for the big race
tomorrow. Around and around and around the track they went. They
practiced weaving in and out of cones, going around the curves, and
starting right when the green light went on. Blue Race car and Red Race
car were best friends, so they practiced together all day.

That night, they were in the garage resting up for the big race tomorrow.
Red Race car couldn’t sleep, though.

“Blue Race car? Are you asleep?” Red Race car asked.

“No. I’m feeling nervous for the race tomorrow. How are you feeling?” Blue
Race car answered.

“I’m feeling nervous, too. What can we do? We need to feel rested for the
race tomorrow!” said Red Race car.
“Hmmm… we could try taking deep breaths. Ready? We’ll breathe in and
count to three. Then we’ll keep the breath in for three seconds. Last, we’ll
slowly let all of our breath out. We might have to do that a lot of times
before we feel better. Let’s try!” Blue Race car said.

They took some slow, deep breaths together. After a few minutes, both
race cars started to feel calm, and drifted off to sleep. They both dreamed
about all the fun they’d have at the race.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. Who are the characters in the story?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What is the problem?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. Where does the story take place?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. How do the race cars solve the problem?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

5. How do the race cars’ feelings change throughout the story?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Grandpa’s Cooking
Ella loves her grandpa. He lives in Texas and comes to visit once a month.
She wishes he came to visit every week because he tells great stories and
makes her favorite dinner.
Ella asks her mom to make the barbeque chicken that Grandpa makes.

Ella’s mom says, “I will try, but no one make it as well as Grandpa does.

Ella watches her mom prepare the sauce for the chicken. It looks tasty.
When the chicken is finished cooking, Ella’s family sits down to eat. Her
mom was right; no one make the barbeque chicken as well as Grandpa.

The next time her grandpa comes to visit, Ella tells him the story about her
mom trying to make the chicken. Her grandpa says, “That is a great story.”
Then he teaches Ella and her mom how to make the chicken.

Ella and her mom make the barbeque chicken once a week. It still does not
taste quite as good as Grandpa’s. Ella loves her grandpa.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. Where does Ella’s grandpa live?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What is Ella’s favorite dinner?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. What story did Ella tell her grandpa?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. What does Grandpa teach Ella and her mom to make?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Springtime Tadpoles
Every spring Max and his brother Will go to the pond at the end of their
street to look for tadpoles. They love to catch them so they can watch them
turn into frogs.
This spring when Max and Will go to the pond to catch tadpoles, they see a
painted turtle sitting on a log enjoying the sun. “Look at the cool turtle,”
says Will.
“Should we try to catch it?” Max asks.

Will responds, “I like catching tadpoles better.” Max agrees with Will.

They fill their bucket with tadpoles and head home. When they get there,
they empty the bucket into a big, wide tub. They cover the tub with a screen
so animals can’t get to the tadpoles. They keep the tub in the shade so the
water does not get too hot.
Max and Will go to the pond every day to bring back fresh water and leaves
from the bottom of the pond for the tadpoles to eat. After six weeks, the
tadpoles grow into frogs. Then Max and Will take them back to the pond so
they can live happily ever after.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. Why do Max and Will love to catch tadpoles?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What do they see sitting on a log?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. Where do they keep the tub of tadpoles?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. What do they do once the tadpoles grow into frogs?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Sharks
What has fins, sharp teeth, and swims in the ocean? A shark!

Sharks have been around for a very long time. Sharks have lived in the
oceans even before dinosaurs roamed the earth! Sharks are fish, and there
are over 400 types of sharks. When they have babies, the babies are called
pups.

Sharks lose their teeth, like humans, but they don’t just lose their baby
teeth. They lose teeth throughout their lives. When a shark loses a tooth, a
tooth from another row of teeth will move into its place. New teeth are
always growing. Most sharks are carnivores, so they feed on other animals,
like fish or seals.

Sharks might look scary, but they are not usually dangerous to people.
People are more dangerous to sharks, since people hunt sharks. To be
safe, though, it is a good idea to leave sharks alone if you see them!

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. What is the main topic of the 3rd paragraph?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What does the word carnivore mean? How do you know?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. Why are people dangerous to sharks?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. What are baby sharks called? Highlight the sentence that told you the
answer.

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Playground
Molly and her friend Bella were playing at the playground. They were
supposed to be taking turns on the swing. Molly counted to 100 while Bella
was on the swing. Bella didn’t get off the swing.
“Bella! I counted to 100, it’s my turn!” said Molly.

“You counted too fast, it’s still my turn,” Bella said.

Molly was upset. She wanted a turn on the swing, too! What could she do?
Molly could tell the teacher, but her teacher always wanted them to try to
solve the problem first. What could she try?

She decided to try using an “I message”. That means to tell the other
person how you’re feeling, why you feel that way, and what they can please
do to make it better.

“Bella, I feel sad because we were supposed to take turns after 100
seconds. Will you please get off?” Molly asked. Finally, Bella go off the
swing. Molly was happy because she solved her problem all by herself!

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. Who are the characters in the story?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What is the problem?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. Where does the story take place?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. How does Molly solve the problem?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

5. Have you ever had a problem with a friend? How did you, or could
you, solve it?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Pen Pals
We are learning how to write friendly letters at school. I don’t mind writing
practice letters, but it would be more fun to write a real letter to someone
Just as I was thinking about it, our teacher, Mrs. Snow said that we really
are going to write a letter to someone! We all started talking at once. Mrs.
Snow asked us to quiet down again so that she could finish.

She said we are going to write to second graders in England to see what
life is like in England. That sounds so cool! I couldn’t wait to get started.
Mrs. Snow handed out the names of our pen pals, and asked us to use
what we learned about friendly letters to write to our pen pal. My pen pal’s
name was Oliver. The only things Mrs. Snow said we had to include in our
letter were two questions:

1. Which holidays do you celebrate during the year?

2. What do you like to play?

We also had to answer those questions in our letters.

She said we could add any other details about
things we like to do, and what school is like
here, if we wanted to.

It took a few weeks, but the day we got letters

back from our pen pals was an exciting one!
Oliver plays video games like we do over
here. Their holidays are a lot of the same
holidays we celebrate, like April Fool’s Day!
Oliver told me about a prank he was going to
play on his dad. One holiday they celebrate
that I don’t is Boxing Day. It was interesting to
see what is the same and what is different
about living in different countries. I can’t wait
to learn more about my new pen pal!

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. Who are the characters in the story?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What were the two questions the students had to include in their
letters?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. Why do you think it is important to talk to people who live differently

than you?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. How else could the main character communicate with his pen pal?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

5. Who would you like to write a letter to? Why?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

How to Draw a Shark

Are you interested in sharks? Let’s learn how to draw one! You need a
blank piece of paper, a pencil, and an eraser. Even the best artists make
mistakes, so use the eraser whenever you make a mistake or want to fix a
part of your drawing.

First, start on the left side of the paper, towards the middle. Draw a
sideways “V” pointing towards the left side of the paper. In the middle of the
sideways “V” draw a dot for an eye. Draw a line above the eye if you want
your shark to look mean.

Next, draw a smaller sideways “V” under the first one. That
will be the bottom jaw. Draw some teeth inside of the
mouth!

Then add a long curved line from the top of the

head to the right side of the paper. This is the
shark’s back. Add an upside-down “V” in the
middle of the curve to make a fin. For the tail,
make a sideways “M” or “W” with the points
facing the right side of the paper.

Your shark is almost done! Add another

curved line for the belly of the shark, from
the bottom of the head to the tail. Next to
the eyes and mouth, draw 3 curved lines
going almost from the top of the shark to
the bottom of the shark. These are the
gills. Last, draw little “Vs” pointing down
for the other fins.
Great job drawing a shark!

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. What is the main topic of the 2nd paragraph?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What does the word jaw mean in the 3rd paragraph? How do you
know?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. Why do you need an eraser to draw the shark? Highlight the

sentence that told you the answer.

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. Were any of the directions confusing? Write your own directions to fix
the confusing parts.

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

5. Why did the author add drawings for you to look at, instead of just
using words?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Going to the Library

The library is a great place to visit for help with school work, and for fun.
You can go to your library, and there will always be someone there to help
you find what you want. That someone is a librarian.
You can ask your librarian to help you find books about any subject that
interests you. Libraries have books about everything from airplanes to
zebras. If you like to read fiction, your librarian can suggest adventure
books, fantasy books and much more.

If you are having a hard time finding an answer to a question, ask your
librarian to help you find the answer. Your librarian can help you locate
information in magazines and newspaper articles, and on the computer.

Libraries are also a great place to go if you want a quiet place to read or
study. They have areas with cozy chairs where you can curl up and read a
book. They also have tables and chairs where you can work on school
reports.

Don’t forget to visit your library, and remember to thank your librarian her
help.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. Who helps you find what you want at a library?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What types of fictional books do libraries have?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. Where will your librarian help you locate information?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. Where can you sit to read in a library?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Guitar or Ballet
Emma loves to listen to her brother Jake play his guitar. He is 15 years old
and has been playing since he was 5 years old. He practices every day,
and he is really good. He plays country music and rock and roll.
Emma likes the country songs best. She really likes watching Jake strum
the chords and hearing the country sounds that he creates. Emma wants to
take lessons so she can play as well as Jake does. “Mom, can I take guitar
lessons?” Emma asks.

Her mom replies, “It takes a lot of

hard work to play the songs that
Jake plays; are you sure you have
enough time to put into practicing?”

Thinking about all of her favorite

activities, Emma isn’t sure. She
loves her ballet classes, her art
classes and her chess club. Emma
realizes that if she wants to play
guitar, she will probably have to give
up another activity to make time for
practicing. She does not know
which activity she would give up
because they all mean so much to
her.

Emma decides that she will just

keep enjoying her brother’s guitar
playing for now.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. How long has Jake been playing the guitar?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What type of music does Emma like best?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. What does Emma ask her mom?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. What activities is Emma involved in?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Giving
Shari was so excited for her birthday. She thought about the fun party she
was going to have and the presents she would get. But, her mom told her
that she had to make room for new toys by choosing some old toys to give
away.

Shari was not happy. She loved all of her toys! Her mom sat down with her
in front of her toy chest. They looked through the toys one at a time. Most
of the toys Shari wanted to keep. Her mom put them in the “keep” pile.
When they got about halfway through the toy box, Shari saw one stuffed
animal that she had forgotten about.
“Oh, look at how cute he is! Keep him, please,” she
told her mom.

“Shari, you forgot about him. Are you sure you will
really play with him again? What if you get a new
stuffed animal that you like better?” Mom asked.

“Well, now I remember him. I will play with him.”

“That’s fine, but there might be someone else out
there who would love to have him. Some kids
don’t have any stuffed animals,” said Mom. Shari
said she would decide later.

When they were finished, there was a very large “keep” pile, and some toys
in the “donate” and “maybe” piles. Mom and Shari cleaned the “maybe” and
“donate” toys, then put them in bags. They went to a place where kids lived
who didn’t have homes, and asked the workers if they could hand out toys.
Seeing the kids’ smiles made Shari so happy, and a lot of kids said this
was the only toy they had. Shari turned to her mom and asked if they could
get the “maybe” bag out of the car. The other kids needed those toys more
than she did! Shari felt so great that her choice made the other kids so
happy.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. Who are the characters in the story?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What happens in the middle of the story?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. What changes about Shari during the story?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. Where did Shari and her mom go at the end of the story?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

5. What is a choice you could make that would affect others in a positive
way?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Fire Alarm
Beep! Beep! Beep! Do you know what to do if the fire alarm goes off in the
middle of the night?

First, crawl to your bedroom door. Crawling is safer, since smoke rises.
Feel the door with the back of your hand. If it feels cold, open the door.
Look around. Find the closest door to outside, and crawl outside. Go to the
meeting place your family picked, and wait for them to meet you.
What happens if the door feels hot? Do not open the door! Crawl to get a
blanket, then crawl to your bedroom window. Open the window and let
most of the blanket hang outside. Close the window to hold the blanket in
place. Firefighters will see the blanket and know to come and get you. Stay
under your window so they can find you easily.

Firefighters might look scary, but they are there to help. They have to yell,
because they have masks on, so it is hard to hear them. Do not be afraid of
the firefighters, they will keep you safe.

It is important to have a plan in place with your family in case the fire alarm
goes off so that you all stay safe!

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. What is the main topic of the 4th paragraph?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. Where should you stay if the door of your bedroom feels hot?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. Why should you hang a blanket out of your window?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. What is one question you could ask a friend about fire safety?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

The Camping Trip

Lily and her brother Ryan went camping with their mom and dad. Ryan and
Dad set up the tent while Lily and Mom collected sticks to start a bonfire.

Once the tent was set up, they started a fire in the bonfire pit. Lily and Ryan
looked for long pointy sticks to use for cooking hot dogs over the fire while
the fire was heating up. They found four perfect sticks, one for each of
them.
Lily and Ryan, and their mom and dad, each placed two hot dogs on their
sticks. They held the hot dogs over the fire and turned the sticks slowly so
every side of each hot dog was cooked. Then they put the hot dogs into
buns and added ketchup and mustard. The hot dogs were delicious.

After they all enjoyed their hot dogs, Lily got out the marshmallows for
dessert. They all roasted marshmallows over the fire until the
marshmallows turned a nice shade of brown. Then they popped the yummy
treats into their mouths.

Sitting around the bonfire and eating marshmallows is Lily and Ryan’s
favorite part of camping.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. What did Lily and Mom do while Ryan and Dad set up the tent?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What did they all cook over the bon fire to eat for dinner?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. What did Lily get out for dessert?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. What is Lily and Ryan’s favorite part of camping?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the poem. Then answer each question.

Don’t Give Up
If you’ve tried and have not won,

Never stop for crying;

All that’s great and good is done

Just by patient trying.

Though young birds, in flying, fall,

Still their wings grow stronger;

And the next time they can keep

Up a little longer.

Though the sturdy oak has known

Many a blast that bowed her,

She has risen again, and grown

Loftier and prouder.

If by easy work you beat,

Who the more will prize you?

Gaining victory from defeat --

That’s the test that tries you!

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. What is ‘done by patient trying’?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What happens to young birds when they fly?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. What does the sturdy oak do after being bowed?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. What is the test that tries you?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

The Clean Park

Tyler asked his mom if he could ride his bike to the park. “As long as you
wear your helmet when you are riding,” she said.

When Tyler got to the park it was filled with people holding garbage bags. A
lot of his friends were there and so were some of his teachers. His friend
Bella said, “Everyone is pitching in and cleaning the park today.” She asked
Tyler if he would help. Tyler said, “Sure,” and asked for a garbage bag.
There was garbage everywhere. Tyler picked up candy wrappers, juice
pouches, newspapers and apple cores. It was really gross. After an hour,
he had filled three garbage bags. His friends filled a lot of garbage bags
too.

When everyone was finished, one of the teachers loaded the filled garbage
bags into his pick-up truck to take them to the dump. The park looked
great. They put up signs around the park that read, “Please place garbage
in garbage cans and help keep the park clean.”

The teachers bought pizza and lemonade for everyone who helped clean
the park. After they ate, Tyler and his friends made sure to put their
garbage into the garbage cans.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. What were people holding when Tyler got to the park?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What were Tyler’s friends and teachers doing at the park?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. Where was Tyler’s teacher taking the garbage?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. What did everyone do after they ate pizza and drank lemonade?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Changes
Did you know that heating and cooling can change objects?

Some changes can be reversed, which means the object can go back to
the way it was before it was heated up or cooled down.
Other changes cannot be reversed, which means the object cannot go
back to how it was before it was heated up or cooled down.

Water can go through reversible changes when it is heated or cooled.

When water is heated up, it will start to boil, and then turn into water vapor.
If you collect the water vapor and cool it down, it will turn back into water.
When water is cooled down a lot, it will turn into ice. If you heat the ice back
up, it will turn into water again.

Have you ever watched an adult cook an egg? Eggs go through a change
that cannot be reversed when they are heated. When the liquid egg white is
heated, it turns into a solid. If you let the egg cool back down, though, the
egg white will not turn back into a liquid.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. What does it mean if a change can be reversed? Color the sentence

that told you.

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. Are there changes that cannot be reversed? Give an example.

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. Describe how heating and cooling water changes it.

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. Can you think of another object that goes through a change that
cannot be reversed when it is heated or cooled? Describe the
change.

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Dave and Grant Love Kayaking

Dave and his friend Grant love to go kayaking in the summer. They each
have their own kayak. Dave’s kayak is yellow, and Grant’s kayak is red.
Whenever it is not raining, they kayak on the small lake in town.
They look for fish, turtles and muskrats when they are kayaking. They also
like to see ducks and loons.

Sometimes they bring fishing poles with them so they can try to catch fish.
Sometimes they just paddle around. They have the most fun when they
race each other in their kayaks.

They always pack a lunch. They have a favorite spot on the lake to stop
and eat their sandwiches. After lunch, they paddle around the lake some
more. Then they stop again to have some cookies.

Even if they can’t spend a full day kayaking, they will go out for at least an
hour each day. They really love kayaking.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. What color is Grant’s kayak?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What do Dave and Grant look for when they are kayaking?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. When do they have the most fun?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. What do Dave and Grant do after lunch?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Going to the Movies

My class is going to the movies on a field trip next week. We have to get
permission slips signed before we go. We also need to ask our parents if
they will drive to the movie theater. We are going to see a
movie that tells the story from a book we read. We love it
when movies are made from books. It is fun to compare
the movie to the book. I usually like the book better.
We get to the movie early so we can buy popcorn.
Some of us buy candy and slushes too. We all enjoy
watching the movie. When we return to school, we
talk about things that were in the movie and the book.
The movie and book are similar. We all agree that we
like the book better though. Books let you picture the
characters any way you want to picture them.

Questions:

1. What do the students need to do before going to the movie?

_______________________________________________________

2. What is fun to compare?

_______________________________________________________

3. What do the students like better, the movie or the book?

_______________________________________________________

4. What do books let you do?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Playing Catch
Kate and her brother Jake like to play catch. They play with softballs,
footballs and tennis balls. They toss the balls back and forth in the yard all
the time.
Sometimes they go to the park to have more space for throwing the balls
farther. When it is raining out, they play catch in the basement. They use a
tennis ball because it bounces off of the basement walls.
Jake is going to soccer camp for a week this summer. Kate is sad because
she won’t have anyone to play catch with while he is gone.

The week before Jake leaves, they go to the park together. There is a girl
tossing a ball in the air by herself. Kate and Jake invite her to play with
them. Her name is Brooke. Kate is happy now that she has a new friend to
play catch with while her brother is at camp.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. What do Kate and Jake play catch with?

frisbees balls sticks beanbags

2. What type do they use to play catch on rainy days?

pillows soccer balls apples tennis balls

3. Where do Kate and Jake go the week before he leaves for camp?

The pool The school The park The beach

4. Who is tossing a ball in the air at the park?

Brooke Brian Bree Brad

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Cardboard Town
Fine, I’ll just do it all myself! I thought as I stomped away. My friends and I
were trying to make the best cardboard town to play in. We had boxes that
we were turning into stores and playgrounds and all sorts of other fun
things! We weren’t getting along very well, though. I could hear them
talking as I was walking away.

“Wow, I didn’t think he’d get so mad,” Katie said.

“This was supposed to be fun,” said Max. “Johnny can’t do it all by himself.
Maybe if we give him some space he’ll want us to help again.”

Yeah, right. Since it was my idea, I would just do it without them. The only
problem was that I wanted it done before Thanksgiving so that I could show
all of my family when they came over.

When Thanksgiving was two weeks away, I realized that it was just too big
of a job. I couldn’t make the buildings out of boxes, and put them around
the town, and decorate them all by myself. It was taking way too long. I
guess that’s why people work together. When we each had a job, this was
fun and went a lot faster. Maybe I should say sorry to Katie and Max, they
were just trying to help and have fun with me.

The next day at school I said sorry to Katie and Max. “I don’t know why I
got so mad, building a town was just supposed to be fun. Will you come
back to my house
today to complete our
town?” I asked.

“Sure, Johnny,” they

said. We all took on a
role and the town was
done in no time. It
was great!

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. Who are the characters in the story?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What happens in the middle of the story?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. Why do you think Johnny got mad at the beginning of the story?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. What is the central message of the story?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

5. When was a time that you worked better with other people than when
you worked by yourself?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Alien Money
Zander was hard at work growing food for himself and his neighbors. The
food was floating, and as he walked by he looked at each plant, pointed his
laser at it, and the laser gave the plant what it needed. That was the easy
part. The hard part was how much walking he had to do!

He heard a knock at his door. It was his neighbor Jules. She was holding
some cleaning products.
“Hi, Zander. I just finished making some cleaning products. Do you need
any?” she asked.

“Hi, Jules. I do. Can I get some cleaning spray? I can give
you 4 breakfast plants for a bottle.”

Jules said, “I have enough breakfast plants for this week.

How about 4 lunch plants?”
“They need a couple more hours to grow before I can give
them to you. Is that OK?” asked Zander.

“I think that’s OK. It’s not too far of a walk for you,
right?”

“I will bring them by when they’re done growing, I

promise,” Zander said. Jules knew she could trust
Zander, so she left the cleaning spray with him and
went home.

When Zander came by later with the plants, he started talking with Jules. “I
wish there was an easier way to get and give our items. Trading isn’t
always easy. Sometimes I don’t have enough plants ready to trade, or
sometimes it’s hard to agree with someone how many plants I need to
trade for their item.” Jules agreed. They went home thinking and wishing for
a way to make their lives easier.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. Who are the characters in the story?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. What happens in the middle of the story?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. Why might Jules not want to leave her cleaning spray before she gets
the plants from Zander?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. Why did Jules leave the cleaning spray with Zander? How do you
know?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

5. How would it be easier for Zander and Jules to exchange their items
with their other neighbors, instead of trading?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Pretty Fish
“Look, mom! See what a pretty fish! It is a little trout,” said John to his
mother.

John’s mother asked, “Where did you get it, John?”

“Frank caught it in the brook. I went to the brook to splash in the water and
I saw this little fish. Then I told Frank about the fish, and he ran to get his
fishing rod. He put the rod into the water and caught the fish, and I put it
into this bucket.”

“Well, what will you do with it?” asked John’s mother.

“I will keep it, mom,” replied John.

“But, my boy, it will not live in that

bucket. You should put it back into
the brook,” replied his mother.

John frowned. “I wish I could keep

it. It is so pretty! May I put it into
the pond?”

“No, John,” said his Mom.

“You must put it into the
brook. A trout will not live in
the warm pond. The trout
needs to go back to its
home: the clear, cold brook.”

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. What kind of fish did John find?

_______________________________________________________

2. How did Frank catch the fish?

_______________________________________________________

3. Why can’t the fish live in the pond?

_______________________________________________________

4. What do you think will happen next in the story?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Hide and Seek

“Come boys, what shall we do? Let’s play hide and seek,” suggested Fred.

“Oh yes! That will be fun for all of us. Who will shut his eyes? Fred, will you
shut your eyes?” asked Roy.

“Yes, I‘ll shut my eyes while you all go and hide,” replied Fred. Then Fred
stood by the tree and shut his eyes, and the other boys ran off to hide.
Pretty soon Fred shouted, “Boys, are you all hidden? Well, here I go. One,
two, three, here I come!”

Fred started to look for the hidden boys. He spotted Andrew hiding in a
box. “Ha! I found you, Andrew. You are in that box!” shouted Fred.

Then Fred said to Roy, “I found you, Roy. You are under the sofa.”

Fred could not find Frank. Fred kept looking and then saw Frank behind the
curtain. “Oh there he is! I found you, Frank. Come out from behind the
curtain. I see your black shoes!” shouted Fred.

Now it was Andrew’s turn to stand by the door and shut his eyes while the
other boys hid.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. Who is the first person to close his eyes and seek?

_______________________________________________________

2. Where was Roy hiding?

_______________________________________________________

3. What is Frank wearing that others can see?

_______________________________________________________

4. How many boys are playing the game all together?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Here is a Nest
“Look, Ned, here is a nest! It is made from hay, and the old hen is in it.”

“Put your hand into the nest, Mary.”

“Oh no, the hen will not let me! The hen is protecting something.”

“Mary, I will hold onto her.”

“Well, Ned, if you can hold her, I will put my hand into the nest,” said Mary
as she moved her hand towards the nest. “Oh Ned, there are some little
chicks under the hen!”

“Are there?” asked Ned.

“Take her out of the nest so we can

see them.”

Ned lifted the hen out of the nest.

The children could see the chicks.
There were six of them.

“Oh, the dear little chicks! How

pretty they are,” said Ned. “Should
we help the hen to feed them,
Mary?”

“Yes, I will run and get some

food and give them some
water,” shouted Mary as she
ran towards her house.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. What is the nest made of?

_______________________________________________________

2. How many chicks are in the nest?

_______________________________________________________

3. What will the children do for the little chicks?

_______________________________________________________

4. Why won’t the hen let Mary put her hand in the nest?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

In Search of Flowers
A little girl went in search of flowers for her mother. It was
early in the day, and the grass was wet. Sweet little
birds were singing all around her.

What do you think she found besides flowers? She

found a nest with young birds in it.

While she was looking at them, she heard the

mother bird chirp as if to say, “Do not touch
my children, little girl, for I love them dearly.”

The little girl thought how dearly her own

mother loved her.

So she left the birds. Then picking some

flowers, she went home, and she told her
mother what she had seen and heard.

Questions:

1. What time of day is the girl looking for flowers?

_______________________________________________________

2. What does she find?

_______________________________________________________

3. What does the mother bird say to the girl?

_______________________________________________________

4. Why does the girl leave the nest alone?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

The Coat
“Do not go outside without your warm coat, Tom. It is very cold, and the
snow lies thick on the ground. If you do, then you will catch cold, and you
will be sick.”

“I feel quite warm. I don’t need to wear a warm

coat.”

“Yes, you do. In here we have a large fire. Outside

there is no fire to keep you warm, and the cold wind
blows. If you have no warm coat on, you will feel cold.”

However, Tom thought he knew best, so he went outside with no

coat on. Tom caught a bad cold and cough. He was in bed quite sick.

Jack, Will and Tom were supposed to play on the frozen pond the next day,
but now Tom was too sick to go. When he was in bed, Tom thought how
silly he had been. He would try to do all that he was told when he got well.

Questions:

1. What was the weather like outside?

_______________________________________________________

2. Why doesn’t Tom think he needs a coat?

_______________________________________________________

3. What happened when Tom went out without a coat?

_______________________________________________________

4. Why did Tom think he had been silly?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Moving On
Several years went by, and the father of the Boone family called them
together. “Pack your things,” he told them. “We are leaving here. Boones
never stay long in one place. Besides, our farm land is worn out. We can
buy rich land cheap to the Southwest of here. We will settle there.”

Sixteen-year-old Daniel was happy. “I'm glad we are going,” he said. “I feel
crowded here. There are too many houses and too many people.”

Father prepared for the journey. He took out the big wagon and hitched two
horses to it. Mother packed clothes, quilts, dishes, pots, pans and kettles.
She would fix food for the family along the way. Daniel tied a cow behind
the wagon.

The family said goodbye to the neighbors and to their old home and started
on their way. Mother, the girls, and the little children rode in the wagon.
Father and the boys rode the horses. Sometimes all of them walked to give
the horses a rest.

The Boones traveled across Pennsylvania. On and on they went toward the
new country. At last the family came to the rolling, green Yadkin Valley in
North Carolina. There were a few houses there already, but it was much
wilder than in Pennsylvania.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Father said, “This is good farming land. We will stop here.”

Daniel looked all about him. There was level land close by. There were
woods not far away. There were mountains in the West. Daniel knew the
hunting would be good.

“I like this place,” he said. “There's plenty of room here.”

Father and the boys jumped off the horses. Mother and the girls climbed
down from the wagon. They fed the horses and the cow. They made a
campfire. Father and the boys cut down trees and started to build a log
house. Soon the Boones had a new home in the new land.

The years went by. Daniel grew taller. His shoulders became wider. He
was fair-haired, blue-eyed, lean and rugged. He hunted in the woods of the
Yadkin Valley. The Boones' neighbors said that Daniel was the best shot
for miles around. Daniel Boone had grown into a man.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. How old was Daniel Boone when they moved?

_______________________________________________________

2. Why did the family need to move?

_______________________________________________________

3. Why didn’t they always ride the horses?

_______________________________________________________

4. In which state does the family Boone make their new home?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

Little by Little
When Charley awoke one morning, he looked from the window and saw
the ground deeply covered with snow. On the side of the house nearest
the kitchen, the snow was piled higher than Charley’s head.

“We need a path through this snow,” said his father. “I would make one if I
had time, but I must be at the office early this morning. Do you think you
could make the path, son?” he asked little Charley.

“Me? The snow is higher than my head! How could I ever make a path
through that snow?”

“How? By doing it little by little. How about you try?” requested his father as
he left for his office.

So Charley got the snow shovel and set to work. He threw up first one
shovelful and then another; but it was slow work.

“I don’t think I can do it, mom,” he said. “A shovelful is so little, and there is
such a large heap of snow.”

“Little by little, Charley,” repeated his mother. “That

snow fell in tiny bits, flake by flake, but you see
what a great pile it has made.”

“Yes, mom, I see,” said Charley. “If I throw

it away little by little, it will soon be gone.”

So he worked on.

When his father came home to dinner, he

was pleased to see the fine path. The next
day he gave little Charley a fine blue sled.
Painted on the sled in yellow letters was
“Little by Little”.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. Why does father ask Charley to make the path?

_______________________________________________________

2. What does mother tell Charley to help him feel better?

_______________________________________________________

3. What does father give Charley for his hard work?

_______________________________________________________

4. What does Charley learn by shoveling the snow?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the passage. Then answer each question.

Ten Little Cookies

Ten little cookies, brown and crisp and fine—
Grandma gave Baby one; then there were nine.

Nine little cookies on a china plate—

Betty took a small one; then there were eight.

Eight little cookies, nice and round and even—

The butcher boy ate one; then there were seven.

Seven little cookies, much liked by chicks—

The old hen ate one, then there were six.

Six little cookies, when grandma went to drive—

Betty had another one; then there were five.

Five little cookies, placed too near the door—

The little doggie ate one; then there were four.

Four little cookies, brown as brown could be—

Grandma took one for herself, then there were
three.

Three little cookies— when grandpa said,

“I too, Would like a very little one”; then there
were two.

Two little cookies— fast did Betty run

To give one to her mamma; then there was one.

One little cookie— and now our story is done.

Baby Jane ate the last; then there was none.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. How many cookies were left after the butcher boy ate one?

_______________________________________________________

2. Who ate the cookie placed near the door?

_______________________________________________________

3. What kind of cookie did Grandpa eat?

_______________________________________________________

4. How many cookies did Betty eat in all?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Read the short story. Then answer each question.

A Big White Hen

There was once a big, white hen that had twelve little chickens. They were
very small, and the old hen took good care of them. She found food for
them in the daytime and at night kept them under her wings.

One day, the old hen took her chickens down to a small brook. She thought
some fresh air and the water would do them good.

When they got to the brook, they walked on the bank a little while. It was
very pretty on the other side of the brook, and the old hen thought she
would take her chickens over there.

There was a large stone in the brook; she thought it would be easy for them
to jump to that stone and from it to the other side.

So she jumped to the stone and told the children to come after her. For the
first time, she found that they would not obey her.

She flapped her wings, and cried, “Come here, all of you! Jump upon this
stone as I did. We can then jump to the other side. Come now!”

“O Mother! We can't, we can't, we can't!” said all the little chickens.

“Yes you can if you try,” said the old hen. “Just flap your wings as I did, and
you can jump over.”

“I am flapping my wings,” said

Chippy, who stood by himself,
“but I can't jump any better than
I could before.”

The chickens’ wings were

simply too small to jump
across.

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com

Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Questions:

1. How many chickens does the hen have?

_______________________________________________________

2. What did the hen find in the brook?

_______________________________________________________

3. How should the chickens try to jump?

_______________________________________________________

4. Why don’t the chickens obey the hen?

_______________________________________________________

Reading and Math for K-5 © www.k5learning.com