Reading Comprehension Worksheets for 5th Graders

How to Create Reading Comprehension Worksheets at Home

At the 5th grade level, reading passages can be more detailed and informative than they are for beginning readers. On the worksheet, write your own passage or choose one from a novel, biography or news article. Since you'll be creating these worksheets for your child as extra practice, you might choose to focus on a topic he or she is interested in to get better participation.

Reading comprehension worksheets are typically comprised of three types of questions: multiple choice, short answer and opinion. When creating a worksheet, start with a few multiple-choice questions that reference specific details from the text. Then, ask two or three short-answer questions about the sequence of events, reasons for a character's action or anything else you can come up with. When your child completes the short answer questions, ask him or her to support the answer with text from the passage. Finally, include at least one question in which your child can give his or her opinion; this type of question helps kids practice higher-order thinking skills. For example, you can ask for predictions or reactions to events in the passage.

5th Grade Reading Comprehension Questions and Answers

Fictional Passage

Julie began pacing back and forth as she thought about the big event. In just five minutes, she would be standing in front of a crowded auditorium. There have to be at least 100 people in there, she thought to herself. Although Julie loved to sing and had been practicing diligently for months, the thought of performing in front of her family, friends and peers made her think twice about doing the show.

As her fear and nervousness began to grow, Julie heard her choir teacher announce her name as the next soloist. Maybe I can sneak out and no one would notice, Julie thought. Or maybe I can pretend I'm sick, and Mrs. Anderson will skip me.

Before she even had time to make a run for it, Mrs. Anderson came into the room. 'You're on, Julie,' she said as she took her hand to lead her to the stage.

'But I don't think I can do it!' Julie pleaded.

'Of course you can,' said her teacher. 'Just remember what we practiced!'

Question

Which of the following statements about Julie is false?

a) She was nervous to perform in front of her friends.

b) She didn't think she could sing well in front of a large crowd.

c) She didn't really enjoy singing.

d) She practiced before the concert.

Answer

c) - Julie loved singing, but she was nervous to be in front of such a large crowd of people she knew.

Question

In your own words, explain why Julie was so scared, even though she loved to sing and had been practicing for a long time before the show.

Answer (Will Vary)

When Julie practiced with Mrs. Anderson, she probably wasn't singing in front of a crowd of people. She might have been used to performing in front of her choir class, but having 100 people starring at her would be more scary.

Question

Predict the ending of this story. Did Julie do her solo, or do you think she ran out? Explain why you feel this way.

Answer (Will Vary)

I think Julie sang at the concert. Even though she was nervous, her teacher encouraged her to remember they had practiced. Julie was a good singer and loved doing it, so once she started, her fear probably went away.