What is Reading Comprehension?

Reading comprehension is all about understanding what you read. It means you not only read the words but also think about what they mean. When you understand a story, you can talk about it, write about it, and even enjoy it more!

Key Rules for Reading Comprehension

  1. Read Carefully: Take your time to read each sentence.
  2. Think About the Story: Ask yourself questions about what is happening.
  3. Look for Clues: Pictures, titles, and bold words can help you understand better.
  4. Summarise: After reading, try to tell someone what the story was about in a few sentences.
  5. Ask Questions: If something is confusing, ask your teacher or a friend.

Tips and Tricks

  • Highlight Important Parts: Use a pencil to underline or highlight key sentences.
  • Make Predictions: Before you read, guess what the story will be about based on the title.
  • Visualise: Picture the characters and scenes in your mind as you read.
  • Discuss with Friends: Talking about the story can help you understand it better.

Short Story: The Great Treasure Hunt

Once upon a time in a small village called Willow Creek, there were two best friends named Tom and Lily. They loved adventures and often played in the woods near their home. One sunny afternoon, while they were exploring, they stumbled upon an old, dusty map hidden under a pile of leaves.

“What do you think this is?” asked Tom, his eyes wide with excitement.

“I think it’s a treasure map!” said Lily, bouncing with joy. “Let’s follow it!”

The map had a big red ‘X’ marked on it, deep in the Enchanted Forest. The friends decided to set off on their treasure hunt. They packed sandwiches, some juice, and a flashlight, just in case they needed it.

As they entered the Enchanted Forest, the trees seemed to whisper secrets to one another. Birds chirped cheerfully, guiding them along the path. After walking for what felt like hours, they reached a sparkling stream.

“Look! The map says we need to cross this stream,” pointed Tom, glancing at the map.

But there was no bridge. The water was cold and fast. Tom scratched his head and said, “How do we get across?”

Lily spotted some large stones in the water. “We can hop across these stones!” she suggested. With careful jumps and lots of laughter, they made it to the other side.

Next, the map led them to a big, old oak tree. Its trunk was so wide that it would take three children to hug it! “The map says the treasure is buried near the tree,” Tom exclaimed.

They started digging with their hands, feeling excited and a bit tired. Suddenly, Lily’s fingers hit something hard. “I think I found it!” she shouted.

They dug more and uncovered a small, rusty treasure chest. With all their strength, they opened it together. Inside, they found gold coins, sparkling jewels, and a note that read, “To those who seek adventure, may you always be brave and kind.”

Tom and Lily couldn’t believe their eyes. “We found treasure!” they cheered. But instead of keeping it all for themselves, they decided to share it with their village. They used the treasure to fix the playground, build a library, and help those in need.

From that day on, Tom and Lily were known as the heroes of Willow Creek. They learned that the greatest treasure of all is friendship and helping others.

Questions to Check Understanding

  1. Who were the main characters in the story?
  2. What did Tom and Lily find in the woods?
  3. Where did the treasure map lead them?
  4. How did they cross the stream?
  5. What did they find when they dug under the oak tree?
  6. What was written in the note inside the treasure chest?
  7. What did Tom and Lily decide to do with the treasure?
  8. Why were Tom and Lily considered heroes?
  9. What lesson did Tom and Lily learn?
  10. How did the forest feel when they entered it?

Questions to Check Vocabulary

  1. What does ‘adventure’ mean?
  2. What is the meaning of ‘treasure’?
  3. What does ‘sparkling’ describe in the story?
  4. What does ‘whisper’ mean when talking about trees?
  5. What does ‘rusty’ mean when describing the treasure chest?
  6. Can you explain what ‘buried’ means?
  7. What is a ‘map’ used for?
  8. What does ‘excited’ mean in the context of the story?
  9. What does ‘uncover’ mean?
  10. What does ‘kind’ mean when referring to the characters’ actions?

Questions to Check Grammar

  1. Rewrite this sentence correctly: “Tom and Lily was best friends.”
  2. Is this sentence correct? “They loves adventures.”
  3. Change this sentence to past tense: “They find a treasure map.”
  4. Fill in the blank: “The map _____ (lead) them to the oak tree.”
  5. Identify the subject of this sentence: “Lily spotted some stones.”
  6. Correct the punctuation: “What do you think this is said Tom.”
  7. Change to the plural form: “The friend found a treasure.”
  8. Make this sentence negative: “They crossed the stream.”
  9. Identify the verb in this sentence: “They decided to share the treasure.”
  10. Is this sentence correct? “The treasure were buried under the tree.”

Questions to Check Punctuation

  1. Where does the comma go in this sentence? “Tom and Lily found a map and decided to explore.”
  2. Does this sentence need a question mark or an exclamation mark? “What a great adventure”
  3. Correct the punctuation: “Look said Lily I think it’s a treasure map”
  4. Where should the apostrophe go in this sentence? “The friends adventure was exciting.”
  5. Is this sentence correct? “They found a treasure and they were happy”
  6. Where does the full stop go? “They decided to share the treasure”
  7. Rewrite this sentence with the correct punctuation: “The map had a big red X.”
  8. Where should the quotation marks go? “I found the treasure” said Tom.
  9. Correct the punctuation: “What do you think this is said Tom”
  10. Does this sentence need a comma? “Tom and Lily packed sandwiches some juice and a flashlight.”

Answers and Explanations

Answers to Check Understanding

  1. Tom and Lily.
  2. An old, dusty map.
  3. The Enchanted Forest.
  4. By hopping across stones.
  5. A small, rusty treasure chest.
  6. To those who seek adventure, may you always be brave and kind.
  7. They decided to share it with their village.
  8. They helped their village.
  9. Friendship and helping others.
  10. It felt magical and whispering.

Answers to Check Vocabulary

  1. A fun and exciting experience.
  2. Something valuable.
  3. Shining and bright.
  4. Speaking softly.
  5. Covered in rust.
  6. To hide something underground.
  7. To find your way.
  8. Feeling happy and eager.
  9. To reveal something.
  10. Being nice to others.

Answers to Check Grammar

  1. “Tom and Lily were best friends.”
  2. No, it should be “They love adventures.”
  3. “They found a treasure map.”
  4. “The map led them to the oak tree.”
  5. “Lily” is the subject.
  6. “What do you think this is?” said Tom.
  7. “The friends’ adventure was exciting.”
  8. “They didn’t cross the stream.”
  9. “Decided” is the verb.
  10. No, it should be “The treasure was buried under the tree.”

Answers to Check Punctuation

  1. “Tom and Lily found a map, and decided to explore.”
  2. An exclamation mark.
  3. “Look,” said Lily, “I think it’s a treasure map.”
  4. “The friends’ adventure was exciting.”
  5. No, it should have a full stop.
  6. “They decided to share the treasure.”
  7. “The map had a big red ‘X’.”
  8. “I found the treasure,” said Tom.
  9. “What do you think this is?” said Tom.
  10. Yes, it needs a comma.

Now, let’s dive into reading! Remember, the more you practice, the better you will get at understanding what you read. Happy reading!