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English worksheets · Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6

Reading comprehension worksheets

Printable reading comprehension practice with a short passage and questions covering retrieval, vocabulary, inference and summary.

Printable reading comprehension worksheet

Printable sample · Years 3–5

The early train

Read the passage, then answer the questions. Passage: Mira pulled her scarf tighter as the platform lights flickered. The early train was late again. She checked her watch, sighed, and opened her sketchbook. By the time the train finally rattled in, she had drawn every pigeon on the roof.

Years 3–5 · English

The early train

NameDate

Read the passage, then answer the questions. Passage: Mira pulled her scarf tighter as the platform lights flickered. The early train was late again. She checked her watch, sighed, and opened her sketchbook. By the time the train finally rattled in, she had drawn every pigeon on the roof.

  1. 1.Where is Mira waiting?
  2. 2.Find a word that shows the train was noisy.
  3. 3.How do you think Mira feels about the train? Give evidence.
  4. 4.Why did Mira pull her scarf tighter?
  5. 5.What does 'flickered' suggest about the lights?
  6. 6.How long do you think she waited? Explain.
  7. 7.What does Mira enjoy doing?
  8. 8.Summarise the passage in one sentence.
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Years 3–5 · EnglishAnswer key

The early train — answers

Suggested answers. Accept sensible alternatives where noted.

  1. 1.Where is Mira waiting?On a train platform
  2. 2.Find a word that shows the train was noisy.rattled
  3. 3.How do you think Mira feels about the train? Give evidence.Frustrated or impatient — she sighed; 'late again'
  4. 4.Why did Mira pull her scarf tighter?It was cold
  5. 5.What does 'flickered' suggest about the lights?They went on and off / were unsteady
  6. 6.How long do you think she waited? Explain.A long time — she drew every pigeon
  7. 7.What does Mira enjoy doing?Drawing / sketching
  8. 8.Summarise the passage in one sentence.e.g. Mira draws while waiting for a late train.
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Reading comprehension

Types of comprehension question

Retrieval questions ask children to find information. Vocabulary questions ask what a word means in context. Inference questions ask them to read between the lines and explain with evidence. Summary questions ask for the main idea.

Younger readers focus on retrieval and prediction; older readers explain, justify and compare.

Year-group applicability

Which years practise reading comprehension?

Designed around primary-school skill progression; your school's order may differ.

  1. Year 2Answer and ask questions about a short text, and predict what might happen next.All Year 2 worksheets →
  2. Year 3Retrieve information, explain the meaning of words and discuss characters' feelings.All Year 3 worksheets →
  3. Year 4Draw inferences, summarise paragraphs and identify how language affects meaning.All Year 4 worksheets →
  4. Year 5Explain and justify inferences with evidence from the text.All Year 5 worksheets →
  5. Year 6Summarise, compare and evaluate texts, explaining how language shapes meaning.All Year 6 worksheets →

Questions

Frequently asked questions

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