Reading Comprehension
Learn how to understand what you read by using clever strategies. Read carefully, then answer questions about the story!
Comprehension Strategies
When you read a story or passage, use these three strategies to help you understand what is happening.
Re-read
If you do not understand something, read it again. Reading slowly helps you notice details you missed the first time.
Look for Clues
The answer is often hidden in the words! Look for key words in the text that match the question.
Picture It
Close your eyes and imagine the story like a film in your head. This helps you remember what happened.
Read the Passage
Read this story carefully. Then answer the questions below.
Bella's Garden
Bella loved spending time in her garden. Every Saturday morning, she put on her boots and her old green hat. She watered the flowers and pulled out the weeds.
One day, Bella noticed something new. A small orange butterfly was sitting on a sunflower. Bella stood very still so she would not scare it away. The butterfly opened and closed its wings slowly.
"You are the most beautiful thing in my garden," Bella whispered. The butterfly flew up into the blue sky and Bella smiled. She could not wait to come back next Saturday.
The 5 W Questions
Good readers ask these five questions to understand a story. Let us find the answers in Bella's Garden.
Who is the story about?
The story is about a girl called Bella.
What happened?
Bella saw an orange butterfly sitting on a sunflower in her garden.
Where did it happen?
It happened in Bella's garden.
When did it happen?
It happened on a Saturday morning.
Why did Bella stand still?
She stood still so she would not scare the butterfly away.
Key Vocabulary
Comprehension
Understanding what you have read. Showing you know what the story is about.
Passage
A short piece of writing, like a story or part of a story, that you read.
Clue
A piece of information in the text that helps you find the answer to a question.
Key Words
Important words in a question that help you find the right part of the text.
Knowledge Check
Answer these questions about Bella's Garden. Look back at the passage if you need to!
Question 1
What colour was Bella's hat?
Question 2
Where was the butterfly sitting?
Question 3
Why did Bella stand very still?
Question 4
What did Bella do in the garden every Saturday?
Question 5
How do you think Bella felt at the end of the story?
Key Concepts Summary
- ● Re-read the passage if you do not understand something the first time.
- ● Look for clues in the text — the answers are hiding in the words!
- ● Picture it in your mind like a film to help you remember.
- ● Use the 5 W questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why?
- ● Always go back to the text to check your answers.