Reading Comprehension Worksheets
Over a thousand free reading comprehension worksheets updated daily. Fun facts and educational stories that parents and teachers can share with their kids and develop lesson plans.
- Helicopter
- Mockingbird
- Harvest Festival Day
- Grapefruit
- Ramadan
- Curling
- Cheese
- Abraham Lincoln
- Fishing
- Crab
- Congee (Rice porridge)
- Christmas
- Wolf-eel
- Actor
- Speed
- Mall
- Boy Who Cried Wolf
- Guppy
- Mustard
- Ring Bearer
- Blackbird
- Pluto
- Lime
- Golden Delicious
- S'mores
- Independence Day
- Yom Kippur
- Honeymoon
- Fire Breathing
- Safari Themed
- Pizza Margherita
- Hamburger
- Buddha's Birthday
- Blue Sharks
- Water Polo
- Shenandoah
- Venus
- Yom Kippur
- Racing
- Lantern Festival
Helicopter
Friday November 20, 2009
A rotor and blades lift a helicopter straight up and make it hover in the air at one point for a long time. A relatively new technology, the first successful helicopter was mass-produced in 1942. Today's helicopters are used in the army, by news and weather stations and the police, but some tourists fly high above scenic locations like the Grand Canyon and Hawaii.
Mockingbird
Thursday November 19, 2009
Mockingbirds are often tropical in origin, although some live in Northern climates. They are small grey or colorful birds and are fierce protectors of their nests and habitats. Scientists aren't sure what their special talent is for, but Mockingbirds are especially good at mocking or mimicking the song of other species of birds.
Harvest Festival Day
Wednesday November 18, 2009
Harvest Festival Day, also called Chuseok or Hangawi, is a fall harvest festival. Koreans eat rice cakes steamed on pine needles and head back to their hometowns for a festival that's like American Thanksgiving. They get together with their extended family and visit ancestral grave sites to remember their roots.
Grapefruit
Tuesday November 17, 2009
Originally discovered in Barbados, grapefruit comes in two major varieties, white and pink, also called Ruby Red. Grapefruits are very healthy and great source of vitamin C. They grow in very warm climates and their seeds have been used by “holistic," or natural, doctors for centuries to fight bacteria and infection.
Ramadan
Monday November 16, 2009
During Ramadan, devout Muslims fast during the day and eat a restricted diet from sundown to sunup. They must also go to the mosque, or church, more often. The month of Ramadan was when the Qu'ran, the Muslim holy book, was first handed down to Muhammad. After the month-long fast there is a week of feasting and celebration
Curling
Sunday November 15, 2009
Curling dates back to 17th century Scotland. Four players guide a granite rock down a track of ice to its goal or "house." They use broom-like sticks to maneuver the stone. The curling stone has to have very exact dimensions and craftsmanship, and some of the finer stones can cost upwards of $1,500.
Cheese
Saturday November 14, 2009
Italian pizzas come decked out in mozzarella, a very soft buffalo or cow's milk cheese, or provolone, a mild cheese that tastes like Monterey Jack. If you want to make a pizza yourself, go to your local grocery store and pick up a bag of shredded "Italian Cheese," which is a mix of Mozzarella, Provolone, Asiago and Romano cheeses.
Abraham Lincoln
Friday November 13, 2009
Abraham Lincoln was America's 16th president, who was in office from 1861 until his death by assassination on April 15th, 1865. He was the first Republican elected President and was most famous for leading the United States through the Civil War and ending slavery with the Emancipation Proclimation and the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
Fishing
Thursday November 12, 2009
Grab a fishing rod, a set of hooks and your bait to lure the fish. All the bait you need is a bucket full of dirt and worms. Eww! Stick one of those wiggly guys on a hook and cast it in the water. If the bobber starts jumping up and down, pull hard! Take your catch home and enjoy your hard-earned dinner.
Crab
Wednesday November 11, 2009
There are about 7,000 species of crab, a crustacean that lives in all of the world's oceans. Crabs can go from being only a few millimeters big, like the pea crab, to about 13 feet wide, like the Japanese spider crab.
Congee (Rice porridge)
Tuesday November 10, 2009
A popular rice pudding, Congee is made by boiling rice for a very long time. When the individual grains break down, the dish turns into a type of soup. Imagine gooey oatmeal. After the base is made, Congee can be flavored with anything from eggs to meats and spices. It is traditionally served for breakfast, but it's delicious anytime.
Christmas
Monday November 9, 2009
Christmas is a holiday that came to Japan directly from America. There are not a lot of Christians in Japan, so Christmas is a commercial holiday, not a religious one. It is called "Kurisumasu" in Japanese and is an occasion for Japanese friends and family to display decorations and exchange gifts.
Wolf-eel
Sunday November 8, 2009
Wolf-eels are nasty predators. They are very flexible and can curl their bodies to fit into the caves and crevices where they live. They hunt at night and spring out of their hiding place at unsuspecting prey. On the cute side, they live in the same cave as their mate, laying eggs and raising a family together.
Actor
Saturday November 7, 2009
The first actor performed in 534 BC at the Greek Theatre Dionysis. His name was Thespis and now actors everywhere pay him homage and honor his memory by calling themselves "thespians."
Speed
Friday November 6, 2009
Speed is like War, where players flip cards over and the highest card wins the face-off. The point is to get rid of all your cards. When two players face off with matching cards, they have to quickly slap the pile with fewer cards. If you're not quick, you end up with more cards.
Mall
Thursday November 5, 2009
A mall comes from the ancient idea of a grand marketplace. Famous markets from the past are Tehran's Grand Bazaar or the Oxford Covered Market. The first mall in America was The Arcade in Providence, Rhode Island and the biggest mall in the world is the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Boy Who Cried Wolf
Wednesday November 4, 2009
A bored shepherd boy has his fun by yelling out "wolf!" to scare the villagers. One time, there really is a wolf. When the boy yells for help, nobody believes him and he perishes at the hands of the beast. Very simple, the story is a warning to everyone who reads it against the dangers of lying.
Guppy
Tuesday November 3, 2009
Guppies have rich jewel-tone colors and are a very popular freshwater aquarium addition. Guppies breed and deliver live babies instead of laying eggs. It takes a pregnant guppy three to four weeks to deliver babies, called fry. Unfortunately, guppies will often eat their own fry so aquarists must give the babies a safe place to live.
Mustard
Monday November 2, 2009
Mustard is Ketchup's tougher buddy. It is made from the seeds of the mustard plant and mixed with vinegar, flour and spices. The first mustard, a very spicy variety, was invented by the Romans. Mustard as we know it, either Yellow Mustard or the sweet favorite Honey Dijon, was introduced in the 19th century.
Ring Bearer
Sunday November 1, 2009
The ring bearer is a child from the family who dresses up in a handsome tuxedo and carries the wedding rings to the altar. A few wacky people have their favorite pet, like a beloved golden retriever, deliver the rings. It's an important job and somebody's got to do it!
Blackbird
Saturday October 31, 2009
They are the namesakes of a Beatles song, but Blackbirds have a wonderful song of their own. Like Nightingales, it is the male Blackbird that sings. They are all black except for orange rings around the eyes. They only sing in warm climates and the oldest recorded Blackbird lived for 20 years. They are the national bird of Sweden.
Pluto
Friday October 30, 2009
Pluto used to be considered a planet, but now scientists think it is one of the largest dwarf objects in a region called the Kuiper Belt. It is made up of rock and ice and is about a fifth the size of the Earth's Moon.
Lime
Thursday October 29, 2009
Limes are used in cooking for their juice and their "zest," or skin. In the 19th century, sailors and pirates who were away from fruits and vegetables for months at a time often got "scurvy," a vitamin C shortage. To prevent it, ships carried tons of limes.
Golden Delicious
Wednesday October 28, 2009
The Golden Delicious apple was the child of two different kinds of golden apples. The first tree grew in 1914 and the fruit has been a favorite for its sweet, mellow taste and light skin ever since. These apples tend to shrivel and dry out faster than most, so when you get your hands on one, eat it right away!
S'mores
Tuesday October 27, 2009
To make s'mores, you will need to roast marshmallows on a stick over a fire until they're brown and soft. Use two pieces of graham cracker, one with a piece of chocolate on it, like a baseball mitt to take the steaming marshmallow off the stick. Yummy! You can, of course, enjoy this treat in the microwave, too.
Independence Day
Monday October 26, 2009
Just like South Korea founded the Republic of Korea in 1948, North Korea founded the Democratic People's Republic of Korea that same year on September 9th. North Koreans still celebrate that day as their own Independence Day from their union with South Korea and also their freedom from Japan's imperial rule.
Yom Kippur
Sunday October 25, 2009
As Jews forgive their sins on Yom Kippur they also fast, or abstain from food for 25 hours. To celebrate, Jews have a large feast the day before Yom Kippur and during the holiday itself they go to the synagogue, or church, to pray and worship. Amish Christians have a similar tradition, called Fast Day.
Honeymoon
Saturday October 24, 2009
Bon voyage! It may be a weekend away or an extravagant trip around the world. Wherever the destination, the honeymoon is a chance for the couple to relax. Planning a wedding and a new life together is stressful, so this vacation is a well-deserved break.
Fire Breathing
Friday October 23, 2009
Breathing fire is an easy skill to master, but very dangerous. The performer holds fuel in their mouth, usually paraffin or lamp fuel, and sprays it near a flaming torch. Tim Black set a world record by blowing a flame that was seventeen feet long. This fiery trick started in India.
Safari Themed
Thursday October 22, 2009
For a good safari party you can go to the park and explore the 'wilderness.' The word “safari" means travel in Farsi and journey in Swahili. You'll need binoculars and a journal to keep track of all the animals you see on yours. For adult adventurers, Africa is a popular safari attraction for big game viewing, hunting and photography.
Pizza Margherita
Wednesday October 21, 2009
Italians take their pizza very seriously. There are government regulations for what can go into a Neapolitan pizza, the signature pizza of Italy. Perhaps the most famous of these government-guarded pizzas is the Pizza Margherita. The ingredients are simple: basil, tomato sauce, garlic, sliced Mozzarella cheese and oil. The result is always delicious.
Hamburger
Tuesday October 20, 2009
Originally from Hamburg, Germany, the hamburger first came to America in the year 1900. A burger is a beef patty served between two buns. The rest is up to the lucky eater! One favorite topping is cheese, making the dish into a cheeseburger. Add lettuce, tomato, onions, ketchup and mustard. Don't forget the fries!
Buddha's Birthday
Monday October 19, 2009
Buddha's birthday is also known as the Flower Festival or "hana matsuri." Buddha was a great sage who discovered a new way of thinking and living that would remove a person from a cycle of suffering. April 8th is the date of the festival and statues of Buddha throughout Japan are "anointed," or bathed in a special tea.
Blue Sharks
Sunday October 18, 2009
Unlike most sharks, blue sharks live in groups. They swim in tropical oceans and deep water, giving birth to up to 100 shark pups at a time. They are lazy hunters and long-distance swimmers, sometimes traveling between New England and South America. The only danger they present to humans is their habit of traveling in large, scary-looking groups.
Water Polo
Saturday October 17, 2009
Swimming is a very important skill for water polo players because they chase the ball constantly. They also have to be able to "tread water," or float with their arms and chests above the surface. This challenging sport is a full-body workout!
Shenandoah
Friday October 16, 2009
Shenandoah National Park showcases the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah River of Virginia. The park also features 101 and miles of the famous Appalachian Trail, which, at 2,000 miles long, is the longest trail in the United States. US President Herbert Hoover had a retreat at Shenandoah.
Venus
Thursday October 15, 2009
Venus is named after the Roman goddess of love. It is known as the Morning Star or the Evening Star because it is the brightest object in the sky, other than the moon, at these times of the day.
Yom Kippur
Wednesday October 14, 2009
As Jews forgive their sins on Yom Kippur they also fast, or abstain from food for 25 hours. To celebrate, Jews have a large feast the day before Yom Kippur and during the holiday itself they go to the synagogue, or church, to pray and worship. Amish Christians have a similar tradition, called Fast Day.
Racing
Tuesday October 13, 2009
Race your friends in the pool. Not only will you become an excellent swimmer, you'll have the thrill of competition and, we hope, a taste of victory. Swim more than one lap or turn around underwater to up the ante and improve your skills.
Lantern Festival
Monday October 12, 2009
Lantern Festival is the next holiday after Chinese New Year. Beautiful paper lanterns are displayed throughout every city, a custom that goes all the way back to the first century. Did you know that in China, there are five separate categories for paper lantern designs? All can be seen during the festival.
Check out our fun facts website for more reading comprehension worksheets organized by subject.
