Reading Comprehension - 5th Grade Worksheets

Reading Comprehension Worksheets for 5th Grade

This page contains our collection of 5th grade articles, poems, and stories. Each passage includes reading comprehension questions for students to answer.

Non-Fiction Articles

Hitchhikers in the Bathroom Free

Pseudoscorpions are tiny, harmless scorpion-like creatures that can sometimes be found in bathrooms. Read about these interesting arachnids and answer the questions. (non-fiction)

April Fools Member

Find out why people play jokes and pull pranks on each other every April 1st. (non-fiction)

Spitting to Survive Free

Find out how llamas, archer fish, cobras, and humans use their spit to help them survive. Then, answer the comprehension questions that go along with the article. (non-fiction)

Skydiving: Dive Into Action Member

Find out what it takes to be a skydiver. Learn about the necessary equipment, training, and world skydiving records. (non-fiction)

John Muir Member

John Muir was a wilderness conservationist who lived in the 1800s. This fascinating article describes his writings, his political influence, and his role in history. (biography)

Great White Sharks Member

Look out! The world's second largest, and most ferocious shark may be swimming in an ocean near you. (non-fiction)

Hurricanes: Nature's Wildest Storms Member

Over ten pages of hurricane information and comprehension questions. Use part or all of this amazing resource.

Seahorses Member

Did you know that a seahorse can't swim well and it can actually die of exhaustion in rough water? Learn many seahorse facts in this article. (non-fiction)

Reading Without Seeing Member

Using the braille alphabet, blind people can read without being able to see. This packet of worksheets contains and article and braille activities.

Attack of the Killer Algae Member

Learn about a variety of invasive algae that is taking over sea floors and killing sea life. (non-fiction)

Sensitive Plant Member

A sensitive plant is a unique houseplant that can instantly fold up its leaves when it is touched. (non-fiction)

Railway Mechanic Jim Member

Jim describes the many fascinating duties of his job as a railway mechanic. (article)

The Liberty Bell Member

A quick-read passage about an American symbol for freedom. (short, non-fiction)

Seeing Red Member

Learn how ladybugs got their name, and why some farmers love them.

Dwarf Planets Member

Why isn't Pluto considered a planet any more? Find out by read this article about dwarf planets.

The Helpful Llama (Non-Fiction) Member

Discover how llamas are helpful to people by providing transportation, wool, and meat. They also assist sheep dogs in herding sheep.

Master of the Grasses (Non-Fiction) Member

Learn about our planet's largest species of rodent, the capybara.

Jaguars Member

Discover how jaguars live and hunt, and learn why these beautiful animals are endangered.

Rainforest, Part 1: Layers Free

Learn about the four layers on the rainforest- the emergent layer, the canopy, the understory, and the floor.

Rainforest, Part 2: Hoatzin Bird Member

Learn about one of the rainforest's most colorful birds, the Hoatzin.

Dads, Greek God Style Member

Read about the strange and unusual fathers in Greek mythology, including Uranus, Cronus, Zeus, and Heracles.

Elephant Seals Member

These unusual animals spend most of their lives at sea, but occasionally climb onto Pacific beaches for a period of rest and molting.

Poems

Clockatoos Member

What's a clockatoo? It's a unique animal that's never tardy. Read this imaginative poem to find out more. (poem)

Hyperbole Cafe (Poem) Free

Eat at the hyperbole Cafe, where the noodles are a mile long, the vegetables are piled as high as a mountain, and the soup dish is as deep as the sea.

The Spelling Bee (Poem) Member

When a bumble bee is entered into a spelling contest, we discover she's not such a great speller after all.

Flibbertigibbet (Poem) Member

Read the poem and discover the meaning of a flibbertigibbet, and decide whether or not you'd want to be one.

My Watch (Poem) Member

This is a charming poem about a person staring at a watch, wondering if it gets bored of telling time.

To the Ferry (Poem) Member

A group of people stop for ice cream while waiting for a ferry to come. What happens when they stay at the ice cream shop too long?

What Kitten Sees (Poem) Member

A kitten looks up at a Christmas tree and enjoys the shiny glass ornaments and twinkling lights. (poem)

Fairy Dance (Poem) Member

A magical fairy is spotted dancing in the garden after a rain shower.

Opossums (Poem) Member

Your students will love this fact-filled poem about an opossum mother who takes care of her three joeys.

Rafflesia (Article & Poem) Member

Comparing texts: Article and Poem; Read about the World's Stinkiest Flower!

Fiction Stories

Heroes in the Sky Member

When Jason finds a model Huey on Grandpa Bill's desk, he wants to hear all about his grandfather's job in the Vietnam War. But while he learns about helicopters and the war, he also discovers what a hero his grandfather is.

Field Day Champion Member

Andy can almost feel the first place medal around his neck, but when the last challenge of the field day is a hula hooping competition, Andy will learn what it means to be a true field day champion.

Hidden Treasure Member

A poor peasant finds a treasure, but why does he decide to give it away? Students read the passage and answer the questions that follow. (fiction / fable)

Graduation Party Member

It might be Kurt's graduation party but Chris is getting stuck doing all the work, and he doesn't think it's fair.

Wailing Well Member

Charlie is the toughest girl in the fifth grade, but when she's dared to look into the "Wailing Well" and find out if a kid-hungry troll really lives there, she's afraid she'll lose her reputation. Charlie must find the courage to prove that some scary stories are just that--stories. (fiction)

Leaving Her Mark (True Story) Member

A true story about a pony with an artificial leg. The pony has a unique horseshoe shaped like a smiley face, allowing her to "leave her mark" wherever she walks. (true story)

Locked Out Member

Trevor is excited to stay home alone for the first time, but when he takes the dogs outside to play and gets locked out for hours, he'll find out being home alone comes with some responsibility.

A Team for Trish (Fiction) Member

Team captains choose Trish last when dividing the class for a basketball game, but her classmates are surprised to discover that Trish is a terrific player.

The Twister (Fiction) Member

Michelle is afraid to ride the new roller coaster, The Twister, on her class trip to the amusement park, but she doesn't want to let her friends down either.

Holiday Musical Blues (Fiction) Member

Lisa hopes she'll get one of the lead roles in the holiday musical, but she's upset that no one will recognize her in the special part she was chosen for.

Biography

Lewis Caroll (Biographical) Member

An article about Lewis Carroll's inspiration for writing

Clara Barton (Biography) Member

Find out how and why Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, shortly after the Civil War ended.

Louisa May Alcott (Biographical) Member

Read about Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women, and answer the comprehension questions.

Jane Addams (Short, Biographical) Member

A short, biographical passage about women's rights' activist and founder of Chicago's Hull House, Jane Addams.

Founding Fathers (Short, Biographical) Member

A short passage about the importance of our country's Founding Fathers

John James Audubon (Biographical) Member