Super Teacher Worksheets

5th Grade Reading Comprehension

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

5th Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets

Nonfiction Articles

Pseudoscorpions are tiny, harmless scorpion-like creatures that can sometimes be found in bathrooms.  Read about these interesting arachnids and answer the questions.
5th Grade
Common Core
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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. 
5th Grade
Did you ever wonder what those funny little meerkats are doing when they stand up straight and tall? Discover the answer and many other interesting facts about meerkats in this reading comprehension article.
5th Grade
Students can read all about these interesting animals and then test their understanding of the article by answering the reading comprehension questions.
5th Grade
Learn all about the Florida panther, Florida's official state animal, with this reading comprehension passage and worksheet. The worksheet includes a vocabulary activity, a writing prompt, and several short answer and multiple choice questions.
5th Grade
Learn all about the world's largest animal with this article on the blue whale. Reading comprehension questions are included, as well as a vocabulary crossword and writing prompt.
5th Grade
This article has facts about the coast redwood and giant sequoia trees of California. Test your students' comprehension of the article by having them complete the reading comprehension questions, vocabulary activity, and writing prompt.
5th Grade
This article tells all about temperate forests. Reading comprehension questions include a writing prompt, completing a diagram, multiple choice, and more.
5th Grade
Poppies are flowers often worn on holidays like Veterans Day and Memorial Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in Canada. Students will read a short passage about the flower's significance and answer several questions.
For the Canadian version of this worksheet that references Remembrance Day instead of Veterans Day, click the "lang" icon below.
4th through 6th Grades
Learn all about the Constitution of the United States in this fifth grade-level social studies article.
5th Grade
With this article, readers will learn all about the important roles animals played in World War I. Then, they'll answer questions about the article, including multiple choice and short answer questions, a vocabulary activity, and a writing prompt.
5th Grade
This reading passage informs students about the James Webb Space Telescope. Reading comprehension questions include multiple choice, a vocabulary exercise, and a writing prompt.
5th Grade
What is the Bill of Rights? Learn all about the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights, in this fifth grade-level reading comprehension activity.
5th Grade
Learn about how knitting helped soldiers during the First World War. Following the article, there are multiple choice questions, matching questions, and a writing section.
5th Grade
This article tells the story of Lieutenant Gail Halvorsen, AKA Uncle Wiggly Wings, an air force pilot who dropped candy to the children of Berlin after World War II. The worksheet includes reading comprehension questions, a vocabulary exercise, and a writing prompt.
5th Grade
This article makes an interesting supplement for teaching about World War I. Students will learn about how horses helped during the war and why they were important. Then they'll answer reading comprehension questions to test their recall and understanding of important details.
5th Grade
Help your students understand the branches of government with this trio of articles on checks and balances. This one focuses on the executive branch.
5th Grade
This article is all about the U.S. judicial branch and checks and balances. It includes reading comprehension questions, a vocabulary activity, and a writing prompt.
5th Grade
Use this reading comprehension passage and worksheet to supplement lessons on checks and balances or the branches of U.S. government.
5th Grade
Find out why people play jokes and pull pranks on each other every April 1st.
5th Grade
Learn about China's beloved and endangered bear. Reading comprehension questions are included.
5th Grade
Find out fascinating facts about these furry mammals in Asia. Students will discover interesting information about this endangered species.
5th Grade
Have you ever heard of the blue-tongued skink? This unusual Australian animal is surprisingly gentle and can even regrow its own tail! Find out more about this amazing reptile in this reading comprehension article. Worksheet includes multiple choice questions, vocabulary words, and a writing prompt.
5th Grade
Learn all about majestic wolves in this reading comprehension activity. You'll discover why wolves howl and where they live, plus a lot more. This printable reading activity includes comprehension questions, vocabulary terms, and a writing prompt. An answer key is also included.
5th and 6th Grades
Learn all about one of the animals that symbolizes the United States of America: the American Bison! Discover the differences between bison and buffalo, and find out what makes the American Bison unique. Comprehension questions are included.
5th Grade
Students will be amazed to discover all the ways an arctic fox is adapted to the frozen tundra where it lives. This activity includes reading comprehension questions, a writing prompt, and vocabulary words.
5th Grade
Did you know that not all brown bears are actually brown? Learn how you can identify a brown bear in the wild and other interesting facts in this reading activity. This worksheet includes comprehension questions, vocabulary words, and a writing prompt.
5th Grade
Learn all about moose, the world's largest deer, in this fascinating reading comprehension article, complete with comprehension questions, vocabulary words, and a writing prompt. An answer key is included.
5th Grade
Learn all about China in this fascinating article about the country with the largest population on earth!
5th Grade
Learn what it was like to live in ancient China in this fifth grade nonfiction article.
5th Grade
Learn about what it is like to go to school in China in this fifth grade nonfiction article.
5th Grade
Find out what it takes to be a skydiver.  Learn about the necessary equipment, training, and world skydiving records.
5th Grade
Look out!  The world's second largest, and most ferocious shark may be swimming in an ocean near you.
5th Grade
Learn all about the clever octopus in this nonfiction science article targeted toward a fifth-grade reading level!
5th Grade
Learn about the three categories of rocks: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. How does each type of rock form? What are the characteristics of each? Find out these answers and more in this science article.
5th Grade
Learn the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources in this nonfiction science article.
5th Grade
Learn how a rainbow forms in the sky. Basic introduction to the spectrum of light and light concepts. Reading comprehension questions, vocabulary words, and a writing prompt are included.
5th Grade
Over ten pages of hurricane information and comprehension questions.  Use part or all of this amazing resource.
5th Grade
Have you ever heard of the pangolin? This unusual little animal is the scaliest mammal in the world! Yes, that's right! These mammals have scales! Learn all about pangolins in this fifth grade level reading comprehension activity.
5th Grade
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.
5th Grade
Did you know there are almost 2,000 different species of scorpions? Learn this and other fun facts about scorpions in this nonfiction article. Article includes comprehension questions, vocabulary words, and a writing prompt.
5th Grade
Using the braille alphabet, blind people can read without being able to see. This packet of worksheets contains and article and braille activities.
5th Grade
Learn about this fascinating marsupial from Down Under! The article includes reading comprehension questions, a writing prompt, and vocabulary words.
5th Grade
Learn about a variety of invasive algae that is taking over sea floors and killing sea life.
5th Grade
A sensitive plant is a unique houseplant that can instantly fold up its leaves when it is touched. 
5th Grade
Jim describes the many fascinating duties of his job as a railway mechanic.
5th Grade
Did you know that designing and building a bridge involves math, science, architecture, and design skills? Learn about the three main types of bridges, arch, suspension, and beam bridges, in this fascinating article! Activity includes vocabulary words, a writing prompt, and comprehension questions.
5th Grade
Here is a quick-read passage about an American symbol for freedom.
5th Grade
Learn how ladybugs got their name, and why some farmers love them.
5th Grade
Why isn't Pluto considered a planet any more?  Find out by reading this article about dwarf planets.
5th Grade
Discover how llamas are helpful to people by providing transportation, wool, and meat.  They also assist sheep dogs in herding sheep.
5th Grade
Learn about our planet's largest species of rodent, the capybara.
5th Grade
Discover how jaguars live and hunt, and learn why these beautiful animals are endangered.
5th Grade
Learn all about the very loud howler monkey in this reading comprehension article. This worksheet includes comprehension questions, vocabulary identification, and a writing prompt.
5th Grade
Learn about the four layers on the rainforest- the emergent layer, the canopy, the understory, and the floor.
5th Grade
Learn about one of the rainforest's most colorful birds, the Hoatzin.
5th Grade
Read about the strange and unusual fathers in Greek mythology, including Uranus, Cronus, Zeus, and Heracles.
5th Grade
The Visayan warty pig is one of the world's most critically endangered animals. It's a small species of wild pig that lives in the Philippines.
5th Grade
These unusual animals spend most of their lives at sea, but occasionally climb onto Pacific beaches for a period of rest and molting.
5th Grade
Learn how chewing gum and bubble gum was invented with this article.
5th Grade

Poems

What's a clockatoo?  It's a unique animal that's never tardy.  Read this imaginative poem to find out more.   (poem)
5th Grade
This poem describes a horse having difficulty speaking. Readers will answer questions about the poem and the poetic devices it employs.
5th Grade
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.
5th Grade
When a bumble bee is entered into a spelling contest, we discover she's not such a great speller after all.
5th Grade
Read the poem and discover the meaning of a flibbertigibbet, and decide whether or not you'd want to be one.
5th Grade
This is a charming poem about a person staring at a watch, wondering if it gets bored of telling time.
5th Grade
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?
5th Grade
A kitten looks up at a Christmas tree and enjoys the shiny glass ornaments and twinkling lights. (poem)
5th Grade
A magical fairy is spotted dancing in the garden after a rain shower.
5th Grade
Your students will love this fact-filled poem about an opossum mother who takes care of her three joeys.
5th Grade
Comparing texts: Article and Poem; Read about the World's Stinkiest Flower!
5th Grade

Fiction Stories

Strolling through a garden in a late summer evening can bring pleasure to all five senses. In this story, the narrator describes the wonderful sounds, colorful sights, rich aromas, and delicious-tasting food around her.
5th Grade
Anil wants to go to cooking camp, but how will he make enough money to go? Read about Anil's clever twist on a traditional Indian flat bread in order to achieve his dream.
5th Grade
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.
5th Grade
A magical fairy disguises herself as a beggar to find an elf worthy of getting his wish granted. The task is harder than it appears. Will she be able to find a worthy elf? Comprehension questions and vocabulary words included.
5th Grade
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.
5th Grade
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)
5th Grade
It might be Kurt's graduation party but Chris is getting stuck doing all the work, and he doesn't think it's fair.
5th Grade
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)
5th Grade
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)
5th Grade
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.
5th Grade
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.
5th Grade
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.
5th Grade
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.
5th Grade

Biography

This short article highlights the achievements of Susan La Flesche Picotte, the first Native American woman to earn a medical degree.
5th Grade
An article about Lewis Carroll's inspiration for writing
5th Grade
Find out how and why Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, shortly after the Civil War ended.
5th Grade
Read about Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women, and answer the comprehension questions.
5th Grade
Louisa May Alcott is the American author who wrote the Little Women book series.
5th Grade
A short, biographical passage about women's rights' activist and founder of Chicago's Hull House, Jane Addams.
5th Grade
A short passage about the importance of our country's Founding Fathers
5th Grade
Learn about the famous naturalist and artist, John James Audubon
5th Grade
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)
5th Grade
Read this short biographical passage about the Wright Brothers, and learn about their infamous 1903 invention: the motorized airplane.
5th Grade

Practice Reading Aloud

Practice oral poetry reading. Teach students to monitor their speed, read with expression, and improve accuracy when reading aloud.
5th Grade
Practice oral reading of prose with appropriate speed, expression, and accuracy.
5th Grade

Reading Comprehension
Files by Grade:

Second Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets

Fiction stories and nonfiction articles for students at a second grade reading level

Third Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets

Text for students who are reading at a third grade reading level

Fourth Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets

Nonfiction texts and fiction stories for students who are reading at a fourth grade reading level

Middle School Reading Comprehension Worksheets

Passages for students who are reading above the fifth grade level

Literature Circle and Book Club Worksheets

Book report forms, literature circles roles, book bingo, and other reading worksheets

Animal Articles

Short articles about many different animal species, with comprehension questions

Pictures of Our
Reading Worksheets

Reading Comprehension Article

Reading Comprehension Poem

Reading Comprehension Printables

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Common Core Alignment
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