Super Teacher Worksheets

5th Grade Reading Comprehension - Short Passages

This page contains short reading comprehension passages (usually only 1, 2, or 3 paragraphs). Each passage contains a set of comprehension questions.

5th grade Reading Passages with Questions

Biography

Sojourner Truth was was an American abolitionist and women’s rights activist. She was also the first black woman to win a lawsuit against a white man.
5th Grade
Sojourner Truth
Common Core
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In this biographical article, we learn about the Wright Brothers and their first powered airplane flight in Kittyhawk, North Carolina.
5th Grade
Wright Brothers
Julia Child was a famous French chef who wrote several cookbooks and went on to become a television star.
5th Grade
Julia Child
This is a short biographical passage about Louisa May Alcott, author of the Little Women series of books.
5th Grade
Louisa May Alcott

Non-Fiction

This short passage is about the smallest continent on Earth--Australia! It offers plenty of interesting facts in just three paragraphs. The worksheet also includes 4 reading comprehension questions.
5th Grade
Australia
The Grand Canyon is known for its enormous size and colorful landscape. It also reveals some of the most ancient rock layers in all of North America.
5th Grade
Grand Canyon
Glacier National Park covers over a million acres of Montana. It is home to grizzly bears, moose, wolverines and lynxes.
5th Grade
Glacier National Park
Niagara Falls is located between the United States and Canada. It is a popular tourist destination for visitors from around the world.
5th Grade
Niagara Falls
Yellowstone was the first national park in the United States. It is home to Old Faithful, a geyser that regularly erupts with a spray of water and steam.
5th Grade
Yellowstone National Park

Non-Fiction

One of the most well-known U.S. landmarks, the Statue of Liberty was a gift to the American people from France.
5th Grade
Statue of Liberty
This short passage features information about the Founding Fathers of the United States. The article specifically mentions George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams.
5th Grade
Founding Fathers
Read about the cemetery that is the resting place of Presidents Taft and Kennedy, as well as home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Five reading comprehension questions follow this short article.
5th Grade
Arlington National Cemetery
See also:
5th Grade Reading Comp:
Longer Passages

If you're looking for full-length passages, with reading comprehension questions and vocabulary activities, please jump over to this page.

Sample Worksheet Images

Fifth Grade Reading Passages - Articles

5th Grade Reading Comprehension - Short Passages

5th Grade Reading Comprehension Passages

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Common Core Alignment
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