Reading Comprehension Questions
Many reading comprehension questions focus on a character’s actions, asking the reader to interpret their behavior. To do this, a reader must rely on inferencing—the ability to predict what a character will do or how they feel.
A common question format is:
Why did this character behave in a certain way?
To answer this, the reader must analyze the character’s:
- Actions and inactions
- Spoken words and what is left unsaid
- Body language and reactions
Understanding these elements helps the reader infer a character’s thoughts and emotions.
DIY Reading Comprehension Practice
You can teach this skill at home by using family members as real-life characters. For example, observe a sibling’s actions and discuss them with your child:
- Example Scenario: Judy comes home from school crying.
- Discussion: Ask your child why they think Judy is upset. Judy hasn’t said why, so they must infer.
- Possible Answer: Judy had a bad day at school or something happened on the way home.
A similar question might appear on a reading test:
Was Judy happy or sad when she came home from school in Chapter 3?
The correct answer: Judy was sad.
A critical thinking follow-up question might ask:
How do you know?
An excellent answer would be:
Because Judy was crying when she got home. When I cry, I am usually sad.
This is a strong response because the reader is using inference by comparing Judy’s actions to their own experiences.
At-Home Reading Comprehension Practice
Make inferencing a daily activity! Have your child guess or predict why family members act in certain ways. Always discuss why they think that and ask:
How do you know?
You can also turn this into a game by applying it to television shows or movies.
Tip: “How do you know?” is a common question on reading tests. If a child cannot explain their answer, they may only receive partial credit. Too many partial answers lead to low reading test scores.
The earlier a child learns this skill, the better. Even first and second graders can benefit from these discussions
Reading Comprehension Questions
Many reading comprehension questions focus on a character’s actions, asking the reader to interpret their behavior. To do this, a reader must rely on inferencing—the ability to predict what a character will do or how they feel.
A common question format is:
Why did this character behave in a certain way?
To answer this, the reader must analyze the character’s:
- Actions and inactions
- Spoken words and what is left unsaid
- Body language and reactions
Understanding these elements helps the reader infer a character’s thoughts and emotions.
DIY Reading Comprehension Practice
You can teach this skill at home by using family members as real-life characters. For example, observe a sibling’s actions and discuss them with your child:
- Example Scenario: Judy comes home from school crying.
- Discussion: Ask your child why they think Judy is upset. Judy hasn’t said why, so they must infer.
- Possible Answer: Judy had a bad day at school or something happened on the way home.
A similar question might appear on a reading test:
Was Judy happy or sad when she came home from school in Chapter 3?
The correct answer: Judy was sad.
A critical thinking follow-up question might ask:
How do you know?
An excellent answer would be:
Because Judy was crying when she got home. When I cry, I am usually sad.
This is a strong response because the reader is using inference by comparing Judy’s actions to their own experiences.
At-Home Reading Comprehension Practice
Make inferencing a daily activity! Have your child guess or predict why family members act in certain ways. Always discuss why they think that and ask:
How do you know?
You can also turn this into a game by applying it to television shows or movies.
Tip: “How do you know?” is a common question on reading tests. If a child cannot explain their answer, they may only receive partial credit. Too many partial answers lead to low reading test scores.
The earlier a child learns this skill, the better. Even first and second graders can benefit from these discussions
Character Traits in a Reading Test
Reading test questions also ask students to identify character traits. Below is a short list of common traits. You can find many more online.
Encourage your child to:
- Learn what each trait means.
- Describe family members using these traits.
- Explain their reasoning using the question, “How do you know?”
Common Character Traits:
-
Honest
-
Brave
-
Compassionate
-
Leader
-
Courageous
-
Unselfish
-
Loyal
-
Hard-working
-
Independent
-
Selfish
-
Responsible
-
Considerate
-
Self-confident
-
Humble
For example, a reading test might ask:
Name two character traits that describe Judy.
Again, the student must provide evidence to support their answer.
Final Thoughts
Reading tests assess more than just basic comprehension; they test critical thinking skills. By practicing inferencing and character analysis at home, you can help your child become a stronger reader and test-taker.
We hope this helps!
Education Writer
Reutzel, D. R., & Cooter, R. B. (2019). Teaching character analysis through guided reading. The Reading Teacher
ADDITIONAL READINGS:
TEACH READING – COMPREHENSION LESSON #1 PROBLEM & SOLUTION
TEACH READING – COMPREHENSION LESSON #2 PREDICTION
TEACH READING – COMPREHENSION LESSON # 4 THE SETTING
Education Staff Writer
