Here are some comprehension questions adults can ask when reading
with their child. You’ll want to pick and chose the questions because
they won’t all work with all books. The goal is to get kids talking in long sentences and including parts of the story to prove their answers.
1. Why does the title make sense? (Explain by giving details from the story.) “The titles makes sense because……..”
2. Who is the story mostly about? “The story is mostly about…..”
3. What did you like about the story? “The thing I like best about the story is…….” (Give examples_
4. Does it remind you of anything in your life? “The story reminds me of ……… because…….”
5. What is the main problem in the story? (Explain completely)
6. How is the problem solved? (Explain completely)
7. What is the setting of the story (Where did it take place)?
8. Does it remind you of any other books you have read? (Compare the two books.)
9. Is this a non-fiction (real) or fiction book? (Give reasons)
10. How does the main character change from the beginning of the story to the end? (This will only work with some books.)
11. What word would you use to describe the main character? (Kind, bossy, helpful, honest, lazy, etc. – Be sure to give examples from the story.)
12. Are there any characters that remind you of yourself or someone that you know? (Give reasons.)
Another really valuable activity is to have kids retell the story in their own words.
with their child. You’ll want to pick and chose the questions because
they won’t all work with all books. The goal is to get kids talking in long sentences and including parts of the story to prove their answers.
1. Why does the title make sense? (Explain by giving details from the story.) “The titles makes sense because……..”
2. Who is the story mostly about? “The story is mostly about…..”
3. What did you like about the story? “The thing I like best about the story is…….” (Give examples_
4. Does it remind you of anything in your life? “The story reminds me of ……… because…….”
5. What is the main problem in the story? (Explain completely)
6. How is the problem solved? (Explain completely)
7. What is the setting of the story (Where did it take place)?
8. Does it remind you of any other books you have read? (Compare the two books.)
9. Is this a non-fiction (real) or fiction book? (Give reasons)
10. How does the main character change from the beginning of the story to the end? (This will only work with some books.)
11. What word would you use to describe the main character? (Kind, bossy, helpful, honest, lazy, etc. – Be sure to give examples from the story.)
12. Are there any characters that remind you of yourself or someone that you know? (Give reasons.)
Another really valuable activity is to have kids retell the story in their own words.
- Include all the important parts.
- Can include a few details, but not too many.
- Use your own words. (Don’t try to memorize the story.)