Reading Comprehension Exercises for Grade 1

Short reading passages with text-based questions for Grade 1

Reading comprehension exercises for grade 1 that will help small children read and understand short passages of text.

Reading comprehension – 1

Everyone needs food. Usually, people eat food three times a day. They have breakfast in the morning, lunch in the afternoon and dinner in the evening. Some people have what is known as brunch between breakfast and lunch around 11 am, and early evening tea or coffee around 4 pm. Different cultures of different types of food. In Asia rice is commonly eaten. In Europe and America, wheat-based meals are more commonly eaten.

• Which of the following words is the meaning of ‘usually’ in the sentence Usually, people eat food three times a day.? Sometimes 2. Often 3. Very often 4. Not at all
• How many times do people eat food usually?
• What is a brunch?
• What type of food is commonly eaten in Asia?

Reading comprehension – 2

My hobbies are watching television and reading books. I watch television on weekends and school holidays. I like to watch a show about a red dog called Clifford who is very playful. I also watch music shows. I read mostly at night just before sleep. I read adventure books involving children. I also play with my dog when I am free. It is a little poodle named Tiger. Tiger loves to play chase with me.

• What are the hobbies that the writer has?
• Which word is most similar in meaning to the word ‘playful’ in the sentence I also watch a show about a red dog called Clifford who is very playful?
  a) lively b) angry c) friendly d) active
• What is the name of the poodle?
• What does the dog like to play?

Reading comprehension – 3

Sleep is very important for human beings. Even animals sleep regularly. Sleep is important because the body and the brain need rest after a day of being awake and active. Some people find it difficult to sleep. There are some tips that are usually given to such people. First of all, one should not take coffee or tea in the evenings or nights before sleep. Secondly, one should sleep in a very dark and silent room. It also helps if the room is cold. Thirdly, mobile phones, computer and the television should not be watched just before sleep.

• Why is sleep important?
• Write a summary of the tips that are usually given to people who find it difficult to sleep. Write no more than 50 words.
• Choose a word from the following that can be used to replace the word ‘tips’ in the sentence There are some tips that are usually given to such people.
  a) Edges b) points c) advice d) agreements

Reading comprehension – 4

Clothes are what you wear to cover your body and keep you warm. They come in all shapes, sizes and colours. People wear different types of clothes for different occasions. What is worn at home will not be, in most cases, worn outside the house. Most schools have school uniforms. Some professions also have uniforms. An example is the army. Firefighters also have their uniform. Doctors wear white coats. In the winter, people wear clothes of a different kind such as sweaters and jackets to keep them warm.

• What do clothes do?
• Give two examples of professions that have uniforms.
• Give two example of clothes that are worn in winter.

Answer key

Reading comprehension – 1

• Very often
• People usually eat food three times a day
• Brunch is food that is eaten between breakfast and lunch at around 11 am
• Rice is the type of food that is commonly eaten in Asia.

Reading comprehension – 2

• The writer watches television, reads books and plays with her dog.
• lively
• The name of the poodle is Tiger.
• Tiger likes to play chase.

Reading comprehension – 3

• Sleep is important because the body and the brain need rest after a day of acivity.
• There are some tips given to people to help them sleep. First of all, one should not take coffee or tea before sleep. Secondly, one should sleep in a very dark, silent and cold room. Thirdly, mobile phones, computer and the television should not be watched just before sleep.
• Advice

Reading comprehension – 4

• Clothes cover your body and keep you warm.
• The army and firefighters.
• Sweaters and jackets