KS2 Reading Quiz: Mastering Comprehension Skills

English Quiz - Comprehension 01 (Questions)

Welcome to the first of three exciting KS2 English quizzes about comprehension! 'Comprehension' means 'understanding', and it's like a superpower for readers. When you read, it's not just about recognising words – it's about answering 'who', 'what', 'when', 'where', 'how', and 'why' questions. But, 'why' can be tricky; authors sometimes leave hints and clues, letting your imagination fill in the gaps.

Authors do this to make stories exciting and let your imagination soar. Take this quiz to test your comprehension skills and become a reading superhero!

Make Learning Exciting - Explore how quizzes help

Robyn gingerly lifted the edge of the tea towel, took a deep breath, then peered at the contents of the bowl. Which word best describes how Robyn feels?

[ ]	Terrified
[ ]	Apprehensive
[ ]	Angry
[ ]	Silly

Robyn gingerly lifted the edge of the tea towel. Which of the following would express the opposite meaning?

[ ]	Robyn crumpled the tea towel in her fist.
[ ]	Robyn slowly raised the tea towel.
[ ]	Robyn looked under the tea towel.
[ ]	Robyn snatched the tea towel away.

A pungent odour seeped from beneath the tea towel, making her eyes water. What does 'pungent' mean?

[ ]	Sweet and delicate
[ ]	Sharp or strong
[ ]	Inviting
[ ]	Salty

Which one of the following words is NOT a synonym for 'odour'?

[ ]	Taste
[ ]	Scent
[ ]	Smell
[ ]	Aroma

After a moment or two, Robyn gathered her courage enough to examine the source of the odour. What does 'gathered her courage' mean?

[ ]	Robyn spent a long time writing down the pros and cons of looking in the bowl.
[ ]	Robyn collected lots of occasions when she had been brave.
[ ]	Robyn waited until she felt brave.
[ ]	Robyn gathered lots of medals for bravery.

'Gathered her courage' is an example of what?

[ ]	Simile
[ ]	Metaphor
[ ]	Personification
[ ]	Alliteration

Green liquid oozed from beneath the misshapen lumps which had once been potatoes and carrots. What is the effect of the phrase 'which had once been'?

[ ]	The contents of the bowl are so old that the carrots and potatoes are no longer recognisable.
[ ]	The vegetables only appear to be carrots and potatoes.
[ ]	The carrots and potatoes have been transformed into different vegetables.
[ ]	This phrase just tells the reader which vegetables are in the bowl.

What does 'misshapen' mean?

[ ]	Missing
[ ]	A regular shape
[ ]	An unusual shape
[ ]	Deformed

'James,' Robyn shouted, 'could you please warn me next time you're planning to turn your stew into a science experiment?' What is the effect of this sentence?

[ ]	Mysterious
[ ]	Factual
[ ]	Humorous
[ ]	Frightening

10.

Which of the following would create an entirely different effect compared to the sentence in question nine?

[ ]	'James,' Robyn called, 'would you please stop leaving your science experiments in the fridge?'
[ ]	'James,' Robyn shouted, 'if you leave your old dinner in the fridge one more time...'
[ ]	'James,' said Robyn, 'how many times have I told you not to leave your old dinners in the fridge?'
[ ]	'James,' Robyn called, falteringly. 'It's back.'

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Comprehension

English Quiz - Comprehension 01 (Answers)

Robyn gingerly lifted the edge of the tea towel, took a deep breath, then peered at the contents of the bowl. Which word best describes how Robyn feels?

[ ]	Terrified
[x]	Apprehensive
[ ]	Angry
[ ]	Silly

'Apprehensive' means feeling nervous or anxious that something unpleasant will happen - it is not such a strong emotion as 'terrified'.

Robyn gingerly lifted the edge of the tea towel. Which of the following would express the opposite meaning?

[ ]	Robyn crumpled the tea towel in her fist.
[ ]	Robyn slowly raised the tea towel.
[ ]	Robyn looked under the tea towel.
[x]	Robyn snatched the tea towel away.

Try to use adjectives and adverbs in your writing.

A pungent odour seeped from beneath the tea towel, making her eyes water. What does 'pungent' mean?

[ ]	Sweet and delicate
[x]	Sharp or strong
[ ]	Inviting
[ ]	Salty

'Pungent' means 'sharp' or 'strong' - a food can also have a 'pungent flavour'. 'Pungent' means that a flavour or odour is powerful, not necessarily bad.

Which one of the following words is NOT a synonym for 'odour'?

[x]	Taste
[ ]	Scent
[ ]	Smell
[ ]	Aroma

Taste is a completely different sense.

After a moment or two, Robyn gathered her courage enough to examine the source of the odour. What does 'gathered her courage' mean?

[ ]	Robyn spent a long time writing down the pros and cons of looking in the bowl.
[ ]	Robyn collected lots of occasions when she had been brave.
[x]	Robyn waited until she felt brave.
[ ]	Robyn gathered lots of medals for bravery.

Using unusual expressions such as 'gathered her courage' can enhance a piece of writing.

'Gathered her courage' is an example of what?

[ ]	Simile
[x]	Metaphor
[ ]	Personification
[ ]	Alliteration

Metaphors are often seen in poetry.

Green liquid oozed from beneath the misshapen lumps which had once been potatoes and carrots. What is the effect of the phrase 'which had once been'?

[x]	The contents of the bowl are so old that the carrots and potatoes are no longer recognisable.
[ ]	The vegetables only appear to be carrots and potatoes.
[ ]	The carrots and potatoes have been transformed into different vegetables.
[ ]	This phrase just tells the reader which vegetables are in the bowl.

The carrots and potatoes have been transformed into something so unpleasant that they can hardly be recognised.

What does 'misshapen' mean?

[ ]	Missing
[ ]	A regular shape
[ ]	An unusual shape
[x]	Deformed

Note the double 's' in the spelling of this word.

'James,' Robyn shouted, 'could you please warn me next time you're planning to turn your stew into a science experiment?' What is the effect of this sentence?

[ ]	Mysterious
[ ]	Factual
[x]	Humorous
[ ]	Frightening

Robyn may also be feeling a sense of relief.

10.

Which of the following would create an entirely different effect compared to the sentence in question nine?

[ ]	'James,' Robyn called, 'would you please stop leaving your science experiments in the fridge?'
[ ]	'James,' Robyn shouted, 'if you leave your old dinner in the fridge one more time...'
[ ]	'James,' said Robyn, 'how many times have I told you not to leave your old dinners in the fridge?'
[x]	'James,' Robyn called, falteringly. 'It's back.'

This makes us (as the reader) want to read on to find out what 'it' is!