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Jem Is Mad: reading passage and questions

A free printable short story reading passage, written at a grade 1 reading level (Peabody level 4; 71 words) with 5 comprehension questions and an answer key. No sign-up.

Name: ____________________Date: ____________

Jem Is Mad

Jem has a box and a lid.

A sock is in the box.

Jem puts on the lid.

It will not fit!

Jem is mad.

Kick, kick, kick!

Slam! The box tips.

Jem is so mad.

Pug sees Jem.

Pug sits by Jem.

Jem pats Pug.

Jem sits and sits.

Jem looks at the box.

The sock sticks out!

Tug, pop! Out comes the sock.

The lid fits!

Jem hugs Pug.

Questions

1. What does Jem have?
  1. A box and a lid
  2. A hat and a pail
  3. A bus
2. What does Jem do when he is mad?
  1. Naps
  2. Kicks
  3. Sings
3. What does Pug do?
  1. Bites the box
  2. Hides
  3. Sits by Jem
4. Why did the lid not fit at first?
  1. A sock stuck out of the box
  2. The box was wet
  3. Pug sat on it
5. What does kick mean?
  1. Sit still
  2. Hit with a foot
  3. Run away

Words to know

  • mad: very cross
  • kick: hit with foot
  • pat: tap soft
  • lid: a top
  • tug: pull hard

Answer key: Jem Is Mad

  1. A. A box and a lid
  2. B. Kicks
  3. C. Sits by Jem
  4. A. A sock stuck out of the box
  5. B. Hit with a foot

For the teacher: how this passage is levelled

“Jem Is Mad” is a reading level 4 story. Every Peabody story at this level is written and checked to keep sentences to 8 words or fewer, to aim at an average of 5 words a sentence, and to show 1 to 8 words on a screen. At most 6% of its words may be off the familiar-word list. Readers reach this level by climbing, not by grade.

This passage71 words, 17 screens, 5 multiple-choice questions with an answer key, and 5 vocabulary words with kid-sized meanings
Longest sentence at this level8 words
Words on a screen1 to 8
Skills practised at this levelphonics (sounding words out), first sounds, sight words

Reading level 4: the limits, a real sample and the free games. Peabody is a learning app, not an assessment: use the questions to talk about the story, not to grade a child.