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Summarizing Fiction: Grade 4 SWBST Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Reading Comprehension Questions
Grade 4
English

Summarizing Fiction: Grade 4 SWBST Reading Comprehension Worksheet

The Case of the Missing Paintbrushes

Leo loved art more than anything. He spent every recess in Mrs. Gable’s art room, painting colorful sunsets and tall, green mountains. On Tuesday morning, Leo was ready to finish his masterpiece for the school art show. But when he opened his supply box, his favorite brushes were gone!
He checked under the desks and inside the sink, but they were nowhere to be found. He felt his heart sink. Without those brushes, he couldn't blend the colors for his sunset. Leo wanted to give up and skip the art show entirely. However, his friend Maya noticed his long face.
"Don't worry, Leo," Maya said. "We can solve this together."
They retraced Leo's steps from the day before. They went to the library, the cafeteria, and finally the playground. Near the big oak tree, they saw something sparkly. There, tucked inside a small hollow in the tree, were Leo's brushes! A curious blue jay had snatched them to decorate its nest.
Leo was so relieved. He thanked Maya for her help and hurried back to the art room. He finished his painting just in time. That evening, his sunset painting won the "Most Creative" award at the show. Leo realized that even when things seem lost, a little help from a friend and some hard work can save the day.


Summarizing the Story

Use the graphic organizer below to identify the key elements of the story. Think about the character's goal, the problem they faced, and how it was resolved.
Name:
Date:
The Case of the Missing PaintbrushesSWBST Summary: Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then
SOMEBODY(The Character)
Leo...
WANTED(The Goal)
BUT(The Problem)
SO(The Action)
THEN(The Ending)
Key Terms to Use:
□ Art Show□ Masterpiece□ Retraced□ Relief□ Blue Jay□ Friendship


Summary Writing

Now, using the information you gathered in the SWBST frame, write a clear 3–4 sentence summary of "The Case of the Missing Paintbrushes."
_ _ _ _


Checking for Understanding

  1. Which of the following best summarizes the main conflict in the story? A. Leo's favorite paintbrushes go missing right before the art show. B. Maya and Leo get lost while looking for a sparkly object near a tree. C. A blue jay is trying to build a nest but cannot find enough decorations. D. Leo does not know how to blend colors for his sunset painting.
  1. How does Maya help Leo solve his problem? A. She catches the blue jay and takes back the brushes. B. She paints the mountains for him so he can finish on time. C. She lends him her own paintbrushes for the art show. D. She encourages him not to give up and helps him retrace his steps.
  1. Based on the story, what is a central theme? A. Winning awards is the only way to be a successful artist. B. Working with a friend can help solve difficult problems. C. Art is the most important subject in school. D. Animals often steal things from humans.
  1. What happens at the very end of the story? A. Leo decides to skip the art show to watch the blue jay. B. The blue jay returns the brushes to Mrs. Gable's classroom. C. Leo wins a 'Most Creative' award for his finished painting. D. Maya wins an award for helping Leo find his supplies.