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Inference and Evidence Practice: Grade 4 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Reading Comprehension Questions
Grade 4
English

Inference and Evidence Practice: Grade 4 Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Page 1: Making Inferences with Text Evidence

Instructions: Read the story below. Then, use clues from the text and what you already know to answer the questions that follow.

The Mystery of the Missing Key

Leo stood on the porch, the cold wind biting at his ears. He shifted his heavy backpack from one shoulder to the other and reached into his right pocket. Empty. He checked his left pocket. Nothing but a crumpled candy wrapper and a smooth pebble from the playground. His heart began to sink as he remembered the sound of the front door clicking shut behind him this morning. It was a sound he usually didn’t hear because he was the last one out of the house, but today he had been in such a rush to catch the bus for the field trip to the science museum. He had spent all night finishing his model of the solar system and had barely slept. In his excitement to show his teacher his hard work, he had dashed out of the house as soon as he heard the yellow bus screech to a halt at the corner.
He looked at the large, analog clock hanging through the window of the living room. The black hands pointed to 3:45 PM. Usually, the house would be humming with the sound of the television or the oven, but today it was silent and dark. His parents wouldn’t be home until 5:30, and the temperature was dropping fast. A gray cloud moved across the sun, casting a shadow over the porch. He tried the door handle once more, twisting it with all his might, but it remained stubborn and still.
Leo sighed and sat down on the top step, pulling his jacket tighter against the chill. He looked over at the neighbor’s house. Mrs. Gable was in her garden, wearing her thick yellow gloves and pruning her rose bushes despite the cold. She looked up and waved, a curious expression on her face, as if wondering why Leo was sitting outside alone. Leo didn't move or wave back. He just stared at the welcome mat beneath his sneakers, feeling a mix of frustration and regret.
Suddenly, he remembered something his dad always said: "If you lose your way, look for the 'spare' tire." Leo’s eyes widened. He knelt down and pushed aside the heavy ceramic flower pot near the door. There, tucked under the edge of the mat, was a small, silver object shining in the afternoon sun. He grabbed it, stood up, and let out a long breath he didn’t know he was holding. He wouldn’t have to wait in the cold after all.


Comprehension Questions

  1. Based on the first paragraph, what can you infer happened when Leo left for school? A. He accidentally left his backpack inside. B. He forgot to grab his house key. C. He lost his solar system model. D. He missed the bus and had to walk.
  1. How does Leo feel when he sees Mrs. Gable? A. Angry that she is pruning her roses. B. Embarrassed or unhappy to be seen outside. C. Excited to ask her for help. D. Happy that he has a neighbor nearby.
  1. What does the phrase 'look for the spare tire' most likely mean in this story? A. Leo should look for a backup plan or a hidden object. B. Leo needs to wait for his dad to come home. C. Leo's dad wants him to check the car for a key. D. Leo needs to go find a tire for his bicycle.
4. What clue in the text tells you Leo was excited for school? Quote the evidence.
Answer:
5. What clue in the text tells you it is a cold day? Quote the evidence.
Answer:
6. Literal or Inferential? Look at this statement: "The clock says 3:45 PM." Is this statement literal (stated directly) or inferential (a guess based on clues)? Explain why.
Answer:

Page 2: Differentiated Practice

Instructions: Read the story "The Mystery of the Missing Key" again. Answer the questions below. Follow the special coloring directions for each question.
  1. Why is Leo stuck outside the house? A. He lost his backpack on the bus. B. He wants to watch Mrs. Gable garden. C. He is waiting for his friend to come over. D. He doesn't have his key and the door is locked. Coloring Direction: Use a yellow crayon or highlighter to find the sentence that tells you Leo's pockets were empty.
  1. What was Leo's 'lucky' find at the end of the story? A. A silver coin from his dad. B. A shiny new toy. C. A silver pebble from the playground. D. A spare key hidden under the mat. Coloring Direction: Use a blue crayon or highlighter to find the sentence that describes the object Leo found.
  1. Why was Leo in such a hurry this morning? A. He wanted to get to the science museum early. B. He was late for his field trip. C. He was running away from the bus. D. He forgot his lunch on the counter. Coloring Direction: Use a green crayon or highlighter to find the sentence that mentions the school bus.
  1. What time will Leo's parents be home? A. Dinner time B. 5:30 PM C. 4:00 PM D. 3:45 PM Coloring Direction: Use a red crayon or highlighter to find the sentence that tells you when his parents arrive.