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Monarch Butterflies: Grade 4 Compare and Contrast Fiction vs. Nonfiction Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Reading Comprehension Questions
Grade 2
English

Monarch Butterflies: Grade 4 Compare and Contrast Fiction vs. Nonfiction Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Passage 1: The Incredible Monarch Journey (Nonfiction)

Monarch butterflies are famous for their long migration. Every autumn, millions of these orange and black insects fly from Canada and the United States to the forests of Mexico. This journey can be over 3,000 miles long! Monarchs are the only butterflies that make such a long trip. During their life cycle, they rely on the milkweed plant. Female monarchs lay their eggs only on milkweed because it is the only food their caterpillars eat. As they grow, they transform from a tiny egg to a caterpillar, then a chrysalis, and finally a butterfly. Their bright colors warn predators that they are poisonous. This helps them survive their long flight across North America.

Passage 2: Maya’s Winter Goodbye (Fiction)

Maya sat on her back porch, watching a bright orange butterfly dance over the flowers. She had named him "Sunny" because his wings looked like a sunset. For three days, Sunny had visited her garden, sipping nectar and resting in the sun. "It's time to go, Sunny," Maya whispered. She knew from her science book that the air was getting colder and it was time for the monarchs to start their long journey south. Maya felt a little sad to see her friend leave, but she was amazed that such a small creature could fly so far. With a final flutter of his black and orange wings, Sunny soared high into the sky, heading toward the warm southern forests.


Comparing the Texts

Below is a Venn diagram showing how the two passages are similar and how they are different. Use this information and the passages to answer the questions that follow.
Name:
Date:
Monarch Butterflies: Fact vs. Fiction Comparing a scientific text and a short story about butterflies
• 3,000 mile trip • Milkweed diet • Life cycle stages • Warning colors • Poisonous insects • Mexico location • Character Maya • Named "Sunny" • Garden setting • Character feelings • Watching porch • Orange wings • Long journey • Migration south • Monarchs • Cold air Nonfiction only Fiction only Both Texts



Comprehension Questions

  1. Which specific scientific fact is mentioned in Passage 1 but is NOT part of the story in Passage 2? A. Butterflies fly high in the sky. B. Caterpillars only eat milkweed plants. C. Monarchs fly south for the winter. D. Monarchs have orange and black wings.
  1. Based on both texts, what do the authors agree on regarding the monarch's flight? A. It is taken by all types of insects. B. It only happens during the summer months. C. It is a very short trip to a nearby garden. D. It is a long and difficult journey to the south.
  1. What is the main purpose of Passage 2 compared to Passage 1? A. To show a human's emotional connection to the butterfly's migration. B. To list all the scientific names of butterflies. C. To explain the exact number of miles a monarch travels. D. To describe the predators that eat butterflies.
4. Short Answer: According to both passages, why do monarch butterflies leave their homes in the autumn? Support your answer with one detail from each text.
   
5. Short Answer: Look at the 'Nonfiction only' section of the Venn diagram. Why might a scientist include information about 'warning colors' and 'poisonous insects' while a storyteller might leave those details out?