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Free 1st Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets

Very short passages in large type for first graders, each with four questions and an answer key. 12 passages, sorted by skill.

Main Idea

4 free passages. Start with the main idea and details chart. 16 more in the Main Idea pack ($7)

Ducks reading passageDucks comprehension questions

Ducks

Nonfiction

A nonfiction passage of 57 words with 4 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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The Fire Truck reading passageThe Fire Truck comprehension questions

The Fire Truck

Nonfiction

A nonfiction passage of 70 words with 4 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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Apples reading passageApples comprehension questions

Apples

Nonfiction

A nonfiction passage of 60 words with 4 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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Farm Animals reading passageFarm Animals comprehension questions

Farm Animals

Nonfiction

A nonfiction passage of 58 words with 4 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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Cause and Effect

4 free passages. Start with the cause and effect chart. 16 more in the Cause and Effect pack ($7)

The Ice Pop reading passageThe Ice Pop comprehension questions

The Ice Pop

Fiction

A story of 70 words with 4 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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The Wet Cat reading passageThe Wet Cat comprehension questions

The Wet Cat

Fiction

A story of 58 words with 4 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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Why Plants Need Water reading passageWhy Plants Need Water comprehension questions

Why Plants Need Water

Nonfiction

A nonfiction passage of 69 words with 4 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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The Big Wind reading passageThe Big Wind comprehension questions

The Big Wind

Fiction

A story of 72 words with 4 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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Sequencing

4 free passages. Start with the sequencing chart. 16 more in the Sequencing pack ($7)

Tim’s Snowman reading passageTim’s Snowman comprehension questions

Tim’s Snowman

Fiction

A story of 64 words with 4 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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How to Brush Your Teeth reading passageHow to Brush Your Teeth comprehension questions

How to Brush Your Teeth

Nonfiction

A nonfiction passage of 63 words with 4 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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A Seed Grows reading passageA Seed Grows comprehension questions

A Seed Grows

Nonfiction

A nonfiction passage of 60 words with 4 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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Ben’s Morning reading passageBen’s Morning comprehension questions

Ben’s Morning

Fiction

A story of 58 words with 4 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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1st Grade Main Idea Reading Passages Pack cover1st Grade Cause and Effect Reading Passages Pack cover1st Grade Sequencing Reading Passages Pack cover
Complete pack

Get the Complete 1st Grade Reading Comprehension Pack

All 3 skill packs together: the 12 free passages on this site, plus 48 more that are only in the packs.

Get all 3 packs for $15

Or one skill for $7: Main Idea · Cause and Effect · Sequencing

One-time purchase. Instant download. Secure checkout by Stripe.

Reading comprehension in 1st grade

First graders are just starting to read for meaning. These passages are about 70 words, with short sentences, very large type and one picture, so a new reader can finish one in a sitting.

Each passage practices one skill: finding the main idea, putting events in order, or seeing why something happened. The question page has four questions with little writing: circle an answer, number the events, or write a few words.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are the 1st grade passages?
About 60 to 70 words, in four numbered paragraphs with one picture. Most children read one in a few minutes.
What comes with each passage?
A question page and an answer key. Each PDF is three pages: the passage, four to six questions, and a key that shows the answer and where to find it in the text.
What are the crayons next to the questions for?
They ask for proof. The child underlines the sentence in the passage that shows the answer, using the crayon color printed beside the question.