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Free 4th Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets

Fiction and nonfiction passages of about 280 words for fourth graders, each with a question page 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)

The Great Wall of China reading passageThe Great Wall of China comprehension questions

The Great Wall of China

Nonfiction

A nonfiction passage of 299 words with 6 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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How Bats See With Sound reading passageHow Bats See With Sound comprehension questions

How Bats See With Sound

Nonfiction

A nonfiction passage of 284 words with 6 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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The Transcontinental Railroad reading passageThe Transcontinental Railroad comprehension questions

The Transcontinental Railroad

Nonfiction

A nonfiction passage of 298 words with 6 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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Why We Have Time Zones reading passageWhy We Have Time Zones comprehension questions

Why We Have Time Zones

Nonfiction

A nonfiction passage of 296 words with 6 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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Inference

4 free passages. Start with the making inferences chart. 16 more in the Inference pack ($7)

The Empty Cookie Jar reading passageThe Empty Cookie Jar comprehension questions

The Empty Cookie Jar

Fiction

A story of 231 words with 6 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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The New Neighbor reading passageThe New Neighbor comprehension questions

The New Neighbor

Fiction

A story of 284 words with 6 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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Tracks in the Snow reading passageTracks in the Snow comprehension questions

Tracks in the Snow

Fiction

A story of 280 words with 6 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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The Quiet Classroom reading passageThe Quiet Classroom comprehension questions

The Quiet Classroom

Fiction

A story of 268 words with 6 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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Figurative Language

4 free passages. Start with the figurative language chart. 16 more in the Figurative Language pack ($7)

The Storm Rolls In reading passageThe Storm Rolls In comprehension questions

The Storm Rolls In

Fiction

A story of 220 words with 6 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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The Big Game reading passageThe Big Game comprehension questions

The Big Game

Fiction

A story of 273 words with 6 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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Grandma’s Kitchen reading passageGrandma’s Kitchen comprehension questions

Grandma’s Kitchen

Fiction

A story of 245 words with 6 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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First Day Jitters reading passageFirst Day Jitters comprehension questions

First Day Jitters

Fiction

A story of 244 words with 6 questions. Answer key on page 3.

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4th Grade Main Idea Reading Passages Pack cover4th Grade Inference Reading Passages Pack cover4th Grade Figurative Language Reading Passages Pack cover
Complete pack

Get the Complete 4th 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 · Inference · Figurative Language

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

Reading comprehension in 4th grade

Fourth graders read longer texts and are asked to think past what the words say. These passages are about 280 words on one page, with six questions that send the student back to the text for evidence.

Each passage practices one skill: finding the main idea and its supporting details, making an inference from clues, or working out what figurative language really means. The stories are about school, family and friends; the nonfiction covers science, history and geography.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are the 4th grade passages?
About 220 to 300 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.