These worksheets contain reading assignments and sets of questions for your 6th grade students. They will test their ability to remember and act on what they read. Question sheets may include such activities as short answer, multiple choice, research topics, art assignments, providing definitions for given terms, and more. There are multiple question sheets for each reading passage, so be sure to print them all. Students are given extended reading passages that they must fully grasp and harness in order to answer the questions that follow. Students are starting to understand the motive behind what authors write as well as figurative language, like metaphors. Our 6th grade students start learning to read at the full "book level" and begin to form reading endurance.
Printable 6th Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets
Click the buttons to print each worksheet and answer key.
Body Language
How do humans and other animals communicate with each other? Of course, humans communicate verbally by talking and making other sounds like laughing.
Multiple Choice Questions
These are questions that should accompany the previous reading worksheet. The question this example: What kind of communication is body language?
Short Answer Questions
Watch a movie where a talented actor portrays a major character. Describe three scenes from the movie where the actor's body language contributes greatly to the scene.
Swimmer Extraordinaire Reading Passage
Not many champion swimmers achieve Olympic records but in 1912 Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku won Olympic Gold and set a new world’s record in the 100-meter freestyle event.
Multiple Choice Questions
At first Duke Kahanamoku performed poorly at an Olympic qualifying meet in.
Short Answer Questions
Duke Kahanamoku is also famous for his contributions to surfing. Do some research and write a short report explaining why he was named Surfer of the Century in 1999.
A Little about Shakespeare Reading Passage
This reading worksheet explores the life of Shakespeare. He did not come from a prominent family; his father was a glovemaker.
Heat Conduction and Insulation Reading Passage
Have you ever boiled water? Almost as if by magic, applying enough heat from the stove burner causes the water to boil and ultimately change state from a liquid to steam, the gaseous state of water.
Short Answer Questions
Modern as opposed to classical physicists define five states of matter. Do some research and list and define the five states of matter.
Making Movies Reading Passage
Car chases, heroes and villains dangling from buildings, or enormous explosions keep movie viewers on the edge of their seats and make for top-selling movies.
Short Answer Questions
Explain what an illusion is. Why are magicians and movie makers illusionists?
What is Food Poisoning - Reading Passage
Listen to the news these days and, more often than we'd care to hear, some food product is being recalled by the manufacturer due to the possibility of contamination by bacteria.
Short Answer Questions
Why is food poisoning a dangerous illness for children and the elderly? If you don't know the answer, look it up.
The Value of Urban Trees Reading Passage
Normally when we think of a forest we picture a wooded area somewhere with acres of trees.
Short Answer Questions
Write an editorial that urges homeowners to plant more trees on their property.
The Roman Pantheon Reading Passage
Located in Rome, Italy, the Pantheon is one of the most famous buildings remaining from ancient civilizations.
Short Answer Questions
Another major project constructed by Emperor Hadrian is known as Hadrian’s Wall. Do some research and explain what Hadrian's Wall was.
On Their Toes Reading Passage
he former Soviet Union produced two of the world's most famous ballet performers, Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Multiple Choice Questions
Mikhail Baryshnikov defected from the Soviet Union while he was performing where?
Short Answer Questions
Edgar Degas is well-known for his paintings of ballet dancers. Do some research and locate a copy of one his paintings. Write a detailed descriptive essay on the painting.
A Growing Puppy Reading Passage
Dogs come in many different sizes, shapes and colors depending upon the breed.
Multiple Choice Questions
How many stages are there in the development of a puppy into a young adult?
Short Answer Questions
People get frustrated with a large breed of dog at about one year of age. Based upon what you've learned from this reading, explain why this happens. What advice would you give to the dog owner?
The Warning Reading Passage
When Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at all that the place was haunted.
Warning Questions
Why do some people protest our modern, agricultural system? This one has an answer key attached.
On Teaching Art Reading Passage
The best things in an artist's work are so much a matter of intuition, that there is much to be said for the point of view that would altogether discourage intellectual inquiry into artistic phenomena on the part of the artist.
Teaching Art Questions
Why did Lord Canterville tell Mr. Otis that the house he was buying was haunted?
A Career in the Video Game Industry Reading Passage
Do you love to play video games? Are you creative, dedicated, and determined to remain young at heart?
Questions
The most common path to finding a place in the video game field is to take courses related to game design at college.
The Origin of Baseball Reading
Games resembling baseball in the United States have been referenced as far back as the 18th century.
Who Wants to Know? Reading
From Benjamin Franklin, His Autobiography 1706 - 1757. Explore a bit about his life.
Reading Questions
Which of the following is NOT a reason why Franklin decided to write his autobiography?
Dragonflies Reading
Have you ever been outside in the middle of July and seen swarms of dragonflies? Dragonflies are large and strong.
The Story of the Door Reading
Mr. Utterson the lawyer was a man of a rugged countenance that was never lighted by a smile; cold, scanty and embarrassed in discourse; backward in sentiment; lean, long, dusty, dreary and yet somehow lovable
The Second Brain Reading Passage
Most of these neurons are occupied on a daily basis in breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and expelling waste, jobs that require chemical processing, mechanical mixing, and rhythmic muscle contractions - all things that take place independently of the brain in our heads.
Insurance Explained Reading
A serious problem like a car accident or a house fire can be very expensive to recover from, and many people do not have access to the kind of money that fixing these problems requires.
The Study of Furniture Reading
To try to write a history of furniture in a fairly short space is almost as hard as the square peg and round hole problem. No matter how one tries, it will not fit.
Furniture Questions
Why does the author believe that the average person should study the history of furniture?
What Do Humans Have in Common with Cats?
After studying the results of 3,000 cat personality tests, researchers in Australia have identified five human-like personality traits in cats.
What Reading Skills Should 6th Graders Have?
As students approach language arts skills in the 6th grade it is all about increasing their level of comfort with more intricate texts and expressing themselves at a higher level with written expression. When it comes to reading 6th grade students are asked to think more while they read and analyze what they are reading. This is also where students start to explore more genres of literature as they learn there is more to it than just fiction vs. nonfiction. Students are tasked with finding evidence in what they read to validate their argument whether it be an opinion or fact that they are trying to back up. In addition to supporting what their points students are often tasked with comparing texts at this level.
6th grade is an integral stage of development for students; it’s a crucial time for learning as the age students are at is the prime time to teach them skills and help them retain those skills for life. Anyone can pick up reading as a habit at any stage in life. However, like most productive past times, reading comes naturally to readers who started off earlier. If you want to help your 6th grader improve reading and develop greater reading skills, there is a criterion you can use to enable them to polish their reading skills. Continue reading this blog to discover what reading skills 6th graders should have to become better readers and retain reading as a habit.
Developing Vocabulary
In 6th grade, students learn to use their language skills and polish their reading and writing by expanding their vocabulary. The easiest way to develop vocabulary in 6th graders is through speech. Talk to them like adults. 6th graders are on the verge of adulthood and appreciate it when they aren’t treated like kids, so use bigger, better words when conversing with them. However, just because they don’t want to be treated like kids doesn’t mean they aren’t kids anymore, so remember to explain and elaborate on the meanings of words that you feel may confuse them. 6th graders should be able to define, use and link words correctly.
The relationship between words is also important; 6th graders should have the knowledge and practice to connect words in a sensible manner. You can help 6th graders develop their vocabulary by providing them with prominent literary works where rich language is used that they can learn from and understand. Moreover, 6th graders should be able to create a logical relationship between words to understand their meanings. For instance, if a 6th-grade reader doesn’t know the meaning of a particular word, they should be able to look at the other words used in the sentence to deduct the meaning of the word they haven’t learned before.
Reading Comprehension
It is essential for 6th graders to develop reading comprehension as a skill because it enables them to understand and connect the main ideas of a text. 6th graders can review different texts from media outlets such as newspapers or magazine clips, or articles available online to practice reading comprehension. Through reading comprehension, 6th graders should be able to compare and contrast different ideas when reading. 6th graders need to learn how to differentiate between the main ideas provided in a passage and identify what theme each paragraph represents by understanding the meaning and concept behind the passage. An analysis of a passage can enable 6th graders to polish their reading skills by comprehending the meaning and clarifying each idea.
Responding Accurately to Literary Works
If you want to polish your 6th grader’s reading skills, you can ensure retention of their learning by asking them to respond to literary works. If the student truly understands the meaning and main ideas of a literary work, they will be able to piece together an appropriate response. After reading, students can be asked to connect significant literary works to similar pieces of literature and define the characteristics of each piece. 6th graders can establish their reading skills by identifying the sentence structure, figurative language, punctuation, etc., and then comparing two different literary works by looking at each of these elements.