Popular Content
Want Email Updates?
Get emails about new stuff.
Be the first to know.
Looking for Something?
Nonfiction Passages and Functional Texts
Students need to gain lots of practice working with nonfiction passages. This prepares them for more advanced course work. Here are some nonfiction reading passages, worksheets, and online practice activities to give students practice. I recommend using the online versions of the activities if you have access to technology in your classroom. It will save you some grading and these activities include questions formatted as extended response in addition to multiple choice. Students can print, save, or email their results. I think it's pretty cool. Just make sure you tell students to save their scores and responses for their own records, if you are using email delivery. Then they will always have a backup for record keeping.
These activities are sorted by grade level. I welcome comments and suggestions.
TV
Where would American culture be without TV? Television has impacted society in profound ways. Modern streaming options may be taking over living rooms today, but TV has played a significant role in culture since its creation. Learn about its history and answer multiple-choice and long response questions in this reading test. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 1-5.
Chess
Chess has been played for hundreds of years. This test covers some basics of the game of kings. This test is for earlier readers, but the multiple-choice and long response questions are rigorous and aligned with Common Core State Standards. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 1-5.
Seat Belts
Wearing your seat belt is such a simple thing, but it can save your life. Find out why in this short persuasive text, and then answer Common Core aligned multiple-choice and extended-response questions. This is more great practice for standardized tests. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 2-6.
Tetris
There's a reason why Tetris is the most popular video game of all time. Learn about this classic game and then answer multiple-choice and long response questions in this fun and exciting reading practice test. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 2-6.
The Coliseum
The Coliseum is one of the world's most recognizable images. Learn about its rich and interesting history and then answer multiple-choice and extended response questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 2-6.
The Pony Express
The Pony Express was the fastest way to get mail from California to the rest of the nation in the early 1860s. The exciting nature of the enterprise has earned the Pony Express a place in American folklore. Learn about the Pony Express in this text and answer multiple-choice and extended response questions based on the passage. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 2-6.
Wintertime
Wintertime can be rough. Getting through the wintertime is harder on some species than on others. Learn about how different animals survive the winter and then answer multiple-choice and long response questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 2-6
Metal Detectors
Metal detectors aren't just for treasure hunters. Find out some of the ways that metal detectors are used in our society in this text. Then answer multiple choice and extended response questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 2-6.
Money
Money is a great way to get students' attention. This passage summarizes the origins and evolution of money. Readers answer multiple-choice and long-response questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 3-7.
Redwoods and Arms Races
Redwoods are known for being the largest trees in the world. Why do they grow so tall? How does that affect their lives? How does that connect to human activity? Learn more by reading this interesting text. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 3-7.
Black Friday
The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday. It is the most notorious shopping day of the year. Learn about this cultural phenomenon in this short text and then answer multiple-choice and long response questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 3-7.
Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are some of nature's most interesting creatures. Students will learn about these remarkable creatures while answering multiple-choice and extended response questions in this activity. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 3-7.
The Act of Reading
This is a reading passage about reading. Isn't that meta? The passage questions why so many students work so hard to get out of reading assignments in this short persuasive piece. Of course, this activity includes multiple-choice and extended-response questions after the passage. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 3-7.
Y2K
Computers control so many aspects of our lives. As a society, we depend on them in many regards. What if these systems went down? This passage explains the Y2K bug to readers. Students answer multiple-choice and extended response questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 3-7.
The Cobra Effect
Our actions can have far reaching consequences. Sometimes these consequences can surprise us. Learn about a phenomenon known as the cobra effect and answer comprehension and inference questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
Hyperinflation
Paper money is a funny thing. The only value it really has is given to it by society. This value can change rapidly under certain conditions. Learn more about hyperinflation in the Weimar Republic (Germany) after World War I in this interesting short passage. Then answer Common Core aligned multiple-choice and extended-response questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
The Dodo
The dodo is probably the world's most popular and well known extinct animal. Learn more about these fascinating creatures and their disappearance in this short text. Answer multiple-choice and long response questions to sharpen skills. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
Mad Hatters
Hatters are people who make hats. Historically, hatters have been associated with madness. This nonfiction passage explores the maddening reasons why. Suggested reading level for this text: Grades 4-8.
Diamonds
Diamonds are not only beautiful, they are the hardest material on Earth. They also come in many colors. Find out why in this informative passage. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
Child Inventors
You don't have to be big to make a big discovery. This short reading passage about child inventors will inspire your students. It will also give them practice with nonfiction reading skills. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
Honey Badgers
Did you know that honey badgers can sleep off cobra venom? It's true. Though small in size, the honey badger is renowned for its fighting spirit. Learn how they fight off much larger animals in this reading passage. Then answer Common Core aligned multiple-choice and extended response questions, so that you can run up on a standardized test like a honey badger! Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
Koko
Koko is one special gorilla. Not only can she communicate in sign language, but her Facebook page has more Likes than mine. Learn about this unique creature in this short nonfiction passage and then answer multiple-choice and extended-response questions. All questions are aligned with Common Core State Standards. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
Carnivorous Plants
Plants are known for sitting still, but some plants are devious killers. Learn more about the amazing world of carnivorous plants with this short text. Then answer CCSS aligned multiple-choice and extended-response questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8
The Bermuda Triangle
Many mysterious disappearances have happened in the region known as the Bermuda Triangle. Boats, planes, and people have vanished. Some think paranormal or supernatural activity is at work. Skeptics think otherwise. Learn more about the Bermuda Triangle and its history in this article. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
Google
How many company names grow to become commonly used verbs? It can't be that many. Anyway, learn about one or two of them in this short reading passage and test your comprehension with Common Core aligned multiple-choice and long-response questions. This is great practice for standardized tests. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
Mongooses
Mongooses are cute, furry, and known for killing deadly cobras. They are revered in India yet despised in Hawaii. Find out why in this nonfiction text. Improve your reading skills by answering multiple-choice and extended-response questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
Phishing
Computer hackers are scary, but learning about their attacks can help to keep you safe. This text teaches readers about a common attack, and how to protect against it. It covers reading skills like main idea, author's purpose, and making inferences. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
Asian Carp
Asian carp were imported to America to assist with a problem, but they escaped containment. Now they are threatening the Great Lakes' fishing industry. Learn more by reading this short text. Then sharpen your skills with Common Core aligned multiple-choice and long-response questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 5-9.
Worst Game Ever
E.T. for the Atari has been widely condemned as the worst game ever. Learn why while answering reading comprehension questions in this awesome nonfiction reading test. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 5-9
Garbage
Trash cans are amazing. You just fill them up with garbage and leave them in the corner, and then all of your trash disappears. Find out where it goes in this informative reading passage, and then answer multiple-choice and long response questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 5-9.
Trampolines
What would the ER be like without trampolines? It wouldn't be nearly as bouncing as it is now. Learn more about the zany allure of America's favorite backyard death traps in this short reading passage. It includes Common Core aligned multiple-choice and extended response questions, just to make sure that everyone is having a good time. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 5-9.
The Streisand Effect
In 2003 star Barbara Streisand sued a couple for posting a photo of her home online. The case drew a lot more attention to Streisand's home than she and her legal team anticipated. Learn more about the phenomenon that bears this singer's name in this short nonfiction article. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 5-9.
The Maginot Line
If you've heard the story of the Maginot Line, you know that it teaches a powerful lesson. If you haven't, now's a great time to learn about it with this short reading passage. This activity includes Common Core aligned multiple-choice and extended-response questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 5-9.
Kevlar
Kevlar is an interesting synthetic fiber that has woven its way into our lives. Yes, it can stop bullets, but it can do so much more too. Learn about this fascinating material while practice reading comprehension skills with this worksheet. Read the passage and answer multiple choice comprehension questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 6-10.
The Library of Alexandria
The Library of Alexandria held the largest collection of knowledge in the ancient world. How did they acquire all those texts? Did Julius Caesar burn this great library? Learn more by reading this short piece of nonfiction. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 6-10.
A Tale of Two Countries
North Korea and South Korea may have similar origins, but they have grown to become very different countries. Learn more about these interesting places by reading this short text, and then answer CCSS aligned multiple-choice and extended-response questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 6-10.
Tigers
Which would win in a fight, a tiger or a lion? Learn the answer to that question and a whole bunch more while reading this awesome nonfiction passage. Then students answers questions covering many CCSS reading skills. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 7-11.
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom, America, and its historical alliance with France. Learn many interesting things about the construction of this iconic monument in this nonfiction reading passage. Then answer questions covering a variety of reading skills. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 8-12.
Castles
Castles are cool. Where did they come from? When did people start building them? Why did they stop? Learn the answers to these questions by reading this short nonfiction passage. Then answer multiple-choice questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 8-12.
Gutenberg
Read an interesting passage about Johannes Gutenberg, the man who invented the printing press with movable type, and answer a variety of comprehension questions testing reading skills. Questions cover the following skills: identifying text structure, determining main idea, locating information, recalling sequence, and making inferences. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 8-12.
Submarines
Submarines are probably older than you might think. Learn how old and other interesting tidbits in this exciting nonfiction reading passage. Then, answer CCSS aligned questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 9-12+.
Nutritional Facts Comparison
Here's a fun activity to give students practice using functional texts. Students read and compare the nutritional information from four snack items. Then they answer fifteen questions testing their ability to comprehend these functional texts.
Pain Reliever Comparison
Here's another fun activity to give students practice using functional texts. Students compare the directions and warnings for two different pain relievers and answer fifteen questions. This will test their ability to comprehend complex functional texts.
Nonfiction Comprehension
Common Core State Standards
Nonfiction Comprehension Anchor Standard
R.10 - Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.RI.K.10 - Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
RI.1.10 - With prompting and support, read informational texts appropriately complex for grade 1.
RI.2.10 - By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 2–3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
RI.3.10 - By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 2–3 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
RI.4.10 - By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 4–5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
RI.5.10 - By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 4–5 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
RI.6.10 - By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 6–8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
RI.7.10 - By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 6–8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
RI.8.10 - By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction at the high end of the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
RI.9.10 - By the end of grade 9, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 9–10 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
RI.10.10 - By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend literary nonfiction at the high end of the grades 9–10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
RI.11.10 - By the end of grade 11, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 11–CCR text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
RI.12.10 - By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend literary nonfiction at the high end of the grades 11–CCR text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Click to VIEW Grade Level Standards for R.10
Still looking for something?
Search here.
Search here.
Leave a comment
63 Comments
Leave a Reply
By Using This Website You Agree to the Terms of Use and are aware of our privacy policy.
Subscribe Now
Get emails about new stuff.
Don't worry. I hate spam too.
Some Other Useful Pages
- Author's Purpose Worksheets
- Characterization Worksheets
- Conflict Worksheets
- Fact and Opinion Worksheets
- Figurative Language Activities
- Figurative Language Poems with Questions
- Genre Activities
- Irony Worksheets
- Making Predictions
- Mood Worksheets
- Nonfiction Passages and Functional Texts
- Parts of Speech Worksheets
- Poetic Devices
- Point of View Worksheets
- School Project Ideas
- Setting Worksheets
- Simile and Metaphor Worksheets
- Story Structure Worksheets
- Text Structure Worksheets
- Theme Worksheets
- Tone Worksheets
- ALL PAGES AND WORKSHEETS
Search This Site
YOSAIDA BONICHE
/ August 24, 2024I found this website when looking for short reading comprehension stories for my students this year, and I really like it at the most.
I can choose the reading according to the level of my students, they answer the comprehension questions of the reading, and also I can make other questions to make my students give their own answers and opinions based on the topic and content of the reading.
IT IS EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!
Karen Boehmer
/ October 24, 2023Thank you so much. With shortage of teachers I am now teaching reading and your site has been sooooooo helpful
Stephanie E Gaskin
/ April 27, 2023In order to protect academic integrity, I wish your sight was password protected or a more difficult process to access answer keys.
Mr. Morton
/ October 26, 2023Yeah, accessibility and security are a trade off! I recommend changing the titles of the worksheets before distributing them if this is a concern. That makes them harder to find. Still not perfect though. Best wishes!
Priscilla Araba Hagan
/ April 21, 2023Love, love, love this site. A veritable collection of the best reading passages on the planet. Keep it up!
Moud
/ April 11, 2023Interesting am helpful
basherbash27 omer
/ March 17, 2023Thank you for all this much excellent work it will help me much with my academic work
Sara Simons
/ March 1, 2023After much searching, I finally found you wonderful nonfiction stories. I am teaching a 7th grade student who would benefit greatly
from this. I am so grateful to you.
Doumouh Dirani
/ December 22, 2022Thank you soooooo much for your help! You’re a real blessing! Thank you so much no words can express my appreciation for you for publishing such treasure! Thank you
Price
/ December 3, 2022Your passages have enabled me to help students who read and comprehend below grade level! Thanks so much.
Mr. Morton
/ December 3, 2022So happy to hear it. Best wishes to you both!
Rafan
/ September 20, 2022I saw this sheet in my tuition exam!!
Acevedo
/ June 27, 2022Love this! Thank you!!!
Jordan
/ May 17, 2022I wish there were ones on space!
Ibrahim Hotait
/ April 16, 2022It is a great website that helps me in teaching English as a foreign language to my students.
Ibrahim
Irene
/ October 22, 2021This page has been so helpful with my reading class. I wish new selections were added
Mr. Morton
/ December 3, 2022Working on it…
Akshay
/ September 16, 2021I like this website so much, the comprehensions are helping me a lot more than I usually do, please give more comprehensions to practice
Mr. Morton
/ September 16, 2021I’m glad that you like them and think they are helping. That’s great. I’m always working on updating and improving the site. Come back soon!
Yani
/ April 7, 2021Thank you so much for providing and sharing this site, it helps me a lot to support my Reading class activities.
Alaa
/ March 5, 2021I really love this website , i just checked it today , i even preferred it on my teacher . This is really fantastic . I love that they give the passages free, they give you a copy to edit , they give answers with every passage . Thankyou !!
JAYARAJ R
/ February 14, 2021These passages are really good.
Hope that you will post comprehension poems too.
Mr. Morton
/ September 16, 2021Thanks.
Have you seen these?
https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/figurative-language/figurative-language-poems-with-questions/
Malika
/ January 15, 2021Thank you so much for your generosity. Interesting and motivating reading texts
Mohammad Mustafah
/ December 20, 2020Wow it is a nice web and my teachers also gave us the comprehension hear! It is really a nice and it also have a answer key for checking the answer, thanks!
Sanki
/ November 29, 2020Thank you so much. This is grea
Ghassan
/ November 23, 2020Thank you. I’m looking for samples for four types of reading and writing for post basic classes.
hisham
/ August 25, 2020I greatly appreciate such useful worksheet materials hoping that you’ll keep on providing more likewise resources
Elma du Toit
/ July 22, 2020Thank you very much for so generously providing these worksheets and lessons for free! I use some even for my teachers in training, as they are all Second Language speakers. The reading texts are also very informational, expanding their general knowledge. I love it!
yinka adegbenle
/ June 4, 2020Thank you for these amazing worksheets. So very useful and of great quality too.
Ms.Viviet D'souza
/ January 13, 2020Hi,
Every piece of writing makes for interesting reading. Also, thought-provoking. Some definitely cater to an excellent classroom debate. This site is a great discovery. Thanks.
Bless Go
/ June 20, 2019Thank you
Homeschool Mom
/ March 31, 2019Thank you so much for these. As a homeschool parent it can be difficult to locate interesting worksheets for my middle schoolar. These are great and she will enjoy them!
Marlee is awesome
/ January 7, 2019Hi, I read alot and would like to say ur awesome im awesome and everyone who reads this is awesome! Have a nice day and a fun time learning! l♥
Mr. Morton
/ January 9, 2019I love the positivity! Best wishes!
Grace
/ November 28, 2018Mr. Morton, how can we have access to the authors’ names of articles posted here. They are so well organized work well with summary writing. But must have authors’ names
Mr. Morton
/ September 16, 2021Hello. I wrote all of these.
https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/e-reading-worksheets/about-mr-morton/
Darrell Deshotel
/ October 5, 2018Thanks for this page. Please don’t ever take it down. As a 7th grade ELA teacher it’s extremely helpful. Thank you again.
alizeh
/ July 16, 2018thankyou so much for this informative page …..its the perfect page for students
i can have alot of info which is obviously gonna help me ….
Mariu
/ July 23, 2017I love this webpage! So interesting topic for reading activities. I teach English in Argentina, and these texts trigger my students speaking skills, vocabulary skills and of course Reading Skills
Nahomy Villalobos
/ July 12, 2017hey, there i really need help in this question and i want to know if you could help me in this question it is very difficult ad i really need help and can you really help me please
Mr. Morton
/ August 1, 2017A good lesson to learn here is that you should ask your question in your initial comment, as I cannot respond to these in real time.
ivan beltran
/ January 5, 2017thank you very much, i´m an english teacher in Colombia, and i´m trying to teach to my students the importance of good reading, this material is excelent.
Muazzaz
/ October 27, 2016Thank you Mr. Morton for these great passages, I use them for my grandchild and she finds the topics interesting. What a wonderful website and great questions.
Thank you for your efforts and for sharing.
Sitha
/ September 13, 2016It is a good web. It can help my teaching a lot. Would you mind me if I suggest answer key with file PDF?
Thanks
Ms. Dela Cruz
/ August 16, 2016Thank you for making such worksheets. As a tutor it really helped me. 🙂
Annie Smith
/ August 10, 2016The “PAIN RELIEVER” article/worksheet question 8 – shouldn’t the answer be “C” both medicines, since the question asks “WHICH MEDICINE SHOULD ‘NOT’ BE TAKEN” if consume more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day??
misha jessani
/ April 13, 2016nice website its very informative for me as a student.
misha jessani
/ April 13, 2016very nice website its very informative for me as a student. thank you for making such website. 🙂
Allison Clark
/ January 13, 2016These passages are awesome! I love your site. I can always be sure I will find something challenging and INTERESTING(!!!) for my students. Thank you SOOO much for this website!
Mr. Morton
/ January 19, 2016I’m so happy to hear it. Best wishes!
sue
/ November 30, 2015You reading passages are very helpful for my 9 year old daughter. I hope you add more passages.
Mr. Morton
/ December 2, 2015I am committed to improving and developing this site. Thank you for visiting.
Ami Bhatt
/ September 11, 2015I have been using your reading passages to teach my 9 year old kid. They are very helpful! I hope you add more passages to your collections.
Mr. Morton
/ September 11, 2015Thank you and I am happy to hear it. I hope to add more reading passages this winter.
Barbara
/ September 3, 2015I am tutoring an adult in English and your reading passages have helped me tremendously. Will you be adding other passages to the site?
Mr. Morton
/ September 3, 2015Yes, I should be improving the format and adding a bunch of new content this winter. Thank you for visiting!
Christine
/ November 5, 2014Do you offer 5th or 6th grade reading level
content and tests.
Thank you….
Mr. Morton
/ November 19, 2014I’ve got a bunch in the works. I should have them up sometime in December. Best wishes!
Theresa Fairchild
/ April 5, 2014First of all, you are a life saver. I love your resources, and they have helped my students and me greatly.
Another teacher and I would like to know why the answer for the the question listed below is A. With the movement to text dependent questions, C. is the only viable option. Logically, A. makes sense, but we were looking at the question from a text dependent viewpoint.
3. Which best explains why the original castles were first made from earth and timber?
a. It takes a lot more time and energy to build a stone castle.
b. It did not occur to people to build castles out of stone.
c. People did not realize how weak wooden castles would be against fire.
d. Wooden castles were prettier than dirty stone castles.
Thank you.
Mr. Morton
/ April 21, 2014I think it is fair to require students to draw such an
inference.
I believe most state tests will require them to
draw similar inferences.
Perhaps the distractor C is unfair
as you are suggesting.
When I revisit the content in the next year I will update this question.
Thank you for your feedback.
Tina compton
/ February 4, 2014I teach sixth grade. I don’t see where you have a grade or Lexie level for the passages you offer. They look close to what I need, a Lexie around 1,000 or greater. Can you give me an idea about where these passages are level wise? Thank you so very much! It looks like you’ve worked very hard! I appreciate it.
Tina Compton
Mr. Morton
/ February 7, 2014Lexile is a proprietary term. As an educator you can use their system for free, but as an educational publisher I would need to license it.