A Swiftly Tilting Planet Reading Comprehension Questions
by Madeleine L'Engle
Part of the Time Quintet series · Book 3 of 3
Book Summary
Fifteen-year-old Charles Wallace Murry must travel through time on a unicorn named Gaudior to change the past and prevent a nuclear war initiated by the dictator Mad Dog Branzillo.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 9 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about A Swiftly Tilting Planet.
1.Who is the mythical creature that helps Charles Wallace travel through time?
2.How does Meg stay connected to Charles Wallace while he is traveling in the past?
3.What is the specific name of the ancient poem or spell that Mrs. O'Keefe gives to Charles Wallace for protection?
4.What does the word 'dictator' mean when describing Mad Dog Branzillo?
5.In the story, what does it mean to 'kythe'?
6.Who or what are the 'Echthroi' in the context of the story?
7.Why does Charles Wallace need to travel to the past in the first place?
8.Why is it significant that Charles Wallace goes 'within' different people in the past, like Chuck and Matthew Maddox?
9.What does the changing of Mad Dog Branzillo into the peaceful El Zarco at the end of the book suggest about the story's theme?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from A Swiftly Tilting Planet to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading A Swiftly Tilting Planet with children.
What was your favorite part of A Swiftly Tilting Planet? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from A Swiftly Tilting Planet, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did A Swiftly Tilting Planet make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend A Swiftly Tilting Planet to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Madeleine L'Engle wanted young readers to learn from this story?
More in the Time Quintet Series
All 3books →Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is A Swiftly Tilting Planet?
A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle is recommended for grades 2-4 readers with an AR level of 5.2. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for A Swiftly Tilting Planet?
ReadBuddy provides 9 carefully crafted comprehension questions for A Swiftly Tilting Planet, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use A Swiftly Tilting Planet for reading practice?
Read the book together or independently, then use ReadBuddy's comprehension questions to check understanding. Focus on vocabulary words, discuss character motivations, and encourage your child to make connections to their own experiences.
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