Bridge to Terabithia Reading Comprehension Questions
by Katherine Paterson
Book Summary
A boy named Jesse becomes best friends with a new girl, Leslie, and together they create a secret, magical kingdom in the woods called Terabithia. They have many adventures there, but then something very sad happens that changes Jesse's life forever, teaching him about friendship, loss, and how to keep special memories alive.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Bridge to Terabithia.
1.Who dreamed of being the fastest runner in his class?
2.What did Jesse and Leslie use to cross the creek to Terabithia at first?
3.Who invited Jesse to go to a museum in Washington, D.C.?
4.Why was Jesse surprised when Leslie beat him in the race at school?
5.Why do you think Jesse and Leslie created Terabithia?
6.How do you think Jesse felt when he learned Leslie had drowned?
7.What important lesson does Jesse learn about friendship in the story?
8.What does building the bridge at the end of the story show about Jesse?
9.How did Jesse's feelings about Leslie change from when she first arrived to when they became friends?
10.What does the word "scrawny" mean when the story describes Jesse as a "scrawny kid"?
11.When Jesse and Leslie used their "imagination" to create Terabithia, what does "imagination" mean?
12.What does the word "devastated" mean when Jesse felt "completely devastated" after hearing about Leslie?
13.If you could create your own secret kingdom like Terabithia, what would it be like and who would you invite?
14.How do you think Jesse's father helped him feel better after Leslie's death?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Bridge to Terabithia to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Bridge to Terabithia with children.
What was your favorite part of Bridge to Terabithia? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Bridge to Terabithia, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Bridge to Terabithia make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Bridge to Terabithia to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Katherine Paterson wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Bridge to Terabithia?
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson is recommended for grades 1-3 readers with an AR level of 4.8. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Bridge to Terabithia?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Bridge to Terabithia, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Bridge to Terabithia 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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