I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 (I Survived #20) Reading Comprehension Questions
by Lauren Tarshis
Book Summary
Eleven-year-old Josh and his mom have recently moved from New Jersey to a rural town in Northern California. As Josh struggles to adjust to his new life and misses his old home, a massive, fast-moving wildfire breaks out. Josh and his mom must navigate terrifying conditions, traffic jams, and flying embers to escape the inferno, learning about bravery and community along the way.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 (I Survived #20).
1.Where did Josh and his mom move from before coming to Northern California?
2.What weather conditions made the wildfire spread so quickly?
3.What happens when Josh and his mom try to drive away from the fire?
4.Why does the sky turn completely dark during the middle of the day?
5.Why does Josh feel lonely and sad at the very beginning of the story?
6.Why did people in the town not evacuate right when the fire first started?
7.What is an important lesson Josh learns by the end of the story?
8.How does the story show the true meaning of bravery?
9.How does Josh's attitude change from the beginning of the book to the end?
10.What does the word 'evacuate' mean in the story?
11.The story mentions that the woods were suffering from a 'drought'. What does this mean?
12.What are the 'embers' that fly through the air during the wildfire?
13.If you had to evacuate your home very quickly like Josh and his mom did, what is one special item you would try to bring with you, and why?
14.During the fire, neighbors and firefighters helped each other survive. What is a way you can help people in your own community when they are having a hard time?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 (I Survived #20) to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 (I Survived #20) with children.
What was your favorite part of I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 (I Survived #20)? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 (I Survived #20), who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 (I Survived #20) make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 (I Survived #20) to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Lauren Tarshis wanted young readers to learn from this story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 (I Survived #20)?
I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 (I Survived #20) by Lauren Tarshis is recommended for grades 2-4 readers with an AR level of 4.0. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 (I Survived #20)?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 (I Survived #20), covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 (I Survived #20) 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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