I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived #11) Reading Comprehension Questions
by Lauren Tarshis
Book Summary
Eleven-year-old Oscar Starling moves to Chicago with his mother and new stepfather. After his luggage is stolen, he chases the thieves and gets lost just as the Great Chicago Fire breaks out. Oscar must team up with the kids who robbed him to survive the terrifying flames and find his way back to his family.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived #11).
1.Why did Oscar and his mother move to Chicago?
2.Who stole Oscar's suitcase at the train station?
3.Where did Oscar, Jennie, and Bruno go to escape the terrible heat of the fire?
4.Why did Oscar decide to help Jennie and Bruno during the fire, even though they robbed him?
5.How did Oscar's feelings about Mr. Morrow change by the end of the story?
6.Why did the Great Chicago Fire spread so quickly through the city?
7.What is a major lesson Oscar learns about family in this story?
8.What does the story teach us about forgiveness?
9.How does the setting of 1871 Chicago make the fire more dangerous than it would be today?
10.What does the word 'panic' mean when the crowd was running from the fire?
11.If 'cinders' are falling from the sky during the fire, what are they?
12.Jennie and Bruno are described as 'orphans.' What does this mean?
13.Oscar had to be very brave during the Great Chicago Fire. What is a time you had to be brave during a scary situation?
14.Oscar forgave Jennie and Bruno for stealing his suitcase. Would you have forgiven them? Why or why not?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived #11) to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived #11) with children.
What was your favorite part of I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived #11)? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived #11), who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived #11) make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived #11) 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 Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived #11)?
I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived #11) by Lauren Tarshis is recommended for grades 2-4 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 I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived #11)?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived #11), covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived #11) 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.
Want your child to try the full quiz?
Just download the free app.
Scan a book cover
any book covers
Answer fun questions
with instant feedback
Watch reading grow
scores and streaks
ReadBuddy.ai
