Long Way Down Reading Comprehension Questions
by Jason Reynolds
Book Summary
Fifteen-year-old Will is grieving the murder of his older brother, Shawn. Following the rules of his neighborhood, Will takes Shawn's gun and steps into the elevator to get revenge. On the way down, the elevator stops at each floor, and ghosts of people from Will's past who died from gun violence step in, forcing him to question his decision.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 9 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Long Way Down.
1.What are the three Rules that Will and his brother were taught to follow in their neighborhood?
2.Will likes to create 'anagrams' in his head. What is an anagram?
3.Who is the first ghost to get on the elevator at the seventh floor?
4.When Will describes the gun as feeling 'heavy,' what does the word 'heavy' most likely represent in the story?
5.Why does Dani ask Will the question, 'What if you miss?'
6.What is the main reason Will's father (Pop) puts a gun to Will's head in the elevator?
7.What shocking truth does Will learn about his father's attempt to get revenge for Uncle Mark?
8.Will sees a 'silhouette' step into the elevator through the cigarette smoke. What does the word 'silhouette' mean?
9.What is the deeper meaning behind Shawn's final question to Will, 'You coming?'
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Long Way Down to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Long Way Down with children.
What was your favorite part of Long Way Down? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Long Way Down, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Long Way Down make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Long Way Down to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Jason Reynolds wanted young readers to learn from this story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Long Way Down?
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds is recommended for grades 3-5 readers with an AR level of 4.3. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Long Way Down?
ReadBuddy provides 9 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Long Way Down, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Long Way Down 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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