Matilda Reading Comprehension Questions
by Roald Dahl
Book Summary
Matilda Wormwood is an extraordinarily intelligent and sensitive girl who is misunderstood and neglected by her crude, dishonest parents. At school, she finds a kind and loving teacher, Miss Honey, but also encounters the terrifying and tyrannical headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. Matilda discovers she has telekinetic powers and uses them to stand up against injustice, help Miss Honey reclaim her rightful inheritance, and ultimately find a loving home.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Matilda.
1.What did Matilda love to do more than anything when she was very young?
2.Who was the kind teacher at Crunchem Hall Primary School who understood how smart Matilda was?
3.What did Matilda secretly put in Miss Trunchbull's water jug during class?
4.Why do you think Matilda's parents didn't want her to read books and learn new things?
5.How do you think Bruce Bogtrotter felt right after he finished eating the whole giant chocolate cake?
6.Why did Matilda decide to use her special power to help Miss Honey get her house and money back?
7.What lesson does Matilda teach us about standing up to people who are unfair or mean?
8.What is one big idea the story of Matilda shows us about finding a true family?
9.How can you tell that Miss Honey's life got much better after Miss Trunchbull left the school?
10.What does the word 'prodigy' mean when the book says Matilda was a 'child prodigy'?
11.If Miss Trunchbull was a 'tyrannical' headmistress, how did she act towards the children?
12.What does 'telekinetic' mean when Matilda discovered her telekinetic power?
13.If you had a special power like Matilda's, what would you do with it to help someone or make something better?
14.Why do you think it was important for Matilda to find a loving home with Miss Honey, even though her birth parents were still alive?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Matilda to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Matilda with children.
What was your favorite part of Matilda? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Matilda, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Matilda make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Matilda to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Roald Dahl wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Matilda?
Matilda by Roald Dahl is recommended for grades 1-3 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 Matilda?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Matilda, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Matilda 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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