Merci Suarez Changes Gears Reading Comprehension Questions
by Meg Medina
Part of the Merci Suarez series · Book 1 of 2
Book Summary
Merci Suarez is a scholarship student at a fancy private school in Florida. She lives with her big, extended Cuban-American family in three houses on the same property. The story follows Merci as she navigates the challenges of sixth grade, including new friendships, dealing with a mean girl, and her first crush. Most importantly, Merci struggles to understand and cope with the changes in her beloved grandfather, Lolo, who is beginning to show signs of Alzheimer's disease. Merci learns about family, change, and finding her own way.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Merci Suarez Changes Gears.
1.Where does Merci Suarez live with her extended family?
2.What special job does Merci have for her grandfather, Lolo, after school?
3.Who is Edna Santos in the story?
4.Why do you think Merci sometimes felt embarrassed about her family's living situation at school?
5.How do you think Abuela felt when she realized Lolo was getting sicker with Alzheimer's?
6.Why might Merci's family have tried to explain away Lolo's strange behavior at first, instead of immediately telling Merci about his illness?
7.What is one important lesson Merci learns about family in the story?
8.The title of the book is 'Merci Suarez Changes Gears.' What does 'changes gears' mean for Merci in the story?
9.How does Merci change from the beginning of the story to the end, especially in how she handles challenges?
10.What does the word 'scholarship' mean in the context of Merci attending Seaward Academy?
11.When Merci felt 'frustrated' with Lolo because he kept forgetting things, what did that mean she was feeling?
12.What does it mean for Merci to 'adjust' to her new responsibilities and Lolo's changing condition?
13.If you were Merci, how would you feel about your grandfather forgetting things and acting differently because of Alzheimer's?
14.What is something new you learned about families or growing up from reading Merci's story?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Merci Suarez Changes Gears to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Merci Suarez Changes Gears with children.
What was your favorite part of Merci Suarez Changes Gears? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Merci Suarez Changes Gears, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Merci Suarez Changes Gears make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Merci Suarez Changes Gears to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Meg Medina wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Merci Suarez Changes Gears?
Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina is recommended for grades 1-3 readers with an AR level of 4.7. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Merci Suarez Changes Gears?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Merci Suarez Changes Gears, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Merci Suarez Changes Gears 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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