No Talking Reading Comprehension Questions
by Andrew Clements
Book Summary
The story is about a group of fifth-grade students who decide to have a contest to see who can go the longest without talking during the school day. It explores how this challenge affects the students, teachers, and the entire school, teaching lessons about communication, self-control, and the power of silence.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about No Talking.
1.What was the name of the boy who first got the idea for the no-talking contest?
2.What were the three exceptions to the no-talking rule during the contest?
3.Who was the principal of Laketon Elementary School?
4.Why do you think Dave challenged Lynsey to the no-talking contest?
5.How did the teachers likely feel when the fifth graders first stopped talking?
6.What do you think the students learned about themselves by participating in the contest?
7.What is one important lesson the story teaches about communication?
8.What does the story show about the power of students working together?
9.How did the principal's reaction to the no-talking contest change from the beginning to the end?
10.What does the word 'vow' mean in the story when Dave read about Gandhi's vow of silence?
11.When the teachers felt 'frustrated' by the silence, what does that mean they were feeling?
12.What does it mean to 'communicate' in the story?
13.If your class decided to have a no-talking contest, what would be the hardest part for you?
14.Do you think it's good for kids to challenge rules sometimes, like the students did in this story? Why or why not?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from No Talking to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading No Talking with children.
What was your favorite part of No Talking? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from No Talking, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did No Talking make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend No Talking to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Andrew Clements wanted young readers to learn from this story?
More Reading Questions You Might Like
10 Minutes Till Bedtime
by Peggy Rathmann
39 Clues: One False Note: A Graphic Novel (39 Clues Graphic Novel #2)
by Gordon Korman
39 Clues: The Maze of Bones: A Graphic Novel (39 Clues Graphic Novel #1)
by Rick Riordan
A Ball for Daisy
by Chris Raschka
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is No Talking?
No Talking by Andrew Clements is recommended for grades 1-3 readers with an AR level of 3.8. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for No Talking?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for No Talking, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use No Talking 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
