Pashmina Reading Comprehension Questions
by Nidhi Chanani
Book Summary
Priyanka Das is an Indian-American teenager who feels disconnected from her heritage because her mother refuses to talk about India or Pri's father. When Pri discovers a magical pashmina shawl that transports her to a vibrant, idealized version of India, she becomes determined to uncover the truth. She travels to the real India, where she learns about the complex realities of her culture, the struggles of the women who wove the shawl, and the sacrifices her mother made for her freedom.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 9 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Pashmina.
1.What magical object does Priyanka find in a forgotten suitcase?
2.Which two talking animals guide Priyanka when she visits the magical version of India?
3.What does Priyanka discover about why her mother, Nim, actually left India?
4.What is a 'pashmina' as shown in the story?
5.The shawl shows Priyanka an 'idealized' version of India. What does 'idealized' mean?
6.Priyanka learns about her mother's 'sacrifices.' What does 'sacrifice' mean in this context?
7.How does Priyanka feel when her mother, Nim, refuses to answer questions about India or her father?
8.Why is Priyanka's real life drawn in black and white while the shawl's visions are drawn in bright colors?
9.What does the dark shadow that interrupts Priyanka's magical visions most likely represent?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Pashmina to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Pashmina with children.
What was your favorite part of Pashmina? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Pashmina, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Pashmina make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Pashmina to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Nidhi Chanani wanted young readers to learn from this story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Pashmina?
Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani is recommended for grades 3-5 readers with an AR level of 3.5. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Pashmina?
ReadBuddy provides 9 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Pashmina, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Pashmina 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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