Rick Riordan Presents: City of the Plague God Reading Comprehension Questions
by Sarwat Chadda
Book Summary
Sikander Aziz, a twelve-year-old Iraqi-American boy with asthma, discovers he is a descendant of the legendary hero Gilgamesh. When the ancient Mesopotamian god of plagues, Nergal, threatens to unleash a devastating plague upon the world, Sikander, along with his brave older sister Apsara and a talking lion named Udug, must embark on a perilous quest to the Underworld and other mythological realms. They face terrifying monsters, cunning gods, and their own fears as they race against time to stop Nergal and save humanity.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 19 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Rick Riordan Presents: City of the Plague God.
1.What is the primary threat that Sikander Aziz must confront at the beginning of the story?
2.Who are Sikander's main companions on his quest to stop Nergal?
3.Why is Sikander's asthma, usually a weakness, described as playing an 'unexpected role' in the final confrontation with Nergal?
4.What can you infer about Apsara's character based on her actions during the quest?
5.Based on the story, what can you infer about the nature of ancient prophecies and mythological heritage?
6.What can you infer about Sikander's personal growth by the end of the story?
7.What is a central theme explored through Sikander's journey from an ordinary boy to a hero?
8.How does the theme of 'family bonds and loyalty' manifest in the story?
9.A significant theme of the book is overcoming personal weaknesses. How does Sikander exemplify this theme?
10.How does the author use the setting of New York City in contrast with the mythological realms to enhance the story?
11.Compare and contrast Sikander's feelings at the beginning of the quest versus his feelings at the end. What does this reveal about his character arc?
12.How does the inclusion of Udug, the talking lion, contribute to the narrative's effectiveness?
13.What does the word 'descendant' mean in the context of Sikander's story?
14.In the sentence, 'Nergal proves to be a formidable opponent, possessing immense power and a terrifying presence,' what does 'formidable' mean?
15.What is the best definition for 'resilience' as demonstrated by Sikander?
16.When Apsara was 'initially skeptical' about Sikander's claims, what does 'skeptical' mean?
17.If you were Sikander, facing the sudden revelation of your heritage and a world-ending threat, what would be your immediate reaction and why?
18.The story shows that even a personal weakness, like Sikander's asthma, can become a strength. Can you think of a time in your own life or in another story where a perceived weakness turned out to be an advantage?
19.The book explores Mesopotamian mythology. Why do you think it's important for stories to share myths and legends from different cultures around the world?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Rick Riordan Presents: City of the Plague God to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Rick Riordan Presents: City of the Plague God with children.
What was your favorite part of Rick Riordan Presents: City of the Plague God? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Rick Riordan Presents: City of the Plague God, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Rick Riordan Presents: City of the Plague God make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Rick Riordan Presents: City of the Plague God to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Sarwat Chadda wanted young readers to learn from this story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Rick Riordan Presents: City of the Plague God?
Rick Riordan Presents: City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda is recommended for grades 3-5 readers with an AR level of 5.2. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Rick Riordan Presents: City of the Plague God?
ReadBuddy provides 19 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Rick Riordan Presents: City of the Plague God, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Rick Riordan Presents: City of the Plague God 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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