Rules Reading Comprehension Questions
by Cynthia Lord
Book Summary
Catherine is a twelve-year-old girl who lives with her younger brother, David, who has autism. She creates a list of 'rules' to help David understand social situations and to cope with her own feelings. Catherine's life becomes more complicated when a new girl, Kristi, moves in next door, and she develops a friendship with Ryan, a non-verbal boy who uses a wheelchair. The story explores themes of acceptance, communication, and the challenges and joys of sibling relationships, as Catherine learns to navigate her own desires for a normal life while loving and supporting her unique family.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Rules.
1.What does Catherine create to help her brother, David, understand social situations?
2.Which books does David love to read and often repeat lines from?
3.Where does Catherine first meet Ryan?
4.What does the word 'autism' mean in the story?
5.What does it mean to be 'frustrated' when Catherine feels that way about David?
6.Ryan uses a 'communication board' to talk. What does a communication board help him do?
7.Why do you think Catherine makes so many rules for David?
8.How does Catherine feel when David has meltdowns in public?
9.Why does Catherine feel a special connection with Ryan?
10.What is a main lesson Catherine learns about friendship by the end of the story?
11.One theme of the story is 'acceptance.' How does Catherine show acceptance at the dance?
12.How does Catherine change from the beginning of the story to the end regarding her feelings about David and Ryan?
13.What would you do if you were in Catherine's shoes and had a sibling like David?
14.How do you think Ryan felt when Catherine drew pictures for his communication board and spent time understanding him?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Rules to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Rules with children.
What was your favorite part of Rules? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Rules, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Rules make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Rules to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Cynthia Lord wanted young readers to learn from this story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Rules?
Rules by Cynthia Lord is recommended for grades 2-4 readers with an AR level of 4.0. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Rules?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Rules, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Rules 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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