The City of Ember Reading Comprehension Questions
by Jeanne DuPrau
Part of the The City of Ember series · Book 1 of 2
Book Summary
The City of Ember tells the story of an underground city where the lights are failing and resources are running out. Two young people, Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, discover ancient instructions that might lead them and their city to safety and a new world, while also uncovering a secret about their city's leaders.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about The City of Ember.
1.What job did Lina Mayfleet originally get on Assignment Day?
2.What did Lina's Granny find in a mysterious metal box?
3.Who did Lina ask for help to understand the words on the document?
4.What does the word 'scarce' mean in the sentence: 'The lights flickered and supplies were scarce in the City of Ember'?
5.What does it mean to 'decipher' the instructions?
6.What does 'hoarding' mean when it says Mayor Cole was 'hoarding canned goods'?
7.Why do Lina and Doon decide to work together to solve the mystery of the document?
8.What can you infer about the City of Ember based on the dimming lights and scarce supplies?
9.Why did Lina and Doon feel a sense of responsibility to send a message back to Ember after reaching the surface?
10.What is a main theme of 'The City of Ember' about facing challenges?
11.What lesson does the discovery of Mayor Cole's secret stash teach Lina and Doon?
12.How can you tell that Lina and Doon are brave characters?
13.If you lived in Ember and knew the lights were dimming, what would you do to help your city?
14.How do you think the people of Ember will feel when they receive Lina and Doon's message about the surface world?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from The City of Ember to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading The City of Ember with children.
What was your favorite part of The City of Ember? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from The City of Ember, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did The City of Ember make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend The City of Ember to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Jeanne DuPrau wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is The City of Ember?
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau is recommended for grades 1-3 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 The City of Ember?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for The City of Ember, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use The City of Ember 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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