The Horse and his Boy Reading Comprehension Questions
by C. S. Lewis
Part of the The Chronicles of Narnia series · Book 5 of 7
Book Summary
The Horse and his Boy is a classic fantasy novel set in the magical world of Narnia. It tells the story of a young boy named Shasta who lives in the southern country of Calormen. He discovers he is not truly the son of the fisherman who raised him and escapes with a talking horse named Bree. On their journey to the free lands of Narnia, they meet another runaway, a Calormene girl named Aravis, and her talking horse, Hwin. Together, they embark on a perilous adventure, uncovering a plot against Narnia and discovering Shasta's true identity.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about The Horse and his Boy.
1.What was Arsheesh planning to do with Shasta at the beginning of the story?
2.Who did Shasta and Bree meet on their journey through the desert?
3.What important secret did Shasta overhear in Tashbaan?
4.Why did Bree and Hwin want to go to Narnia?
5.How did Shasta likely feel when he was mistaken for Prince Corin and taken to the Narnian embassy?
6.Why do you think Aslan, disguised as a lion, appeared to help Shasta and Aravis at different times?
7.What lesson does Shasta learn about courage during his journey?
8.What is one main idea the story teaches about identity?
9.How did Shasta's journey change him from a simple fisherman's boy to a brave leader?
10.What does the word 'Tarkaan' mean in the story?
11.If an army receives 'reinforcements,' what does that mean?
12.What does it mean for a horse to 'gallop'?
13.If you were Shasta, would you have been brave enough to run away with Bree? Why or why not?
14.How do you think Aravis felt about leaving her old life behind to travel to Narnia? What might be hard and what might be exciting?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from The Horse and his Boy to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading The Horse and his Boy with children.
What was your favorite part of The Horse and his Boy? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from The Horse and his Boy, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did The Horse and his Boy make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend The Horse and his Boy to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think C. S. Lewis wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is The Horse and his Boy?
The Horse and his Boy by C. S. Lewis is recommended for grades 1-3 readers with an AR level of 4.8. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for The Horse and his Boy?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for The Horse and his Boy, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use The Horse and his Boy 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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