The Invention of Hugo Cabret Reading Comprehension Questions
by Brian Selznick
Book Summary
Hugo Cabret is an orphan who secretly lives in the walls of a Paris train station, winding clocks. He tries to fix a broken automaton, a mechanical man, left by his deceased father, believing it holds a message. He steals parts from a grumpy toy shop owner, Georges, and befriends Georges' goddaughter, Isabelle. They discover Georges is a forgotten filmmaker, Georges Méliès, and the automaton is his creation. Together, they help rediscover Méliès's lost films and Hugo finds a new home and family.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about The Invention of Hugo Cabret.
1.What was Hugo's secret job in the train station?
2.What special item did Hugo's father leave him that Hugo wanted to fix?
3.Who was the grumpy old man who owned the toy shop in the train station?
4.Why do you think Hugo believed the automaton held a message from his father?
5.What does Isabelle wearing a heart-shaped key around her neck suggest about its importance?
6.Why did Georges Méliès become sad and stop making films?
7.What lesson does Hugo learn about finding a family by the end of the story?
8.What is a main message the story teaches about old or forgotten things, like Georges Méliès's films?
9.How can you tell that Georges Méliès changed from the beginning of the story to the end?
10.In the story, Hugo was trying to fix an 'automaton.' What is an automaton?
11.When Hugo showed 'perseverance' in trying to fix the automaton, what does that mean he did?
12.What does it mean for Georges Méliès's films to be 'rediscovered'?
13.If you were in Hugo's situation, living secretly in a train station and trying to fix a mysterious machine, what would be the hardest part for you?
14.Why do you think it's important to remember and appreciate old movies, books, or art, even if they were made a long time ago?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from The Invention of Hugo Cabret to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret with children.
What was your favorite part of The Invention of Hugo Cabret? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from The Invention of Hugo Cabret, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did The Invention of Hugo Cabret make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend The Invention of Hugo Cabret to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Brian Selznick wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is The Invention of Hugo Cabret?
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick is recommended for grades 1-3 readers with an AR level of 3.8. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for The Invention of Hugo Cabret?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for The Invention of Hugo Cabret, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use The Invention of Hugo Cabret 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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