The Midwife's Apprentice Reading Comprehension Questions
by Karen Cushman
Book Summary
The story follows a homeless, nameless orphan girl in medieval England who is taken in by a stern village midwife. Named Beetle, and later Alyce, she becomes the midwife's apprentice, learning the difficult and often unpleasant trade. Through trials, failures, and a period of self-discovery working at an inn, Alyce eventually finds her own identity, gains confidence, and earns her place as a capable and compassionate helper in her community.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 19 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about The Midwife's Apprentice.
1.Where was the nameless orphan girl first discovered by Jane Sharp?
2.What new skill did Alyce learn while working at the inn?
3.Why did Alyce decide to rename herself from 'Beetle'?
4.What can you infer about Jane Sharp's character based on her treatment of Alyce?
5.What does Alyce's decision to run away after the failed birth reveal about her state of mind?
6.How did Alyce's time at the inn contribute to her growth and eventual return to midwifery?
7.What is a central theme of 'The Midwife's Apprentice' regarding identity?
8.Which of the following best describes the main lesson Alyce learns by the end of the story?
9.The story suggests that true learning often comes from:
10.How does Alyce's relationship with Edward the cat reflect her own need for companionship and kindness?
11.Compare Alyce's initial feelings about herself to her feelings by the end of the book. What caused this change?
12.How does the author use the setting of medieval England to enhance the story's themes?
13.What does the word 'meager' mean in the context of Alyce's meals?
14.When the villagers 'scoffed' at Beetle, what were they doing?
15.What is the meaning of 'resolve' as Alyce decides to return to the village?
16.In the story, 'compassion' is shown by Alyce towards the red-headed girl. What does 'compassion' mean?
17.If you were Alyce, what would you have done after failing the birth? Would you have run away, or faced Jane Sharp immediately? Explain your reasoning.
18.How do you think Alyce's experiences as an orphan and living in a dung heap at the beginning of the story influenced her character and her desire to help others?
19.The book explores the idea of what it means to be 'useful.' How does Alyce's understanding of her own usefulness change throughout the story?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from The Midwife's Apprentice to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading The Midwife's Apprentice with children.
What was your favorite part of The Midwife's Apprentice? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from The Midwife's Apprentice, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did The Midwife's Apprentice make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend The Midwife's Apprentice to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Karen Cushman wanted young readers to learn from this story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is The Midwife's Apprentice?
The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman is recommended for grades 3-5 readers with an AR level of 5.5. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for The Midwife's Apprentice?
ReadBuddy provides 19 carefully crafted comprehension questions for The Midwife's Apprentice, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use The Midwife's Apprentice 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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