Tough Boris Reading Comprehension Questions
by Mem Fox
Book Summary
Tough Boris is a pirate who seems very strong and never cries. A small boy secretly watches Boris's life on his ship. When Boris's beloved parrot dies, Boris shows his deep sadness and cries, teaching the boy that even tough people have feelings and it's okay to show them.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 8 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Tough Boris.
1.What kind of person was Boris von der Borch at the beginning of the story?
2.Who secretly snuck onto Boris's pirate ship to watch him?
3.What made Boris cry on his ship, even though he was tough?
4.In the story, what does it mean that Boris was 'tough'?
5.Why do you think the small boy watched Boris cry quietly instead of running away or laughing?
6.What lesson can we learn from the story about Boris and his parrot?
7.What was your favorite part of the story about Boris and the boy, and why?
8.If you saw someone very tough like Boris feeling sad, what would you do?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Tough Boris to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Tough Boris with children.
What was your favorite part of Tough Boris? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Tough Boris, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Tough Boris make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Tough Boris to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Mem Fox wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Tough Boris?
Tough Boris by Mem Fox is recommended for grades K-1 readers with an AR level of 2.2. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Tough Boris?
ReadBuddy provides 8 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Tough Boris, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Tough Boris 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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