Who Was Harriet Tubman? Reading Comprehension Questions
by Yona Zeldis McDonough, Who HQ
Part of the Who Was series · Book 4 of 7
Book Summary
This book tells the inspiring true story of Harriet Tubman, born Araminta Ross, who bravely escaped slavery and then risked her life many times to guide hundreds of other enslaved people to freedom using the secret routes of the Underground Railroad. It also covers her work as a spy during the Civil War and her lifelong dedication to helping others and fighting for justice.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Who Was Harriet Tubman?.
1.What was Harriet Tubman's name when she was born?
2.What kind of injury did Araminta get when she was a teenager?
3.How many enslaved people did Harriet Tubman guide to freedom through the Underground Railroad after her own escape?
4.In the story, what does the word "slavery" mean?
5.What was a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad?
6.The book mentions that Harriet Tubman fought for "women's suffrage." What does "suffrage" mean in this sentence?
7.Why did Araminta change her name to Harriet Tubman after she escaped?
8.Why do you think Harriet Tubman felt she could not be truly free while her family and others remained enslaved?
9.Based on her actions, what can you infer about Harriet Tubman's character when she protected another enslaved person from the overseer, even though it led to her injury?
10.What is a main lesson we can learn from Harriet Tubman's many trips back to the South to help others escape?
11.The book shows Harriet Tubman helping people even after slavery ended, like caring for the elderly and sick. What does this tell us about her lifelong commitment?
12.How did Harriet Tubman's decision to escape alone, rather than with her husband John, show her strong will to be free?
13.Harriet Tubman showed immense courage throughout her life. What does courage mean to you, and can you think of a time you or someone you know showed courage?
14.Harriet Tubman dedicated her life to helping others. What are some ways you can help people in your own community or family?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Who Was Harriet Tubman? to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Who Was Harriet Tubman? with children.
What was your favorite part of Who Was Harriet Tubman?? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Who Was Harriet Tubman?, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Who Was Harriet Tubman? make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Who Was Harriet Tubman? to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Yona Zeldis McDonough, Who HQ wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Who Was Harriet Tubman??
Who Was Harriet Tubman? by Yona Zeldis McDonough, Who HQ is recommended for grades K-2 readers with an AR level of 3.5. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Who Was Harriet Tubman??
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Who Was Harriet Tubman?, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Who Was Harriet Tubman? 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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