10 Free English Comprehension Worksheets for Grade 5 Students

Finding the right comprehension worksheets for your fifth graders can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. You want materials that are challenging but not overwhelming, engaging but still educational, and most importantly — free! Well, you're in luck. We've gathered 10 free English comprehension worksheets that will not only help your students sharpen their reading skills but also make the process fun and rewarding.

Let’s dive right in!

1. The Mysterious Map 

A thrilling short story where students follow clues on a hidden map. Comprehension questions focus on predicting outcomes, making inferences, and understanding vocabulary in context.

Skills: Critical Thinking, Vocabulary, Prediction

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2. The Life Cycle of a Butterfly

This non-fiction passage introduces students to the fascinating transformation of butterflies. It’s perfect for science integration while honing reading comprehension skills.

Skills: Main Idea, Sequencing, Fact vs. Opinion

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3. A Day in the Life of an Astronaut

Students will love imagining life aboard the International Space Station. Questions encourage them to summarize information and analyze details.

Skills: Summarization, Details, Compare and Contrast

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4. The Secret Garden (Excerpt)

A beautifully adapted excerpt from the classic novel. Students practice interpreting character emotions and drawing conclusions.

Skills: Character Analysis, Drawing Conclusions

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5. The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart

A humorous fable that teaches a moral lesson. Perfect for theme identification and understanding plot structure.

Skills: Theme, Plot, Cause and Effect

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6. Saving Water: Why It Matters

A persuasive article about water conservation. Students practice identifying the author’s purpose and recognizing persuasive techniques.

Skills: Author's Purpose, Persuasive Language, Text Features

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7. The Great Cookie Caper

A lighthearted mystery story that’s sure to spark interest. Great for problem-solution text structure practice.

Skills: Problem and Solution, Logical Reasoning

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8. How Tornadoes Form

Students will learn about the science behind tornadoes through an informational text. Excellent for building nonfiction comprehension skills.

Skills: Cause and Effect, Nonfiction Text Structures

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9. The Young Inventor

A short fiction story about a creative young mind. Helps students focus on character traits and understanding motivation.

Skills: Character Traits, Motivation

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10. The Magic of Teamwork

A motivational story that highlights the importance of collaboration. Comprehension questions guide students to identify the main idea and make personal connections.

Skills: Main Idea, Personal Response, Inference

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Why Use These Worksheets?

  • Aligned with Grade 5 standards: All worksheets are designed to match the reading comprehension skills expected at this level.
  • Printable and easy to use: No sign-ups, no fees — just download, print, and teach.
  • Skill-focused: Each worksheet targets specific comprehension strategies to build well-rounded readers.

Final Thoughts

Strong comprehension skills are the foundation for academic success across all subjects. With these 10 free English comprehension worksheets, your fifth graders will not only improve their reading ability but also their love for learning. Plus, who doesn’t love a good cookie caper or a hidden map adventure?

Ready to boost your students’ reading skills? Download these free worksheets today and get started!


Grade 1 Comprehension

Grade 2 Comprehension

Grade 3 Comprehension

Grade 4 Comprehension

Grade 5 Comprehension

Grade 6 Comprehension

Grade 7 Comprehension

Grade 8 Comprehension

Grade 9 Comprehension

Grade 10 Comprehension



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