Year 5: Reading comprehension

Mina carried the seed tray into the shed when the rain began. She had planted six rows of beans with her grandfather the day before. By morning, the soil near the door was scattered across the floor. One row was empty. Mina frowned at the muddy marks on the shelf. They were too small to be her grandfather's boots. She moved a sack of compost and found a mouse beside three beans. It froze, then slipped through a gap in the wall. Mina laughed quietly. She swept the soil back into the tray and covered it with a wire frame. Before leaving, she checked that the gap was still clear. The shed could protect the seedlings without trapping its visitor.

Write your answers on paper. Try each question before opening its answer.

1. Why did Mina take the tray into the shed?

   Show answer and explanation

   To protect it from the rain.

   The first sentence says she moved it when the rain began.

2. How many rows had Mina planted?

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   Six rows.

   The passage states six rows of beans.

3. Give one clue that the seed tray had been disturbed.

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   Small muddy marks, scattered soil or missing beans.

   Accept one detail from the passage.

4. What does froze mean when describing the mouse?

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   It stopped moving.

   The mouse becomes still before running away.

5. How does Mina feel when she finds the mouse? Give evidence.

   Show answer and explanation

   Amused or friendly: she laughs quietly.

   Accept a feeling supported by what she does.

6. Why does Mina cover the tray with a wire frame?

   Show answer and explanation

   To stop the mouse taking more beans.

   The frame protects the seedlings.

7. Why does Mina keep the gap clear for any mouse that returns?

   Show answer and explanation

   So a returning mouse can leave the shed without being trapped.

   The last sentence shows that Mina wants to protect the seedlings without trapping a visitor.

8. Summarise what Mina changes to solve the problem.

   Show answer and explanation

   She puts the soil back and covers the tray while leaving a way out for any returning mouse.

   Include both protecting the plants and leaving a way out for any returning mouse.

All questions, passages and answer guidance were written originally for Trace Learn. Curriculum sources define the teaching scope only.

Curriculum source checked 2026-09-30.