Transport learners into the magic of the holidays with this retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s bittersweet tale, “The Little Match Girl.” Vivid illustrations and varied questioning engage learners in years 3 through to year 8 with this timeless story perfect for the Christmas season.
This versatile reading comprehension pack includes:
A beautifully illustrated double sided retelling of the story
Three SAT style multiple choice practice sheets including a mix of factual, main idea, detail, sequencing, inference, vocabulary, true or false, cause and effect,and author’s purpose questions
Five versions of written response question sheets for differentiated engagement
Event sequencing tasks
Cause and effect activity
Story summary cloze activities
Vocabulary-based crossword puzzles using words from the text
Make an impact this holiday season with a rich selection of visual and written materials. Learners will connect with the beloved tale through leveled questions and activities aimed at improving reading fluency and analyzing this touching story. Share this poignant retelling and help students step into the magic of literature this Christmas!
Looking for more holiday reading resources? Check out my other Christmas reading resources:
Night Before Christmas Poem Comprehension
Little Fir Tree Christmas Reading
The Nutcracker Christmas Worksheets
Non-Fiction
Christingles Fun Reading Activities
History of the Christmas Tree Reading
Reading comprehension for the traditional tale 'The Pied Piper of Hamelin’
Bring this classic folktale to life for students of all reading levels! This differentiated reading comprehension pack includes:
3 leveled reading passages with rich vocabulary and vivid imagery to suit varying reading abilities. The higher level passage (4 pages) uses literary devices to tell the fairy tale in detail. The middle passage (2 pages) balances accessibility with rich language. The beginner passage (1 page) covers key plot points using simpler vocabulary.
30 skill-building activity sheets to check comprehension and build literacy skills. With various difficulty levels, these worksheets allow students to engage with the text in unique ways. Activities include SAT-style multiple choice questions, short answer questions, vocabulary exercises, sequencing activities, cause and effect charts, cloze passages, crosswords, and more.
Perfect for assessing and improving reading skills and literary analysis abilities. Perfect for upper Key Stage 2 and 3. Simplified English and versions are also included to support EAL and lower level learners. Bring this timeless legend to students of all levels with this differentiated reading pack!
Reading comprehension for the the French traditional tale, “Diamonds and Toads” by Charles Perrault.
In this anti-fairytale, a widow has two daughters. The older daughter, Fanny, resembles her mother and is favored despite being disagreeable. The younger daughter is kind and beautiful like her late father. The younger girl helps a disguised fairy and is blessed with jewels and flowers falling from her mouth when she speaks. The widow wants the same for Fanny, but Fanny insults the fairy and is cursed, causing toads and snakes to fall from her mouth. When Fanny arrives home, she tells her story to her mother and disgusting toads and vipers fall from her mouth The widow, furious, drives her younger daughter out of the house. In the woods, the younger daughter meets a king’s son, who falls in love with her and marries her. In time, the widow is sickened by her older daughter’s vile mouth, and drives her out too. Fanny dies alone and miserable in the woods.
This reading activity resource includes:
A reading passage at a 9-12 year old reading level
A 15-question comprehension sheet (basic factual questions)
A 14-question comprehension sheet (literary analysis questions)
An 8-question comprehension sheet (mix of essential questions)
A 31-question SAT-style multiple choice quiz (2 pages)
A 58-question SAT-style multiple choice quiz (4 pages)
A sequencing and story summary cloze activity sheet
Two crossword versions using 26 key vocabulary words
Answer sheets are also provided.
Differentiated reading comprehension worksheets for The Billy Goats Gruff, suitable for readers ages 6-11.
This pack includes:
3 leveled reading passages:
Lower-level text simplified for beginning readers (approx. year 2)
Mid-level text a wider range of words (approx. upper year 2/year 3)
Original text published in 1859 for more advanced readers (approx. year 4-5)
16 differentiated activity sheets to check comprehension at each level:
Higher-level (original text) includes:
- 12 question classic comprehension worksheet
- 32 question true/false worksheet
- 29 question SAT-style multiple choice worksheet
- 2 crossword versions using vocabulary found in the text
Mid-level includes:
- 16 question classic comprehension worksheet
- A matching 16 question worksheet with multiple choice answer options
- 36 question multiple choice worksheet
- Sequencing/cloze (missing word) story summary worksheet
- 2 crossword versions
Lower-level includes:
- 9 question classic comprehension worksheet
- 13 question classic comprehension worksheet
- A matching 13 question worksheet with multiple choice answer options
- 36 question yes/no worksheet
- Crossword
Answer sheets are provided for all levels of worksheets.
“Kate Crackernuts” is a traditional Scottish traditional tale collected in the Orkney Islands. A brave princess named Kate rescues her sister Ann when a jealous queen has a witch transform Ann’s beautiful head into a sheep’s head.
This differentiated reading pack includes:
2 leveled passages: a 3 page version with rich vocabulary, and a shortened 2 page version for easier reading.
14 total question sheets (7 for each text) to check comprehension and skills at every reading level.
The higher text uses complex vocabulary, more details, and literary devices. It is accompanied by:
A 18 question retrieval worksheet
A 16 question essential comprehension worksheet
A 50 question SAT-style multiple choice worksheet
A 10 event sequence, cloze summary, and 10 question worksheet
A 23 word vocabulary matching sheet
2 crosswords with 37 vocabulary words each (one with wordbox, one without)
The shortened text is accompanied by:
A 16 question retrieval worksheet
A 16 question essential comprehension worksheet
A 28 question SAT-style multiple choice worksheet
A mixed question worksheet with sequencing, short response, and multiple choice questions
An additional sequencing, matching, and short response worksheet
2 crosswords with 27 vocabulary words each (one with wordbox, one without)
Answer sheets provided for all levels.
Differentiated reading comprehension worksheets for three retellings of the traditional tale The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen, suitable for readers aged 6 to 13 years.
Includes:
3 leveled reading passages to accommodate different reading abilities:
A challenging higher level text with complex vocabulary, more details, and additional literary devices (4 pages)
A middle level text that has been shortened for easier reading, while keeping the key details, main plot points, and essence of the higher text (2 pages)
A simplified lower level text for easier reading, using decodable words when possible, while keeping the key details, main plot points, and essence intact (2 pages)
➼ 22 accompanying worksheets differentiated across Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 levels, focusing on key literacy skills including:
Reading comprehension
Vocabulary
Sequencing
Cause and effect
Cloze (fill-in-the-blank) story summaries
Multiple choice comprehension sheets in SAT format, covering skills like identifying main ideas, details, sequence, inferences, vocabulary, true or false statements, cause and effect relationships, and author’s purpose
True/false
Crosswords
EAL versions
Answer sheets for all activities
Keep students engaged with texts tailored to their reading level, working within their zone of proximal development.
Use the leveled passages and activity sheets independently or together to differentiate instruction. This comprehensive resource allows you to meet the needs of every reader!
Differentiated reading comprehension for a faithful retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s traditional tale ‘Thumbelina’, in which a tiny girl named Thumbelina grows from a magic seed. She is kidnapped by a toad but floats away on a lily pad. A beetle and a mouse shelter her through winter before a swallow saves her. The swallow takes her to a fairy palace where she marries a prince and gets her wings.
Suitable for readersof traditional tales aged 7 to 12 years. Includes 2 levels of story text and 8 question worksheets.
➼ The higher/middle level text uses more complex vocabulary, includes more details, and employs some additional literary devices. It has a larger word count and is 2 A4 pages in length. Four versions of comprehension questions accompany this level of text:
• A classic worksheet with 18 retrieval/factual questions.
• A classic worksheet with 17 different retrieval/factual questions.
• A multiple-choice SAT-style version with 32 questions that include a mix of factual, main idea, detail, sequencing, inference, vocabulary, true or false, cause and effect, and authors purpose questions.
• A mixed question format sheet, with A 9 event sequence sorting question, 7 question written response, and 20 multi-choice double sided question sheet (i.e. 28 mixed question format).
➼ The lower-level text has been simplified and shortened for easier reading, using easier to read words whenever possible, while keeping the key details, main plot points, and essence intact. It has a larger font size and spans 2 A4 pages in length and includes four sets of question sheets, perfect for lower level readers and EAL learners:
• A 9 event sequence sorting question with 16 retrieval/factual questions requiring a written response.
• A 6 event sequence sorting question with 25 simple questions that can be answered with short simple sentences, phrases or one word answers.
• A 6 event sequence sorting question with 20 2 answer multiple choice questions.
• A multiple-choice SAT-style version with 24 questions that include a mix of factual, main idea, detail, sequencing, inference, vocabulary, true or false, cause and effect, and authors purpose questions and 1 6 event sequencing question.
Answer sheets are provided for all levels of worksheets.
Differentiated reading comprehension for a faithful retelling of the traditional tale Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, suitable for readers aged 6 to 13 years.
This differentiated reading comprehension pack includes:
➼3 leveled reading passages: A higher and medium level text using rich vocabulary and literary devices to tell the fairy tale (higher 3 pages in length, middle 2 pages), and a simplified, easier-to read version covering the key plot points (2 pages)
➼11 differentiated question sheets to check comprehension and skills mastery at every reading level
The higher-level text uses more complex vocabulary, includes more details, and employs additional literary devices. It spans 3 A4 pages in length and is accompanied by three versions of differentiated comprehension questions:
A classic 17 question worksheet, using mainly compound retrieval/factual questions, some inference and author’s purpose questions.
A multiple-choice SAT-style version with 47 Multiple-Choice SAT Style comprehension questions, including a mix of factual, main idea, detail, sequencing, inference, vocabulary, true or false, cause and effect, and author’s purpose questions - each question with 4 answer choices.
A 9 event sequence, 8 question written response, and 13 multi-choice double sided question sheet (i.e. 22 mixed question format).
The middle text is a more concise version of the higher level text, using simpler language and fewer descriptive techniques. It spans 2 A4 pages in length and includes three sets of differentiated question sheets:
A classic 16 question worksheet, using mainly compound retrieval/factual questions
A 9 event sequence, 7 question written response, and 15 multi-choice double sided question sheet (i.e. 23 mixed question format).
A multiple-choice SAT style version with 31 SAT Style comprehension questions, including a mix of factual, main idea, detail, sequencing, inference, vocabulary, true or false, cause and effect, and author’s purpose questions - each question with 4 answer choices.
The lower-level text has been simplified and shortened for easier reading, using simple, decodable words, while keeping the key details, main plot points, and essence intact, it has a slightly larger font size, spans 2 A4 pages in length and includes five sets of differentiated question sheets.
A 7 event sequencing and 14 essential written response comprehension question sheet.
A 30 ‘True or False?’ question sheet
A classic 13 question worksheet, with 9 essential, straightforward easy to answer questions.
A matching multiple choice 3 answer choices version, using the same 13 questions as the above version.
A multiple-choice SAT style version with 35 SAT Style comprehension questions, including a mix of factual, main idea, detail, sequencing, inference, vocabulary, true or false, cause and effect, and author’s purpose questions - each question with 3 answer choices.
Answer sheets are provided for all levels of worksheets.
Differentiated reading comprehension for a faithful retelling of the traditional tale The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen, suitable for readers aged 6 to 13 years.
This differentiated reading comprehension pack includes:
➼2 leveled reading passages: a full-length version using rich vocabulary and literary devices to tell the complete fairy tale (2 pages), and a simplified, decodable version covering the key plot points (2 pages)
➼8 differentiated question sheets to check comprehension and skills mastery at every reading level
The higher-level text uses more complex vocabulary, includes more details, and employs additional literary devices. It spans 2 A4 pages in length and is accompanied by four versions of differentiated comprehension questions:
➊ A classic 17 question worksheet using mainly compound retrieval/factual questions, some inference and author’s purpose questions.
➋ A classic 15 question worksheet with 15 essential comprehension questions.
➌ A multiple-choice SAT-style version with 39 Multiple-Choice SAT Style comprehension questions, including a mix of factual, main idea, detail, sequencing, inference, vocabulary, true or false, cause and effect, and author’s purpose questions - each question with 4 answer choices.
➍ A 9 event sequence, 8 question written response, and 17 multi-choice double sided question sheet (i.e. 26 mixed question format).
The middle to lower-level text has been simplified and shortened for easier reading, using decodable words whenever possible, while keeping the key details, main plot points, and essence intact. It has a slightly larger font size, spans 2 A4 pages in length and includes four sets of differentiated question sheets:
➎ A 7 event sequencing and 15 essential written response comprehension question sheet.
➏ A matching 7 event sequencing and 15 essential comprehension question but as a multiple choice 3 answer choices version, using the same questions as the above version.
➐ A multiple-choice SAT style version with 30 SAT Style comprehension questions, including a mix of factual, main idea, detail, sequencing, inference, vocabulary, true or false, cause and effect, and author’s purpose questions - each question with 3 answer choices.
➑ A classic 9 question worksheet with 9 essential, straightforward easy to answer questions.
Answer sheets are provided for all levels of worksheets.
With multiple text levels and comprehensive question sets, this adaptable resource promotes reading comprehension and skills practice.
Develop reading comprehension skills with this collection of tales from the Brothers Grimm featuring magical elves. Includes three interconnected stories:
"The Elves and the Shoemaker" - The classic tale about a poor shoemaker who receives much-needed help from three young elves.
"The Servant Girl" - A hard-working servant girl encounters elves who gift her gold.
"The Changeling" - A mother cleverly tricks elves to return her stolen child.
This reading comprehension resource includes:
➼ Illustrated, child-friendly versions of each tale faithful to the original Brothers Grimm
For “The Elves and the Shoemaker”:
➊ A 20 question VIPERS comprehension sheet requiring written responses
➋ A 32 question SAT-style multiple choice sheet
➌ A 27 question essential questions plus multiple choice sheet
➍ A lower ability/EAL question sheet with written and multiple choice
For the complete set of three tales:
➎ A 39 question SAT-style multiple choice sheet
➏ A 21 question written response comprehension sheet
Through these engaging fairy tales, students will build key comprehension skills while learning valuable lessons about generosity, caution, and wisdom. The tales connect through the common theme of magical elves impacting human lives. An enchanting addition to any reading curriculum.
The tales are written at a year 4 to 5 reading level, with comprehension questions appropriate for key stages 2, 3 and even 4.
This collection features 11 beloved traditional tales specially adapted for differentiated reading instruction:
The Fisherman and His Wife
Little Red Riding Hood
Jack and the Beanstalk
King Midas & The Golden Touch
The Princess and the Pea
The Elves and the Shoemaker
Thumbelina
Kate Crackernuts
Billy Goats Gruff
Diamonds and Toads
Pied Piper of Hamelin
Each traditional tale resource includes reading passages leveled at multiple difficulty levels, along with numerous comprehension worksheets.
Worksheets feature a variety of question formats including multiple choice, short answer, and written responses, ensuring educators can provide the perfect level for their students.
With 3-5 differentiated reading levels per tale, these resources allow teachers to challenge, support, and engage all learners with these classic stories. This traditional tales collection is ideal for whole-class, small group, or individual reading comprehension practice.
This collection features 9 beloved traditional tales specially adapted for differentiated reading instruction:
Snow White & Rose Red
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Hansel and Gretel
Rapunzel
Rumpelstiltskin
The Little Mermaid
The Ugly Duckling
Kate Crackernuts
Pied Piper of Hamelin
Each traditional tales / fairy tale resource includes reading passages leveled at multiple difficulty levels, along with numerous comprehension worksheets. Worksheets feature a variety of question formats including multiple choice, short answer, and written responses, ensuring educators can provide the perfect level for their students.
With 3-5 differentiated reading levels per tale, these resources allow teachers to challenge, support, and engage all learners with these classic stories. This traditional tales collection is ideal for whole-class, small group, or individual reading comprehension practice.
This collection features 10 beloved traditional tales specially adapted for differentiated reading instruction:
The Clever Prince
The Swineherd
The Old Woman in the Forest
The Frog Prince
Sleeping Beauty
The Bremen Town Musicians
The Elves and the Shoemaker
The Little Mermaid
Kate Crackernuts
Billy Goats Gruff
Pied Piper of Hamelin
Each fairy tale resource includes reading passages leveled at multiple difficulty levels, along with numerous comprehension worksheets. Worksheets feature a variety of question formats including multiple choice, short answer, and written responses, ensuring educators can provide the perfect level for their students.
With 2-5 differentiated reading levels per tale, these resources allow teachers to challenge, support, and engage all learners with these timeless stories. This traditional tales collection is ideal for whole-class, small group, or individual reading comprehension practice.
This collection features 9 traditional tales specially adapted for differentiated reading instruction:
Puss in Boots
Snow White
The Underground Princess
Cinderella
Tattercoats
Aladdin (and the Magic Lamp)
The Ugly Duckling
Kate Crackernuts
Diamonds and Toads
Each fairy tale resource includes reading passages leveled at multiple difficulty levels, along with numerous comprehension worksheets. Worksheets feature a variety of question formats including multiple choice, short answer, and written responses, ensuring educators can provide the perfect level for their students.
With 3-5 differentiated reading levels per tale, these resources allow teachers to challenge, support, and engage all learners with these classic stories. This traditional tales collection is ideal for whole-class, small group, or individual reading comprehension practice.
This collection features 10 traditional tales specially adapted for differentiated reading instruction:
The Golden Goose
The Brave Little Tailor
The Mouse, The Bird and The Sausage
Beauty and the Beast
The Emperor’s New Clothes
The Little Mermaid
Thumbelina
The Ugly Duckling
Billy Goats Gruff
Pied Piper of Hamelin
Each fairy tale resource includes reading passages leveled at multiple difficulty levels, along with numerous comprehension worksheets. Worksheets feature a variety of question formats including multiple choice, short answer, and writing responses, ensuring educators can provide the perfect level for their students.
With 3-5 differentiated reading levels per tale, these resources allow teachers to challenge, support, and engage all learners with these timeless stories. This traditional tales collection is ideal for whole-class, small group, or individual reading comprehension practice.
Reading Comprehension for the Brothers Grimm’s “The Bremen Town Musicians”
In this classic folk tale, an aging donkey meets up with a worn-out hunting dog, an old cat, and an elderly rooster, all of whom have faced hardship with their masters. Seeking a fresh start, the loyal friends embark on a journey together to Bremen to begin new lives as musicians. After spending the night in a forest along the way, the determined animals follow a light to a cottage inhabited by robbers. By making loud noises together, the clever companions are able to work as a team to scare off the outlaws. In the end, the four newfound friends contentedly take over the abandoned house, seeming to have found their happy new home together.
This reading comprehension resource includes:
➼ A reading passage written at an approximate 8-11 year old reading level
➼ A 27-question SAT-style multiple choice quiz
➼ A 15-question comprehension worksheet with factual, sequencing, vocabulary, main idea, and theme questions, plus a ‘write a summary’ prompt
With answer sheets
Reading comprehension for the traditional tale** ‘The Golden Goose’ by the Brothers Grimm.**
In this classic story of kindness rewarded, a generous but mistreated younger brother named Simpleton shares his meager pancake with a magical dwarf and is rewarded with a golden goose and the hand of the princess. With the help of the grateful dwarf, Simpleton overcomes the unreasonable demands of a biased king and eventually inherits the kingdom. This entertaining traditional tale retelling imparts a moral lesson about how generosity and perseverance can be rewarded.
Download includes:
➊ Double-sided eading passage (a faithful retelling of the Grimms version) written at an approximate year 3 or 4 level for readers aged 7-9 years old.
➋ A 31 question multi-choice SAT Style comprehension sheet, including a mix of factual, main idea, detail, sequencing, inference, vocabulary, true or false, cause and effect, and authors purpose questions.
➌ A classic, write the answers on the line, 21 reading comprehension question worksheet.
➍ True or False? Activity with 32 statements.
Answer sheets for all versions.
*Not to be confused with the Aesop fable “The Goose Who Laid the Golden Eggs”, which is also available from my shop / via this link *
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12868064
Differentiated reading comprehension for the Brothers Grimm’s ‘The Brave Little Tailor’, a humorous traditional tale about a boastful tailor who outsmarts a giant, ogres, and a unicorn with his wit and cleverness. His adventures lead him to marry a princess and gain half a kingdom. Despite his small size, the little tailor’s intelligence and resourcefulness help him triumph against all odds. Suitable for readers aged 7 to 14 years.
The higher-level text uses more complex vocabulary, includes more details, and employs additional literary devices. It has a larger word count and is 4 A4 pages in length (printable back-to-back on 2 pieces of paper). Two versions of comprehension questions accompany this level of text:
➊ A classic worksheet with 18 questions that require mid to high-level reading comprehension skills,
➋ A multiple-choice SAT-style version with 28 questions that vary in difficulty level, each with 4 answer choices.
The middle-level text is a condensed version of the higher level text, with the same plot and events. It spans 2 A4 pages in length and is accompanied by three sets of comprehension questions:
➌ A classic 13 question worksheet
➍ An 11 classic question and 8 multiple choice question worksheet
➎ A multiple-choice SAT-style version with 37 questions that vary in difficulty level, each with 3 answer choices.
The lower-level text has been simplified and shortened for easier reading, using easier to read words whenever possible, while keeping the key details, main plot points, and essence intact. It spans 2 A4 pages in length and includes two sets of question sheets:
➏A classic worksheet with 10 questions
➐ A TRUE OR FALSE activity with 32 questions
Answer sheets are provided for all levels of worksheets.
Differentiated reading comprehension for the humorous fable “The Mouse, The Bird and The Sausage” by the Brothers Grimm. A boastful bird convinces his friends to switch household roles. The dissatisfied mouse, bird, and sausage then fail comically in their unfamiliar duties, leading to their disastrous demise. This fable warns readers against upending a functional system due to the dangers of pride and envy.
Suitable for Key Stage 3 and 4 readers.
Includes 4 versions of question sheets:
➊ A 19 question classic comprehension sheet with literal and factual questions about the story.
➋ A 12 question sheet with higher level comprehension questions.
➌ A 21 True or False question sheet.
➍ A 35 question SAT-style multiple choice sheet with questions on facts, main ideas, details, sequencing, inferences, vocabulary, true/false, cause and effect, and author’s purpose.
All question sheets come with corresponding answer sheets.
10 versions of differentiated reading comprehension for the traditional tale ‘Beauty and the Beast’, suitable for readers aged 6 to 12 years.
The higher-level text uses more complex vocabulary, includes more details, and employs additional literary devices. It has a larger word count and is 2 A4 pages in length. Three versions of comprehension questions come with this level text:
➊ A classic worksheet with 20 questions that require mid to high-level reading comprehension skills,
➋ A classic worksheet with 15 higher level compound questions.
➌ A multiple-choice SAT-style version with 26 questions that vary in difficulty level, each with 4 answer choices.
The middle-level text has a slightly smaller word count and simpler vocabulary. It spans 2 A4 pages in length and is accompanied by three sets of comprehension questions:
➍ A classic 17 question worksheet
➎ A classic 14 question worksheet
➏ A multiple-choice SAT-style version with 31 questions that vary in difficulty level, each with 4 answer choices.
The lower-level text has been simplified and shortened for easier reading, using decodable words whenever possible, while keeping the key details, main plot points, and essence intact. It spans 2 A4 pages in length and includes three sets of question sheets:
➐ A classic worksheet with 15 questions
➑ A classic worksheet with 8 very easy questions
➒ A TRUE OR FALSE activity with 20 questions
➓ A multiple-choice style version with a sequencing task and 8 easy questions
Answer sheets are provided for all levels of worksheets.