Paired Passages Grades 4-5

Every Set of Paired Passages for Grades 4-5 in One Spot!

Paired Passages are an excellent way to:

  1. Integrate social studies and science topics into literacy.
  2. Practice skills needed for standardized testing.
  3. Build reading comprehension skills.
  4. Build critical thinking skills like analyzing, compare/contrast, and synthesizing.
  5. Create opportunities to respond to reading in written form.
  6. Cover a common standard of comparing 2 or more similar texts.
  7. Help build vocabulary and background knowledge around a topic.
  8. Offer opportunities for students to work collaboratively.
  9. Use them in small groups to target specific reading skills.

Included in This Resource:
  1. 4 sets of paired passages.
  2. 10 multiple choice questions for each passage.
  3. 10 multiple choice questions to compare the texts.
  4. A poem or 2 for each set of paired passages.
  5. Open-ended questions for each passage.
  6. Open-ended questions to compare each set of passages.
  7. MP3 recordings of each passage, multiple choice, and open-ended page.
  8. Answer keys for all multiple choice pages.

MP3 Recordings!
Included are MP3 recordings of EVERY passage multiple choice question/answers, and open-ended questions. If you have students who struggle with decoding but still need practice with comprehension, this is a great option for you and your students!!

What are Paired Passages?:
  1. Paired passages are two short passages that have similarities that may include theme, setting, characters, mood, main idea, and so on.
  2. Students read (or listen) to both of the passages.
  3. After reading the first passage they answer the multiple choice and open-ended questions related to that passage.
  4. They follow the same steps for the 2nd passage.
  5. Finally, they read and respond to the multiple choice and open-ended questions that compare both passages.
  6. Students can read the poetry for fun!

Copyright © 2019 Jen Bengel
All rights reserved by author.
Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
Electronic distribution limited to single classroom use only.

Not for public display.


Your Instructor


Jen Bengel
Jen Bengel

Jen is a Literacy Collaborative Coordinator and Curriculum Writer with with over 13 years experience in education. She provides professional development for teachers around the world, offering free webinars, complete online courses, school and district trainings, and free Facebook Live trainings.


Course Curriculum


  Biography and Historical Fiction Sets
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
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What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

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