Compare Stories in the Same Genre

Grade 5 Reading Worksheet

Circle the answer.

1. Read this first

   Two Adventure Stories About Courage

   Story 1: The Last Ridge

   Mateo had dreamed of climbing Cerro Blanco for a whole year. Now he and Aunt Paz were one ridge away from the summit. He could see it glowing white with snow in the morning light.

   Aunt Paz stopped and studied the sky. Dark clouds were piling up behind the peak. "A storm is coming," she said. "We need to head down now."

   Mateo's stomach dropped. "But we're so close! Twenty more minutes!"

   "Mountains don't care how close we are," Aunt Paz replied. "On an open ridge in a storm, we would have nowhere to shelter."

   Mateo wanted to argue. Then a cold gust nearly pushed him off balance. He looked at the clouds again. They were moving faster now.

   Without another word, Mateo turned around. They hurried down the trail. An hour later, thunder boomed across the mountain. Hail bounced on the roof of their small hut.

   "The mountain will still be there next year," Aunt Paz said. Mateo nodded. For the first time, he understood that turning back could take courage too.

   Story 2: The Swinging Bridge

   Keoni froze at the edge of the rope bridge. It stretched across a deep green valley in the rain forest. His cousin Malia was already on the other side, waving.

   "It's safe," Malia called. "The rangers check it every week."

   Keoni's knees shook. The bridge swayed in the breeze. He wanted to take the long road instead. But that road would take three hours, and the waterfall they had come to see was just past the bridge.

   He remembered what his grandfather always said: "Big trips are made of small steps." Keoni gripped both ropes. He did not look down at the river. Instead, he fixed his eyes on one wooden plank at a time.

   One step. Then another. The bridge creaked, but it held. Halfway across, he paused to breathe. Then he kept going.

   When Keoni reached solid ground, Malia cheered. Minutes later, they stood in the cool spray of the waterfall. Keoni was still a little scared of heights. But now he knew he could move forward even while afraid.

2. 1.

   Why are both stories adventure stories?

   • Each story explains how something in nature began.
   • Each story has talking animals that teach a lesson.
   • Each character faces a risky challenge outdoors.
   • Each character solves a puzzle by using clues.
3. 2.

   What topic do both stories share?

   • visiting a waterfall with a cousin
   • facing danger or fear on a trip
   • advice from a grandfather
   • a storm on a mountain
4. 3.

   How does Mateo show courage?

   • He climbs to the summit during the storm.
   • He crosses a swinging bridge by himself.
   • He argues until his aunt agrees to keep going.
   • He turns back even though the summit is close.
5. 4.

   How does Keoni show courage?

   • He waits for the rangers to walk him across.
   • He crosses the bridge one plank at a time while afraid.
   • He takes the long road to avoid the bridge.
   • He runs across without holding the ropes.
6. 5.

   Which statement best compares the themes of the two stories?

   • Both show that courage means never feeling scared.
   • Both are about courage, but Mateo's courage is stopping and Keoni's is going on.
   • Both show that reaching the goal is all that matters.
   • Both show that adults always know what is best.
7. 6.

   Why does Aunt Paz want to head down?

   • Mateo is too tired to keep climbing.
   • The trail to the summit is closed.
   • They left their snow gear in the hut.
   • An open ridge would give no shelter in a storm.