Reading Comprehension Passage and Assessment: Secrets of Stonehenge

Item description

Stonehenge is the famous and iconic monolith of giant stones and earthworks located in southern England. It is one-of-a-kind among sites of prehistoric standing stones, being the only monument whose stones were artificially shaped with tools and combined into a complex architectural plan. This article looks at the history of Stonehenge, which was built in three phases over a 1,500-year period, as well as the possible reasons behind the creation of the huge site. Much more is known architecturally now than ever before, but the text concludes with only possibilities and speculation about Stonehenge’s purpose(s) in the ancient world.
This Common Core-aligned informational reading and assessment can be used in Grades 4-8 depending on your students’ ability levels and in a number of ways by teachers (teacher-directed study in class, close reading, independent practice, homework, test prep, etc). This is a high interest article that works equally well with either reluctant readers or in the regular classroom!
The printable includes:
1) An engaging, high-interest informational article of 900 words called “Secrets of Stonehenge” Flesch Kincaid Reading Level = 6.1
2) A set of 25 questions, from fill-in-the-blank to more challenging, written to align with these Common Core Informational Text Standards:

RI.4.1. Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

RI.4.5. Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text.

RI.6.1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

RI.6.5. Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.

RH.6-8.8. Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text.
3) An additional crossword puzzle for your early finishers or to use as another form of assessment.
4) Answers to every question.