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Comprehension Exercise4th GradeLevel 1 · Easier

Free 4th Grade A Letter to the Principal — Reading Comprehension

A 4th grade student writes to her principal asking for a school vegetable garden. Students find the writer's arguments, work out why she includes certain details, and explore persuasive words. A great introduction to reading persuasive texts critically before writing their own.

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Grade
4th Grade
Subject
English
Topic
Reading Comprehension
Difficulty
Level 1 · Easier
Estimated time
25 minutes
Curriculum
Texas grade levels (TEKS)
Questions
14
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practice

  • identifying the main arguments in a persuasive letter
  • recognizing how writers answer opposing views
  • inferring a writer's opinion from word choice
  • evaluating which argument is strongest

Curriculum: Texas grade levels (TEKS). We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: A Letter to the Principal — Reading Comprehension

  1. 1Houston, We Have Liftoff — Reading Comprehension
  2. 2Honey Bees — Reading Comprehension
  3. 3The Night the Power Went Out — Reading Comprehension
  4. 44th Grade Grammar Quiz
Harder: Level 2 · Standard →

How to use this comprehension exercise

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this comprehension exercise for?

4th Grade students (typically ages 9–10) working on reading comprehension. It is pitched at level 1 · easier; a harder version is linked above.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 25 minutes for 14 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Houston, We Have Liftoff — Reading Comprehension.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheets4th Grade · English · Reading Comprehension

A Letter to the Principal — Reading Comprehension

Name

Date

Score /

Read the letter twice. Then answer the questions, going back to the text to find evidence.

Part A: Right there in the text

Find each answer in the letter.

1.Who is the letter written to?[1 mark] (answer space)
2.Where does Priya want the garden to be?[1 mark]
  1. Aon the playing field
  2. Bbehind the 4th grade classrooms
  3. Cnext to the cafeteria
  4. Din the parking lot
3.What are the three main reasons Priya gives for wanting a garden?[3 marks] (answer space)
4.Name three things Priya says the class could grow.[1 mark] (answer space)
5.Who has offered to help on Fridays?[1 mark]
  1. AMrs. Okafor
  2. Bthe parents' committee
  3. CMr. Singh, the groundskeeper
  4. Dthe 6th grade students
6.What has the parents' committee promised to do?[1 mark] (answer space)

Part B: Reading between the lines

Use clues from the letter to explain your answers in full sentences.

7.Why does Priya mention the watering roster and Mr. Singh in the same paragraph?[2 marks] (answer space)
8.Why does Priya say that reading about plants in a book is "not the same" as growing them?[2 marks] (answer space)
9.What does Priya think about packaged snacks? How can you tell?[2 marks] (answer space)
10.Why does Priya use the words "Firstly", "Secondly" and "Thirdly"?[2 marks] (answer space)
Free worksheets at worksheets.successtutoring.com · © Success Tutoring · Free for personal and classroom use

Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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Reading Comprehension in other year levels

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.