FREE Reading Comprehension Passages and Questions (4th Grade Free ... - Free Printable

Explanation:
Let’s read the story carefully and answer each question one by one, using only what’s written in the text.

1. Describe Cameron’s current life.
From the first paragraph:
- Cameron is “shut in the ‘old’ trailer” — meaning he lives in an old trailer.
- He is “uncomfortable under his bed weight” — possibly meaning he feels heavy or weighed down (maybe emotionally).
- He “can’t walk yet,” so he’s physically unable to walk.
- He “could come along and recognize the internal pain he was experiencing” — he feels inner pain.
- He “has no way out” — he feels trapped.
- The “trailer of the middle was sealed up like the despair of the blanketed evening” — the trailer is isolated, maybe even sealed shut.
So: Cameron is stuck in an old, sealed trailer, unable to walk, feeling pain and despair.

2. How does Cameron feel about Bethany? How do you know?
The text says:
- “The world just didn’t think that wise Bethany knew how to be different from a gun.”
- “Bethany fought with her fist that day…”
- Later: “Cameron wasn’t sure if she was going to hurt him.”
- Also: “He didn’t know why she was there… but he did see that Cameron was sharing worthlessly of the transparent dreams…”
This suggests tension — Bethany is aggressive (“fought with her fist”), and Cameron is afraid (“wasn’t sure if she was going to hurt him”). He seems wary or scared of her, not trusting.
So: Cameron feels uneasy or fearful of Bethany — because she acted violently and he wasn’t sure of her intentions.

3. Why does he want to throw Cameron out?
Wait — this question says “throw Cameron out”, but Cameron *is* the main character. That seems like a typo. Let’s reread the story.
Ah! Look again:
> “‘You’re not welcome in here,’ Tina frowned and pulled the plug out of the wall.”
And earlier:
> “Tina muttered in Mary, ‘This should throw that old computer out.’”
Also:
> “Cameron wasn’t sure if she was going to hurt him.” — referring to Bethany.
But the question says “throw Cameron out” — that doesn’t match. Unless… maybe it’s a misprint and it should be “throw *that old computer* out” — but the question clearly says “Cameron”.
Let’s check context again.
At the end:
> “‘You’re not welcome in here,’ Tina frowned and pulled the plug out of the wall.”
Then:
> “‘You’re not welcome in here,’ Tina muttered in Mary, ‘This should throw that old computer out.’”
So Tina wants to throw out the *computer*, not Cameron. But the question asks why *he* (Cameron) wants to throw Cameron out — that makes no sense.
Wait — maybe the question means: *Why does Tina want to throw Cameron out?*
But the text never says Tina wants to throw *Cameron* out. She says “You’re not welcome in here” to Cameron, and then pulls the plug — possibly disconnecting something (the computer?).
However, the line: “You’re not welcome in here,” is spoken to Cameron. So Tina is telling *Cameron* he’s not welcome — i.e., she wants him gone.
Why? Because earlier:
- Cameron “had been dreaming” and “shared worthlessly of the transparent dreams” — maybe she thinks he’s useless or delusional.
- He’s “shut in the trailer,” “can’t walk,” and maybe she’s frustrated with his condition or behavior.
The strongest clue:
> “She had been watching him for a while… and now she thought he was trying to steal something.”
No — actually, it says:
> “She had been watching him for a while… and now she thought he was trying to steal something.” — wait, let me recheck.
Actually, the text says:
> “But then one day, as Cameron was sharing worthlessly of the transparent dreams…”
and later:
> “Tina muttered in Mary, ‘This should throw that old computer out.’”
There’s no direct statement that Tina wants Cameron out *because* of stealing. But she says “You’re not welcome in here,” right after he’s been acting strangely (dream-sharing, maybe not helping).
Given the limited info, the best inference is: Tina is upset with Cameron’s passive, dreamy, unproductive state — he’s not contributing, he’s stuck, and she’s frustrated. So she wants him out because she sees him as a burden or disruptive.

But hold on — let’s look at question 5: “Do you think he should keep old electrical items? Why/why not?”
That refers to the computer — “old computer” — and Tina pulling the plug. So the “throw out” likely refers to the computer, but Q3 says “throw Cameron out”. This may be an error in the worksheet. However, since we must answer based on the text, and the only person who says someone isn’t welcome is Tina saying it to Cameron, we’ll go with:
Tina wants Cameron out because he’s not welcome — possibly due to his behavior (sharing “worthless” dreams, being immobile, causing tension).

But the question says “Why does *he* want to throw Cameron out?” — “he” would be Cameron himself? That makes even less sense. Cameron wouldn’t want to throw himself out.
This is likely a typo. In many such worksheets, Q3 is meant to be: *Why does Tina want to throw Cameron out?*
We’ll assume that.

So answer: Because Cameron is stuck, unproductive, and sharing “worthless” dreams — Tina is frustrated and tells him he’s not welcome.

4. What do you think Cameron should have done differently in the story?
He could have:
- Tried to communicate clearly instead of sharing “worthless” dreams.
- Asked for help instead of staying silent and trapped.
- Not provoked tension with Bethany (though it’s unclear he did anything provoking).
Best answer: He should have spoken up about his pain or asked for help, rather than staying shut in and dreaming silently.

5. Do you think he should keep old electrical items? Why/why not?
The “old electrical item” is the computer. Tina pulls the plug and says it should be thrown out.
But Cameron was using it? The text doesn’t say he was using it — it says “this should throw that old computer out.”
If the computer is broken or useless, maybe it’s okay to discard. But if it’s meaningful (e.g., holds memories, is his only connection), then keep it.
The story hints the computer might represent hope or escape (“transparent dreams”), so throwing it out may symbolize losing hope.
So: No, he shouldn’t throw it out — because even old items can have value, especially if they connect him to better thoughts or possibilities.

But let’s double-check all answers against text only:

Re-read key lines:
- “Cameron was shut in the ‘old’ trailer…” → trapped, immobile.
- “Bethany fought with her fist” → violent; Cameron fears her.
- Tina: “You’re not welcome in here” → rejects Cameron;
then “This should throw that old computer out” → wants to discard computer.
- No explicit reason *why* Tina rejects him, but context implies frustration with his state.

Given this, here are concise, text-based answers:

1. Cameron lives alone in an old, sealed trailer, cannot walk, feels inner pain, and feels trapped with no way out.
2. Cameron feels afraid or uneasy about Bethany because she fought with her fist and he wasn’t sure if she would hurt him.
3. *(Assuming question meant Tina)* Tina wants Cameron out because she tells him “You’re not welcome in here,” likely due to his passive, dreamy behavior and inability to function normally.
4. Cameron should have tried to talk to someone honestly about his feelings instead of just sharing vague dreams.
5. He should keep the old computer because it might still be useful or meaningful — throwing away old things too quickly can mean losing hope or connection.

Now, final answers in short form as expected:

Final Answer:
1. Cameron is trapped in an old, sealed trailer, unable to walk, and suffering emotional pain with no escape.
2. He feels afraid of Bethany because she acted violently (fought with her fist) and he wasn’t sure if she would hurt him.
3. Tina wants Cameron out because she tells him “You’re not welcome in here,” likely due to his unproductive, withdrawn behavior.
4. He should have communicated his feelings clearly instead of just sharing vague, “worthless” dreams.
5. No, he should not throw out old electrical items like the computer, because they might still have value or meaning, especially when hope is scarce.