4th-Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets | Games4esl - Free Printable

Let's solve "The Mystery of the Missing Cookies" step by step.

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Passage Summary:

- Mrs. Baker baked chocolate chip cookies and placed them on the kitchen counter to cool.
- She warned her three children — Ben, Emily, and Sam — not to eat any cookies until after dinner.
- She went to the garden to pick vegetables.
- When she returned, the plate of cookies was empty.
- The children were in the living room, with crumbs around their mouths.
- Each child gave an alibi:
- Ben: He was reading a book.
- Emily: She was playing with her dolls.
- Sam: He was drawing a picture.

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Key Clue:

> *"The children were playing in the living room, crumbs around their mouths."*

This is crucial. Even though they claimed to be doing different activities, they all had crumbs around their mouths, which suggests that all three had eaten the cookies.

But the question is: Who ate the cookies?

Let’s analyze each child’s claim:

1. Ben said he was reading a book.
- Reading a book is a quiet activity. It doesn’t require hands or much movement.
- But if he was reading, why would he have crumbs around his mouth?
- Could he have eaten while reading? Possibly.

2. Emily said she was playing with her dolls.
- Playing with dolls usually involves using hands.
- If she was playing, she might have been able to sneak a cookie.
- But again, crumbs suggest she ate something.

3. Sam said he was drawing a picture.
- Drawing requires holding a pencil or crayon.
- Here’s the key point: You can't draw and eat cookies at the same time unless you’re using one hand for drawing and one for eating.
- But if he was drawing, he’d need both hands free or at least one hand steady.
- However, crumbs around his mouth suggest he did eat.

Wait — let’s look deeper.

But here’s the real clue hidden in the details:

> "The children were playing in the living room, crumbs around their mouths."

They were all in the living room, all had crumbs. So it’s likely all three ate cookies.

But the question asks: *Who do you think ate the cookies?*

And the mystery is about who — implying one person?

But actually, the clue is in the alibis.

Let’s examine Sam’s alibi: “I was drawing a picture.”

If he was drawing, then he was likely using his hands. But if he was eating cookies, he would need to use his hands to grab and eat them.

So drawing and eating cookies simultaneously is very difficult — especially without getting crumbs on the paper or dropping things.

But more importantly — Ben said he was reading a book.

Reading a book requires one hand to hold it, but the other hand is free.

Similarly, Emily playing with dolls — she uses her hands, so she could have eaten while doing that.

But Sam says he was drawing — which means he was focused on a task requiring both hands (or at least one hand) to hold a pencil.

Now, consider this: Could someone have eaten cookies while drawing?

It’s possible, but messy.

But here’s a better clue: All three had crumbs around their mouths.

So all three probably ate cookies.

But the mystery is who ate them — and the answer is likely based on contradictions in their stories.

Wait — let’s look at Ben’s statement:

> "I was too busy reading a book."

He says he was too busy reading — meaning he didn’t have time to eat.

But reading a book doesn’t prevent you from eating — you can read and eat at the same time.

But drawing a picture does take concentration and hand usage.

Still, none of the alibis are completely impossible.

But here’s the real logical clue:

> Mrs. Baker left the cookies on the kitchen counter.

She went to the garden.

The kids were in the living room.

So how did they get the cookies?

They must have gone into the kitchen.

But none of them admitted to going to the kitchen.

Now, think about Sam.

He says: “I was drawing a picture.”

But if he was drawing, he would be sitting down, focused.

But crumbs around his mouth — and he’s claiming to be drawing.

Now, here’s the key: Ben said he was reading a book.

But what if Ben wasn’t reading?

Wait — there’s another possibility.

Let’s re-read:

> "Ben said he was too busy reading a book. Emily claimed she was playing with her dolls, and Sam insisted he was drawing a picture."

But none of them said they went to the kitchen.

Yet, they all had crumbs.

So they must have gone to the kitchen.

But only one of them could have done it without contradiction?

No — they all could have.

But here’s a twist: The cookies were on the kitchen counter.

To get them, they needed to go to the kitchen.

But Sam says he was drawing.

But drawing is something you do in the living room.

But reading a book or playing with dolls — also done in the living room.

But if they were in the living room, and the cookies were in the kitchen, they had to leave the living room to get them.

But the passage says: *"The children were playing in the living room..."* — implying they were still there when Mrs. Baker came back.

So they were in the living room after the cookies were eaten.

So they must have gone to the kitchen earlier, eaten the cookies, and returned.

So all three could have done it.

But now — Ben said he was reading a book.

What if he was lying?

Wait — here’s a better idea.

Let’s think about who is most likely to lie.

But we don’t know.

Alternatively, think about who wouldn’t have the opportunity.

But they all had.

Wait — here’s a critical detail:

> "The children shrugged their shoulders."

They didn’t confess.

But Ben said he was reading.

But reading a book is a quiet activity — and he could have eaten while doing it.

But Sam said he was drawing.

But drawing often requires a lot of focus — and hand coordination.

But still, possible.

But here’s the real clue:

Look at the image — wait, there’s no image, just text.

But the website is www.Games4esl.com, which suggests this is a language learning game.

So the answer is likely based on logic and inference.

Let’s consider Ben’s alibi: “I was too busy reading a book.”

But if he was reading, and the cookies were on the counter, he could have eaten them while reading.

But Emily said she was playing with her dolls — could she have eaten while playing?

Yes.

Sam said he was drawing — could he have eaten while drawing?

Possibly, but messy.

But here’s the key point: All three had crumbs around their mouths.

So all three ate cookies.

But the question is: Who do you think ate the cookies?

And the answer should be: All three of them.

But maybe the puzzle wants us to find who is lying.

Wait — let’s look at Ben’s statement: “I was too busy reading a book.”

That implies he didn’t have time to eat cookies.

But reading a book doesn’t take up all your time — you can eat while reading.

But “too busy” implies he was occupied, so couldn’t eat.

But that’s not true — you can multitask.

But Sam says he was drawing — which is a creative task, but still, possible to eat.

But Emily says she was playing with her dolls — could be doing that while eating.

But here’s a better clue:

> “The children were playing in the living room, crumbs around their mouths.”

So they were all in the living room, all had crumbs.

So all three ate cookies.

Therefore, the answer is: All three children ate the cookies.

But the mystery is “Who do you think ate the cookies?”

So the best answer is:

> Ben, Emily, and Sam all ate the cookies.

But perhaps the puzzle is designed to make you think someone is lying.

Wait — Ben said he was “too busy reading a book.”

But if he was reading, he could have eaten.

But Sam says he was drawing — and drawing requires both hands.

But if he was drawing, and had crumbs, it’s very unlikely he could have eaten without getting crumbs on his drawing.

So Sam is the most likely to be lying.

But Emily — playing with dolls — she could have eaten while doing that.

Ben — reading — could have eaten.

But Sam — drawing — would have to stop drawing to eat.

But crumbs around his mouth — and he was drawing — so he must have stopped.

But that’s not a contradiction.

Wait — here’s the real solution:

Ben said he was too busy reading a book.

But if he was too busy, he couldn’t have eaten cookies.

But reading a book doesn’t mean you’re busy — it’s a passive activity.

But “too busy” implies he was engaged in something important.

But eating cookies is not a crime — it’s just a snack.

But the point is: Ben is the only one who claims he was “too busy” — suggesting he didn’t have time to eat.

But the others say they were doing things that don’t necessarily prevent eating.

But Sam says he was drawing — which is active.

But Ben’s excuse is stronger — he says he was too busy.

But that doesn’t prove anything.

Wait — here’s the actual logical solution:

The crumbs are around their mouths — so they all ate.

But no one admits to it.

But the best clue is that they were all in the living room, and the cookies were in the kitchen.

So they must have gone to the kitchen.

But Sam says he was drawing — which is something you do sitting down.

But Ben says he was reading — also sitting.

But Emily says she was playing with dolls — could be standing or sitting.

But none of them admit to leaving the room.

But they must have.

So all three are lying.

But the puzzle is likely meant to be solved by elimination.

Wait — let’s think differently.

Suppose Ben was reading a book.

But books are heavy — and you can’t read a book and eat cookies at the same time if the book is open.

But you can.

But here’s the key: Ben said he was “too busy” reading a book.

But reading a book is not a good excuse — because you can eat while reading.

But Sam says he was drawing — which is more likely to be interrupted by eating.

But Emily says she was playing with dolls — which is playful — and she could have eaten.

But Ben says he was “too busy” — which is a weak excuse.

But actually, the real answer is:

> All three children ate the cookies.

Because:
- They were all in the living room.
- They all had crumbs around their mouths.
- They all denied eating them.
- The cookies were gone.

So they all lied.

But the question is: Who do you think ate the cookies?

Answer: Ben, Emily, and Sam all ate the cookies.

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✔ Final Answer:

All three children — Ben, Emily, and Sam — ate the cookies.

Even though they each gave alibis, the evidence — crumbs around their mouths and the empty plate — shows they all ate the cookies. Their statements are likely lies or half-truths, but the physical evidence points to all three being involved.

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This is a classic detective-style reading comprehension puzzle designed to teach critical thinking and inference skills.