7th Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets - Free Printable

Grade 7 Reading Comprehension Worksheet: "In The Storm" by Joseph A. Altsheler

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#### 1. What is the main idea of this passage?

Answer:
The main idea of the passage is that a young Texan scout rides through a desolate, wintry landscape, carefully observing his surroundings for signs of danger or movement, as a storm begins to approach.

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#### 2. How do you know?

Answer:
I know because the passage focuses on the rider’s careful and deliberate movements, his constant scanning of the horizon—especially to the south—and the gradual changes in weather (cold air, wind, darkening sky, gathering mists). These details suggest he is on a mission of vigilance, likely searching for enemies or tracking something important, while nature shifts toward a storm. His alertness and the changing environment together point to a theme of anticipation and preparation in a harsh wilderness setting.

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#### 3. Underline the five sentences that help you know the main idea

Here are five key sentences from the passage that support the main idea (they are underlined below):

> - The horseman rode slowly toward the west, stopping once or twice to examine the wide circle of the horizon with eyes that were trained to note every aspect of the wilderness.
> - He never failed to search the plains on either side, but chiefly in the south.
> - The rider presently turned his horse toward the river and stopped on a low bluff overlooking it, as if his eyes failed to find objects for which they sought. Again he gazed long and patiently into the south, but without reward.
> - He resumed his ride parallel with the river, but soon stopped a second time, and held up an open hand, like one who tests the wind.
> - The air was growing perceptibly colder. The strong gusts were now fusing into a steady wind. The day, which had not been bright at any time, was turning darker. The sun was gone and in the far north banks of mists and vapor were gathering. A dreary moaning came over the plain.

These sentences show:
- The rider's purposeful observation.
- His focus on specific directions (especially the south).
- His awareness of environmental changes.
- The building tension as a storm approaches.
- The isolation and seriousness of his task.

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#### 4. Write a summary. Tell what is most important?

Summary:
A young Texan scout rides slowly across a vast, empty plain during a cold winter day, constantly scanning the horizon—especially to the south—for signs of life or danger. He is dressed in buckskin, armed with a rifle, and carries supplies, indicating he is prepared for a long journey or mission. Though he sees only a bird of prey and no other living creatures, he remains vigilant. As time passes, the weather worsens: the wind grows stronger, the air chills, the sky darkens, and mist gathers in the north. The atmosphere becomes tense and foreboding, signaling the arrival of a storm. The most important idea is the scout’s intense focus and readiness in the face of both natural and potential human threats, highlighting themes of solitude, duty, and survival in the wilderness.

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✔ Final Notes:

This passage sets the scene for a larger story—likely involving conflict or danger in the Texas frontier. The mood is suspenseful and atmospheric, emphasizing the scout’s alertness and the power of nature. The main idea centers on vigilance and the onset of a storm, suggesting that something significant may happen soon.

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