Let's solve the reading comprehension worksheet step by step and explain each answer based on the story
"Wrong Day, Marcus" by Stuart Payne.
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Story Summary:
Shirley takes the ferry to work from Monday to Friday. Her dog, Marcus, goes with her on the ferry during the week. They do different things each day — like sailing, barking at seagulls, having lunch in the park, and relaxing. On Saturday, Shirley doesn’t work, so she calls Marcus, but he doesn’t come. She learns that Marcus is still on the ferry with the boatman. On Sunday, Marcus finally sails home. Shirley says he was in the right boat and right place, but on the wrong day.
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Answers to Questions:
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1. On which day did Shirley catch the ferry for work?
Answer: Monday to Friday
Explanation:
The story says: *"On Monday, Shirley caught the ferry to work."* It then continues with Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, showing that she went to work every weekday. On Saturday, it says, *"it was Shirley’s day off,"* so she didn't go to work. Therefore, she caught the ferry from
Monday to Friday.
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2. Who was Marcus?
Answer: Shirley’s dog
Explanation:
Throughout the story, Marcus is described as going with Shirley on the ferry, barking at seagulls, lying in the sun, and being called by Shirley. The final line confirms this: *"Right boat, Marcus. Right place, Marcus, but wrong day, Marcus!"* This shows Marcus is a pet (a dog) who accompanies Shirley. The picture also shows a woman hugging a dog, reinforcing that Marcus is her dog.
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3. Shirley had lunch with Marcus in the park.
a. Yes
b. No
Answer: a. Yes
Explanation:
The story clearly states: *"On Wednesday, Shirley had lunch with Marcus in the park."* So, the correct answer is
Yes.
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4. Where was Marcus on Saturday?
Answer: On the ferry with the boatman
Explanation:
On Saturday, Shirley called Marcus, but he didn’t come. She rang the boatman, and he said: *"Your dog is here with me."* That means Marcus was still on the ferry with the boatman because he thought it was his usual workday.
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5. What did Shirley say when Marcus reached home?
Answer: "Right boat, Marcus. Right place, Marcus, but wrong day, Marcus!"
Explanation:
This is directly quoted from the last sentence of the story: *"Shirley said, 'Right boat, Marcus. Right place, Marcus, but wrong day, Marcus!'"* This shows that Marcus arrived home on Sunday, but he should have been there on Saturday or earlier. He came back one day late.
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✔ Final Answers:
1.
Monday to Friday
2.
Shirley’s dog
3.
a. Yes
4.
On the ferry with the boatman
5.
"Right boat, Marcus. Right place, Marcus, but wrong day, Marcus!"
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This worksheet helps young readers practice understanding details, sequencing events, and identifying characters in a short story.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of comprehension worksheet 1st grade.
