New Friend Reading Comprehension Worksheet - Free Printable

Here’s the solution to the “New Friend” reading comprehension worksheet, with clear explanations for each answer:

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1. Who are the main characters?

✔ Answer: The main characters are the narrator (the person telling the story) and Calliope.

Explanation: The whole passage is about the narrator’s new friend, Calliope. The narrator describes their differences and similarities, making both of them central to the story. Even though other people (like Calliope’s 4 brothers or the teacher mentioned in directions) are mentioned, they are not the focus — only the narrator and Calliope are developed as characters.

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2. Where had Calliope lived?

✔ Answer: Calliope had lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Explanation: The first sentence says: “Calliope is my new friend. She is 6 and just moved to our town from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.” This clearly tells us where she lived before moving.

*(Note: The text also mentions she lived on a farm and that she collected rocks in the hills of South Dakota — but her hometown is specifically named as Sioux Falls.)*

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3. How were the two friends different?

✔ Answer: They were different because:
- Calliope grew up on a farm with cows and pigs; the narrator grew up in Rhode Island and only has a dog.
- Calliope has 4 brothers; the narrator is an only child.
- Calliope likes country music; the narrator prefers Top 40 music.

Explanation: The first paragraph explicitly lists these differences. The narrator uses phrases like “I only have a dog,” “I am an only child,” and “I prefer to listen to Top 40” to contrast with Calliope’s life and preferences.

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4. How were the two friends alike?

✔ Answer: They were alike because:
- They both like to read.
- They both collect things (the narrator collects shells; Calliope collects rocks).
- They both have Barbie dolls (17 for the narrator, 15 for Calliope) and like to share Barbie clothes.

Explanation: The second paragraph starts with “After knowing Calliope for a few weeks, though, I realized that we are a lot alike, too.” Then it lists shared interests: reading, collecting items, and playing with Barbies.

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Ask a question about this text.

✔ Sample Question: *What kind of collection does Calliope have, and what is special about some of the items in it?*

Why this works: This question can be answered directly from the text — “Calliope has a bunch of rocks she collected in the hills of South Dakota. Some even have fossils in them!” It checks understanding of specific details.

*(Other good questions could be: “How old is Calliope?” or “What type of music does Calliope like?” — any question that requires finding information in the text is acceptable.)*

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✔ Final Tips for Students:
- Always look back at the text to find evidence for your answers.
- Use complete sentences when answering.
- For the “ask a question” part, make sure your question can actually be answered using the passage — don’t ask something like “What’s Calliope’s favorite color?” if it’s not mentioned!

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Let me know if you’d like a printable version or want to turn this into a classroom activity!