Reading Worksheets | Eighth Grade Reading Worksheets - Free Printable

Grade 8 Reading Comprehension Worksheet: The Adventure of Tom Sawyer

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

Main Idea:
The main idea of the passage is that Tom Sawyer, unable to sleep due to restlessness and fear of waking his brother Sid, becomes increasingly anxious as he waits for morning, only to be awakened by a sudden noise and then sneak out with Huckleberry Finn to go on an adventure at night.

This reflects Tom’s impatience, imagination, and desire for excitement, which ultimately leads him to break curfew and embark on a nighttime adventure.

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#### 2. Underline five sentences in the passage that support the idea.

Here are five sentences from the passage that support the main idea:

1. "Tom lay awake and waited in restless impatience."
→ Shows Tom's inability to sleep and his eagerness to get up.

2. "He would have tossed and fidgeted, as his nerves demanded, but he was afraid he might wake Sid."
→ Highlights his internal struggle between desire and caution.

3. "At last he was satisfied that time has ceased and eternity begun; he began to doze in spite of himself..."
→ Demonstrates how long and agonizing the wait feels to him.

4. "A cry of ‘Scat! You devil!’ and the crash of an empty bottle against the back of his aunt’s wood-shed brought him wide awake..."
→ The sudden noise triggers his action—awakening and escaping.

5. "At the end of half an hour they were wading through the tall grass of the graveyard."
→ Shows the culmination of his adventure—leaving the house and going into the graveyard with Huck.

*(Note: In a printed worksheet, these would be underlined.)*

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#### 3. Write a summary. Tell what is the most important.

Summary:
The passage describes Tom Sawyer lying awake at night, unable to sleep because he is impatiently waiting for morning. He listens to every small sound in the quiet house—the ticking clock, creaking beams, snoring, and eerie noises—which make the night feel endless. Eventually, he falls into a light sleep, but is jolted awake by a loud noise. This wakes him up completely, and he quickly dresses and sneaks out the window. He meets Huckleberry Finn on the roof of the wood-shed, where Huck has a dead cat. Together, they sneak away and head toward the graveyard, beginning their secret adventure.

What is most important?
The most important part of the passage is Tom’s decision to leave the house and go on a nighttime adventure with Huck, showing his adventurous spirit, impulsiveness, and desire for excitement despite the risks. This moment marks the beginning of a significant event in the story—likely leading to a mysterious or dangerous experience, such as attending a midnight ceremony in the graveyard. It also highlights Tom’s character: brave, mischievous, and driven by curiosity.

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✔ Final Answer Summary:
- Main Idea: Tom’s restless night leads to a secret adventure with Huck.
- Supporting Sentences: Highlighted above.
- Summary & Importance: Tom sneaks out after being awakened by noise and joins Huck in the graveyard—an act showing his adventurous nature and setting up a key plot point.

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