Running Reading Comprehension - Short Stories Worksheet for 3rd ... - Free Printable

Let’s go through each question one by one, using the poem “Running” to find the answers.

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1. When does he run?
The first line says: *“When I have won my race in the morning, He runs as the afternoon is falling.”*
So he runs in the afternoon.
→ Answer: C. In the afternoon.

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2. Is he running alone?
Line 3: *“He runs as if he were running with someone else — but no one is there.”*
That means he is alone.
→ Answer: B. Yes, he is. (Wait — let’s read carefully! The line says “as if he were running with someone else — but no one is there.” So actually, he is NOT running with anyone. But the question is “Is he running alone?” → YES, he is alone. So answer should be B? Let’s check options again.)

Options:
A. No, he isn’t.
B. Yes, he is. ← This matches “no one is there” → so yes, he is alone.
But wait — maybe trick? Let’s keep going and come back.

Actually, re-reading: “He runs as if he were running with someone else — but no one is there.” → So physically, he is alone. So answer is B. Yes, he is.

BUT — hold on! Look at question 4: “Who is he running with?” — that might change things. Let’s do all questions first.

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3. What does the boy think about running?
Line 5: *“He thinks about his family, his dear dreams.”*
Also later: *“He thinks of the wind, the trees, the birds...”*
But the direct quote for what he thinks while running is: *“his family, his dear dreams.”*
Looking at options:
A. His home.
B. His school.
C. His friends.
D. His family. ← Matches!

→ Answer: D. His family.

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4. Who is he running with?
Again, line 3: *“He runs as if he were running with someone else — but no one is there.”*
Then later: *“Sometimes, Don’t forget this is a running, humanless, he sees all evening.”*
And: *“In the distance, sometimes Running goes on ahead of him.”*
This suggests he imagines someone — maybe “Running” itself? Or perhaps it’s metaphorical.

Look at option D: “Nobody.” — because “no one is there.”

But also option C: “His friend.” — not mentioned.

Option A: “With himself.” — possible, since he’s imagining.

But best fit: “no one is there” → so nobody.

Wait — look at vocabulary section: “humanless” = without people.

So he is running alone → nobody with him.

→ Answer: D. Nobody.

BUT — now go back to Q2: “Is he running alone?” → If nobody is with him, then YES, he is alone → so Q2 answer is B. Yes, he is.

Q4: Who is he running with? → D. Nobody.

Okay, consistent.

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5. Why does he like running a lot?
Line 7: *“He likes to run because he feels free.”*
Also: *“He loves the feeling of speed, the rush of air…”*
But directly: “because he feels free.”

Options:
A. Because he wants to be fast.
B. Because he wants to win races.
C. Because he likes the fresh air.
D. Because he feels free. ← Direct match.

→ Answer: D. Because he feels free.

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6. What does the boy think about?
We already saw: “his family, his dear dreams” — and also “the wind, the trees, the birds...”

But look at options:
A. Everything.
B. Nothing.
C. Only his dreams.
D. His family and his dreams. ← Closest.

But wait — line 9: *“He thinks of the wind, the trees, the birds, the sky, the clouds, the stars...”* → That’s almost everything!

Option A: “Everything.” — could be right.

But let’s see exact wording in poem:
“He thinks about his family, his dear dreams.” — that’s specific.
Then later: “He thinks of the wind, the trees...” — more things.

But question is: “What does the boy think about?” — and in context, it’s broad.

However, looking at multiple choice, D says “His family and his dreams” — which is explicitly stated.

But A says “Everything” — which might be too vague.

Wait — in the poem: “He thinks of the wind, the trees, the birds, the sky, the clouds, the stars...” — that’s nature, plus family and dreams.

Perhaps “everything” is acceptable.

But let’s check standard interpretation.

Actually, in many such poems, “he thinks of everything around him” — so A might be correct.

But let’s see the answer choices again.

Perhaps we can eliminate:

B. Nothing — false.

C. Only his dreams — false, he thinks of family too.

D. His family and his dreams — true, but incomplete? He thinks of more.

A. Everything — covers all.

I think A. Everything. is best.

But let’s confirm with next question.

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7. What does the boy dream about?
Line 8: *“He dreams of flying, of being light, of touching the sky.”*

Options:
A. Flying.
B. Swimming.
C. Climbing.
D. Dancing.

Clearly A. Flying.

→ Answer: A. Flying.

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8. Why does he run so fast?
Line 6: *“He runs fast to feel the wind on his face, to feel alive.”*

Also: “to escape from worries,” etc.

But directly: “to feel the wind on his face” — which is related to fresh air or freedom.

Options:
A. Because he wants to be fast.
B. Because he wants to win.
C. Because he likes the fresh air.
D. Because he feels free.

“Feel the wind on his face” → close to “fresh air” or “feels free”.

But “feels free” was for why he likes running (Q5).

Here, specifically “to feel the wind on his face” — which is part of enjoying the sensation, perhaps “fresh air”.

Option C: “Because he likes the fresh air.” — reasonable.

Option D: “Because he feels free.” — also possible, but that was Q5.

Let’s see: Q5 was “why does he like running a lot?” → because he feels free.

Q8: “why does he run so fast?” → to feel the wind on his face → which is experiencing the environment → fresh air.

So C. Because he likes the fresh air.

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9. Where does he run?
Line 2: *“He runs along the riverbank, under the old oak tree.”*

Also: “through the fields, over the hills...”

But options:
A. In the park.
B. Near the sea.
C. Along the river.
D. In the forest.

“Along the riverbank” → so C. Along the river.

→ Answer: C. Along the river.

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Now Vocabulary section:

1. If Don't forget this is...
Phrase: “Don’t forget this is a running, humanless, he sees all evening.”

“humanless” means without humans → so “without people”.

Options:
a. only for men.
b. only for women.
c. both for men and women.
d. without people. ← Correct.

→ d. without people.

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2. What does "Dear" mean here?
In “his dear dreams” — “dear” means beloved, cherished.

Options:
a. kind person.
b. expensive.
c. loved. ← Yes.
d. far away.

→ c. loved.

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3. What does "Humanless" mean?
As above — without humans.

Options:
a. alone.
b. without people. ← Same as before.
c. empty of life.
d. none of the above.

“Without people” is direct.

→ b. without people.

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4. What does "Evening" mean?
Standard meaning: time after afternoon, before night.

Options:
a. early in the morning.
b. middle of the day.
c. end of the day. ← Yes.
d. start of the day.

→ c. end of the day.

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5. What is the opposite of "fast"?
Fast means quick; opposite is slow.

Options:
a. quickly.
b. slowly. ← Yes.
c. rapidly.
d. swiftly.

→ b. slowly.

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Now, let’s compile all answers:

Questions:

1. C
2. B
3. D
4. D
5. D
6. A (or D? Let’s double-check)

For Q6: “What does the boy think about?”

Poem: “He thinks about his family, his dear dreams.” AND “He thinks of the wind, the trees, the birds, the sky, the clouds, the stars...”

So he thinks about many things — family, dreams, nature.

Option A: “Everything.” — might be hyperbolic, but in context, it’s acceptable.

Option D: “His family and his dreams.” — true but incomplete.

In multiple choice, often they expect the most comprehensive correct answer.

But let’s see if there’s a better way.

Perhaps in the context of the poem, “everything” is intended.

I’ll stick with A. Everything.

7. A
8. C
9. C

Vocabulary:

1. d
2. c
3. b
4. c
5. b

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Final Answers:

Questions:
1. C
2. B
3. D
4. D
5. D
6. A
7. A
8. C
9. C

Vocabulary:
1. d
2. c
3. b
4. c
5. b

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Final Answer:
Questions: 1.C, 2.B, 3.D, 4.D, 5.D, 6.A, 7.A, 8.C, 9.C
Vocabulary: 1.d, 2.c, 3.b, 4.c, 5.b