Three children creep into the forbidden West Wing of Blackwood Manor in this five-page Year 5 reading sheet. The extract builds to a mahogany box that starts rapping from the inside. Ten questions move from quick retrieval to inference and prediction, in line with the England National Curriculum reading comprehension objectives. A full answer key gives model answers, including the evidence to look for in Arthur's white knuckles.
Reading - comprehension
“Drawing inferences such as inferring characters' feelings, thoughts and motives from their actions, and justifying inferences with evidence”
Questions 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9 ask pupils to read feelings and attitudes from actions, then quote the text as proof.
Reading - comprehension
“Predicting what might happen from details stated and implied”
Question 10 asks what Beatrice will do next, based on details stated and implied in the extract.
An eight-paragraph extract follows Beatrice, Arthur and Colin down a shadowed corridor to the study mentioned in Uncle Reginald's letter.
Pupils find how long it has rained and what the letter mentioned, tick how Colin feels, then copy one action that proves it.
Pupils copy a phrase showing the house lets the wind in, judge whether Arthur is truly brave, and pick the meaning of fret from four options.
Questions 8 to 10 ask why Beatrice brings up Mrs. Higgins, contrast how Colin and Beatrice react to the rapping sound, and predict Beatrice's next move.
Whole-class reading
Read the extract together and stop at the rapping box. Take a few quick guesses before pupils start Part 1.
Modelling inference
Work through question 6 on the board. The answer key shows how the white knuckles and the hammering heart become evidence.
Split by confidence
Give Part 1 to pupils who need more support. Stronger readers can start at Part 2 and finish with the prediction.
Get started today
