American Revolution Reading Comprehension

5th Grade Social StudiesAmerican History4 pages

About this worksheet

"The Spark of Independence" is a five-paragraph passage for 5th grade social studies that runs from new British taxes on sugar, paper, and tea to July 4, 1776. It names King George III, the Sons of Liberty, Lexington and Concord, and Thomas Jefferson. Eight questions in three parts follow, moving from fact recall to the word "seize" and the meaning of the "shot heard 'round the world." The 4 pages align with C3 Framework indicators D2.His.14.3-5 and D2.His.5.3-5. The answer key gives model responses for all eight questions.

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American Revolution Reading Comprehension: American History - page 1
American Revolution Reading Comprehension: American History - page 2
American Revolution Reading Comprehension: American History - page 3
American Revolution Reading Comprehension: American History - page 4

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Curriculum objectives covered

D2.His.14.3-5

“Explain probable causes and effects of events and developments.”

Questions 1 and 3 trace the chain from a costly war to new taxes to the tea protest. Question 6 asks why the first shot mattered far beyond Lexington.

D2.His.5.3-5

“Explain connections among historical contexts and people’s perspectives at the time.”

Questions 4 and 7 connect the colonists' view of fairness to their situation, taxed by a Parliament where they had no representatives.

What's inside this worksheet

The Spark of Independence

Students read about colonists ruled from 3,000 miles away, the Boston Tea Party in December 1773, British soldiers marching on Lexington and Concord in April 1775, and the Declaration adopted in Philadelphia.

Finding the Facts

Three questions ask why Great Britain started taxing the colonists, which three everyday items were taxed, and whether the claim that colonists stole the tea to sell it is true or false, with a fact from the text.

Reading Between the Lines

Students put the rallying cry into their own words and choose the meaning of "seize" from protect, clean, take away, and sell. They also explain whether people all over the world really heard the first gunshot.

Thinking Deeper

Question 7 asks how students would feel ruled from far away and which bold action the colonists took. Question 8 asks them to quote a phrase from the final paragraph that shows the fight was just beginning.

How teachers use it

Close reading

Model question 3 first. Show students how to prove the claim false with a detail from paragraph 3, that the tea went into the harbor, instead of only writing False.

Vocabulary in context

Before students pick an answer for "seize," have them reread the sentence and try each option in its place. Only take away makes sense with soldiers and weapons.

Paired reading

Partners take turns reading paragraphs aloud, then split Part 1 between them. The full set of eight questions fills most of a 45-minute block.

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