Amazing Grace – reading comprehension

Name: ............................................................... Date: ..................................................................

Read and answer the following questions based on Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman.

1. What type of book is this? Circle the correct answer.

non-fiction fiction

2. Which word best describes Grace’s character?

cowardly

nasty

determined

shy

3. How do you think Grace felt when she heard Natalie say ‘he wasn’t black’?
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4. What advice did Nana give Grace?

If you practice hard, you will be a ballerina.

You can be anything you want to be, when you put your mind to it.

All you need to do is keep smiling.

5. Join the boxes to show how Grace might have felt at different points in the story:

When the teacher said they were going to do a play. disappointed

When Raj said she couldn’t be Peter Pan because she was a girl. enthusiastic

When Grace was performing in the play. energised

6. What lesson/s can you learn from reading this book?

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© www.teachitprimary.co.uk 2017 23598 Page 1 of 2

 Amazing Grace – reading comprehension

A selection of guided reading questions and a reading comprehension to accompany

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman.

Before reading questions:

 Look at the front cover and discuss the title. Who do
you think Grace is? Why might she be described as
‘amazing’?

Guided reading questions:

 What were the children volunteering for?
 How do you think she felt when she heard Natalie say ‘he wasn’t black?’
 What does the author imply about Grace’s character when she writes ‘but
Grace kept her hand up?’
 Why has the author chosen to write the word ‘always’ in italics?
 Why was Ma angry about what Natalie said to Grace?
 Why did Natalie say that to Grace?
 Why do you think Nana took Grace to the theatre?
 Why did the writer choose the dancer to be a black girl?
 What message was Nana trying to get across to Grace?
 What effect did the ballet have on Grace? How did it make her feel?
 How do you think Grace felt when Natalie said ‘you were great’?

After reading questions:

 What message do you think the author wants to get across to the reader?

© www.teachitprimary.co.uk 2017 23598 Page 2 of 2