Peter’s Coal Mine
by Edith Nesbit from The Railway Children
Chapter II passage: Published in 1906, "The Railway Children" by Edith Nesbit is the story of three British children whose family faces adversity after their father is imprisoned. They move with their mother from London to Yorkshire, and eventually prove their father’s innocence. In this passage, the family arrives at their new home. Students will read the story and respond to questions on the story elements and the language.
Reading Comprehension Passage
Peter’s Coal Mine
by Edith Nesbit from The Railway Children
Reading Comprehension Questions
Vocabulary List
Vocabulary List
Each of the vocabulary words below are used in the reading passage. As you read the passage, pay attention to context clues that suggest the word’s meaning.
- upright
- dormice
- martyr
- fetched
- bravo
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1) “stick the candle upright in it”
a. upside down b. tightly or securely c. carefully; neatly d. straight up or vertical
2) “Nobody can be cheerful in the dark except owls and dormice”
a. coal miners b. small rodents c. hawks or eagles d. moths
3) “she might have had to be a Roman martyr and be burned whole”
a. chariot; cart b. one killed for their beliefs; saint c. emperor d. house; villa
4) “Roberta fetched coal and wood and lighted a fire”
a. found; discovered b. stacked or piled c. carried; brought in d. purchased; bought
5) ”“Bravo!” cried Mother, coming in with a tray full of things”
a. well done; excellent b. help; hurry c. hello; hi d. oh no; oops