The Argument
Reading Comprehension Activity
Blip and Dit-dit are best friends, but that doesn’t mean they agree on everything. One day they have an argument, but will it ruin their friendship? Students will read the story and answer questions about character, setting, and other story elements.
Topic(s): Science Fiction / Fantasy. Skill(s): Theme, Summary, Story Elements. Genre(s): Prose
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Blip and Dit-dit were walking to school one day. The sun was shining brightly in the sky, and the land around them was bright red. It was a beautiful spring day.
Blip looked up into the sky and wiggled his long, green antennae. “Just think. We’re walking to school, and up there in outer space, there could be more life forms doing the same thing!” Blip loved to talk about outer space. He wanted to be an astronaut and explore other planets when he grew up.
Dit-dit shook her head. “I don’t think so. If there were aliens on other planets, how come we haven’t seen their space ships?”
Blip thought for a second. “Well, maybe they aren’t all that intelligent. Maybe they don’t have space ships yet. But I bet that Earthlings are working really hard to figure out all the science so we can finally meet.”
Dit-dit laughed. “Earthlings? There’s no such thing as Earthlings! Nothing could live on a planet covered in liquid water!” Dit-dit looked down the red, dusty road toward the school building. It was a clear dome that reflected back the bright sun.
Blip was starting to feel angry. “Don’t make fun! I think Earthlings are real!”
“Are not!” cried Dit-dit.
“Are too!” yelled Blip.
Dit-dit started to walk faster. She was so angry that she didn’t want to be near Blip anymore.
Blip stopped walking and kicked a small, red pebble down the road. He was mad, too, but he couldn’t really remember why. Ditdit was his best friend, and he didn’t want to walk to school by himself.
Blip looked up and could see Dit-dit’s backpack and green ponytail. She was starting to slow down. “Dit-dit, wait!”
He ran to catch up. Dit-dit turned to look at Blip.
“I’m sorry!” they both cried at the same time.
“Me, too!” Again, the spoke together. Then they laughed.
“Let’s not argue about something so silly again,” Dit-dit said. She wanted to add that the whole idea of Earthlings was silly, but she didn’t want to hurt Blip’s feelings.
“Deal!” said Blip. He thought about mentioning something about how someday he’d go to outer space to find out if Earthlings were really there or not, but he knew that his friendship with Dit-dit was more important than starting the argument again.
So the two Martian children headed to school and enjoyed the rest of their day.
Get the passage & questions on one printable PDF.