Who’s Watching Whom?
Reading Comprehension Activity

Author: RV Staff Writer J.C.

Jason and Katie are playing checkers and watching TV when the cartoon characters start watching them and asking questions! After reading the story, students will answer questions on the details, the language, and the theme.

Click for the passage & questions on one printable PDF.

Passage

Jason and Katie were sitting on the floor, watching television. The cartoon channel was on, but the brother and sister were not really paying attention to the bright colors and sounds flashing on the screen. They were focused on the board game they were playing, and snacking on apple slices dipped in yogurt.

They didn’t notice as the cartoon characters in the show slowly stopped chasing each other and started looking at the children.

“That looks fun,” said Daisy, a pink dinosaur in a flowered hat. She elbowed her cartoon friend, a yellow puppy in a purple tutu and ballet slippers named Petunia. The pup looked at the children curiously.

“What is that you are playing?” Petunia asked.

Jason looked up, surprised. He saw the TV characters watching him, waiting for an answer.

“Um, what?” The boy said. Katie’s eyes got very big and her jaw dropped open.

“What are you guys doing? It looks fun!” Said Daisy, with a friendly smile.

“Are you talking to us?” Katie asked, astonished.

“We’re playing checkers,” said Jason, trying to be polite.

“Crackers?” Asked Petunia, the yellow pup. “I like crackers!”

“No, not crackers,” said Katie. “Checkers. It’s a game.”

“How do you play?” asked Daisy. The dinosaur adjusted her hat so she could see better.

“Well,” said Katie, “You play the red or the black checker pieces, and you have to jump over the other team’s checkers.”

Jason interrupted.  “When you jump over the other person’s checkers, you get to take them off the board! The fewer they have, the easier it is for you to win.”

“It sounds complicated,” said Petunia, shaking her head.

“It isn’t,” Katie said kindly. “Watch me.” She took her black checker and moved it diagonally, making a jump over her brother’s red checker. With a smile, she removed the red checker from the board. “Just like that!”

“Cool,” said Daisy. “Can we try it?”

“Sure,” said Jason. “But how?”     
 
“Just pass it to me,” answered the dinosaur.

Jason and Katie exchanged glances. Katie shrugged, and Jason walked over to the television, carrying the board game and checkers. The pink dinosaur held out her arms and took hold of the game, pulling it back into the screen with her. “Thanks!” She said.

Petunia the puppy clapped her paws happily. “Yay! Something new to try! It can get a little boring here.”

“It’s boring inside our television?” asked Katie.

“Yeah, there isn’t a lot of room to run around and play in here,” answered Petunia. “Not like all the space you have out there.” She pointed towards the big window behind the children that showed their large backyard and play set.

“We don’t even know why you sit inside and watch us when you could be out there, running and jumping and climbing all day!”

Jason and Katie turned to look out the window. It was a bright, sunny day. The grass was green and lush; the swings rocked gently in the summer breeze. The sandbox waited; its trucks and toys ready to be played with.

“Why aren’t we outside playing?” Katie asked her brother.

“I don’t know,” Jason answered. “Let’s go!”

“Enjoy the checkers!” Katie called over her shoulder, as the children headed outdoors.

Comprehension Questions
Answers

Get the passage & questions on one printable PDF.

Interactive Banner 2

Enter description text here.