Class 5 English Reading Comprehension Practice Worksheet

Reading Passage 

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. 

The Whispering Caves of Meghalaya 

“Deep in the lush, green hills of Meghalaya, a state in northeastern India, lies a network of some of the longest and most complex caves in the world. These are not just ordinary caves; they are vast, subterranean labyrinths carved out of limestone by the relentless flow of water over millions of years. One of the most famous is Krem Liat Prah, which is the longest known natural cave in India. Exploring these caves is a remarkable adventure, but it is not for the faint of heart. The passages can be narrow, the ground slippery, and the darkness absolute. 

What makes these caves particularly fascinating is the unique ecosystem that thrives within them. Cut off from sunlight, life here has adapted in extraordinary ways. You can find blind fish that navigate using their other senses, pale insects that have lost their colour, and unique species of bats. These creatures have evolved to survive in a world of complete darkness and constant humidity. Scientists, known as speleologists, study these caves to understand more about geology, biology, and even the planet's climate history. The formations inside, like stalactites (which hang from the ceiling) and stalagmites (which rise from the floor), are like natural history books, holding secrets of the past in their layers. 

The local Khasi people have known about these caves for generations and have a deep respect for them, often considering them sacred. The name "Krem" in the Khasi language means "cave." For them, the caves are not just geological wonders but are also an integral part of their culture and folklore. They believe that spirits reside in the deepest chambers, and the soft dripping of water is often described as the "whispering" of the cave, telling ancient stories to those who listen carefully. This blend of scientific marvel and cultural significance makes the caves of Meghalaya a truly special destination.” 

Answer the following questions: 

A. Multiple Choice Questions: Choose the correct option. 

1. What is the main idea of this passage? 

○ (a) The different types of bats found in India. 

○ (b) The caves of Meghalaya are significant geological and cultural wonders. 

○ (c) Speleologists are scientists who study mountains. 

○ (d) The Khasi people are afraid of caves. 

2. The caves in Meghalaya were formed by... 

○ (a) Volcanic eruptions. 

○ (b) Earthquakes. 

○ (c) The flow of water through limestone. 

○ (d) Human excavation. 

3. What does the word "subterranean" mean in the context of the passage? ○ (a) Above the clouds. 

○ (b) Under the ocean. 

○ (c) Existing or occurring under the earth's surface. 

○ (d) Related to the stars. 

4. Why are the fish found in these caves often blind? 

○ (a) They were born without eyes. 

○ (b) The water in the cave is toxic to their eyes. 

○ (c) They have adapted to a life without sunlight, so eyes are not needed. 

○ (d) The bats in the cave attack their eyes. 

B. True or False: Read the statements and write 'True' or 'False'. 

1. Krem Liat Prah is the longest cave in the world. __________ 

2. Stalagmites are formations that hang down from the cave ceiling. __________ 

3. The local Khasi people have a deep cultural connection to the caves. __________ 

4. The word "Krem" means "darkness" in the Khasi language. __________ 

C. Fill in the Blanks with words from the passage. 

1. The caves of Meghalaya are described as vast, subterranean _______________. 

2. Scientists who study caves are called _______________. 

3. Life inside the caves has adapted to a world of complete darkness and constant _______________. 

4. The soft dripping of water is described as the "_______________" of the cave. 

D. Match the Columns: Match the word in Column A with its correct meaning in Column B.

E. Short Answer Questions: Answer in one or two sentences. 

1. What are two examples of animals that have adapted to life inside the caves? 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Why do speleologists study the caves of Meghalaya? 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. According to the passage, why are the caves considered sacred by the Khasi people? 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

F. Jumbled Sentences: Rearrange the following words to form meaningful sentences from the passage. 

1. hang / Stalactites / from / the / ceiling / which. 

_________________________________________________________________

2. in / of / state / Meghalaya / a / northeastern / India. 

_____________________________________________________________________

Answer Key 

A. Multiple Choice Questions: 

1. (b) The caves of Meghalaya are significant geological and cultural wonders. 2. (c) The flow of water through limestone. 

3. (c) Existing or occurring under the earth's surface. 

4. (c) They have adapted to a life without sunlight, so eyes are not needed. 

B. True or False: 

1. False (It is the longest in India, not the world).

2. False (Stalactites hang from the ceiling; stalagmites rise from the floor). 3. True 

4. False (The word "Krem" means "cave").

C. Fill in the Blanks: 

1. labyrinths 

2. speleologists 

3. humidity 

4. whispering

D. Match the Columns: 

1. 1-b 

2. 2-c 

3. 3-d 

4. 4-a 

E. Short Answer Questions: 

1. Two examples of animals that have adapted to life in the caves are blind fish and pale insects (or unique species of bats). 

2. Speleologists study the caves to learn about geology, biology, and the planet's climate history from the cave formations. 

3. The Khasi people consider the caves sacred because they are an integral part of their culture and folklore, and they believe spirits reside in the deepest chambers.

F. Jumbled Sentences: 

1. Stalactites which hang from the ceiling. 

2. Meghalaya, a state in northeastern India.

Reading Comprehension Passages for Grade 5 – Improve English Proficiency

With this Class 5 English Reading Comprehension worksheet, learners explore stories and discover new words. Practicing reading passages helps students improve understanding and build vocabulary for real-life situations. 

Parents and students can see how the exercises fit into the broader English subject and how comprehension skills prepare students for exams. This resource uses questions often found in "reading practice" and "comprehension exercises" to guide learning.

Improving Confidence Through Reading Practice

This worksheet encourages Class 5 students to answer questions about stories and information passages in English. By working through the reading comprehension topic, learners gain practice finding answers quickly and explaining ideas clearly. 

These skills help in both schoolwork and everyday reading. The activities include keywords such as "comprehension questions" to support students as they improve their English subject skills and confidence.