The Last Note of Summer — 4th Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheet
"The Last Note of Summer" is a short fiction passage written for 4th graders, followed by 6 comprehension questions that focus on point of view. Two friends write notes in a hidden tree hollow all summer, and one must say goodbye when she moves away. Print the passage and questions, or download the PDF with the answer key on the last page — it is free for home, classroom and homeschool use.
Make your worksheet
Free to print for home, classroom and homeschool use. The answer key prints on page 2.
The Last Note of Summer
Grade 4 · Fiction · point of view
Read the passage carefully. You may underline parts that help you answer.
Every summer, Elena and Ruby kept a secret mailbox in the hollow of an old oak tree at the edge of the park. They left notes for each other about silly jokes, favorite books, and plans for building a treehouse someday. Elena loved checking the tree first thing each morning, hoping to find Ruby's messy handwriting waiting for her.
This summer felt different, though Elena tried not to think about it. Ruby's family was moving across the country in August because of her mom's new job. Elena wrote fewer jokes in her notes and more questions, like whether they could still be best friends from far away. She was afraid that once Ruby left, their friendship would fade like a summer tan.
On Ruby's last day in town, Elena ran to the oak tree and found a folded piece of paper tucked deep in the hollow. It was a hand-drawn map of the tree, the park, and their old bike path, with a note that read, 'This will always be our spot, no matter where I live. Let's write real letters now, okay?' Elena smiled through tears, tucking the map into her pocket.
That night, Elena wrote her first letter to mail across the country. She told Ruby about the tree, the empty swing set, and how quiet the park felt without her. As she sealed the envelope, Elena realized that friendship didn't need to live inside a tree hollow. It could travel through mailboxes, phone calls, and visits, as long as both friends kept reaching out.
Answer the questions. Use details from the passage.
Answer Key
The Last Note of Summer
Check a finished worksheet
Snap a photo of this completed worksheet. Our AI helper spots missed problems and suggests what to practice next. For best results, use the same worksheet shown above.
How to teach point of view in fiction text
- 1
Read it once for enjoyment
Let your reader go through "The Last Note of Summer" straight through without stopping. The first pass is about getting the story or the topic, not about the questions.
- 2
Read it again with a pencil
On the second read, underline names, numbers, dates and any sentence that answers a question. Marking the text is the habit that lifts comprehension scores.
- 3
Answer with evidence
For each question, ask “which sentence proves that?” Short answers should quote or paraphrase a line from the passage.
- 4
Check with the answer key
Compare answers together. For any miss, go back to the paragraph instead of just correcting the letter.
Common mistakes kids make
- Answering from memory instead of rereading — teach kids to point at the line that proves it.
- Picking the first choice that sounds familiar; familiar words often appear in the wrong answer too.
- Skipping the point of view question because it needs more than one detail. Have them list two details first, then answer.
- Writing one word for a short-answer question. Ask for a full sentence that restates the question.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Read aloud together the first time if fluency is still developing.
- Cover the questions while reading so kids read the whole passage, not just for answers.
- Keep sessions to 15 minutes — one passage a day beats five on Sunday.
Grade alignment
This worksheet supports Common Core standard RL.4.1, typically taught in 4th grade. Use it for practice, homework, review or a timed check of fluency.
Related worksheets
The Inventor's Notebook
4th grade
Free printable 4th grade reading comprehension worksheet: "The Inventor's Notebook". A young inventor learns that failure is part of creating something new when her flying machine crashes. Includes 6 questions and an answer key.
Open worksheetVolcanoes: Fire from Below
4th grade
Free printable 4th grade reading comprehension worksheet: "Volcanoes: Fire from Below". An informational passage explains how volcanoes form and erupt, and why people still live near them. Includes 6 questions and an answer key.
Open worksheetThe Underground Railroad: Paths to Freedom
4th grade
Free printable 4th grade reading comprehension worksheet: "The Underground Railroad: Paths to Freedom". An informational passage explains how the Underground Railroad helped enslaved people escape to freedom before the Civil War. Includes 6 questions and an answer key.
Open worksheetThe Recycling Robot
4th grade
Free printable 4th grade reading comprehension worksheet: "The Recycling Robot". A student's robotics project designed to sort recycling causes chaos before finally succeeding. Includes 5 questions and an answer key.
Open worksheetCoral Reefs: Underwater Cities
4th grade
Free printable 4th grade reading comprehension worksheet: "Coral Reefs: Underwater Cities". An informational passage describes what coral reefs are, why they matter, and the threats they face. Includes 6 questions and an answer key.
Open worksheet4th Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets
4th grade
Free printable 4th grade reading comprehension worksheets with fiction and nonfiction passages, text-evidence questions, and answer keys.
Open worksheetReading Comprehension Worksheets
Grades 1-5
Printable reading comprehension worksheets with fiction and nonfiction passages for grades 1-5, including comprehension questions and answer keys.
Open worksheetFrequently asked questions
What reading level is "The Last Note of Summer"?
It is written for 4th grade readers, so it fits most kids in grade 4 and works as review for grade 5 or a challenge for grade 3.
Does this worksheet include an answer key?
Yes. Turn on the answer key option and the answers print on the page after the questions, with model answers for the short-answer items.
Is this reading worksheet free to print?
Yes, every passage on KGD Sheets is free to print and download as a PDF for home, classroom and homeschool use.
How many questions come with each passage?
This passage has 6 questions, mixing multiple choice with short written answers so kids practice both formats.
Can I use this passage for a reading test?
Yes. Print it without the answer key for testing, then print the key for grading. The questions follow the same style as state reading assessments.
What skill does this passage practice?
The questions center on point of view, plus vocabulary in context and finding evidence in the text.