Reading Comprehension Unit: Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

Chapter 1: The Ruin

Comprehension Questions: 1. What is the main character’s name? 2. Describe the setting of the story. 3. What happened to Kira’s father? 4. How does Kira feel about her father’s death? 5. Who is Kira’s only friend in the village? 6. What is Kira’s special talent? 7. Why does Kira have to defend herself in front of the Council of Guardians? 8. How does Kira prove her worth to the Council? 9. What decision does the Council make about Kira’s future? 10. How does Kira feel about the decision made by the Council?

Chapter 2: The Gathering

Comprehension Questions: 1. What is the Gathering? 2. What is the purpose of the Gathering? 3. How does Kira feel about attending the Gathering? 4. Who is the leader of the Council of Guardians? 5. What is the role of the Singer at the Gathering? 6. What does Kira learn about her mother at the Gathering? 7. How does Kira’s revelation about her mother affect her? 8. What is the significance of the robe Kira receives at the Gathering? 9. How do the other villagers react to Kira’s new status? 10. What does Kira hope to achieve with her newfound position?

Chapter 3: The Beast

Comprehension Questions: 1. What is the Beast? 2. How does Kira encounter the Beast? 3. How does Kira react when she sees the Beast? 4. What does Kira learn about the Beast’s intentions? 5. How does Kira escape from the Beast? 6. What does Kira do with the information she learns from the Beast? 7. How does Kira’s encounter with the Beast change her perspective? 8. How do the other villagers react to Kira’s encounter with the Beast? 9. What does Kira plan to do with her newfound knowledge? 10. How does Kira’s encounter with the Beast affect her relationship with the Council?

Chapter 4: The Trial

Comprehension Questions: 1. Why is Kira summoned for a trial? 2. Who accuses Kira of wrongdoing? 3. What evidence is presented against Kira during the trial? 4. How does Kira defend herself during the trial? 5. What is the outcome of the trial? 6. How does Kira feel about the verdict? 7. How do the other villagers react to the trial’s outcome? 8. What does Kira learn about the Council’s intentions? 9. How does Kira plan to challenge the Council’s decision? 10. What does Kira hope to achieve by challenging the Council?

Chapter 5: The Gathering Blue

Comprehension Questions: 1. What is the significance of the title “Gathering Blue”? 2. How does Kira feel about her new role as the Singer’s apprentice? 3. What does Kira learn about the history of her village? 4. How does Kira’s training as the Singer’s apprentice progress? 5. What challenges does Kira face during her training? 6. How does Kira’s relationship with the Singer evolve? 7. What does Kira discover about her own abilities as a weaver? 8. How does Kira’s weaving impact the village’s perception of her? 9. How does Kira’s role as the Singer’s apprentice affect her relationship with the Council? 10. What does Kira hope to achieve with her weaving skills?

Note: This unit includes comprehension questions for the first five chapters of Gathering Blue. To complete the unit, additional comprehension questions should be created for the remaining chapters of the book.