Worksheets and No Prep Teaching Resources
Worksheets and No Prep Teaching Resources
Grade 5 Reading Comprehensions

Mission Implausible

Mission Implausible
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grade 5
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   5.06

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    cartoon-ish, deep-voiced, double-checked, laptop, sarcasm, stupidity, occupation, aloft, force, hazardous, slacks, hurried, extremely, gizmo, saying, concrete
     content words:    Junior Scientists, Only Antoine, Supreme Ruler, Braden Air Base

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Mission Implausible
By Brenda B. Covert 		  
1     The abandoned air force base wasn't quite as deserted as one might have expected that Monday evening. Not only were several members of the League of Junior Scientists there to test a new invention, but apparently some criminals were on the prowl as well.
 
2     The young scientists quickly hid their jeans-and-T-shirt clad bodies under some tarpaulins in the hangar about 15 yards away from an ancient little plane.
 
3     "I'm about to suffocate under here!" Jeremy hissed. "This is stupid! We don't even know who we are hiding from!"
 
4     "True stupidity would be getting caught," Zack whispered. "This is government property. Trespassing is prohibited to the fullest extent of the law!"
 
5     "Whatever that means," Kristen muttered. "I'm just hoping that I don't sneeze."
 
6     "That would be extremely cartoon-ish," Zack agreed.
 
7     "Shhhh! I can't hear what those men are saying!" Antoine interjected. Everyone got quiet and listened as the argument between the two men escalated.
 
8     Jeremy thought one of them said something like "...currency ... management ... receive socket." Antoine thought they had said, "Current management should relieve Sacket." Kristen was sure they were talking about retrieving a packet. Zack tried to convince the others that the argument was about buying a rocket. Soon the junior scientists had forgotten about listening and were busy conjecturing about the men's occupation.
 
9     Meanwhile, the argument outside had ended, and silence followed. Only Antoine was conscious of that fact, and he shushed the others. "Hey, guys, does the concept of 'staying alive' mean anything to you?"
 
10     They all held their breath and listened. At first there was only the sound of the wind whistling through unseen cracks. Next came the creak of the side door. They heard a click, and suddenly the old hangar was filled with light. Antoine peered out from under the tarp. He saw dark slacks and shoes, but worse yet, he saw a red mitten. It was just lying on the floor where Kristen must have dropped it.

Paragraphs 11 to 29:
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