Name: ______________________ Date: ______________________
Reading Comprehension Worksheet
An Empty Purse
By Sara Orne Jewett
Read the story. Then answer the questions.
Little Miss Debby Gaines was counting the days to Christmas; there were only
three, “I’ve got to step fast to carry out all my plans,” she said to herself. Miss
Debby was sewing as fast as she could, mending a warm old petticoat. She
heard a knock at the door, “Come in!” she said. “Mrs. Rivers!” Mrs. Rivers seated
herself. “What are you doing something pretty for Christmas?” she asked. “I
thought I’d give it to old Mrs. Bean, this would make her real comfortable,”
answered Miss Debby, “Presents aren’t anything unless the heart goes with
them.” Early on Christmas morning Miss Debby woke up and could hardly wait to
eat her little breakfast before she got out her best bonnet and Sunday cloak to
begin her Christmas errands. Old Mrs. Bean was coming out of the kitchen, when
her friend wished her a merry Christmas. “Miss’ Bean; a warm petticoat I’ve fixed
up nice, you can put it right on and feel the comfort of it,” said Miss Debby. “You
are real kind,” she said eagerly. Miss Debby went to the heart of the town again.
Christmas was on Tuesday that year. Miss Debby Gaines came to a large house;
a man-servant opened the door. “I wish you a happy Christmas!” she said. “Dear
Miss Debby! Come and sit down! Mrs. Wallis said, “I’m glad somebody wanted to
see me,” said Mrs. Wallis and gave Miss Debby an excellent cup of tea. She was
like a good angel as she sat there smiling. So Miss Debby came back to her little
home again. She lighted her lamp, and saw on the table a great package with a
note beside it; the note was from Mrs. Rivers. “Something you said the other
day,” Miss Debby read, “and you must feel that my heart goes with these
presents that I send you first with love.”Miss Debby’s face shone with joy and
this was the way that Miss Debby’s Christmas came to its happy end.
Answer each question.
1. What was Miss Debby doing?
2. How did she get ready on Christmas morning?
3. Where did she go first and what did she give?
4. Did Mrs. Wallis enjoy Miss Debby’s company?
5. What did she see when she lighted the lamp in her house?
6. How do you celebrate Christmas?
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Name: ______________________ Date: ______________________
Grade 5 Reading Comprehension Worksheet
An Empty Purse
By Sara Orne Jewett
Read the story. Then answer the questions.
Little Miss Debby Gaines was counting the days to Christmas; there were only three,
“I’ve got to step fast to carry out all my plans,” she said to herself. Miss Debby was
sewing as fast as she could, mending a warm old petticoat. She heard a knock at the
door, “Come in!” she said. “Mrs. Rivers!” Mrs. Rivers seated herself. “What are you
doing something pretty for Christmas?” she asked. “I thought I’d give it to old Mrs. Bean,
this would make her real comfortable,” answered Miss Debby, “Presents aren’t anything
unless the heart goes with them.” Early on Christmas morning Miss Debby woke up and
could hardly wait to eat her little breakfast before she got out her best bonnet and
Sunday cloak to begin her Christmas errands. Old Mrs. Bean was coming out of the
kitchen, when her friend wished her a merry Christmas. “Miss’ Bean; a warm petticoat
I’ve fixed up nice, you can put it right on and feel the comfort of it,” said Miss Debby.
“You are real kind,” she said eagerly. Miss Debby went to the heart of the town again.
Christmas was on Tuesday that year. Miss Debby Gaines came to a large house; a man-
servant opened the door. “I wish you a happy Christmas!” she said. “Dear Miss Debby!
Come and sit down! Mrs. Wallis said, “I’m glad somebody wanted to see me,” said Mrs.
Wallis and gave Miss Debby an excellent cup of tea. She was like a good angel as she sat
there smiling. So Miss Debby came back to her little home again. She lighted her lamp,
and saw on the table a great package with a note beside it; the note was from Mrs.
Rivers. “Something you said the other day,” Miss Debby read, “and you must feel that
my heart goes with these presents that I send you first with love.”Miss Debby’s face
shone with joy and this was the way that Miss Debby’s Christmas came to its happy end.
Answer each question.
1. What Miss Debby was doing?
Miss Debby was sewing as fast as she could, mending a warm old petticoat because only
three days left for Christmas and she wanted to complete her work before it.
2. How did she get ready on the Christmas morning?
Early on Christmas morning Miss Debby woke up and could hardly wait to eat her little
breakfast before she got out her best bonnet and Sunday cloak to begin her Christmas
errands.
3. Where did she go first and what did she give?
Miss Debby went to Old Mrs. Bean first. She wished her Merry Christmas and gave her the
present of a warm petticoat which Mrs. Mean liked so much.
4. Did Mrs. Wallis enjoy Miss Debby’s company?
Yes, Mrs. Wallis was happy that somebody wanted to see her, and she served Miss Debby an
excellent cup of tea.
5. What did she see when she lighted the lamp in her house?
When Miss Debby came back to her home she lighted her lamp, and saw on the table a great
package with a note from Mrs. Rivers. She sent presents for Miss Debby. Miss Debby’s face
shone with joy.
6. How do you celebrate Christmas?
Individual Response
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