Two Stories Side by Side is a free printable Grade 1 English worksheet on comparing what happens to characters in two stories, aligned to Common Core standard RL.1.9. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
The school band practised in the hall every Thursday. Sam played the drum. He liked it best when he could hit it hard.
"Softer," said Mrs Otu. "The flutes cannot be heard."
Sam did not want to play softly. But he tried it. This time he could hear the flutes too, winding above the drum like a bird. It sounded better than anything he had played before.
1. What did Mrs Otu ask Sam to do?
2.Now read Text 2 and answer these questions about BOTH texts.
Text 2: The Last Lap
Dee was fast. She won every race at sports day, and she knew it.
In the relay, she ran the last lap. Her team was behind. Dee ran so hard that her chest burned, but the other runner crossed the line first.
Dee sat on the grass. Her team came and sat with her. "You made up ten metres," said Ali. Dee had not thought about that. She had only thought about losing.
1. How is Sam like Ravi in "The Wobbly Tooth"?
2. How is this story different from "Too Loud"?
3. How is Dee like Sam in "Too Loud"?
LessonPrint · RL.1.9 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Two Stories Side by Side
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Play more softly.
2.1. Both took advice — Sam from Mrs Otu and Dee from her team — and were glad they did. 2. Dee learns from her team; Sam learns from his teacher. 3. Both learned something they had not seen before.
Questions about Two Stories Side by Side
What does the Two Stories Side by Side worksheet cover?
It practises comparing what happens to characters in two stories — 2 questions for Grade 1, all on Common Core RL.1.9: Compare what happens to two characters in different stories. The instruction to pupils is “Read Text 1 and answer the question under it”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which Common Core standard does Two Stories Side by Side practise?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.9 — RL.1.9, in the Reading: Literature domain for Grade 1. The published standard reads: “Compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in stories.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Two Stories Side by Side is written for Grade 1, typically ages 6-7. It is one of the sheets on RL.1.9, so it suits any pupil working at that standard — including older pupils revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Two Stories Side by Side come with an answer key?
Yes. All 2 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of Two Stories Side by Side can I print?
25 — one per pupil, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is Two Stories Side by Side free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Two Stories Side by Side, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
Is there a lesson plan to teach RL.1.9?
Yes — “Comparing What Happens to Characters” is a 40-minute Grade 1 plan for RL.1.9, timed section by section, with the misconceptions to expect and an exit ticket. Two Stories Side by Side is the practice that follows it.
More practice for RL.1.9
Compare what happens to two characters in different stories.