Evidence Question Types
📖 Learn
Questions that ask you to find evidence come in different forms. Learning to recognize these question types helps you know exactly what to look for in a passage.
Type 1: "How do you know?" Questions
These questions ask you to explain WHY something is true based on what you read.
Example: "How do you know the dog was happy?"
You need to find words in the story that show the dog was happy.
Type 2: "Which sentence shows..." Questions
These questions give you answer choices. You pick the sentence from the passage that proves the answer.
Example: "Which sentence shows that it was raining?"
You look for a sentence that talks about rain, water, or being wet.
Type 3: "Find the words that tell..." Questions
These questions ask you to point to specific words or phrases.
Example: "Find the words that tell what color the ball was."
You search for a color word near the word "ball."
Type 4: "What in the story tells you..." Questions
These are open questions where you explain your proof.
Example: "What in the story tells you it was morning?"
You might find words like "sunrise," "breakfast," or "woke up."
💡 Examples
Read this short passage and see how to answer each question type.
Passage:
Sam put on his red boots. He grabbed his umbrella. The sky was dark and gray. Raindrops fell on the window. Sam smiled. He loved to splash in puddles!
Question Type 1: How do you know Sam likes rain?
Answer: The passage says "Sam smiled" and "He loved to splash in puddles!" These words show he likes rain.
Question Type 2: Which sentence shows it was raining?
Answer: "Raindrops fell on the window." This sentence proves it was raining.
Question Type 3: Find the words that tell what Sam put on his feet.
Answer: "red boots" - these words tell what Sam wore on his feet.
Question Type 4: What in the story tells you the weather was not sunny?
Answer: "The sky was dark and gray" tells us it was not sunny. Also, "Raindrops fell" shows bad weather.
✏️ Practice
Read each passage and answer the evidence question. Write down the exact words that prove your answer.
Passage 1:
The little bird sat on a branch. It had blue feathers and a yellow beak. The bird sang a pretty song. Then it flew away to find food.
Question: How do you know what the bird looked like? Write the evidence.
Passage 2:
Mom baked cookies in the oven. The kitchen smelled sweet. Lily could not wait to eat one. The cookies were round and had chocolate chips.
Question: Which words show that Lily wanted a cookie?
Passage 3:
The cat stretched and yawned. Its eyes closed slowly. It curled up on the soft pillow. Soon the cat was asleep.
Question: What in the passage tells you the cat was tired?
Passage 4:
Ben ran as fast as he could. His heart was beating fast. He looked behind him. The big dog was still chasing him!
Question: Find the words that show Ben was scared or worried.
Passage 5:
The park was full of children. Some kids played on the swings. Others slid down the slide. Everyone was laughing and having fun.
Question: How do you know the children were enjoying themselves?
Passage 6:
Emma put candles on the cake. She hung up balloons. Her friends would arrive soon. Today was a special day!
Question: What in the story tells you there will be a party?
Passage 7:
The snow covered everything. Trees looked white. Jake put on his warm coat, hat, and mittens before going outside.
Question: Which words show it was cold outside?
Passage 8:
Grandma hugged me tight. She gave me a big kiss on my cheek. "I missed you so much!" she said with a big smile.
Question: How do you know Grandma loves the child? Find the evidence.
✅ Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions to make sure you understand the different evidence question types.
1. When a question asks "How do you know...?" what should you do?
2. What is the difference between finding a whole sentence and finding specific words?
3. Why is it important to use the exact words from the passage as evidence?
4. Name two question types you learned today.
🚀 Next Steps
- Practice identifying question types when you read
- When answering, always write down the exact words from the passage
- Try to spot evidence questions in your other schoolwork
- Move on to the Timed Drill lesson to practice working faster