Ben and the Missing Lunch

Lexile: 540 | Grade: 3

Passage

Ben was excited for lunch. He had packed his favorite—peanut butter and jelly with apple slices. He placed his lunchbox in his cubby before class started.

When the lunch bell rang, Ben rushed to his cubby. But his lunchbox was gone! He looked around, hoping it had just been moved. It was nowhere to be found.

Ben asked his classmates, 'Has anyone seen my lunchbox?' Some shrugged, others shook their heads.

Just then, Ben saw a trail of jelly on the floor. He followed it down the hall and around the corner. It led to a bench near the library. Sitting on the bench was Max, holding Ben’s lunchbox and looking sad.

'I’m sorry,' Max said. 'I forgot mine and I was really hungry. I shouldn’t have taken it.'

Ben thought for a moment. 'Next time, just tell me. We could’ve shared.' Max nodded, and the two boys walked back to class together, ready to be better friends.

Questions

Q1: Why was Ben excited for lunch?

  • A. He was going to eat in the library.
  • B. He was going to sit with Max.
  • C. He had packed his favorite food.
  • D. He was going to cook at school.

Q2: What clue helped Ben find his lunchbox?

  • A. A teacher told him where it was.
  • B. He heard someone eating.
  • C. He found a trail of jelly.
  • D. Max told him right away.

Q3: Why did Max take Ben’s lunch?

  • A. He didn’t like his own lunch.
  • B. He forgot to bring his lunch and was hungry.
  • C. He wanted to play a trick on Ben.
  • D. He didn’t know it belonged to Ben.

Q4: What lesson did Ben try to teach Max?

  • A. Always lock your lunchbox.
  • B. Never eat peanut butter at school.
  • C. It’s better to ask than to take without permission.
  • D. Don’t leave clues when you take something.

Q5: How do Ben and Max feel at the end of the story?

  • A. Angry and upset
  • B. Sad and quiet
  • C. Happy and more friendly
  • D. Nervous and scared

Printable Comprehension Practice

Visit us at https://readbuddies.com to practice interactively, track your progress, and explore more comprehension passages.

Answers & Reasoning

Q1: Why was Ben excited for lunch?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The passage says Ben was excited because he had packed his favorite lunch: peanut butter and jelly with apple slices.

Q2: What clue helped Ben find his lunchbox?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: Ben followed a trail of jelly on the floor, which led him to Max and the lunchbox.

Q3: Why did Max take Ben’s lunch?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: Max says he forgot his lunch and was very hungry, which is why he took Ben’s lunch.

Q4: What lesson did Ben try to teach Max?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: Ben told Max to ask next time and that they could’ve shared. He was teaching Max to be honest and ask for help.

Q5: How do Ben and Max feel at the end of the story?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: At the end, the boys walk back together and seem ready to be better friends, showing they feel happier.