The Strength You Don’t See

Lexile: 820 | Grade: 4

Passage

Not all strength looks the same. Some strength lifts heavy things or runs fast. But there is another kind of strength—the kind that doesn’t make a sound.

This strength is patient. It keeps going even when no one is watching. It shows up when you try again after falling down. It’s there when you ask for help, when you listen instead of shout, or when you choose kindness over winning an argument.

You may not always notice this kind of strength. It doesn’t get trophies or loud applause. But it’s real. And it grows each time you do something hard without giving up.

Imagine a tree growing roots underground. No one sees the roots, but they are what hold the tree steady in wind and storm. Your quiet strength is like those roots. It helps you stay strong on the inside, even when things are difficult on the outside.

So if you ever feel small or unsure, remember this: your strength doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. The most important kind often grows where no one is looking.

Questions

Q1: What is the main idea of the passage?

  • A. Strength only matters when others see it.
  • B. Quiet strength is real and powerful, even if it’s invisible.
  • C. Running fast is better than listening carefully.
  • D. Trees are the strongest living things.

Q2: What does the author compare quiet strength to?

  • A. A shiny trophy
  • B. A tree’s hidden roots
  • C. A loud cheer at a game
  • D. A winning race

Q3: Which of these is an example of quiet strength?

  • A. Yelling to get your way
  • B. Giving up when things are hard
  • C. Trying again after failing
  • D. Running faster than everyone else

Q4: Why does the author mention that this kind of strength 'doesn’t make a sound'?

  • A. To say it isn’t real
  • B. To show it is boring
  • C. To explain that it happens quietly and without attention
  • D. To say people shouldn’t talk about their strength

Q5: What does the passage encourage readers to believe about themselves?

  • A. That their strength only matters when others notice it
  • B. That patience and kindness are signs of weakness
  • C. That real strength can be quiet and still make a big difference
  • D. That winning arguments is more important than listening

Printable Comprehension Practice

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Answers & Reasoning

Q1: What is the main idea of the passage?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: The passage explains that strength doesn’t always look big or loud—it can be quiet, patient, and steady.

Q2: What does the author compare quiet strength to?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: The passage uses the metaphor of tree roots to show that quiet strength supports you from the inside.

Q3: Which of these is an example of quiet strength?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The text emphasizes that trying again—especially when it’s difficult—is a form of invisible strength.

Q4: Why does the author mention that this kind of strength 'doesn’t make a sound'?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The author wants readers to understand that quiet strength works without needing praise or attention.

Q5: What does the passage encourage readers to believe about themselves?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The message is that strength comes in many forms, and inner qualities like kindness and effort are powerful too.