Text commentaries English 13/09/2026

Two Knocks

Readings with comprehension, reflection, and opinion questions on ready-to-print worksheets.

Level: Primary
Words: 105 words
Questions: 2 comp · 7 refl · 3 opin
Language: English

Worksheet preview

Exercise content

Two Knocks

Whenever Ella practised her drum, Finn knocked on the bedroom wall. She thought he was joining in, so she played louder.

Then a note slid under her door: 'I'm trying to read.'

Ella put down her sticks. She wrote 'Sorry' on the back and carried it to Finn's door. For the rest of the afternoon, she tapped a rhythm on a cushion with her fingers.

After tea, Finn appeared carrying an empty biscuit tin.

'I've finished my chapter. Can you show me that rhythm?'

Ella moved her drum between them. Before starting, she knocked twice on the tin. This time, Finn could see her smile.

Comprehension questions

What was Finn trying to do while Ella played her drum?
What did Finn bring with him after tea?

Reflection questions

How do the same knocks mean different things to Ella and Finn at the start? Explain both understandings using the story.
Why does the written note help Ella understand something the knocks did not? Compare the information in the two signals.
What shows that Ella's apology is more than a written word? Connect her message with what she does next.
How does practising on the cushion meet two different wishes in the story? Think about both children's activities.
What does Finn's visit suggest about whether he dislikes all drumming? Use his request to explain your answer.
Why might Ella place the drum between them when Finn arrives? Relate its position to what he has asked.
How could seeing Ella's smile help Finn understand the final knocks? Compare the last scene with the first one.

Opinion questions

Would you have sent Ella a note, as Finn does, or spoken to her at the door? Explain your choice.
Do you like Ella's idea of practising on a cushion while Finn reads? Give a reason based on what both children want.
Would you choose the drum or the biscuit tin for their shared practice? Explain what appeals to you about your choice.