Worksheet Grade 2 English Language Arts

Theo Saves Water at Home: A Grade 2 Reading and Opinion Worksheet

A grade 2 worksheet with a short read-aloud about a boy saving water, then questions about key details, a saver-or-waster sort, and one opinion sentence.

Grade: Grade 2
Subject: English Language Arts
Material: Worksheet
Time: 20 min
Prep: No prep
Materials: None

Standards

RI.2.1 Common Core ELA

Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

How this material aligns: Items 1 through 3 ask students to answer what, when, and why questions about key details in the short passage about Theo saving water.

All materials for RI.2.1 →

W.2.1 Common Core ELA

Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section.

How this material aligns: Item 8 asks students to state an opinion about saving water and support it with a reason joined by the linking word because.

All materials for W.2.1 →

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This material is in the public domain (CC0) and may be copied, edited, and shared freely, without attribution. Updated 2026-07-17.

Objectives

Students will answer key-detail questions about a short passage.
Students will sort actions into water savers and water wasters.
Students will write one opinion sentence using the word because.

Vocabulary

Key words: save, waste, drip, tap

Teacher overview

This worksheet builds reading comprehension and early opinion writing on a conservation theme. The short passage about a boy named Theo is written for a grade 2 reader, and it can also be read aloud for students who are still building fluency. After the passage, students answer key-detail questions, sort three actions as savers or wasters, and write one opinion sentence with a reason. The saver-or-waster sort gives a quick check of whether students can apply the idea, not just recall the story.

Theo Saves Water at Home: A Grade 2 Reading and Opinion Worksheet — Grade 2 English Language Arts

Name: ____________________________ Date: ______________

Student Worksheet

Read the passage, or listen as your teacher reads it.

Theo wants to help save water at home. He does not like to waste it. In the morning, Theo turns off the tap while he brushes his teeth. He turns it back on to rinse. Theo takes a short shower. He sings one song, and then he is done. When Theo sees a drip, he tells his dad. His dad fixes the drip fast. Theo feels proud. He knows saving water is a good job.

What does Theo want to do at home?
When does Theo turn off the tap?
Why does Theo tell his dad about a drip?
Write S for saver or W for waster: Theo takes a short shower.
Write S for saver or W for waster: A tap runs while no one is there.
Write S for saver or W for waster: Someone fixes a drip fast.
Name one thing Theo does to save water.
Do you think saving water is a good job? Write your opinion. Use the word because.

From Water for Schools (waterforschools.org). This material is in the public domain (CC0) and may be copied, edited, and shared freely.

Answer Key

Answer: Theo wants to save water. The first line says he wants to help save water at home.
Answer: He turns off the tap while he brushes his teeth. The passage says he turns it off in the morning during brushing and only turns it on to rinse. Also accept "in the morning," since the passage gives both.
Answer: So his dad can fix it fast. Theo tells his dad when he sees a drip, and his dad fixes the drip right away, which stops the waste.
Answer: S. A short shower uses less water, so it is a saver.
Answer: W. Water running when no one is there goes down the drain unused, so it is a waster.
Answer: S. Fixing a drip fast stops water from being wasted, so it is a saver.
Answer: Any one of these: turns off the tap while brushing, takes a short shower, or tells his dad about a drip. All three appear in the passage.
Answer: Answers will vary. A full-credit answer states an opinion (yes, saving water is a good job) and gives one reason joined with because, such as "because clean water is a big help."

Differentiation

Support

Read the passage aloud twice and let students underline the sentence that answers each of items 1 through 3 before they write. For item 8, let them say their opinion out loud and then copy it with help.

Extension

Ask students to add a second reason to item 8 and to write one new saver action that Theo could try tomorrow, using a full sentence. Challenge them to use the word also.

ELL supports

Pre-teach save, waste, and drip with a quick sketch next to each word. Allow students to answer items 4 through 6 by writing S or W and pointing to a picture, and accept item 8 with one reason and a drawing while English sentences develop.