A free interactive reading comprehension for Year 5 KS2 pupils about medieval knights and castles. Read the passage, then work through comprehension questions, vocabulary matching, grammar activities and a creative writing task.
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Read the passage carefully. You may look back at it at any time.
1In medieval times, castles were among the most impressive buildings in the land. They were built to protect lords and their families from enemy attacks, and they quickly became symbols of power and wealth. The earliest castles were simple wooden structures built on top of raised mounds of earth called mottes. Over time, builders switched to stone, which was far stronger and much harder to burn down. A fully built stone castle could have thick walls several metres wide, a deep water-filled ditch called a moat, and a heavy wooden drawbridge that could be raised to stop enemies getting in.
2Life inside a castle was busy and full of activity. The great hall was the centre of castle life, where meals were eaten, announcements were made and guests were welcomed. The lord of the castle sat at the top table with his family, while servants and soldiers ate lower down. Food was cooked in a separate kitchen to reduce the risk of fire spreading through the building. In winter, enormous fireplaces kept the hall warm, though the upper floors and towers could still be bitterly cold.
3Knights were the skilled warriors of the medieval world. To become a knight, a boy had to begin training at a very young age. Around the age of seven, he would leave his family to serve a lord as a page, learning good manners, riding and basic sword skills. At about fourteen, he became a squire and served a knight directly, caring for his horse and armour. If he proved himself brave and capable, he would eventually be knighted in a special ceremony and could call himself Sir.
4A knight's armour was a remarkable piece of craftsmanship. Early knights wore chain mail, which was made from thousands of tiny metal rings linked together. Later, solid metal plates were added to protect the chest, arms and legs. A full suit of plate armour could weigh around 25 kilograms, yet a well-trained knight could still run, jump and climb in it. The helmet had a hinged section called a visor that could be lifted to reveal the face. Each knight also carried a shield decorated with a unique pattern called a coat of arms, which helped others to identify him in battle.
5When enemies wanted to capture a castle, they used a method called a siege. Instead of charging at the thick walls directly, attackers would surround the castle and cut off its food and water supplies, hoping those inside would eventually surrender. Siege weapons such as the trebuchet, a giant catapult-like machine, were used to hurl large stones at the walls. Defenders fought back by pouring boiling water or dropping heavy rocks from the battlements. Sieges could last for months, and life inside a besieged castle became desperate as supplies ran out.
Statement A: A full suit of plate armour weighed around 25 kilograms.
Statement B: The kitchen was built inside the great hall to keep the food warm.
Match each word from the passage to its correct meaning. Click a word, then click its definition.