Cambridge Starters Reading Worksheets
24 printable reading comprehension worksheets · Starters (pre-A1)
Start here — 4 free samples
Free to try: open, print and play them — no account needed.
Starters reading comprehension worksheets
All 24, most used first.
About Starters reading comprehension worksheets
At Starters (Pre-A1) level, children are just beginning to read in English. Texts are single words, labels and very short sentences, always supported by a picture, and use the vocabulary of the Cambridge Starters word list: animals, colors, numbers, family, toys and school objects.
Tasks mirror the kind of activities young learners meet in the Starters Reading and Writing paper: look at a picture and tick or cross a sentence, answer yes or no, match words to pictures and copy a word to complete a sentence. The aim is recognition and confidence rather than long comprehension.
Each worksheet comes with an answer key and teacher copy. Print it as a PDF or share a class link so children can complete it online without an account, and add a word bank or large print for learners who need extra support.
Teaching tips: Starters reading comprehension worksheets
- Read each sentence aloud together first, pointing to the words, before children answer on their own.
- Let children color or circle parts of the picture that match the sentence to show understanding without writing.
- Keep reading tasks to five or ten minutes and follow them with a movement game using the same words.
- Use the word bank option so early readers can match shapes of words rather than spell from memory.
Questions teachers ask
Can Starters children really read in English?
Yes, at word and short-sentence level. Starters reading relies on pictures and familiar vocabulary, so children can succeed while still learning to read in their first language.
Do these worksheets follow the Cambridge Starters word list?
They are written around the Starters vocabulary and grammar, such as be, have got, can and there is/are, so they fit well with YLE preparation.
How long should a Starters reading activity take?
Most take five to fifteen minutes, which suits young learners' attention span and leaves time for a follow-up game.