Reading Worksheet · Grades 4–6
Biography and Autobiography Worksheet
A printable reading worksheet for grades 4-6 on biography and autobiography: a biography is the story of a person’s life written by someone else, while an autobiography is written by the person themselves. Students classify eight examples, then answer four questions. A complete answer key is included.
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Subject
Reading
Grades
Grades 4–6
Skill Focus
Biography and Autobiography, reading comprehension
Lesson Length
15 minutes
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
A biography is the true story of a person’s life written by someone else, using words like he and she, while an autobiography is written by that same person and uses I and me. This worksheet helps students tell these two nonfiction genres apart by asking who is telling the story.
Section A gives eight examples (A book about Abraham Lincoln written by a historian; A book where the author tells the story of her own life) and asks students to label each a biography or an autobiography. The reference box teaches the idea with George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, subjects not reused in the items.
Section B asks students to define each genre, name the pronouns that signal an autobiography, and name what their own life story would be called. Page 3 is a complete answer key. The skill builds toward genre and point of view in nonfiction.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the reference box aloud and stress the test: someone else (biography) vs the person themselves (autobiography).
Complete Section A independently – have students look for who is telling the story and which pronouns are used.
Work Section B item 11 together: explain why I and me signal an autobiography.
Use the answer key on page 3 for self-check or teacher review.
Pair with the Genre Identification Worksheet or the Point of View Worksheet for a nonfiction mini-unit.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages · Answer Key
Biography and Autobiography Worksheet
A printable reading worksheet for grades 4-6 on biography and autobiography: a biography is the story of a person’s life written by someone else, while an autobiography is written by the person themselves. Students classify eight examples, then answer four questions. A complete answer key is included.
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