Nonfiction Passages That Double as Test Prep (and Actually Engage Students!)

 Student: What are we doing today?  Is it gonna be fun or boring?

Teacher:  It is my job to entertain you (eye roll).  Please sit down so we can get started.

Sound familiar?

Engaging Nonfiction Passages that Double as Test Prep Review

Finding nonfiction reading passages that engage students and reinforce comprehension skills can feel like striking gold—especially right now, during test prep season. If you're looking for materials that go beyond the typical worksheet and actually spark conversation, thinking, and collaboration, these three resources might just be perfect for you.

Each passage focuses on a specific nonfiction skill or text structure—problem & solution, main idea and details, and cause & effect—and all are designed to spark curiosity and discussion.

The Hindenburg: Nonfiction Reading Passage and Problem & Solution Game

Check it out.

This resource combines a high-interest topic—the infamous Hindenburg disaster—with a focus on the problem & solution text structure.

Why it works:

• Engaging content: The Hindenburg explosion is full of intrigue, making it ideal for reluctant readers or those who need a little extra motivation.

• Targeted skill practice: Students identify the problems and solutions with airships, making it perfect for practicing this text structure.

• Interactive format: The included game component gets students moving around the room and helps them review skills in a collaborative way.

Joan of Arc: Main Idea and Detail Review Game

Take a closer look.

This historical passage introduces students to the story of Joan of Arc—a figure many have heard of, but few truly know about. (She was my hero when I was a child growing up in France!) It’s ideal for combining reading comprehension with social studies content.

Highlights:

• Focuses on identifying the main idea and supporting details

• Encourages higher-order thinking with open-ended prompts

• Easy to use individually, as a partner read, or for group discussion

This one’s especially useful for reviewing key skills like summarizing and pulling out important details—a major win during test prep season!

Female Pirate Scavenger Hunt: Cause and Effect Scavenger Hunt

Explore it here.

If you want to introduce your students to an often-overlooked part of history, this is the passage for you. It focuses on a famous female pirate’s story - one most of us have never heard of - and uses a fun scavenger hunt format to get kids thinking critically about cause and effect.

Highlights:

• Perfect for rounding out students' knowledge of women in history

• Targets cause and effect relationships in nonfiction

• Includes a movement-based activity to make learning interactive

Students love the “hunt” aspect of this resource, and it’s a sneaky-good way to reinforce comprehension without the usual worksheets.

💡 Why These Passages Are Perfect for Test Prep

What makes these three resources so effective is that they review the exact comprehension skills students will see on standardized tests—but in a way that feels fresh and accessible.

Each one…

• Builds background knowledge with high-interest content

• Reinforces key reading standards (like main idea, cause & effect, and problem & solution)

• Can be used flexibly—individually, with partners, or in small group settings

Whether you’re spiraling skills before a big test, wrapping up a unit, or just looking for great nonfiction content, these passages check every box.

Ready to Make Test Prep More Engaging?

• Try one—or all three—of these reading resources in your classroom. You’ll boost confidence, reinforce essential skills, and make nonfiction feel like a true adventure.

Let me know which one your students love the most!