Knights vs. Samurai

This comparative reading worksheet is designed for students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 to strengthen analytical reading, compare-and-contrast, and historical understanding skills. Students read two short informational passages-one about medieval European knights and one about Japanese samurai-and complete a chart identifying similarities and differences in training, values, duties, and combat styles, building cross-cultural awareness and synthesis skills.

Learning Goals

• Comparing & Contrasting Texts (Grades 6-8)
  Students identify similarities and differences across two informational passages.
• World History Understanding
  Learners examine warrior traditions from medieval Europe and feudal Japan.
• Text Structure & Synthesis
  Students organize information and integrate ideas from multiple texts.
• Analytical Reading & Writing
  The chart supports clear, evidence-based comparison.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource
  Designed by educators to align with middle school ELA and social studies standards.
• Cross-Cultural Perspective
  Encourages appreciation of different historical societies and values.
• Visual Organization Tool
  The comparison chart supports clarity and retention.
• Flexible Classroom Use
  Ideal for world history units, nonfiction reading practice, discussion prep, or assessment.

This printable worksheet gives students meaningful practice with comparing and contrasting informational texts while deepening understanding of global history. By analyzing knights and samurai side by side, learners strengthen comprehension, critical thinking, and synthesis skills essential for reading across disciplines. Suitable for classroom instruction or homeschool use, this no-prep resource supports confident analysis of historical texts and cultural traditions.

This worksheet is part of our Grade 6 Reading Comprehension collection.