Moses & Exodus of Egypt

This reading activity resource explores the seminal story of the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt in the 13th century BCE, under the leadership of Moses.

This defining event laid the foundations for the development of Judaism and the Jewish people’s national identity. After enduring oppression and harsh labor under an unbending Pharaoh, God unleashed ten devastating plagues upon Egypt. When the final plague killed all firstborn sons, Pharaoh finally relented and expelled the Israelites. However, he soon regretted this decision and pursued them with his army. Through divine intervention, the Israelites crossed the parted Red Sea to escape, while the Egyptian forces drowned.

The Israelites then wandered the wilderness for forty years, ceremonially receiving the Ten Commandments from God at Mount Sinai. This code of laws and ethics bounded their covenant as God’s chosen people destined for the Promised Land of Canaan after tribulations tested their faith.

The Exodus story is told in the Hebrew Bible’s books of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, and is commemorated in the Jewish holiday of Passover.

A variety of engaging comprehension activities reinforce key details and higher-order thinking skills:

• 42-question multiple-choice quiz

• Summary cloze passage with word bank

• 17 written response questions, with a variety of engaging question types, for higher middle school learners

• 18 written response questions, with a variety of engaging question types, for upper elementary learners

• 42 Question True or False worksheet

• 2 versions of crossword

• Answer sheets for all activities

Jewish holidays like Passover’s Seder meal incorporating symbolic foods further connect the narrative to religious observances. Exploring this pivotal event develops cultural literacy about the ancestral origins and formative experiences that shaped Jewish identity, ethics, and traditions. Ideal for years 6-9 across ELA, social studies, and Jewish studies curricula.