If you found this resource useful, please consider leaving a review. Reviews help other teachers discover new resources.

GCSE Reading Comprehension – The Mystery of D.B. Cooper

This high-interest GCSE reading comprehension explores the famous unsolved case of D.B. Cooper, the mysterious hijacker who parachuted from a plane in 1971 and was never seen again. Students will read about the dramatic events of the hijacking, the investigation that followed, and the theories that continue to surround the case today.

The engaging narrative text encourages students to develop key GCSE reading skills while exploring one of the most fascinating unsolved crimes in modern history.

What’s included:

A high-interest reading passage about the D.B. Cooper hijacking
Vocabulary questions to support understanding of key words
GCSE-style comprehension questions focusing on:
retrieval
inference
language analysis
evaluation
An extension writing task (news report)
A teacher answer sheet

Perfect for:

GCSE English Language reading practice
Key Stage 4 comprehension activities
Cover lessons or independent work
Developing inference and analytical reading skills
Engaging reluctant readers through real-life mysteries

This resource encourages discussion, critical thinking, and evidence-based reasoning while helping students practise essential GCSE reading comprehension skills.

Suitable for Year 9–11 students and adaptable for mixed-ability classes.