3rd Grade Reading

Affixes & Roots

100

What is the meaning of the word "thermal" in this sentence? All boys coming on the school camping trip need to bring a pair of long thermal underwear because it is going to be very cold this weekend. A) windy weather B) being over-sized C) uncomfortable D) related to heat

D) related to heat

200

Refer to:Dorothea Lange: Photographer In this article, what does the root word -graph in the word photograph mean? A) listen B) speak C) think D) write

D) write

300

Choose the base word that fits BEST with mis- to complete this sentence. Jan's puppy is adorable, but sometimes he mis-__________. A) behaves. B) fortune. C) prints. D) speaks.

A) behaves.

400

In the word telescope, tele means A) far away. B) close up. C) empty space. D) temperature.

A) far away.

500

The words aquarium, aquamarine, aquatic, and aquaplex all contain the root word aqua. Based on your knowledge of the meanings of these words, what does the root word aqua mean? A) heat B) light C) stars D) water

D) water

Context Clues

100

My dogs always _________when cars drive by our house. The ____________ scraped my knees when I climbed the tree. Choose the word that correctly completes BOTH sentences. A) bark B) chase C) glass D) train

A) bark

200

Refer to: The Golden Goose “But I have something to give you,” said the Goose. “I will give my feathers, one by one, and you can sell them for enough so that you and your daughters can live in comfort.” Which is the best meaning of the word comfort in this sentence from the passage? A) a state of ease B) a state of poverty C) a state of uneasiness D) a state of uncertainty

A) a state of ease

300

What is the meaning of the word credible in this sentence? His story was not credible at all; no one in our group believed him. A) believable B) fasinating C) funny D) scary

A) believable

500

Refer to the excerpt from: A Taste of Korea In paragraph 4, the word edible means A) safe to eat. B) good tasting. C) overly seasoned. D) thoroughly cooked.

A) safe to eat.

Main Idea

100

(1) I enjoy singing and my two best friends, Megan and Sara, do too. (2) We signed up for the school talent show and started to practice. (3) For two weeks we practiced every day after school. (4) By the middle of the second week our friends and family told us that our routine was wonderful. (5) On the day of show, we wore matching outfits and sang our song beautifully. (6) We had a wonderful time and want to do it again next year. Which of these is the BEST topic sentence for the composition? A) When I learned about our school's talent show, I could not wait to participate. B) I have always been interested in singing, dancing, and entertaining people. C) My school often has activities in which students can participate. D) Spending time with my two best friends is important to me.

A) When I learned about our school's talent show, I could not wait to participate.

200

Refer to: Amelia Earhart's Last Flight Which choice best gives the main idea of the passage? A) Amelia Earhart had an exciting career, which ended in a great mystery. B) Amelia Earhart was unable to make the same flights as male pilots had made. C) It is possible that the US Navy's investigation missed some important clues. D) There have never been any clues found to the secret of Earhart's disappearance.

A) Amelia Earhart had an exciting career, which ended in a great mystery.

300

Refer to: Amelia Earhart's Last Flight Why did Amelia want to fly around the world? A) to prove that women are talented pilots as well B) to show her ability to navigate great distances C) to break the record for shortest world-wide trip D) to accomplish a flight without communication tools

A) to prove that women are talented pilots as well

400

Refer to: Amelia Earhart's Last Flight What can be inferred about Amelia's career? A) It was short due to her fatal flight. B) It never really received much attention. C) It was successful with many devoted fans. D) It took time away from her friends and family.

C) It was successful with many devoted fans.

500

Refer to paragraph 1 of Amelia Earhart's Last Flight Which detail from the first paragraph helps to explain why Earhart became so famous? A) She was the queen of the air. B) She flew across the Atlantic Ocean with Charles Lindbergh. C) She was the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean. D) She was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean as a passenger.

C) She was the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean.

Parts of Literature

100

Which of these would be most likely to contain acts? A) Book B) Play C) Poem D) Stanza

B) Play

200

Refer to the excerpt from: Bird Thoughts Which BEST describes how this poem tells parts of a story? A) Each chapter shows the bravery of the baby bird. B) Each paragraph describes the acts of the baby bird. C) Each verse tells what the bird is thinking or doing. D) Each stanza tells what the bird is doing or thinking.

D) Each stanza tells what the bird is doing or thinking.

300

Refer to: Locker Headaches What is the best word for the author of this passage? A) a poet B) a novelist C) an essayist D) a playwright

D) a playwright

400

Which of these would be most likely to contain stanzas? A) Book B) Chapter C) Play D) Poem

D) Poem

500

Refer to: Bird Thoughts Which BEST describes how this poem tells parts of a story? A) Each chapter shows the bravery of the baby bird. B) Each paragraph describes the acts of the baby bird. C) Each verse tells what the bird is thinking or doing. D) Each stanza tells what the bird is doing or thinking.

D) Each stanza tells what the bird is doing or thinking.

Compare and Contrast

100

Refer to the excerpt from: The Bald Man and the Fly How is this story similar to other stories that Aesop told? A) This story rhymes and uses comedy to entertain. B) This story is quite long and filled with action. C) This story uses talking animals to teach a moral lesson. D) This story tells a tale of romantic love of doomed lovers.

C) This story uses talking animals to teach a moral lesson.

200

Refer to the excerpt from: Mrs. Nelson's 50th Anniversary This story mentions two visits to the International Peace Garden. Which BEST describes their similarities and differences? A) The first visit was Mr. and Mrs. Nelson's first meeting, and the second visit will be for them to celebrate their 50th Anniversary together. B) The first visit included Mr. and Mrs. Nelson. For the second visit, their daughter LeeAnne and her family will come along. C) The first visit included Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, but the second visit will be Mrs. Nelson alone. D) The first visit Mr. and Mrs. Nelson focused on the wildflowers and waterfalls. During the second visit they will focus on the chimes to remember their wedding.

C) The first visit included Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, but the second visit will be Mrs. Nelson alone.

300

Refer to the excerpt from: The Hare and the Tortoise Which statement BEST explains how the themes of these two stories relate? A) Neither of the stories are written to emphasize a moral lesson that you can learn. B) One story emphasizes being clever to win a contest: the other stresses being patient. C) Both of the stories have the same theme; you have to trick people to win a contest. D) Both of these stories have the same theme; being slow and steady will eventually win the race.

B) One story emphasizes being clever to win a contest: the other stresses being patient.

400

Refer to: Atlas’s Great Fate How is this story similar to other Greek myths and legends? A) This story is extremely funny. B) It involves a competition or race. C) It involves actions of the gods and superhumans. D) This story has monsters and mythical beasts in it.

C) It involves actions of the gods and superhumans.

500

What does it mean to compare and contrast two things?

If you compare two things you tell how they are alike. If you contrast two things you tell how they are different.