RL.3.1 & RI.3.1
RL.3.2
RL.3.3
RI.3.5
RL.3.4, L.3.4a, L.3.5a
100
The Lantern in the Attic
Maya loved visiting her grandfather's old house because there were always new things to discover. One rainy Saturday, she was exploring the attic when she noticed a small wooden box underneath a dusty blanket. She opened the box and found an old lantern inside. The lantern had a brass handle and a glass window covered with dust.
Maya carried the lantern downstairs and showed it to Grandpa. He smiled when he saw it. “I used that lantern when I was about your age,” he said. “There was no electricity in the attic back then, so I needed it whenever I went upstairs.”
Maya carefully cleaned the glass with a soft cloth. Then Grandpa placed a small battery inside the lantern. When Maya switched it on, a warm light filled the room. She imagined Grandpa carrying the lantern through the dark attic many years ago.
Maya wanted to keep the lantern, but Grandpa told her that some objects become more special when their stories are shared. Maya agreed and asked Grandpa to tell her more about the lantern. They spent the rest of the afternoon looking through old photographs and listening to his stories.
Questions
Part A: What was Maya doing in the attic?
A. She was looking for an old photograph.
B. She was cleaning her grandfather's house.
C. She was exploring and looking for interesting things.
D. She was fixing an old lantern.
Part B: Which detail from the passage best supports your answer to Part A?
A. “The lantern had a brass handle and a glass window covered with dust.”
B. “Maya loved visiting her grandfather's old house because there were always new things to discover.”
C. “Maya carried the lantern downstairs and showed it to Grandpa.”
D. “They spent the rest of the afternoon looking through old photographs and listening to his stories.”
Part A: C. She was exploring and looking for interesting things.
Part B: B. “Maya loved visiting her grandfather's old house because there were always new things to discover.”
100
The Missing Model
Caleb had spent several afternoons building a model of the solar system for his science project. He painted each planet and carefully attached them to a large piece of cardboard. On the morning of the science fair, Caleb carried his project to school. When he opened his backpack, he froze. The model was not inside. Caleb remembered setting it by the front door, but now it was gone. He checked his classroom and asked his teacher if anyone had seen it. Caleb knew the science fair would begin soon, so he needed to figure out where his project was.
What is the main problem in the passage?
A. Caleb does not know how to build a science project.
B. Caleb cannot find the solar system model he made.
C. Caleb forgot to paint the planets for his project.
D. Caleb does not want to participate in the science fair.
B. Caleb cannot find the solar system model he made.
100
Passage 1: The Garden Sign
Maya noticed that the school garden had become messy after a windy weekend. Small branches covered the path, and several signs had fallen over. Her teacher asked the class to help clean it up. Maya wanted to join, but she had promised her grandmother that she would help prepare dinner after school.
Maya thought for a moment. She picked up the branches near the garden entrance and fixed two signs before leaving. “I can do the rest tomorrow,” she said. As she walked home, Maya felt glad that she had found a way to help without breaking her promise.
Which character trait best describes Maya?
A. Careless
B. Responsible
C. Impatient
D. Selfish
B. Responsible
100
What is the purpose of a diagram?
A. They organize the text into different sections.
B. They provide important vocabulary words for the text.
C.They provide the definitions of key words.
D. They display a labeled picture that gives you more information on what something looks like.
D. They display a labeled picture that gives you more information on what something looks like.
100
Look at the word obstacle in the passage below.
In the third week of Homework Club, Jason and Tammy reached a obstacle. Jason could not seem to grasp how to use the "less than" and "greater than" signs.Tammy tried everything. She told him to think of the < and > signs as alligator mouths. "See how it's gobbling up the four instead of the three?""I don't get it," Jason said.
What is the meaning of obstacle as used in the passage?
A. challenge
B. discovery
C. chance
D. agreement
A. challenge
200
How Beavers Change Their Homes
Beavers are animals that are well known for building dams. They live near ponds, streams, and rivers where they can find plenty of water and plants to eat. Beavers use branches, sticks, mud, and rocks to build their homes and dams.
Building a Dam
A beaver dam is a wall made from natural materials. Beavers place sticks and branches across a moving stream. Then they add mud and rocks to fill spaces between the branches. The dam slows the water and can create a deeper pond.
Creating a Safe Home
Beavers build lodges in or near the ponds they create. A lodge may have an underwater entrance that helps protect the beavers from some predators. The beavers can swim underwater to enter their home without being easily seen.
Helping Other Animals
A beaver's dam can change the area around it. When water collects behind the dam, plants that grow in wet places may begin to appear. Fish, frogs, insects, birds, and other animals may use the pond for food or shelter.
Beavers do more than build homes for themselves. Their building activities can create new places where many other living things can survive.
Part A:
How does a dam change the water?
A. It makes the stream disappear.
B. It causes the water to become warmer.
C. It moves the water into a different river.
D. It slows the water and can create a deeper pond.
Part B: Which detail from the passage best supports your answer to Part A?
A. “The dam slows the water and can create a deeper pond.”
B. “Beavers place sticks and branches across a moving stream.”
C. “A lodge may have an underwater entrance that helps protect the beavers from some predators.”
D. “Beavers build lodges in or near the ponds they create.”
Part A: D
Part A: A
200
Odysseus and the Sirens
Odysseus, a hero of ancient Greece, was sailing home after fighting in the Trojan War. He received a warning from the witch Circe, who said that on his journey, he would pass by the island of the Sirens. They were dangerous creatures who were half bird and half woman. Their magic songs drew sailors to the island, making their ships crash.
Odysseus followed advice that Circe had given him. He stuffed the sailors' ears with wax so they couldn't hear the Sirens' song. Then Odysseus had the crew tie him to the tall wooden mast of his ship so that he could hear the magic voices without following them.
As they sailed toward the island, Odysseus heard the most beautiful singing. "Odysseus, Odysseus," the Sirens sang, "stop the ship and come to us." He wanted to join the Sirens and listen to them forever. He begged his sailors to untie him, but they would not. They only tied him tighter. They could not hear the Sirens' song.
In time, the ship passed the island, and the sailors removed the wax from their ears and untied Odysseus. Odysseus was grateful to have avoided disaster.
What is the lesson of the passage?
A. Clever planning can help keep you safe from danger.
B. Sometimes beautiful music can be dangerous.
C. Don't always follow the advice of friends.
D. Your friends always know what's best for you.
A. Clever planning can help keep you safe from danger.
200
Passage 2: The Missing Map
Evan and Luis were building a treasure map for a classroom game. Luis carefully drew the map while Evan made the clues. Just before they were finished, Evan accidentally spilled water on the table. The water soaked part of Luis's map.
Luis stared at the wet paper. “You ruined it,” he said quietly.
Evan felt terrible. He could have blamed the crowded table or pretended he had not done it. Instead, he grabbed a clean sheet of paper. “I’m sorry. I’ll help you draw it again,” he said. Luis was still upset, but he handed Evan a pencil.
Part A: Which character trait best describes Evan?
A. Honest
B. Bossy
C. Forgetful
D. Careless
Part B: Which detail from the passage best supports your answer to Part A?
A. "Evan and Luis were building a treasure map for a classroom game. "
B. "Luis carefully drew the map while Evan made the clues. "
C. "Evan felt terrible."
D. “I’m sorry. I’ll help you draw it again,”
Part A: Honest
Part B: D. “I’m sorry. I’ll help you draw it again,”
200
What is the purpose of subheadings in the text?
A. They display a labeled picture showing parts of something.
B. They show what something looks like.
C. They organize the text into different sections.
D. They describe what can be viewed in the images.
C. They organize the text into different sections.
200
“You are one lucky cat to bring me all these fish,” the fisherman said.
When the boat was full, the fisherman returned home. But when his wife saw all the fish, she became distraught.
“That’s too many fish!” she said. “We can never sell them, and they will rot inside the house!”
What is the meaning of the word distraught?
A. worried
B. afraid
C. shocked
D. loud
D. not allow
300
The Mystery of the Empty Birdhouse
Landon and his sister, Sophie, liked watching birds from the porch of their grandmother's house. A few weeks earlier, they had built a small birdhouse and attached it to a tree near the garden. Every morning, they checked the birdhouse to see if any birds had moved in.
One Saturday, Landon noticed that the birdhouse door was open. He looked inside, but it was empty. Sophie thought the birds had moved somewhere else, but Landon noticed several pieces of grass scattered on the ground beneath the tree.
The children searched around the garden. Near a bush, Sophie found a few more pieces of grass and a small feather. They followed the trail until they reached the edge of the porch. There, they discovered a pile of nesting material tucked behind a flowerpot.
Landon carefully moved the flowerpot and discovered that a bird had started building a nest in the corner. The birdhouse was empty because the bird had chosen a different place to make its home. Landon and Sophie decided to leave the nest alone and watch from a distance.
Which detail from the passage explains why the birdhouse was empty?
A. "The children searched around the garden."
B. "They followed the trail until they reached the edge of the porch."
C. "Landon carefully moved the flowerpot and discovered that a bird had started building a nest in the corner."
D. "The birdhouse was empty because the bird had chosen a different place to make its home."
D. "The birdhouse was empty because the bird had chosen a different place to make its home."
300
Achilles and the River Styx
Once there was a great warrior named Achilles. When Achilles was a baby, his mother dipped him in the River Styx. The river's magical water could protect a person from any harm.
There was one problem, though. Achilles's mother held him by the heel when she dipped him in the river. His heel never got wet, and so his heel was not protected by the water's magic.
After Achilles grew up, a war began between the Greeks and a city called Troy. Achilles was the most powerful fighter of all the Greeks. Troy was a great city with strong, high walls, and the Greeks had trouble capturing it. But as long as Achilles was fighting for the Greeks, the people of Troy could not drive them away. The war went on for ten years. The fierce Achilles seemed impossible to beat.
Finally, the prince of Troy shot an arrow at Achilles. The arrow hit Achilles right in his heel, his one weak spot. Achilles was killed by the arrow, and the Greeks lost their great hero.
Part A: What is the central message of the passage?
A. Even the strongest people have weakpoints.
B. The life of a solder or fighters always ends sadly.
C. It's better to live and die than to live forever.
D. Everyone dies at some point.
Part B: Which detail from the passage best supports your answer to part a?
A. "After Achilles grew up, a war began between the Greeks and a city called Troy."
B. "But as long as Achilles was fighting for the Greeks, the people of Troy could not drive them away."
C. "The fierce Achilles seemed impossible to beat."
D. "The arrow hit Achilles right in his heel, his one weak spot."
Part A: A
Part B: D
300
Passage 3: The Last Seat
When Noah climbed onto the bus, he noticed that only one seat was empty. He hurried toward it, but then he saw Mrs. Reed standing near the front. She was holding several bags and trying to keep her balance as the bus moved.
Noah stopped. He really wanted the seat because he had spent the afternoon playing soccer and his legs were tired. Still, he walked back toward Mrs. Reed.
“You can have my seat,” Noah said.
Mrs. Reed smiled and thanked him. Noah held onto a pole for the rest of the ride. His legs were still tired, but he felt good about his choice.
What does Noah's action reveal about how he feels about helping others?
A. He thinks helping others is annoying.
B. He only helps when someone asks him to.
C. He understands that helping someone can be worth giving something up.
D. He believes adults are the only people you should help.
C. He understands that helping someone can be worth giving something up.
300
How Rainbows Form
Rainbows are colorful arcs that sometimes appear in the sky after rain. They form when sunlight passes through water droplets in the air. A rainbow may look simple, but several steps are needed to create its bright colors.
Sunlight and Water
Sunlight may look white, but it is actually made of many colors. When sunlight shines through raindrops, the light bends as it enters each drop.
The light then reflects inside the water droplet before bending again as it leaves. This process separates the light into different colors.
Colors of a Rainbow
A rainbow usually shows seven main colors. They are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
The colors appear in a certain order because each color of light bends differently. Red bends less than violet, while violet bends more.
Finding a Rainbow
Rainbows are easiest to see when the Sun is behind you and rain is falling in front of you. This is why rainbows often appear during or after a rain shower.
A rainbow is not an object that you can touch. It is an effect created by sunlight and water droplets working together.
Glossary
bend — to change direction
reflect — to bounce back from a surface
droplet — a very small amount of liquid
separate — to move things apart from one another
violet — a bluish-purple color
What is the meaning of the word reflect?
A. a bluish-purple color
B. to move things apart from one another
C. to bounce back from a surface
D. to change direction
C. to bounce back from a surface
300
The Big Race
Mason had practiced running every afternoon because he wanted to win the school race. When the race began, he ran as fast as he could. Near the finish line, his legs felt tired, but Mason pushed through and kept running until he crossed the line.
What does the phrase “pushed through” mean as it is used in the story?
A. Mason stopped because he was tired.
B. Mason continued even though something was difficult.
C. Mason pushed another runner out of the way.
D. Mason ran in a different direction.
B. Mason continued even though something was difficult.
400
Why Do Leaves Change Color?
Have you ever noticed that some trees have green leaves during summer but red, orange, or yellow leaves in the fall? This colorful change happens because trees respond to changes in the amount of sunlight and temperature.
Green Leaves
During the warmer months, leaves contain a green substance called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll helps plants use sunlight to make food. Because leaves contain a large amount of chlorophyll during the growing season, they appear green.
Shorter Days
As fall approaches, the days become shorter and the nights become longer. Trees receive less sunlight, so they begin to produce less chlorophyll. As the green color fades, other colors that were already inside the leaves become easier to see.
Bright Fall Colors
Yellow and orange colors can appear as the green chlorophyll disappears. Some trees also produce a red or purple substance in their leaves during the fall. The amount of each substance can affect the color that people see.
Weather can also affect fall colors. Cool temperatures and sunny days can help some trees produce brighter colors. Eventually, the leaves dry out and fall from the trees.
Which detail from the passage best shows where chlorophyll is found?
A. "Yellow and orange colors can appear as the green chlorophyll disappears."
B. "The amount of each substance can affect the color that people see."
C. "Eventually, the leaves dry out and fall from the trees."
D. "During the warmer months, leaves contain a green substance called chlorophyll."
D. "During the warmer months, leaves contain a green substance called chlorophyll."
400
The Story of Wountie
One day a man went to the river to fish. He saw many fish in the river and hoped to catch enough to last through the winter. He thanked the spirits of the fish for feeding his family and cast his net into the river. When he pulled out the net, it was filled with enough fish for the year. He packed the fish in baskets.
The man was about to leave but then decided to try again. He cast his net into the river and waited. When he took it out, it was again filled with fish. He could not believe his luck.
Why not try it one more time? he thought. He cast the net into the river a third time. This time, though, when he took out the net, it was not filled with fish. It was filled with sticks and was torn to pieces. The fish he had packed away into baskets on shore also had turned into sticks.
The man looked up and saw Wountie, the spirit that protects the river. Wountie said, "You have broken the trust of the river. The river provides fish for everyone."
The fisherman went home to his family without any fish.
Part A: What is the central message of the passage?
A. If you have no luck at first, keep trying.
B. Do not take more than you need.
C. If you respect nature, you will be rewarded.
D. Always take enough to feed your family.
Part B: Which quotation from the passage best supports your answer to Part A?
A. "The man was about to leave but then decided to try again."
B. "Why not try it one more time?"
C. "The fisherman went home to his family without any fish."
D. "He thanked the spirits of the fish for feeding his family and cast his net into the river."
Part A: B. Do not take more than you need.
Part B: C. "The fisherman went home to his family without any fish."
400
Passage 6: The Science Fair
Liam had spent several days building a model of a volcano for the science fair. On the morning of the fair, he noticed that one side of the volcano had cracked. Liam felt worried because the judges would arrive soon. His friend Carter offered to help, but Liam shook his head. He carefully added more clay to the cracked area and smoothed it with his fingers. The volcano was not perfect, but Liam decided it was better to fix the problem himself than panic.
Part A:
How did Liam most likely feel when he first noticed the crack?
A. Worried
B. Excited
C. Amused
D. Relaxed
Part B: Which quotation from the passage supports your answer to Part A?
A. "Liam had spent several days building a model of a volcano for the science fair."
B. "On the morning of the fair, he noticed that one side of the volcano had cracked."
C. "Liam felt worried because the judges would arrive soon."
D. "The volcano was not perfect, but Liam decided it was better to fix the problem himself than panic."
Part A: A
Part B: C
400
Amazing Animal Architects
Some animals are expert builders. They use things they find in nature to make homes, shelters, and places to raise their young. These animal builders have special skills that help them survive.
Beaver Homes
Beavers are excellent builders. They use branches, sticks, and mud to build dams across streams. A dam slows the water and creates a pond.
Beavers build homes called lodges in the pond. The lodge gives beavers a safe place to rest and hide from predators. An underwater entrance allows them to enter their home safely.
Bird Nests
Birds build nests in many different places. Some birds use twigs and grass to make nests in trees. Other birds build nests on cliffs, in holes, or even on the ground.
A nest gives birds a safe place to lay their eggs. After the eggs hatch, the nest also gives young birds a place to stay while they grow.
Ant Tunnels
Ants may be tiny, but they can build large underground homes. They dig tunnels and rooms beneath the ground. These spaces can be used to store food, raise young ants, and protect the colony.
Some ant colonies have many connected tunnels. Working together helps ants build and care for their homes.
Glossary
dam — a structure built to slow or stop flowing water
lodge — a beaver's home, often built in or near water
predator — an animal that hunts other animals for food
colony — a group of animals that live and work together
tunnel — a passage that goes through or under the ground
Under which subheading would the reader find more information about ants building their homes?
A. Ant Tunnels
B. Bird Nests
C. Beaver Homes
D. Amazing Animal Architects
A. Ant Tunnels
400
Look at the word injured in the passage below.
Lamar hung up the satellite phone, the rangers' only link to the hikers on Mount Danger."There's a hiker stuck on the mountain," he told Judy, the other ranger on duty. "She broke her leg and can't walk by herself. She needs our help to get down."Carrying their first aid kits, the rangers started up Mount Danger. They didn't want the injured girl to spend the night out there alone.
Which phrase from the passage best helps the reader understand the meaning of the word injured?
A. "They didn't want..."
B. "spend the night..."
C. "first aid kits..."
D. "out there alone..."
C. "first aid kits..."
500
The Amazing Life of a Sea Turtle
Sea turtles are reptiles that spend most of their lives in the ocean. They can travel long distances through the water to find food and safe places to rest. Although sea turtles live in the ocean, they must come to the surface to breathe air.
A Long Journey
Many sea turtles begin their lives on sandy beaches. A mother sea turtle crawls onto the beach and digs a hole in the sand. She lays her eggs in the hole and covers them before returning to the ocean. After the eggs hatch, the young turtles make their way toward the water.
Life in the Ocean
Once they reach the ocean, young sea turtles begin searching for food. Different types of sea turtles eat different things. Some eat sea grasses and plants, while others eat small sea animals. Sea turtles may travel hundreds or even thousands of miles during their lives.
Returning Home
Some female sea turtles return to the same area where they were born to lay their own eggs. Scientists are still learning how turtles find their way back to these places. Researchers believe that sea turtles use clues from Earth's magnetic field, the ocean, and other parts of their environment.
Sea turtles face many challenges as they grow. Protecting beaches and keeping oceans clean can help give these amazing animals a better chance to survive.
Which detail from the passage explain a way people can help sea turtles?
A. "Some female sea turtles return to the same area where they were born to lay their own eggs."
B. "Scientists are still learning how turtles find their way back to these places."
C. "Sea turtles face many challenges as they grow."
D. "Protecting beaches and keeping oceans clean can help give these amazing animals a better chance to survive."
D. "Protecting beaches and keeping oceans clean can help give these amazing animals a better chance to survive."
500
A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
Once upon a time, there was a very hungry wolf. He liked nothing more than to feast on a nice, tasty sheep. But the wolf could never get to the sheep because the shepherd was always watching the flock.
One day the wolf saw a sheepskin lying near the field where the shepherd kept the sheep. This gave him an idea. He put on the sheepskin and walked into the field. The shepherd did not notice the wolf dressed up like a sheep. The wolf was able to lead a lamb away from the flock and eat it for dinner.
The next day the wolf went back for another meal. He put on the sheepskin and joined the flock. But the wolf was not the only one hungry this time. The shepherd was planning his dinner and needed a sheep for a stew. So he picked up his knife and went into the flock. The first sheep he came across was really the wolf, who ended up in the shepherd's pot that night.
Part A: What is the central message of the passage?
A. Being clever will get you what you want.
B. Tricking others will only hurt you in the end.
C. If you lie, people will stop trusting you.
D. You should always look out for yourself.
Part B: Which detail from the passage best supports your answer to Part A?
A. "Once upon a time, there was a very hungry wolf."
B. "The first sheep he came across was really the wolf, who ended up in the shepherd's pot that night."
C. "But the wolf could never get to the sheep because the shepherd was always watching the flock."
D. "The wolf was able to lead a lamb away from the flock and eat it for dinner."
Part A: B. Tricking others will only hurt you in the end.
Part B: B. "The first sheep he came across was really the wolf, who ended up in the shepherd's pot that night."
500
Ella and Marcus were members of the school garden club. One afternoon, they noticed that several young plants were drooping. Marcus wanted to go inside because the weather was getting warmer. Ella stayed behind and carried a watering can to the plants. Marcus watched her for a moment before returning to help. Together, they watered the plants until the leaves began to stand up again.
Which character trait best describes Ella?
A. Responsible
B. Impatient
C. Careless
D. Silly
A. Responsible
500
The Amazing Honeybee
Honeybees are small insects that play an important role in nature. They live together in groups called colonies. Each bee has a job that helps the colony survive.
Life in the Hive
Honeybees live in a home called a hive. Inside the hive are many small spaces where bees store food and raise young bees.
Bees work together to keep the hive healthy. Some bees care for the young, while others clean the hive or protect it from danger.
Finding Food
Honeybees travel from flower to flower to collect nectar and pollen. Nectar is a sweet liquid found inside flowers. Bees use nectar to make honey.
As bees visit flowers, pollen sticks to their bodies. When they visit another flower, some of the pollen rubs off. This helps plants make seeds and grow new plants.
Making Honey
Bees bring nectar back to the hive. Other bees change the nectar into honey and store it in the hive. Honey gives the colony energy when flowers are not easy to find.
Honeybees must work together to collect food and care for their home. Even though each bee is tiny, the whole colony can accomplish amazing things.
Under which subheading would the reader find information about honeybees diet?
A. The Amazing Honeybee
B. Life in the Hive
C. Finding Food
D. Making Honey
C. Finding Food
500
Look at the word consult in the passage below.
Detective Jenny Park read the pig thief's letter for the hundredth time. The sloppy note looked familiar, but she could not quite put her finger on why.Park was a talented detective, and she was not afraid to ask for help. She would consult Helen Winters, the police department's handwriting expert. Together, they would track down the thief and bring the prize pig home.
Which phrase from the passage best helps the reader understand the meaning of the word consult?
A. "ask for help..."
B. "the police department's..."
C. "handwriting expert..."
D. "track down the thief..."
A. "ask for help..."