PSSA PREP

Text Based Questions

Main Idea and Point Of View

Word Relationships and Vocabulary

Text Features

Order of Events and Comparing

100

(1) Ian joined the chess club. (2) Riley raises her hand a lot during math class. (3) Jake joined the garden club. (4) Avery makes sure every new student feels included and welcome.

Which sentence describes a helpful and kind 3rd grade student?

A. Sentence 1

B. Sentence 2

C. Sentence 3

D. Sentence 4

Avery makes sure every new student feels included and welcome.

100

The science fair at Canfield Elementary School is an annual event that displays the students’ creative and scientific projects. Students from different grades participate by presenting experiments, models, and their research findings. Parents and teachers attend the fair to support and learn from the students' projects.

What is the main idea?

A. The science fair is an annual event.

B. Students from different grades participate.

C. Parents and teachers attend the fair.

D. The science fair displays the students’ creative and scientific projects.

100

(1) Peyton was thrilled about the camping trip with her friends.
(2) She packed her sleeping bag, a flashlight, and her favorite snacks. (3) On the first night of the camping trip, Peyton realized she forgot her hiking boots. (4) Despite the setback, Peyton enjoyed other outdoor activities with her friends.

What caused Peyton to feel disappointed?

A. Peyton was thrilled about the camping trip with her friends.

B. On the first night of the camping trip, Peyton realized she forgot her hiking boots.

C. She packed her sleeping bag, a flashlight, and her favorite snacks.

D. Despite the setback, Peyton enjoyed other outdoor activities with her friends.

B. On the first night of the camping trip, Peyton realized she forgot her hiking boots.

100

What text feature is being displayed?

Table of contents

100

Madison is getting ready for bed. The first thing she will do is brush her teeth. Then, she changes into her pajamas. After that, she reads a bedtime story with her mom. Finally, she turns off the light and falls asleep.

Which is the correct order?

A. Change into pajamas, Brush her teeth, Read a bedtime story, Turn off the light and go to sleep.

B. Read a bedtime story, Change into pajamas, Turn off the light and go to sleep, Brush teeth.

C. Brush her teeth, Change into pajamas, Read a bedtime story, Turn off the light and falls asleep.

D. Turn off the light and go to sleep, Read a bedtime story, Change into pajamas, Brush her teeth.

C. Brush her teeth, Change into pajamas, Read a bedtime story, Turn off the light and falls asleep.

200

(1) The moon is Earth's natural satellite, orbiting around our planet in a predictable pattern. (2) With its cratered surface, the moon reflects sunlight and appears to go through different phases, such as crescent, full and others. (3) Astronomers study the moon to learn more about the Earth's nearest celestial companion. (4) Many cultures have myths and stories about the moon, considering it a symbol of beauty and mystery.

Which sentence provides information about the moon's phases?

A. Sentence 1

B. Sentence 2

C. Sentence 3

D. Sentence 4

Sentence 2

(2) With its cratered surface, the moon reflects sunlight and appears to go through different phases, such as crescent, full and others.

200

((1) Leo and his friends formed a band to participate in the school talent show. (2) Bella practiced singing every day, and Lauren learned how to play the guitar. (3) On the day of the talent show, the band performed a lively song that got the audience clapping and cheering. (4) After the performance, the band felt a sense of accomplishment and joy.

Which sentence BEST reveals the band members’ point of view?

A. Sentence 4

B. Sentence 3

C. Sentence 2

D. Sentence 1

A. Sentence 4

(4) After the performance, the band felt a sense of accomplishment and joy.

200

Riley and her friends decided to have a lemonade stand to raise money for a charity.

What does the phrase "raise money for a charity" mean?

A. Save money for personal use

B. Donate money to a cause

C. Spend money on drinks

D. Invest money in a business

B. Donate money to a cause

200

What text feature is the arrow pointing to?

Title

200

1) Zoey is fascinated by astronomy and spends her evenings stargazing with a telescope. (2) Ryan enjoys experimenting with different science projects in his home laboratory. (3) Amelia is passionate about history and loves reading about ancient civilizations. (4) Jack participates in coding competitions and spends time creating computer programs.

What do Zoey and Ryan have in common?

A. They both like stargazing.

B. They both like science.

C. They both like reading about history.

D. They have nothing in common.

B. They both like science.

300

(1) Amelia is passionate about reading and spends her free time exploring different books at the library. (2) Camden enjoys playing soccer with his friends. (3) Alexa noticed that her classmate was feeling sad, so she drew a colorful picture to cheer her up. (4) Levi is skilled at solving puzzles and often helps his classmates when they struggle with challenging problems.

Which two sentences best show the character traits of kindness?

A. Sentence 1

B. Sentence 2

C. Sentence 3

D. Sentence 4

C. Sentence 3

D. Sentence 4

(3) Alexa noticed that her classmate was feeling sad, so she drew a colorful picture to cheer her up.

(4) Levi is skilled at solving puzzles and often helps his classmates when they struggle with challenging problems.

300

(1) Every Friday, our class has a special show and tell hour. (2) Alice brought her pet hamster, Mr. Nibbler, and shared interesting facts about him. (3) Kevin displayed a handmade spaceship model that he worked on over the long weekend. (4) During show and tell, the students learn about each other's hobbies and interests. (5) The teacher encouraged everyone to ask questions and celebrate each other's unique items.

What is the main idea?

A. Every Friday, the class has a special show-and-tell session.

B. Alice brought her pet hamster, Nibbles, and shared interesting facts about him.

C. During show and tell, the students learn about each other's hobbies and interests.

D. Kevin displayed a handmade spaceship model that he worked on over the long weekend.

C. During show and tell, the students learn about each other's hobbies and interests.

300

(1) Skylar was determined to learn how to ride her bike. (2) First, she asked her older brother for help and guidance. (3) Next, Skylar practiced balancing on the bike with training wheels in a safe area.
(4) After gaining confidence, she gradually removed the training wheels. (5) Before long, Skylar was able to ride her bike independently around the neighborhood.

What is the fourth step in this procedure?

A. Skylar was determined to learn how to ride her bike.

B. Skylar practiced balancing on the bike with training wheels in a safe area.

C. Eventually, Skylar was able to ride her bike independently around the neighborhood.

D. First, she asked her older brother for help and guidance.

C. Eventually, Skylar was able to ride her bike independently around the neighborhood.

300

What text feature is being displayed here?

Glossary

300

When creating a piece of artwork, you start by gathering the necessary materials. Then, you sketch your ideas on paper, carefully add colors and details, and finally, you frame the finished artwork.

Put in the correct order:

A. Frame the finished artwork

B. Sketch ideas on paper

C. Carefully add colors and details

D. Gather the necessary materials

1. D. Gather the necessary materials

2. B. Sketch ideas on paper
3. C. Carefully add colors and details

4. A. Frame the finished artwork

400

(1) Jordan is a curious explorer who enjoys learning about different animals. (2) He spends weekends at the zoo, observing and asking questions about various creatures. (3) Last month, Jordan focused on learning about elephants, their habitats, and their behaviors. (4) Jordan loves sharing interesting animal facts with his classmates during show and tell.

Which sentence is a summary of the paragraph?

A. Sentence 1

B. Sentence 2

C. Sentence 3

D. Sentence 4

Sentence 1

(1) Jordan is a curious explorer who enjoys learning about different animals.

400

(1) The school choir practiced for weeks to prepare for the annual winter concert. (2) Students sang festive songs and learned harmonies to create a beautiful performance. (3) On the night of the concert, families gathered to enjoy the musical talents of the students. (4) The choir received a standing ovation for their outstanding performance. (5) Hard work really paid off for these students.

What sentence is the main idea?

A. Sentence 3

B. Sentence 5

C. Sentence 4

D. Sentence 1

B. Sentence 5

(5)Hard work really paid off for these students.

400

(1) Sofia found a mysterious key in her grandmother's attic. (2) First, she examined it closely, noting its unusual design. (3) Next, she asked her grandmother if she knew what the key unlocked. (4) With a smile, her grandmother shared a story about a hidden treasure chest.

What does “unusual" mean in this paragraph?

A. Small

B. Long

C. Uneven

D. Uncommon

400

What text feature is being displayed? How do you know?

An illustration because it is drawn by an artist.

400

The Mazda Miata is a 2-seat convertible that is fun to drive. The Fiat Spider is also a 2-seat convertible that is fun to drive. The Mustang convertible is available with a powerful engine and 4 seats. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class convertible seats 5 people and is very large.

What characteristic do the Mazda and the Fiat share?

The both have four seats.
They both have five seats.
They do not share any characteristics.
They both have only two seats.

D. They both have only two seats.

500

(1) Adam entered the classroom and saw a new student sitting alone at a desk. (2) Adam walked over, introduced himself, and invited the new student to join the group during recess. (3) The new student smiled gratefully and happily joined the others for games. (4) Adam was proud of making a new friend and helping someone feel included.

Which sentence reveals how Adam feels?

A. Sentence 1

B. Sentence 2

C. Sentence 3

D. Sentence 4

(4) Adam was proud of making a new friend and helping someone feel included.

500

(1) Our elementary school announced a new initiative to promote recycling and reduce waste. (2) Students were encouraged to use reusable water bottles and containers for lunch. (3) Classroom bins were provided for paper, plastic, and other recyclables. (4) Within a month, the school was pleased to see a significant decrease in the amount of waste produced.

What is the author’s point of view about the recycling initiative?

A. The school announced a new initiative.

B. Students were encouraged to use reusable water bottles and containers for lunch.

C. Classroom bins were provided for paper, plastic, and other recyclables.

D. Within a month, the school was pleased to see a significant decrease in the amount of waste produced.

500

Sebastian was determined to improve his basketball skills.

What does "determined" mean in this sentence?

A. Curious about something

B. Against something

C. Having a strong desire to achieve a goal

D. Unconcerned about a goal

C. Having a strong desire to achieve a goal

500

What text feature is being displayed?

Bullet points.

500

Ariana and Leo are classmates. Ariana loves exploring the outdoors and often goes on nature hikes, while Leo is fascinated by astronomy and enjoys stargazing with his telescope.

What do these two children have in common?

They both have a curiosity about their surroundings and a desire to learn more about the wonders of the natural world.