4 - Reading Paired Passages, Daily Test Prep, Grade 3 (Reading Skills Workbook) - Compressed
4 - Reading Paired Passages, Daily Test Prep, Grade 3 (Reading Skills Workbook) - Compressed
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Introduction
This product contains two sets of paired literary texts and two sets of paired
informational texts. Each passage has one question or task focused on a specific
Common Core skill. This is followed by 3 or 4 questions about the passage. Each
set ends with several questions that require students to use information from
both texts or to compare the texts.
These worksheets give students ongoing practice with test questions without the
stress or demands of full-length passages and complete tests.
Set 1
Paired Literary Texts
Instructions
This set contains a pair of passages. Read each passage on its own first.
Complete the exercise under each passage. Then complete the questions
following each passage.
For each multiple-choice question, fill in the circle for the correct answer. For
other types of questions, follow the instructions given. Some of the questions
require a written answer. Write your answer on the lines provided.
After reading both passages, you will answer one or more additional questions.
You will use information from both passages to answer these questions. Write
your answers on the lines provided.
Niral’s mother asked her to go to the store to buy some bread and milk. She gave
her five dollars. When Niral got to the store, she found that the bread and milk
cost almost six dollars. She knew that she needed one more dollar. She didn’t
want to walk all the way home without the bread and milk. She looked so lost
that the shopkeeper asked her what was wrong. She explained her problem to
him.
“Don’t worry,” the shopkeeper said. “You can have both items for five dollars
today for being such a good customer!”
Niral walked home happily. She told her mother of her adventure.
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She looked so lost that the shopkeeper asked her what was wrong.
4 How does Niral most likely feel when the shopkeeper says she can have
both items for five dollars?
Ⓐ Greedy
Ⓑ Shocked
Ⓒ Puzzled
Ⓓ Thankful
Missing
Sarah helped James look for the missing drive. After a few minutes, Sarah held
up a USB drive and cried out that she'd found it. James was relieved at first, but
then disappointed when he saw that it was red. The one that James lost was
black. Sarah told James not to worry and that they would keep looking until they
found it. James was glad he had a friend to help him search. They finally found
the drive under the teacher’s desk. James tucked it carefully in his pocket and
thanked Sarah for her help.
You can tell a lot about characters by what they do. How do the actions of James
show that he is very keen to find the USB drive?
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Ⓐ upset
Ⓑ determined
Ⓒ calm
Ⓓ excited
7 What happens right after James tells Sarah that he has lost his USB drive?
Ⓐ They look for the drive.
Ⓑ They find a red drive.
Ⓒ James writes an essay.
Ⓓ Sarah tells James not to worry.
8 Which sentence best tells why it is important that James finds the drive?
Ⓐ James was wandering around the classroom looking very frazzled.
Ⓑ When Sarah asked him what was wrong, he told her that he had lost
his USB drive.
Ⓒ The essay on it was due tomorrow and he needed to take it home and
finish it off.
Ⓓ After a few minutes, Sarah held up a USB drive and cried out that
she'd found it.
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9 How are the shopkeeper in "Bread and Milk" and Sarah in "Missing"
similar? Explain your answer.
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10 Describe the problems that James and Niral have. Who do you think has
the most serious problem? Explain your answer.
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Set 2
Paired Informational Texts
Instructions
This set contains a pair of passages. Read each passage on its own first.
Complete the exercise under each passage. Then complete the questions
following each passage.
For each multiple-choice question, fill in the circle for the correct answer. For
other types of questions, follow the instructions given. Some of the questions
require a written answer. Write your answer on the lines provided.
After reading both passages, you will answer one or more additional questions.
You will use information from both passages to answer these questions. Write
your answers on the lines provided.
Jupiter
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet in the Solar System.
Jupiter is made up of gases. It does not have a hard crust like the Earth does. This
means that there is no solid place for a spaceship or rocket to land. This makes it
hard for scientists to study Jupiter. But scientists have found a way.
Scientists have sent unmanned spacecraft to study Jupiter. The Galileo spacecraft
was launched in 1989 and arrived at Jupiter in 1995. It was in orbit around Jupiter
for 8 years. While it was circling the planet, it collected data and took photos. It
gave scientists a new understanding of Jupiter and its 16 moons.
You will often be asked to describe how two things are different. This is known as
contrasting. Complete the table to summarize how Jupiter is different from Earth.
Number of Moons 1
1 Which word in the second paragraph helps the reader know what orbit
means?
Ⓐ unmanned
Ⓑ launched
Ⓒ circling
Ⓓ photos
Poor Pluto
Until 2006, Pluto was the ninth planet in our Solar System. It is still there, but it
was renamed. It is no longer known as a planet because Pluto was changed to a
dwarf planet. This change occurred because of its size. This means that while it is
not a star or moon, it is not big enough to be a planet.
Pluto is farther from the Sun than all of the other planets in the Solar System.
The makes the temperature on Pluto very low. A lot is still not known about Pluto
because it so far from Earth. However, more will be known when a space probe
named New Horizons flies by in July of 2015. It's been a long wait for that
information. The space probe left Earth in January, 2006.
Pluto is about 5
times smaller
than Earth and is
even smaller
than Earth's
Moon.
Describe two ways that Pluto is different from the planets of the Solar System.
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2. ______________________________________________________________
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9 Scientists still do not know everything about Jupiter, and know even less
about Pluto. Explain why it is difficult to learn about Jupiter and Pluto. Use
information from both passages to support your answer.
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Set 3
Paired Literary Texts
Instructions
This set contains a pair of passages. Read each passage on its own first.
Complete the exercise under each passage. Then complete the questions
following each passage.
For each multiple-choice question, fill in the circle for the correct answer. For
other types of questions, follow the instructions given. Some of the questions
require a written answer. Write your answer on the lines provided.
After reading both passages, you will answer one or more additional questions.
You will use information from both passages to answer these questions. Write
your answers on the lines provided.
The sun has set. All of the birds are going to sleep. There is no longer the sound
of chirping or singing. Leaves float around and blow down the city streets. The
trees begin to sway in the wind.
In this story, the author gives many details that describe the sounds of the night.
Think of a different scene you could describe using sound. It might be a busy
street, a quiet classroom, or a noisy parade. Describe that scene. Use details that
will help the reader imagine the sounds.
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Ⓐ Creak
Ⓑ Bend
Ⓒ Break
Ⓓ Rest
Stormy Night
There were gray clouds moving slowly over the farm. The sky was getting dark
and the wind was starting to howl. The trees were bending and creaking. The
windows of the house were rattling in the wind. Some of the animals were
scared, but not the cow. The cow was safe and warm in the barn.
The chickens and some sheep were also in the barn. Farmer Paul just finished
getting the other animals to a safe place when it began to rain. The storm had
begun. Now that the animals were safe, Farmer John raced through the rain back
to his house. He was just inside the front door when the first streak of lightning
split the sky in two. He took off his coat, got out the candles, and settled in for a
long night.
In the passage, the author wants the reader to be able to imagine the storm. The
author gives details describing what the storm looked and sounded like.
Complete the table below by listing the details the author gives.
6 How would the animals outside most likely feel during the storm?
Ⓐ Calm
Ⓑ Afraid
Ⓒ Excited
Ⓓ Safe
8 The author describes how the "first streak of lightning split the sky in two."
What is the main purpose of this image?
Ⓐ To warn of the damage that lightning can do
Ⓑ To suggest that Farmer John is separated from his animals
Ⓒ To emphasize how powerful the lightning is
Ⓓ To show that Farmer John will not need the candles
9 How does Farmer Paul show kindness in the passage? Use information
from the passage to support your answer.
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10 Compare the settings of the two passages. Describe one way they are
similar and one way they are different.
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Set 4
Paired Informational Texts
Instructions
This set contains a pair of passages. Read each passage on its own first.
Complete the exercise under each passage. Then complete the questions
following each passage.
For each multiple-choice question, fill in the circle for the correct answer. For
other types of questions, follow the instructions given. Some of the questions
require a written answer. Write your answer on the lines provided.
After reading both passages, you will answer one or more additional questions.
You will use information from both passages to answer these questions. Write
your answers on the lines provided.
Recycling is Important
They are broken down and then used to make new things. This is good because
the new things take much less energy to make. It also decreases the amount of
waste. It’s better for old items to be used to make new things than to be stored
in huge rubbish dumps!
If you want to help, make sure your household recycles as much as possible.
Know all the types of things that can be recycled and be sure to sort the recycled
items if you need to. You might have one bin for paper, one for plastic, and one
for glass bottles. You could even recycle old food scraps by using them to make
compost. You'll have less waste and a healthy garden. That's the thing about
recycling – it often helps you and the environment at the same time.
The author states that recycling is important. The author then gives reasons that
recycling is important. These reasons support the idea that recycling is
important. Complete the chart below by listing two more supporting details.
Recycling is
important.
Plastic bottles
3 Which sentence from the passage best summarizes the main message?
Ⓐ Recycling helps keep our planet healthy.
Ⓑ They are broken down and then used to make new things.
Ⓒ This is good because the new things take much less energy to make.
Ⓓ It also decreases the amount of waste.
Saving Water
Water is very important for people. The human body is made up of 70 percent
water. People need to drink water every day to stay healthy. Water is also used to
help grow the plants that people eat. This means it is very important that we
keep our water clean and use it only when we need to.
Some people think there is nothing they can do, but that's not true. Every single
person should do what they can. It might not seem like a lot, but every positive
action adds up. If everyone did something, our water would be much cleaner and
there would be enough for everybody.
You can help keep water clean by not littering in public and always using a trash
bin. You can also make sure you never pour oil down the sink. It is also important
not to waste water. Here are four tips for water use:
• Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth
• Take shorter showers
• Only do full washing loads
• Water the garden in the early evening
The author thinks that it is important to save water. Do you agree that it is
important to save water? Explain why you do or do not agree.
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9 Describe how people can make simple changes to help the environment.
Use information from both passages in your answer.
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ANSWERS
Set 1: Paired Literary Texts
Bread and Milk/Missing
Core Skills Practice
Core skill: Summarize a text
Answer: The summary should include that Niral did not have enough money for the bread and milk,
and that the shopkeeper said she could have the items for five dollars.
Core Skills Practice
Core skill: Explain how information is conveyed through key details
Answer: The student should explain how James's actions show how keen he is. The answer may
refer to how he looks frazzled, to his actions as he looks for it, or how he will not give up.
Question Answer Common Core Reading Standard
1 A Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings)
and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
2 A Recount stories; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and
explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.
3 C Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings)
and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
4 D Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking
about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe
how each successive part builds on earlier sections.
5 A Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text,
distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.
6 C Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text,
referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
7 A Recount stories; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and
explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.
8 C Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings)
and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
9 See Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written
Below by the same author about the same or similar characters.
10 See Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written
Below by the same author about the same or similar characters.
Q9. Give a score of 0, 1, or 2 based on how well the answer meets the criteria listed.
• It should refer to how the shopkeeper and Sarah are both kind or both help someone.
Q10. Give a score of 0, 1, or 2 based on how well the answer meets the criteria listed.
• It should describe how Niral does not have enough money and how James has lost
something.
• It should give an opinion on which problem is the most serious and explain why.
Q9.
Give a score of 0, 1, or 2 based on how well the answer meets the criteria listed.
• It should explain why it is difficult to study Pluto and Jupiter. It should refer to how Pluto
and Jupiter are far away, and may refer to how spacecraft cannot land on Jupiter.
Q10.
Give a score of 0, 1, or 2 based on how well the answer meets the criteria listed.
• It should explain that patience is needed because it takes many years to reach the planets.
• It may refer to how it takes about 5 years for a spacecraft to reach Jupiter and about 10
years for a spacecraft to reach Pluto.
Q9.
Give a score of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 based on how well the answer meets the criteria listed.
• It should give examples of how Farmer Paul shows kindness.
• It should describe and analyze the actions of Farmer Paul.
• It should use relevant details from the passage.
• It should be well-organized, clear, and easy to understand.
Q10.
Give a score of 0, 1, or 2 based on how well the answer meets the criteria listed.
• It should describe one similarity and one difference between the two settings.
• The similarity could be that they are both set at night or both set in a place where animals
are found.
• The difference could be that one is set on a farm and one is set in a city.
Q11.
Give a score of 0, 1, or 2 based on how well the answer meets the criteria listed.
• The student should explain that the animals are given human qualities in "Stormy Night."
• The answer should refer to how the emotions or feelings of the farm animals are
described.
Q12.
Give a score of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 based on how well the answer meets the criteria listed.
• It should identify that humans are most important to the animals in "Stormy Night."
• The answer should refer to how the farmer has to take care of the animals, while the
animals in "Animals of the Night" do not need the humans.
• It should use relevant details from both passages.
• It should be well-organized, clear, and easy to understand.
Q1.
The student could list any of the following: tin cans, paper, food scraps.
Q9.
Give a score of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 based on how well the answer meets the criteria listed.
• It should describe what people can do to help the environment.
• It may refer to reducing trash, recycling items, keeping water clean, or reducing water use.
• It should use relevant details from both passages.
• It should be well-organized, clear, and easy to understand.