Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System English Language Arts — Grade 3

Read the fable: 'Throughout the warm summer, Ant worked tirelessly collecting grain for winter. Meanwhile, Grasshopper sang and danced all day, laughing at Ant. When winter arrived with cold snow, Grasshopper had no food and begged Ant for help. Ant shared a small meal but reminded Grasshopper that work comes before play.' What is the central message or moral of this fable?

• AHard work and planning ahead are important for the future
• BSinging and dancing are more fun than gathering food
• CAnts do not like to share food with other insects
• DWinter is the best season to rest and play games

Read the folktale excerpt: 'Hare boasted constantly to all the forest animals about how fast he could run. He laughed at slow-moving Tortoise and challenged him to a race. Shortly after the race began, Hare was so far ahead that he decided to take a nap under a shady tree.' Which word best describes Hare's character trait in this passage?

• ABoastful
• BCaring
• CTimid
• DPatient

Read the story excerpt: 'A mighty Lion caught a tiny Mouse but decided to set him free after Mouse promised to help him one day. Later, Lion was caught in a hunter's heavy rope net. Mouse heard Lion's roars, ran over, and chewed through the ropes until Lion was free.' How does Mouse help Lion in the story?

• ABy chewing through the ropes of the hunter's net
• BBy bringing the hunter fresh food from the forest
• CBy calling other large animals to pull the net
• DBy hiding Lion under a pile of autumn leaves

Read the passage: 'Leo noticed a new classmate sitting alone at the cafeteria table without a lunchbox. Leo walked over, smiled, and shared half of his sandwich and an apple.' Why did Leo share his lunch with the new student?

• AHe wanted to be welcoming and make the new student feel included
• BHe did not like the taste of his sandwich and apple
• CThe teacher forced him to sit at that specific table
• DHe was trying to trade his lunch for a toy

Read the story introduction: 'Snow fell softly outside the small wooden cabin. Inside, a crackling fire warmed the living room as Grandma rocked gently in her chair, knitting a woolen scarf.' Where does this story take place?

• AInside a warm wooden cabin during a snowfall
• BOn a sunny ocean beach in the summer
• CAt a busy city train station in the afternoon
• DInside a large school gymnasium during gym class

Read the fable summary: 'A young shepherd boy repeatedly tricked the villagers by shouting that a wolf was attacking his sheep. When a real wolf finally appeared, the boy cried out for help, but no one believed him or came to help.' What lesson does this fable teach?

• AIf you lie often, people will not believe you when you tell the truth
• BWolves prefer to hunt in the middle of the night
• CShepherds should always carry heavy wooden sticks
• DVillagers should never help young shepherd boys

Read the paragraph: 'First, Mia planted a small sunflower seed in a pot of rich soil. Next, she placed the pot near a sunny window and watered it every day. Finally, after two weeks, a green sprout pushed through the soil.' What happened immediately after Mia placed the pot near the window?

• AShe watered the pot every day
• BShe planted a small sunflower seed
• CA green sprout pushed through the soil
• DShe bought a new clay pot from the garden store

Read the poem stanza: 'The yellow sun shines bright and high, Across the cloudless summer sky. The little birds begin to sing, To welcome in the warm green spring.' Which two words in the poem rhyme?

• Ahigh and sky
• Bbright and summer
• Cbirds and spring
• Dyellow and cloudless

Read the passage: 'At first, Noah's hands shook as he stood in front of the class to give his presentation. But as he spoke about his favorite dinosaur, his voice grew steady and a big smile spread across his face.' How did Noah's feelings change from the beginning to the end of his presentation?

• AFrom nervous to confident
• BFrom angry to sleepy
• CFrom excited to disappointed
• DFrom cheerful to lonely

Read the sentence: 'I packed my shiny blue backpack and walked to the bus stop with my brother.' From which point of view is this story being told?

• AFirst-person point of view (a character in the story)
• BThird-person point of view (an outside narrator)
• CSecond-person point of view (giving instructions to 'you')
• DNo point of view is used in this sentence

Read the fable excerpt: 'Crow found a piece of cheese and perched on a branch. Fox wanted the cheese, so he called out, "Oh beautiful Crow, your feathers are magnificent! Surely your singing voice is just as grand." Flattered, Crow opened her beak to sing, dropping the cheese right into Fox's waiting mouth.' How does Fox trick Crow?

• ABy flattering her appearance so she would open her beak to sing
• BBy climbing the tree and pulling the cheese from her beak
• CBy promising to trade a golden shiny coin for the cheese
• DBy scaring her with a loud roar so she would fly away

Read the West African folktale summary: 'Anansi the spider wanted all the wisdom in the world for himself. He gathered wisdom into a clay pot and tried to climb a tall palm tree to hide it. However, holding the pot in front made climbing impossible. His young son called out, "Father, tie the pot to your back!" Realizing his son had wisdom he lacked, Anansi scattered the wisdom for everyone.' What does Anansi learn at the end of the story?

• AWisdom cannot be kept by just one person
• BPalm trees are too slippery for spiders to climb
• CClay pots are the safest place to store secrets
• DChildren should never offer advice to adults

Read the story excerpt: 'Elena was building a tower out of wooden blocks for the class science fair. Just as she placed the final block, her sleeve snagged the corner and the tower crashed down. Elena took a deep breath, picked up the blocks, and drew a blueprint so her second build would be sturdier.' What trait does Elena show when her tower falls?

• APersistence
• BJealousy
• CCarelessness
• DDishonesty

Read the story: 'Marcus lost his favorite baseball mitt on the playground. Later that afternoon, he saw Jayden playing with a mitt that looked just like his. Instead of yelling, Marcus calmly said, "Hi Jayden, does that mitt have the initials M.R. written inside?" Jayden checked, saw the initials, and happily returned it.' What main lesson does this story teach?

• ASolving problems calmly and politely leads to positive outcomes
• BIt is best to keep items you find on the school playground
• CYou should never lend your personal belongings to classmates
• DInitial tags make baseball mitts look more attractive

Read the passage: 'Heavy rain poured down all morning, turning the dirt trail into thick mud. Because the trail was so slippery, Sam's hiking group decided to turn around and return to camp early.' What was the cause of the group returning to camp early?

• AThe heavy rain turned the trail into slippery mud
• BThe group ran out of food and water for the hike
• CThe sun was shining too brightly on the mountain peak
• DSam forgot his hiking boots at the camp

Read the passage: 'When Maya heard her name called for the lead role in the play, her eyes opened wide, she gasped, and she jumped up and down while hugging her friend.' How is Maya feeling in this moment?

• AThrilled and overjoyed
• BScared and terrified
• CBored and uninterested
• DGuilty and embarrassed

Read the sentence from a story: 'The lake in the morning sun shimmered like a freshly polished silver coin.' What does the simile 'shimmered like a freshly polished silver coin' help the reader picture?

• AThe water was bright, clear, and sparkling in the sunlight
• BThe lake was full of valuable silver coins at the bottom
• CThe water was very cold and covered in dark ice
• DThe lake was small and shaped exactly like a circle

Read Paragraph 1: 'I carefully opened the mysterious wooden box hidden in the attic.' Read Paragraph 2: 'Oliver carefully opened the mysterious wooden box hidden in the attic.' How is Paragraph 1 different from Paragraph 2?

• AParagraph 1 is told in first-person point of view, while Paragraph 2 is told in third-per…
• BParagraph 1 takes place in a basement, while Paragraph 2 takes place in an attic
• CParagraph 1 describes an old box, while Paragraph 2 describes a cardboard box
• DParagraph 1 is a poem, while Paragraph 2 is a news article

Read the story climax: 'The storm winds howled, blowing open the barn doors. Old Barnaby the pony neighed nervously. Maya ran out into the rain, grabbed Barnaby's lead rope, and guided him safely into the dry inner stall.' What was the main problem in this scene?

• AThe storm blew the barn doors open and frightened the pony
• BMaya could not find her raincoat in the house
• CThe pony broke out of the farm and ran into the forest
• DThe inner stall was flooded with deep muddy water

Read the folktale: 'Long ago, Sun and Moon lived together on Earth in a cozy house near Ocean. One day, Ocean visited with all his fish friends. As Ocean poured in, the water rose higher and higher until Sun and Moon had to climb onto the roof. Finally, they floated up into the sky, where they have lived ever since.' What natural question does this folktale answer?

• AWhy the sun and moon are located in the sky
• BWhy fish need salt water to swim
• CHow humans learned to build houses
• DWhy ocean waves crash on the shore

Read the passage: 'Whenever young Toby struggled with his math homework, his older sister Sarah sat beside him. She never gave him the answers, but she gently asked questions that helped him figure out the steps on his own.' What does this passage show about Sarah?

• AShe is patient and supportive toward her younger brother
• BShe gets frustrated easily when teaching math
• CShe prefers doing Toby's homework for him to save time
• DShe does not understand 3rd grade math concepts

Read the story: 'Sonia dreamed of playing a solo in the spring recorder concert. Every afternoon for a month, she practiced her scales in her room for thirty minutes, even when her friends invited her to play outside.' Which detail best supports the idea that Sonia was dedicated to achieving her goal?

• AShe practiced every afternoon for a month instead of playing outside
• BHer friends frequently invited her to play outside after school
• CThe spring recorder concert took place in the school auditorium
• DRecorder scales can be heard from outside her bedroom window

Read the passage: 'When Ben accidentally told Julia about the surprise birthday party planned for her, his sister groaned, "Ben, you just let the cat out of the bag!"' What does the idiom 'let the cat out of the bag' mean in this passage?

• ARevealed a secret by mistake
• BAllowed a pet cat to run outdoors
• CBought a heavy grocery bag
• DForgot where the birthday gift was hidden

Read the story ending: 'As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard showed a tied score: 2-2. Both soccer teams lined up at midfield, high-fived each other, and shouted, "Great game!"' How did the players view the game's outcome?

• AThey respected each other and felt proud of a hard-played game
• BThey were angry that neither team won the championship trophy
• CThey blamed the referee for making unfair calls
• DThey decided never to play soccer against each other again

Read the passage: 'Chapter 1 introduced Liam, who was terrified of dark caves. In Chapter 2, Liam's dog ran into a dark cave while chasing a ball. In Chapter 3, Liam took a deep breath, turned on his flashlight, and stepped inside to save his dog.' How does Chapter 2 build upon Chapter 1?

• AChapter 2 creates a situation where Liam must face his fear from Chapter 1
• BChapter 2 shows Liam successfully overcoming his fear of caves
• CChapter 2 introduces a brand-new character who replaces Liam
• DChapter 2 explains how caves are formed by underground streams

Read the story excerpt: 'At the start of summer camp, Clara refused to try kayaking because she thought she would tip over. By the end of the second week, she was paddling smoothly across the lake and leading her cabin team.' How has Clara changed?

• AShe overcame her fear and gained confidence in kayaking
• BShe decided she preferred swimming over kayaking
• CShe became afraid of water activities after falling in
• DShe quit summer camp early to go home

Read the story resolution: 'After searching under beds and behind couches, Ethan found his lost library book sitting right on his desk under his art folder. He slipped it into his backpack with a sigh of relief, ready to return it on time.' What is the resolution of the story?

• AEthan located the lost book and felt relieved he could return it on time
• BEthan had to pay a fine for a missing library book
• CEthan decided to stop checking out books from the school library
• DEthan lost his art folder on his way to school

Read the poem lines: 'Little spider on the wall, Tries to climb but takes a fall. Up he gets without a sound, Climbs right back off the ground.' What main message does the spider's action convey?

• AKeep trying even when you fail at first
• BSpiders should only stay on the floor
• CFalling down is dangerous for insects
• DWalls are too steep to climb

Read the story passage: 'Two birds, Wren and Crow, noticed a single shiny red berry on a high branch. Crow rushed forward, screeching loudly to scare Wren away, but his clumsy fluttering knocked the berry off the branch into the deep bushes below where neither bird could reach it. Wren sighed and remarked, "Greediness left us both hungry."' Which statement best expresses the underlying theme of this passage?

• ASelfishness can lead to losing what you wanted to gain
• BSmaller birds are always smarter than larger birds
• CRed berries are the sweetest fruit in the forest
• DShouting loudly is the best way to get food

Read the passage: 'When rain canceled field day, Alex threw his hands in the air and grumbled, "Our whole day is ruined!" But Chloe smiled, pulled out board games from the closet, and said, "Now we can have an indoor tournament!"' Which sentence best compares Alex's and Chloe's points of view?

• AAlex views the rain as a disaster, while Chloe sees it as an opportunity for fun indoor g…
• BBoth Alex and Chloe are upset that field day was canceled
• CAlex wants to play board games, but Chloe wants to play outside in the rain
• DChloe is angry at Alex for bringing board games to school

Read the passage: 'As night fell over the campsite, a chilly wind blew through the trees. Sam noticed his younger brother shivering by the tent. Sam unzipped his own warm fleece jacket and wrapped it around his brother's shoulders, staying close to the campfire himself.' How does the cold setting influence Sam's actions?

• AThe cold environment prompts Sam to show kindness by sharing his warm jacket with his shi…
• BThe cold weather makes Sam decide to pack up the tent and drive home immediately
• CThe wind causes Sam to become angry at his brother for forgetting a sweater
• DThe dark setting makes Sam afraid to leave the inside of the tent

Read the excerpt: 'In a traditional tale, Young Mouse ignored his mother's warning never to go near the sleeping cat's food bowl. Tempted by the smell of cheese, Mouse crept closer until the cat's tail twitched, forcing Mouse to sprint back to his hole empty-handed and terrified.' What character flaw creates Mouse's problem?

• ADisobedience and curiosity driven by temptation
• BGenerosity toward other forest mice
• CFear of leaving his mouse hole during daylight
• DHonesty in telling his mother his plans

Read the excerpt: 'During the spelling bee, Nora felt butterflies fluttering wildly in her stomach as she walked up to the microphone.' What does the metaphor 'butterflies fluttering wildly in her stomach' convey about Nora?

• AShe was experiencing intense nervousness and anxiety
• BShe had swallowed real insects earlier during lunch
• CShe felt energetic and wanted to dance on stage
• DShe was hungry and wanted to eat dinner right away

Read the passage: 'The old floorboards creaked beneath Maya's footsteps. Shadows stretched long across the hallway as the clock struck midnight with a heavy chiming sound.' How do the words 'creaked', 'shadows stretched', and 'heavy chiming' affect the mood of the passage?

• AThey create a spooky, suspenseful mood
• BThey create a cheerful, comical mood
• CThey create a peaceful, relaxed mood
• DThey create a bright, silly mood

Story 1: A turtle works slowly but steadily to win a race against a lazy rabbit. Story 2: An ant collects seeds all summer so he has plenty of food during winter, while a grasshopper starves. What theme do both Story 1 and Story 2 share?

• AConsistent effort and preparation lead to success
• BAnimals in stories should always live in peace together
• CSpeed is the most important quality for winning games
• DSummer is the best time of year to take long naps

Read the informational passage: 'Honeybees are essential helpers in nature. As they fly from flower to flower drinking nectar, powder called pollen sticks to their fuzzy bodies. When bees visit the next blossom, they spread pollen, helping flowers, fruit trees, and vegetables grow new seeds.' What is the main idea of this passage?

• AHoneybees play a crucial role in helping plants reproduce through pollination
• BHoneybees build large hives out of beeswax in hollow trees
• CNectar is the sweet liquid that all insects drink in summer
• DVegetables taste better when grown near fruit trees

Read the passage: 'Sea turtles migrate thousands of miles across the ocean. Females return to the exact same sandy beach where they hatched years earlier to lay their eggs. They dig a nest in the sand, lay up to 100 eggs, cover them carefully, and return to the sea.' Which detail supports the idea that mother sea turtles protect their eggs?

• AThey dig a nest in the sand and cover the eggs carefully
• BSea turtles swim thousands of miles across open ocean waters
• CBaby sea turtles hatch after several weeks in the sand
• DFemale sea turtles eat sea grass and jellyfish in the ocean

In a book about space, there is a photograph of Mars with a short sentence underneath that reads: 'Mars is often called the Red Planet because of iron dust on its surface.' What is the purpose of this text feature (a caption)?

• ATo explain what is shown in the photograph
• BTo list all chapter names in the front of the book
• CTo define difficult vocabulary words at the back of the book
• DTo show page numbers for index topics

If a student wants to find the meaning of the bold word 'habitat' in a science textbook, which text feature at the back of the book should they use?

• AGlossary
• BTitle Page
• CTable of Contents
• DHeading

Read the passage: 'When water droplets in clouds become too heavy to stay in the air, gravity pulls them down to Earth. As a result, rain or snow falls from the sky.' What causes rain or snow to fall?

• AWater droplets in clouds become too heavy for the air to hold
• BThe sun shines brightly on mountain tops
• CStrong winds blow clouds away into outer space
• DRivers flow into deep ocean basins

Read the passage excerpt: 'An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.' Why is the word ecosystem printed in bold text?

• ATo signal that it is an important vocabulary word being defined
• BTo show that the word is misspelled and needs correction
• CTo indicate that the word should be spoken in a whisper
• DTo show that the word was written by a student

Read the steps: 'First, scoop rich potting soil into a plastic cup. Next, drop two bean seeds into the center. Then, cover the seeds with a thin layer of dirt. Finally, water the soil lightly.' Which signal word tells what to do AFTER dropping seeds into the cup?

• AThen
• BFirst
• CBefore
• DYesterday

Read the passage: 'Beavers are skilled nature engineers. They use their sharp front teeth to cut down tree trunks and branches. Then, they pile wood and mud across streams to construct sturdy dams that create safe ponds for their lodges.' What is the author's main purpose for writing this text?

• ATo inform readers about how beavers build dams and lodges
• BTo persuade readers to adopt a pet beaver at home
• CTo entertain readers with a funny story about a talking beaver
• DTo teach readers how to chop down tall trees safely

An article about plants includes a diagram labeled: 'Root -> Stem -> Leaf -> Flower'. What information does this diagram show?

• AThe main parts of a plant structure
• BHow fast a plant grows each day in inches
• CThe different colors of garden flowers
• DHow to cook vegetables in a kitchen

Read the passage: 'Penguins are birds that cannot fly through the air. Instead, their webbed feet and paddle-like flippers make them fast, graceful swimmers underwater.' According to the passage, why are penguins great swimmers?

• AThey have webbed feet and paddle-like flippers
• BThey have long fluffy feathers that trap warm air
• CThey practice swimming in warm tropical lakes
• DThey use light wings to fly just above the waves

Read the passage: 'Monarch butterflies undertake an incredible journey every autumn. Millions of monarchs fly up to 3,000 miles from Canada and the northern United States to warm forests in Mexico. During spring, their offspring fly north to repeat the life cycle.' What is the main idea of this passage?

• AMonarch butterflies complete a remarkable long-distance migration each year
• BMonarch butterflies eat milkweed leaves during summer months
• CMexico is the only place in the world where butterflies can survive
• DMonarch wings are bright orange with black lines and white spots

Read the passage: 'Arctic foxes live in frozen tundra where temperatures drop below zero. To survive the bitter cold, they grow thick white fur coats during winter. This dense coat keeps their bodies warm and helps them blend into the white snow to hide from predators.' Based on the text, what are two benefits of the fox's winter coat?

• AIt keeps them warm and provides camouflage in the snow
• BIt helps them swim faster and catch ocean fish
• CIt makes them run faster across slippery ice
• DIt allows them to sleep without eating all winter long

Read the section headings in an article about oceans: - Section 1: Sunlit Surface Zone - Section 2: The Mysterious Twilight Zone - Section 3: The Deep Midnight Zone Which section should a student read to learn about ocean depths where NO sunlight reaches?

• ASection 3: The Deep Midnight Zone
• BSection 1: Sunlit Surface Zone
• CSection 2: The Mysterious Twilight Zone
• DAll three sections contain equal sunlight