South Dakota English Language Arts Assessment — Grade 3 Feed

Question

Read the fable below and answer the question. A hungry Fox saw a Crow sitting on a tree branch holding a piece of cheese in her beak. Wanting the cheese for himself, the Fox said, "Oh beautiful Crow, your feathers shine like jewels! Surely your singing voice is just as magnificent." Flattered by the praise, the Crow opened her beak to sing. The cheese fell to the ground, and the Fox quickly grabbed it and ran away. What is the central message or lesson of this fable?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the short story below and answer the question. On Maya's first day at her new school in Rapid City, she sat alone at the lunch table feeling nervous. Seeing Maya sit by herself, Mateo walked over with a big smile. "Hi, I'm Mateo! Do you want to join our table? We are talking about our favorite Black Hills hiking trails." Maya smiled warmly and joined them, feeling instantly welcomed. Which character trait best describes Mateo?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the paragraph below and answer the question. Leo left his wooden gate unlocked when he went inside for dinner. Strong prairie winds blew across the yard and pushed the gate wide open. Leo's puppy, Buster, trotted out of the yard to explore the neighborhood. Leo spent two hours searching until he found Buster resting near the park bench. Why did Buster get out of the yard?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the poem below and answer the question. The prairie wind begins to blow, Across the hills where sunflowers grow. It whispers secrets to the trees, And dances with the morning breeze. How many stanzas are in this poem?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the fable below and answer the question. Unhappy with his slow speed, the Hare teased the Tortoise. The Tortoise challenged the Hare to a race. The Hare sprinted ahead, grew confident, and decided to take a nap under a shady oak tree. Meanwhile, the slow Tortoise kept walking steadily without stopping. When the Hare woke up, the Tortoise was already crossing the finish line. What lesson does the Tortoise teach in this story?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the story below and answer the question. Sam was painting a poster of a bison for art class. He accidentally spilled blue paint across the canvas. Instead of giving up or throwing the poster away, Sam carefully wiped the wet paint and turned the blue smudge into a beautiful sky behind the bison. Which word best describes Sam's behavior?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the sentence from a story below. When asked to solve the simple math puzzle, Nina smiled and said, "That problem was a piece of cake!" What does Nina mean by saying the problem was "a piece of cake"?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the fable below and answer the question. All summer long, the Ant worked hard carrying corn seeds to her underground storehouse. The Grasshopper laughed and sang, telling the Ant to enjoy the warm sunshine instead of working. When freezing winter winds blew across the prairie, the Ant had plenty of food, while the hungry Grasshopper had none. What is the main lesson of this story?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the passage below and answer the question. Tall pine trees swayed in the cool evening air as shadows stretched across the granite cliffs. Nearby, a mountain creek trickled over smooth pebbles near the campsite in Custer State Park. Emma pulled her sleeping bag tighter as an owl hooted high in the branches. Where does this story take place?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the excerpt below and answer the question. I stepped carefully over the rocky path near the Missouri River. My heart pounded with excitement as I spotted a shiny fossil embedded in the grey stone. I called my brother over to look at my discovery. What point of view is used in this passage?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the folktale excerpt below and answer the question. Coyote was thirsty after running across the dusty plains. He stopped at the edge of the rushing river and asked the River Spirits for a drink. The spirits agreed, but only if Coyote promised not to splash the sleeping trout. Coyote drank greedily and splashed his paws in the water. Instantly, a big wave rose up and tossed Coyote onto the muddy bank. What event happened right after Coyote splashed his paws?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the story below and answer the question. Noah spent two weeks measuring cedar boards and carefully drilling holes in his workshop. He wanted to build a cozy birdhouse for the bluebirds that visited his back porch every spring. Even when he accidentally hit his thumb with a wooden mallet, Noah kept working until the birdhouse was mounted safely on the post. Why did Noah spend two weeks working in his workshop?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the story excerpt below. As Sophia walked onto the stage for the school play in Aberdeen, her hands trembled slightly and she had butterflies in her stomach. However, once she spoke her first line clearly, her confidence returned. What does the nonliteral phrase "butterflies in her stomach" mean?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the stanza from a poem below. The nighttime sky over Badlands park Is a velvet blanket painted dark, Where silver stars like diamonds shine, Above the whispering mountain pine. What comparison does the poet make in the line "Is a velvet blanket painted dark"?

Reading Literary Text

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Question

Read the story below and answer the question. Sisters Hannah and Chloe wanted to ride the red sled down the snowy hill in Sioux Falls. Hannah wanted to steer from the front, but Chloe insisted that she should sit in front because she was older. They began arguing while the cold wind blew. Finally, Hannah suggested, "Let's take turns! Chloe steers on the first run, and I steer on the second." Chloe agreed, and both sisters enjoyed a fun afternoon in the snow. How did Hannah resolve the conflict?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the fable below and answer the question. A great Lion spared a small Mouse who had accidentally woken him from his sleep. The Mouse squeaked, "Thank you, noble Lion! Someday I will repay your kindness." The Lion laughed, thinking such a tiny creature could never help him. Weeks later, the Lion was caught in a hunter's heavy rope net. Hearing the Lion's roars, the Mouse ran over and chewed through the thick ropes with her sharp teeth, setting the Lion free. How do the Mouse's actions change the Lion's belief?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the passage below and answer the question. Eli searched through his dark bedroom closet, pulling out winter boots, old board games, and a baseball glove. He shone his flashlight behind the coat rack and gasped when he saw metallic tripod legs sticking out from under a blanket. Eli grinned, pulled out his brass telescope, and ran straight to the backyard window to watch the stars. What can the reader infer about Eli from his actions?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the original 'why' story below and answer the question. Long ago, Prairie Dog had long, floppy ears that dragged on the ground. Whenever the animal council met to share rules for staying safe, Prairie Dog paid no attention, chattering and playing games instead. One day, Prairie Dog missed an important warning about incoming prairie fires because he was too busy boasting. To help Prairie Dog learn to listen carefully, the council trimmed his long ears short so that he would have to sit still and perk them up to hear. What lesson does this folktale teach?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the story below and answer the question. Clara stood at the top of the driveway holding her two-wheeled bicycle. Last summer, she fell off and scraped her knee, leaving her terrified of riding without training wheels. Her grandfather smiled encouragingly. "Balance comes from looking ahead, Clara, not looking down." Clara took a deep breath, placed her feet on the pedals, and pushed off. As the wind brushed her cheeks, her fear vanished and was replaced by pure excitement. How does Clara change from the beginning of the story to the end?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the story excerpt below. Ben knew all about the surprise birthday party planned for his teacher in Brookings. His classmate whispered, "Don't spill the beans before 2:00 PM!" Ben nodded and kept his lips sealed all morning. What does the nonliteral expression "spill the beans" mean in this context?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the paragraph below and answer the question. Jack looked under the sofa cushion, behind the microwave, and inside his backpack. He needed his library book about South Dakota wildlife before the yellow school bus arrived. Just as the horn honked outside, Jack spotted the blue cover sticking out from beneath his fleece blanket on the armchair. Which sentence from the story proves where Jack finally found his book?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the lines of poetry below. Golden leaves upon the trees, Spin and twirl in autumn's breeze. They leap and bow in graceful play, And dance the chilly afternoon away. What literary element is used when the poet describes leaves as 'leaping, bowing, and dancing'?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the passage below and answer the question. Ava stood beside her science fair poster showing how solar panels gather energy. When the judges walked toward her table, Ava's hands felt cold and her voice shook slightly. She remembered practicing her presentation three times with her mother, took a deep breath, and began speaking clearly. By the time the judges smiled and took notes, Ava felt proud and calm. How did Ava feel right before she began speaking to the judges?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the two passages below. Passage 1: I loved exploring the Badlands trails with my dog, Rusty. Every step we took revealed fascinating rock formations. Passage 2: David walked along the Badlands trails with his dog, Rusty. He marveled at the colorful layers of ancient rock. What is the main difference in point of view between Passage 1 and Passage 2?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the fable summary below. A shepherd boy repeatedly tricked nearby villagers by shouting "Wolf! Wolf!" when no wolf was near. The villagers ran up the hill to help, only to find the boy laughing at them. Later, a real wolf emerged from the forest and attacked the flock. The boy cried for help desperately, but the villagers thought he was tricking them again and stayed away. What moral lesson does this story communicate?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the story below and answer the question. After a summer thunderstorm in Pierre, heavy winds littered the community park with fallen branches and plastic trash. Ten-year-old Ben grabbed work gloves and trash bags. He invited his neighbors to help, and together they spent Saturday morning cleaning the playground. By noon, children were safely playing on the swings once again. What theme is highlighted by the actions of Ben and his neighbors?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the dialogue excerpt below. "I can't believe we missed the last tour bus to the Mammoth Site!" whispered Liam, slumping onto the wooden bench with his head in his hands. "Don't worry," replied Maya, pointing to a sign. "Look! The museum has a guided walking path open for another two hours." How does Liam feel at the beginning of this dialogue?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the sentence below. When the principal announced that Caleb won first place in the South Dakota State Spelling Bee, Caleb felt like he was walking on cloud nine. What does the nonliteral phrase "walking on cloud nine" mean?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the passage below and answer the question. As dark rain clouds gathered over the Black Hills, Lucas quickly checked his map and said, "We should head back to the trailhead cabin right away where it is safe." Meanwhile, Ethan splashed into a puddle, laughing, "Rain makes the trail more exciting! Let's keep climbing to the peak!" How do Lucas and Ethan differ in their reaction to the incoming rainstorm?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Hard

Question

Read the poem below and answer the question. The snow falls softly on the field, (Line 1) Where icy grass is gently sealed. (Line 2) The winter wind begins to blow, (Line 3) And covers all the earth in snow. (Line 4) Which lines in this poem end with rhyming words?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Hard

Question

Read the fable below and answer the question. Two travelers were walking together along a forest trail when a giant bear suddenly stepped into their path. The first traveler quickly scrambled up a nearby oak tree and hid among the branches, leaving his companion behind. The second traveler, knowing he could not fight the bear alone, threw himself flat on the ground and held his breath, pretending to be dead. The bear sniffed his ears, nudged his shoulder, and quietly walked away into the brush. When the first traveler climbed down, he asked jokingly, "What secret did the bear whisper in your ear?" The second traveler answered, "He advised me never to travel with a friend who deserts you in times of danger." What central message does the second traveler's response teach?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Hard

Question

Read the passage below and answer the question. For forty years, Master Thomas restored antique grandfather clocks in his quiet shop in Deadwood. Young Oliver joined as an apprentice, eager to learn but impatient. On his first day, Oliver tried to force a rusted gear into place, snapping a tiny tooth. Master Thomas gently placed his hand on Oliver's shoulder. "Clockwork cannot be rushed, Oliver. Precision requires steady hands and a calm heart." Over months of quiet practice, Oliver learned to clean tiny brass springs with patience. Years later, when Master Thomas retired, Oliver sat at the workbench, carefully placing a delicate pendulum into position with quiet confidence. How does Oliver's character develop over the course of the story?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Hard

Question

Read the sentence below. Although Jason had practiced his trumpet solo for weeks, when he stepped onto the brightly lit stage, he suddenly got cold feet. Which sentence uses the phrase "cold feet" in a LITERAL sense, unlike the sentence above?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Hard

Question

Read the passage below and answer the question. In the story, Little Bear found an old pair of shiny black boots behind the log cabin. He believed they were magic boots that would make him leap as high as the pine trees. What Little Bear did not know was that his older brother had attached hidden elastic springs beneath the heels as a surprise joke. When Little Bear bounced five feet into the air, he squealed, "The magic works!" How does the reader's understanding differ from Little Bear's perspective?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Hard

Question

Read the narrative excerpt below and answer the question. Deep in the Black Hills, a drought dried up the mountain streams, leaving the woodland animals thirsty. Wise Beaver called a meeting and proposed building a timber dam across the narrow canyon to collect rainfall. Greedy Badger refused to assist, saying, "I dig burrows, not wooden dams!" A week later, heavy rains flooded the valley. The animals who worked with Beaver had a full, clean reservoir of water, while Badger's underground burrow flooded with muddy slush, leaving him cold and thirsty. What is the structural cause-and-effect relationship that leads to Badger's problem at the climax of the story?

Reading Literary Text

Question · Hard

Question

Read the informational paragraph below and answer the question. The American Bison is the official state mammal of South Dakota. These massive animals can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and are covered in thick brown fur that protects them from harsh prairie winters. Bison feed primarily on prairie grasses and can run at speeds up to 35 miles per hour. Large herds of bison roam freely across Custer State Park and Badlands National Park today. What is the main idea of this paragraph?

Reading Informational Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the informational excerpt below and answer the question. Mount Rushmore National Memorial is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Carved into the granite mountain face are 60-foot heads of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum began carving the monument in 1927, and it took over 400 workers 14 years to complete. Which president is NOT one of the four carved on Mount Rushmore?

Reading Informational Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the passage below and answer the question. Honeybees visit flowers to collect a sweet liquid called nectar. First, worker bees drink nectar from blossoms and store it in their honey stomachs. Next, they fly back to the hive and pass the nectar to hive bees. Then, bees fan their wings over the nectar to evaporate water until it turns into thick honey. Finally, they seal the honeycomb cells with wax to preserve it. What do bees do right after passing nectar to hive bees?

Reading Informational Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the question below about book features. Where in a non-fiction book would a student look to find the definition of an unfamiliar bold word like 'erosion'?

Reading Informational Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the short article below. Solar panels are large glass rectangles that absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. Installing solar panels on school roofs helps generate clean energy without creating air pollution. Many towns in South Dakota are using solar power to help light up buildings and save energy costs. What is the author's primary purpose for writing this article?

Reading Informational Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the passage below and answer the question. Badlands National Park in southwestern South Dakota features striking rock spires, deep canyons, and layered hills. These landforms were created over millions of years as water and wind eroded soft clay and sandstone. Millions of years ago, the area was covered by shallow seas and tropical floodplains, which is why scientists frequently discover ancient mammal fossils there today. According to the passage, what force helped shape the rock spires and canyons of the Badlands?

Reading Informational Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the question below about text features. In a science textbook, what is the main purpose of a photograph caption?

Reading Informational Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the informational passage below. Prairie dogs live in large underground communities called 'towns'. They dig deep tunnels with multiple chambers for sleeping, raising young, and hiding from predators. Because prairie dogs dig extensive tunnel systems, air and rain can penetrate deep into the soil. This mixing of soil helps wild grass roots absorb moisture and grow healthier across the prairie. What effect does prairie dog digging have on prairie grass?

Reading Informational Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the life cycle description below. A monarch butterfly begins life as a tiny egg laid on a milkweed leaf. After three to five days, a caterpillar hatches and eats milkweed leaves constantly to grow larger. Next, the caterpillar forms a hard shell called a chrysalis. Inside the chrysalis, a dramatic transformation occurs. Finally, an adult monarch butterfly emerges, expands its colorful wings, and flies away. Which stage comes directly after the caterpillar eats leaves and grows larger?

Reading Informational Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the passage below and answer the question. Plastic bottles dumped in parks can take hundreds of years to decompose, harming local wildlife and cluttering green spaces. To solve this growing problem, many schools in South Dakota have installed water bottle refilling stations. Students carry reusable stainless steel bottles, which has reduced plastic waste by thousands of containers each year. What solution to plastic bottle pollution is presented in the text?

Reading Informational Text

Question · Easy

Question

Read the passage below and answer the question. Blizzards are severe winter storms that frequently occur across the Northern Great Plains. When freezing polar air from Canada collides with moist air moving up from the south, heavy snow falls. At the same time, strong winds exceeding 35 miles per hour blow the fallen snow across flat land. This blowing snow creates whiteout conditions, making it nearly impossible for drivers to see the road. According to the passage, what causes whiteout conditions during a blizzard?

Reading Informational Text

Question · Medium

Question

Read the multi-paragraph article below. Paragraph 1: The Black Hills National Forest in western South Dakota encompasses over one million acres of ponderosa pine trees. These evergreen trees thrive in rocky soil and provide essential habitats for elk, mountain lions, and wild turkeys. Paragraph 2: Ponderosa pines also play a vital role in protecting soil from erosion. Their deep taproots hold mountain soil firmly in place during heavy rainstorms, preventing mudslides from washing into mountain streams. What is the main idea of the entire passage?

Reading Informational Text

Question · Medium

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