TCAP English Language Arts — Grade 3

Read the story snippet below: Maya searched everywhere for her lost puppy, Barnaby. She checked under the porch, walked down every street in her neighborhood, and posted flyers on every lamppost until sunset. Which character trait best describes Maya in this story?

• ALazy
• BDetermined
• CForgetful
• DSelfish

Read the paragraph below: Snow fell silently over the Great Smoky Mountains. Inside the wooden cabin, a warm fire crackled in the fireplace while Jackson drank hot cocoa by the frost-covered window. What is the setting of this paragraph?

• AA sunny beach during summer vacation
• BA busy school cafeteria at lunchtime
• CA wooden cabin in the mountains on a snowy day
• DA crowded city bus during a rainstorm

Read the fable summary below: All summer long, Grasshopper sang and danced while Ant worked hard storing food for the cold winter. When winter arrived, Grasshopper had nothing to eat, but Ant had plenty of grain to share. What is the central message or moral of this fable?

• ASinging is more important than working.
• BPreparing ahead of time leads to success and safety.
• CWinter is the best season of the year.
• DGrasshoppers build the strongest winter homes.

Read the opening lines of a story: Once upon a time in a small valley near the Tennessee River, young Caleb discovered an old brass key buried beneath an oak tree. He wondered what secret door it might unlock. What is the main function of this beginning section of the story?

• AIt resolves the mystery and ends the story.
• BIt introduces the main character, setting, and mysterious discovery.
• CIt describes the climax of an exciting battle.
• DIt explains how Caleb grew up and moved away.

Read the sentence below: When Mom walked into the bedroom, she gasped and said, "Leo, your room is a pigsty!" What does the non-literal expression "a pigsty" mean in this sentence?

• ALeo is raising farm animals in his closet.
• BThe room is very messy and untidy.
• CThe room is painted bright pink.
• DLeo is sleeping peacefully in his bed.

Read the story excerpt below: On Monday morning, Sam stood outside his new school in Nashville. His stomach felt full of butterflies, and he gripped his backpack straps tightly as he took a deep breath before walking inside. How does Sam feel at the beginning of his first day?

• AAngry and disappointed
• BNervous and anxious
• CBored and sleepy
• DProud and boastful

Read the passage below: I adjusted my helmet and grabbed my bicycle. My sister tagged along behind me as we rode toward the neighborhood park. Which point of view is used in this passage?

• AFirst-person point of view
• BSecond-person point of view
• CThird-person objective point of view
• DThird-person omniscient point of view

A storybook includes an illustration of a child standing under dark gray storm clouds with lightning flashing over a shadowy castle. What mood does this illustration create for the reader?

• ACheerful and silly
• BMysterious and tense
• CPeaceful and calm
• DFunny and joyful

Read the story excerpt below: Hare bragged about how fast he could run and laughed at slow Tortoise. But while Hare took a nap mid-race, Tortoise kept walking step by step without stopping until he crossed the finish line first. What lesson does Tortoise teach in this story?

• ATaking long naps helps you win races.
• BSteady effort and persistence can lead to success.
• CBragging is the best way to make friends.
• DFast runners always win every contest.

Read the passage below: Every afternoon after school, Elena sat at the piano for an hour. Even when her friends invited her to play kickball outside, Elena stayed indoors to practice her song until every note sounded smooth. Why does Elena choose to stay inside and practice?

• AShe dislikes playing kickball with her friends.
• BHer piano teacher forced her to stay inside.
• CShe is motivated to master her piano piece.
• DShe does not have any outdoor shoes to wear.

Read the story excerpt below: Noah and Ethan arrived at the cabin door only to realize their key was missing. They retraced their steps down the trail, checking near the creek. Finally, Ethan spotted the silver key resting on a flat stone where they had eaten lunch. How is the main problem in the story resolved?

• AThey broke down the cabin door with a heavy stick.
• BThey called a locksmith on their cell phone.
• CEthan found the lost key on a rock where they had lunched.
• DNoah found another key hidden inside his backpack.

Read the passage below: Oliver stared at the blank poster board. He wondered if his science project on solar energy would impress the judges. Meanwhile, across the room, Sophia felt confident as she polished her model volcano. What point of view is used in this passage?

• AFirst-person point of view narrated by Oliver
• BSecond-person point of view addressing the reader
• CThird-person omniscient point of view
• DFirst-person point of view narrated by Sophia

Read the sentence from a story: When Clara heard the good news about her grandmother's visit, her eyes sparkled like stars in the midnight sky. What does the simile "her eyes sparkled like stars in the midnight sky" tell the reader?

• AClara was tired and wanted to go to sleep.
• BClara's face showed great joy and excitement.
• CClara was looking through a telescope outside.
• DClara had trouble seeing in the dark room.

Read the poem below: The autumn wind begins to blow, The yellow leaves dance to and fro. They blanket all the garden ground, Without making a single sound. How is this poem structured?

• AIt has four paragraphs with no rhyming words.
• BIt is a single four-line stanza with rhyming pairs of lines.
• CIt is divided into three separate chapters.
• DIt is a drama script with character stage directions.

Read the story summary below: When new student Liam sat alone at the lunch table, Grace noticed he looked lonely. She walked over, sat down next to him, and shared her extra apple. Soon they were laughing and talking about their favorite books. What is the central theme of this story?

• AApples are the healthiest snack for lunch.
• BSmall acts of kindness can build meaningful friendships.
• CReading books is better than talking to people.
• DSitting alone is always enjoyable.

Read the story passage below: At the start of summer, Marcus refused to put his big toe in the swimming pool because he was terrified of deep water. But after taking lessons with Coach Dan and practicing every week, Marcus was jumping off the diving board with a smile by August. How does Marcus change from the beginning of summer to the end?

• AHe becomes afraid of Coach Dan.
• BHe goes from being terrified of water to confidently diving in.
• CHe decides he prefers basketball over swimming.
• DHe forgets how to swim by the end of August.

Read the story passage below: Oliver rushed out to catch the school bus and forgot to latch the garden gate. That afternoon, the family discovered that wild rabbits had hopped into the garden and eaten all the ripe strawberries. What caused the rabbits to eat the strawberries?

• AOliver fed them strawberries from his hand.
• BOliver forgot to latch the garden gate when rushing out.
• CA storm blew down the wooden fence around the yard.
• DThe family opened the gate to invite the rabbits in.

Read the sentence below: Unlike his bold and noisy brother, little Leo was timid, hiding behind his mother's skirt whenever visitors came to the house. What does the word "timid" mean as used in this sentence?

• AShy and fearful
• BLoud and outgoing
• CAngry and mean
• DClever and quick

Read the sentence from a story: Before the big soccer championship match, Coach Miller gave the team a pep talk that lit a fire under them. What does the phrase "lit a fire under them" mean in this sentence?

• ABuilt a campfire on the soccer field
• BMotivated and energized them to try their best
• CMade the players feel hot and thirsty
• DWarned the team about a dangerous fire

Read the paragraph from a adventure story: As Ben climbed higher up the rocky ridge, dark clouds rolled in and the wind howled. His map blew out of his hands, tumbling down into a deep canyon. Ben had to decide whether to turn back or find another way forward. Which part of the plot structure does this paragraph represent?

• AThe introduction of characters at home
• BThe rising action where challenges build up
• CThe final resolution of the story
• DThe concluding summary of the journey

Read the passage below: Mrs. Gable was raking leaves in her yard when her knee began to hurt. Seeing her struggle, young Bella put down her bicycle, grabbed a spare rake, and worked alongside Mrs. Gable until the entire yard was clean. What do Bella's actions reveal about her character?

• AShe is impatient and easily annoyed.
• BShe is observant and helpful to her neighbors.
• CShe prefers playing alone rather than helping.
• DShe is trying to earn money for a new bicycle.

Read the two story descriptions: Story A: A young shepherd boy lies about a wolf attacking his sheep. When a real wolf comes, nobody believes him. Story B: A woodcutter drops his axe into the river. He tells the water spirit the truth about which axe is his, and he is rewarded with golden and silver axes. What central lesson is shared by BOTH stories?

• ALiving near a river is dangerous.
• BHonesty is important and lying leads to negative consequences.
• CWolves make good pets for shepherd boys.
• DGolden axes are lighter than iron axes.

A chapter in a book features an illustration showing a treasure map with dotted red lines connecting a giant oak tree, a curved creek, and a hidden cave marked with an 'X'. How does this illustration help the reader understand the text?

• AIt shows what the main character looks like when sleeping.
• BIt provides a clear visual route of the characters' journey to the cave.
• CIt explains how to cook a meal over a campfire.
• DIt lists the names of all the authors who wrote the book.

Read the story excerpt below: Narrator: "The rain poured down on the campsite, soaking the tents." Ethan's view: "Oh great, now our camping trip is completely ruined!" Liam's view: "Awesome! Now we can make giant mud pies and race leaf boats down the stream!" How do Ethan's and Liam's points of view about the rain compare?

• ABoth boys agree that rain makes camping better.
• BEthan sees the rain as a disappointment, while Liam views it as an exciting opportunity.
• CEthan wants to swim, while Liam wants to go home immediately.
• DBoth boys feel angry at the narrator for causing rain.

Read the story excerpt below: For three days, Hannah tried to construct a birdhouse from wood scraps. The roof fell off twice, and her thumb was sore from hammering. Instead of tossing the wood aside, she measured carefully, re-glued the joints, and finally painted the completed birdhouse blue. Which statement best captures the underlying theme of this passage?

• ABlue is the prettiest color for outdoor birdhouses.
• BOvercoming setbacks through perseverance leads to rewarding accomplishment.
• CHammering wood scraps always causes injuries.
• DBirdhouses should only be built by professional carpenters.

Read the poem lines below: The night wind whispered secrets to the tall pine trees, While the river sang a gentle lullaby to the sleeping valley. Which type of figurative language is used in these lines?

• APersonification
• BHyperbole
• CAlliteration
• DOnomatopoeia

Read the passage below: When rain canceled their picnic, Chloe threw her hands up and complained on the sofa all afternoon. Her sister Lily, however, dragged out board games, popped popcorn, and created an indoor fort in the living room. How do the sisters' responses to the rainy day contrast?

• AChloe seeks creative fun indoors while Lily remains angry.
• BChloe reacts with passive frustration, whereas Lily adapts proactively to find fun.
• CBoth sisters work together to clean up the living room fort.
• DLily cancels the picnic while Chloe invites friends over.

Read the story excerpt below: When the teacher announced that the annual spelling bee would be held on stage in front of the entire school, Daniel's jaw dropped. His cheeks turned bright red, his knees trembled, and he stared silently at his shoes. What can the reader infer about Daniel's unstated emotion?

• AHe feels stage fright and overwhelming embarrassment.
• BHe is thrilled and eager to begin spelling immediately.
• CHe is sleepy and ready for afternoon naptime.
• DHe is annoyed that the spelling bee was canceled.

Read the story excerpt below: For a week, the class searched for the missing golden trophy. Just as Mr. Davis was about to lock up the supply closet on Friday, Nora noticed a shiny reflection tucked inside an old box of art supplies behind the globe. Which structural element of the plot does Nora's discovery represent?

• AThe story's exposition introducing the school
• BThe climax or peak turning point of the mystery
• CThe falling action after the trophy is cleaned
• DThe lesson learned about keeping trophies safe

Read excerpts from two poems about Tennessee seasons: Poem 1: Autumn leaves cast gold and red, A crisp cool carpet where we tread. Poem 2: Spring brings blossoms on the bough, The sleeping hills wake up right now. How do the themes of these two poems compare?

• ABoth poems describe the beauty and unique transformations of nature during different seas…
• BPoem 1 argues that winter is better, while Poem 2 argues summer is better.
• CBoth poems complain about bad weather in the mountains.
• DPoem 1 describes animal habitats, while Poem 2 focuses on ocean life.

Read the informational passage below: Honeybees are essential insects for nature and agriculture. As they fly from flower to flower gathering sweet nectar, tiny yellow pollen grains stick to their furry bodies. When bees visit the next flower, they drop off pollen, allowing plants to produce seeds and grow new fruit. What is the main idea of this passage?

• AHoneybees make honey inside hives during the summer.
• BHoneybees help plants grow fruit and seeds by pollinating flowers.
• CPollen grains are always bright yellow in color.
• DFlowers only grow near sweet fruit trees.

Read the article excerpt below: ### Black Bears of the Smokies Black bears are the most famous animals living in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Approximately 1,900 bears reside in the park today. Why did the author use bold text for "Black Bears of the Smokies" at the top of the passage?

• ATo show that black bears are fast runners
• BTo serve as a heading that tells what the section is about
• CTo define a difficult vocabulary word
• DTo list the author's personal name

Read the passage below: Solar panels absorb sunlight and convert it into clean electricity. Many homes and schools in Tennessee use rooftop solar panels to power lights, computers, and appliances without burning coal. According to the passage, how do solar panels help homes?

• AThey store rainwater during thunderstorms.
• BThey convert sunlight into electricity to power lights and appliances.
• CThey reflect sunlight to keep roofs cold during winter.
• DThey burn coal to generate heat inside classrooms.

An article about Tennessee state history features a photograph of a large stone building with a golden dome. Beneath the photo, a short sentence reads: "The Tennessee State Capitol building was completed in Nashville in 1859." What is the purpose of this short sentence beneath the photograph?

• AIt is a caption that explains what is shown in the picture.
• BIt is a glossary defining the word 'dome'.
• CIt is a index listing page numbers.
• DIt is a title of a song about Nashville.

Read the passage below: Recycling plastic bottles protects ocean wildlife and keeps landfills clean. When you toss your empty water bottle into a blue recycling bin, factories melt it down to make carpet, playground equipment, and new containers. What is the author's main purpose for writing this passage?

• ATo entertain readers with a funny story about water bottles
• BTo inform readers about how recycling plastic bottles helps the environment
• CTo teach readers how to construct a playground set from wood
• DTo convince readers to stop drinking water

Read the text below: First, a mother butterfly lays a tiny egg on a leaf. Next, a caterpillar hatches from the egg and eats leaves to grow bigger. Then, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis. Finally, an adult butterfly emerges and flies away. How is this text organized?

• ACompare and contrast
• BProblem and solution
• CSequence or chronological order
• DCause and effect

At the back of a Grade 3 science textbook, there is an alphabetical list of important words alongside their meanings (for example: **Habitat**: *the natural home of an animal*). What text feature is this list?

• ATable of contents
• BGlossary
• CTitle page
• DHeading

Read the passage below: Heavy rains poured across West Tennessee for three straight days. Because the soil could not absorb any more water, the rivers overflowed their banks and flooded nearby lowlands. What was the direct effect of the heavy rain and saturated soil?

• AThe sun shone brightly all week.
• BRivers overflowed and flooded nearby lowlands.
• CFarmers harvested their crops early.
• DThe rivers dried up completely.

Read the passage below: Monarch butterflies are famous for their amazing journey. Every autumn, millions of monarchs fly over 2,000 miles from Canada and the northern United States all the way to warm forests in Mexico. Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that monarch butterflies travel long distances?

• A"Monarch butterflies are famous for their amazing journey."
• B"Every autumn, millions of monarchs fly over 2,000 miles from Canada and the northern Uni…
• CMonarchs like to rest on colorful flowers along the way.
• DMexico has warm mountain forests during the winter.

Read the passage below: Although frogs and toads are both amphibians, they have key differences. Frogs have smooth, moist skin and long hind legs for leaping near water. In contrast, toads have bumpy, dry skin and shorter legs designed for hopping on land. According to the passage, how do frogs and toads differ in their physical features?

• AFrogs have feathers, while toads have scales.
• BFrogs have smooth, moist skin and long legs; toads have bumpy, dry skin and shorter legs.
• CFrogs live in underground caves, while toads live in trees.
• DFrogs eat seeds, while toads only drink saltwater.

Read the passage below: Getting enough sleep each night is vital for third graders. During deep sleep, your body releases growth hormones that build muscles and repair cells. Furthermore, sleep helps your brain organize memories so you can focus and learn at school the next day. What is the main idea of this passage?

• AThird graders should spend all day doing homework.
• BProper sleep is essential for physical growth and brain function.
• CMuscles are built primarily by running in gym class.
• DBrain memories are only formed during lunch break.

An article about night insects includes a separate boxed feature on the side titled "Fun Facts About Fireflies", explaining that fireflies produce light through a chemical process called bioluminescence. What is the main purpose of this sidebar text feature?

• ATo provide extra interesting information related to the main article topic
• BTo replace the main article completely
• CTo list the index page numbers for firefly species
• DTo show a photo diagram of an owl

Read the passage below: Heavy rain storms often wash away fertile topsoil from farmland in Middle Tennessee. To solve this problem, many farmers plant cover crops like clover during winter. The plants' deep roots hold the soil firmly in place so it cannot wash away. What text structure does the author use in this passage?

• AChronological timeline
• BProblem and solution
• CCompare and contrast
• DAlphabetical ordering

Read the passage below: Freshwater river turtles in Tennessee face dangers from plastic trash dumped near streams. In my opinion, every community should organize monthly creek cleanup events to keep river habitats safe for these amazing creatures. What is the author's point of view regarding river cleanups?

• ACreek cleanups are unnecessary and waste community time.
• BMonthly creek cleanups are important actions communities should take to protect turtles.
• CPlastic trash is helpful for turtle nests.
• DTurtles should be moved out of Tennessee rivers into indoor aquariums.

Read the passage below: Green plants perform **photosynthesis** by absorbing sunlight through their leaves. Using light energy, plants transform water from the soil and carbon dioxide from the air into sugar food. Based on context clues, what does "photosynthesis" mean?

• AThe process by which plants use sunlight to produce their own food
• BThe way animals hibernate during winter cold
• CThe movement of water through ocean currents
• DThe falling of brown leaves from trees in autumn

Read the two paragraphs below: Paragraph 1: Power plants generate electrical energy from wind turbines, solar panels, or water dams. Paragraph 2: Once generated, this electricity travels through large transmission wires into neighborhood power lines and directly into house wall outlets. How does Paragraph 2 connect to Paragraph 1?

• AParagraph 2 explains how electricity is delivered after being created in Paragraph 1.
• BParagraph 2 argues that wind turbines are better than solar panels.
• CParagraph 2 gives examples of animals that live near power lines.
• DParagraph 2 contrasts electrical energy with battery power.

Read the passage below: During summer, tree leaves produce green chlorophyll to catch sunlight. As autumn days grow shorter and cooler, trees stop making chlorophyll. As green fades away, brilliant yellow, orange, and red pigments inside the leaves finally become visible. Why do tree leaves turn yellow and red in autumn?

• ATrees absorb red paint from the soil during heavy rain.
• BAs cooler days arrive, trees stop making green chlorophyll, revealing yellow and red pigm…
• CInsects bite the leaves and change their color.
• DLeaves turn red because snow covers the branches.