RISE English Language Arts — Grade 3

Read the passage and answer the question. Little Turtle wanted to climb to the top of Sun Hill. Rabbit laughed and said, 'You are far too slow!' Little Turtle did not give up. He took small, steady steps all morning without stopping. While Rabbit took a long nap under a shady tree, Little Turtle walked right past him and reached the summit first. What is the central message of the story?

• ATaking naps under trees makes you run much faster.
• BSteady effort and perseverance lead to success.
• CTurtles are always faster than rabbits in mountain races.
• DIt is best to quit when a task seems difficult.

Read the passage and answer the question. Maya looked under the porch, but her puppy Barnaby was nowhere to be found. She checked near the garden fence and called his name, her voice shaking. Just as a tear rolled down her cheek, she heard a soft bark from inside the laundry basket. Maya gasped and wrapped her arms around Barnaby, grinning from ear to ear. How do Maya's feelings change from the beginning of the passage to the end?

• AFrom angry to sleepy
• BFrom worried to joyful
• CFrom excited to disappointed
• DFrom proud to scared

Read the passage and answer the question. First, Oliver scooped flour, sugar, and cocoa powder into a large ceramic bowl. Next, he added milk and eggs, stirring until the batter was smooth. Then, he poured the mixture into a round cake pan. Finally, Oliver slid the pan into the warm oven to bake. What did Oliver do right before he poured the mixture into the cake pan?

• AHe slid the pan into the warm oven.
• BHe scooped flour and sugar into the bowl.
• CHe added milk and eggs and stirred until smooth.
• DHe let the cake cool on the counter.

Read the passage and answer the question. Dark grey clouds rolled across the sky, and heavy rain drops began falling on the playground. Leo quickly opened his large yellow umbrella. When he noticed his classmate Ella standing under the awning with no jacket, he walked over and held the umbrella over both of them so she would not get wet. Why did Leo walk over to Ella with his umbrella?

• AHe wanted to trade umbrellas with her.
• BHe was looking for his lost jacket.
• CHe wanted to protect her from getting rained on.
• DHe needed her help holding the heavy handle.

Read the sentence below. Crisp red and orange leaves crunched under Clara's boots as a cool October breeze blew through the quiet woods. What is the setting described in the sentence?

• AA warm sandy beach in summer
• BA quiet forest during autumn
• CA busy city street in spring
• DA snowy mountain top in mid-winter

Read the passage and answer the question. I swung my backpack onto my shoulder and walked down Pine Street. As I approached the corner, my best friend Sam waved at me from his front porch. 'Wait for me!' I called out, quickening my pace. From which point of view is the story told?

• AFirst person (a character in the story using 'I' and 'my')
• BSecond person (using 'you' and 'your')
• CThird person (an outside narrator using 'he' and 'she')
• DFourth person (a narrator speaking for a whole group)

Read the sentence below. After playing soccer all afternoon, Toby was so tired that he became a couch potato for the rest of the evening. What does the non-literal phrase 'couch potato' mean in this sentence?

• AA vegetable growing under a sofa
• BA person who sits and rests lazily for a long time
• CA fast runner who wins soccer matches
• DA chef who cooks potatoes for dinner

Read the passage and answer the question. Ben saw that his younger sister was having trouble tying her shoes. He knelt down beside her and patiently showed her how to loop the laces. His brother Mark walked right past them, grumbling that they were taking too long to get to the car. How is Ben different from Mark in this passage?

• ABen is helpful and patient, while Mark is impatient.
• BBen is grumbling, while Mark shows their sister how to tie shoes.
• CBen wants to leave immediately, while Mark wants to help.
• DBen is quiet, while Mark is happy and singing.

Read the story snippet below. When Sophia brought her new set of colored markers to school, she refused to let anyone borrow them. During recess, she sat alone at the picnic table. The next day, when she asked to join the kickball game, her classmates invited her to play right away and offered her a turn to kick. Sophia realized that sharing and kindness make playing together much more fun. What central lesson did Sophia learn?

• AIt is best to keep all art supplies at home.
• BKickball is the only fun game to play at recess.
• CBeing kind and sharing creates better friendships and fun.
• DYou should never talk to classmates at school.

Read the poem below. The yellow sun begins to rise, It lights up all the morning skies. The little birds begin to sing, And welcome in the gentle spring. Which two words in the poem rhyme?

• Asun and skies
• Brise and skies
• Cbirds and spring
• Dyellow and gentle

Read the passage and answer the question. A sudden flash of lightning lit up the dark living room, followed by a loud clap of thunder. Whiskers the cat jumped off the windowsill, scrambled under the blue sofa, and curled into a tight ball. Why did Whiskers hide under the sofa?

• AHe was frightened by the sudden lightning and thunder.
• BHe wanted to catch a mouse hiding under the furniture.
• CHe was trying to take his morning nap in the sun.
• DHe was looking for a lost toy ball.

Read the passage and answer the question. Jack searched his room for his missing library card. He checked his desk drawers, under his bed, and inside his coat pockets, but could not find it anywhere. Finally, his mother pointed to the kitchen counter. There it was, sitting right next to his fruit snack box! How is Jack's problem resolved at the end of the story?

• AJack buys a new library card at the store.
• BHis mother points out his library card on the kitchen counter.
• CJack finds his card tucked inside a library book.
• DHis teacher gives him a replacement card at school.

Read the passage and answer the question. Honeybees play an important role in nature. As they fly from flower to flower gathering sweet nectar, tiny grains of pollen stick to their fuzzy legs. When bees drop pollen onto new flowers, it helps those plants grow seeds and fruit. Without honeybees, many apples, almonds, and berries would not grow. What is the main idea of the passage?

• AHoneybees have fuzzy legs that hold pollen.
• BHoneybees help plants make fruit and seeds by pollinating flowers.
• CApples and almonds are delicious summer fruits.
• DFlowers make sweet nectar for insects to eat.

Read the passage and answer the question. Deserts receive very little rainfall throughout the year. To survive in this dry environment, saguaro cacti have thick stem walls that expand like an accordion to store large amounts of water whenever it rains. Their sharp spines also prevent thirsty desert animals from chewing into the moist stem. According to the passage, how does a saguaro cactus store water during rainstorms?

• ABy opening large colorful flowers on its branches
• BBy using thick stem walls that expand to hold water
• CBy growing deep roots that drink underground rivers
• DBy dripping water onto sharp spines

Read the passage and answer the question. Types of Rocks Rocks on Earth are divided into three main groups: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous rocks form when hot liquid magma cools down. How to Collect Rocks When searching for rocks, bring a small magnifying glass and a notebook to write down where you found each specimen. Why does the author include headings like 'Types of Rocks' and 'How to Collect Rocks'?

• ATo tell a funny fictional story about rocks
• BTo help readers find and organize information about different topics
• CTo list words in alphabetical order like a dictionary
• DTo explain how to draw pictures of mountains

Read the passage and answer the question. During three days of heavy spring rainfall, rainwater poured down the mountain slopes into Bear Creek. Because so much water rushed into the creek at once, the water rose over the muddy banks and flooded the nearby meadow. What caused the meadow to flood?

• ABeavers built a large wooden dam across Bear Creek.
• BHeavy spring rain poured water into the creek, making it overflow.
• CFarmers pumped water from the creek to water their crops.
• DThe sun melted all the snow on the meadow grass.

Read the text excerpt below. [Photo of a bald eagle sitting high on a pine branch] Caption: Bald eagles use their sharp yellow eyes to spot fish swimming under water from up to a mile away. What is the purpose of the caption underneath the photograph?

• ATo explain what the eagle in the photograph is doing with its keen sight
• BTo list the names of all birds living in the forest
• CTo give instructions on how to photograph eagles
• DTo tell a story about an eagle that learned to talk

Read the passage and answer the question. A monarch butterfly begins its life as a tiny oval egg laid on a milkweed leaf. After a few days, a small caterpillar hatches and begins eating the leaves. Next, the caterpillar forms a hard shell called a chrysalis. Inside the chrysalis, its body transforms until an adult butterfly emerges with orange and black wings. Which stage happens right after the caterpillar hatches?

• AIt forms an oval egg on a leaf.
• BIt eats milkweed leaves and grows.
• CIt flies south for the winter.
• DIt lays new eggs on flowers.

Read the passage and answer the question. Recycling paper helps protect forests and save energy. When people place used cardboard and notebook paper in recycling bins, factories break the paper down into soft pulp. This pulp is used to create paper towels, boxes, and new writing paper without cutting down additional trees. What is the main idea of the passage?

• ARecycling paper conserves trees and energy by making new paper goods from old paper.
• BFactories use giant machines to manufacture paper towels.
• CNotebook paper is made from cardboard boxes.
• DTrees grow very tall in large forests.

Read the passage and answer the question. Emperor penguins live in Antarctica, one of the coldest places on Earth. To stay warm in freezing winds, penguins have a thick layer of fat called blubber under their skin. They also have tightly packed overlapping feathers that trap warm air close to their bodies. According to the passage, what two features help emperor penguins stay warm?

• ABlubber under their skin and tightly packed overlapping feathers
• BSharp claws and long tails
• CLarge wings and warm underground burrows
• DThick fur coats and hot water springs

Read the sentence from an informational article. Earth's outermost layer is called the **crust**, which is made of solid rock and soil. Why is the word 'crust' printed in **bold** text?

• ATo signal that 'crust' is an important vocabulary term being defined
• BTo show that the author made a spelling mistake
• CTo indicate that the word should be whispered quietly
• DTo tell the reader to skip that sentence

Read the passage and answer the question. Sea turtles are marine reptiles that have lived in Earth's oceans for over 100 million years. There are seven species of sea turtles alive today, including the green sea turtle and the giant leatherback. Female sea turtles crawl onto sandy beaches at night to dig nests and lay their eggs. What is the author's main purpose for writing this passage?

• ATo persuade readers to buy a pet turtle at a store
• BTo inform readers about sea turtle facts and habits
• CTo entertain readers with a silly story about a flying turtle
• DTo teach readers how to build sandcastles on the beach

Read the passage and answer the question. Frogs and toads are both amphibians, but they have several physical differences. Frogs usually have smooth, moist skin and long hind legs built for hopping high. In contrast, toads have dry, bumpy skin and shorter legs designed for walking or taking short hops. How does the passage contrast frogs and toads?

• AFrogs live in salt water, while toads live in tall trees.
• BFrogs have smooth, moist skin and long legs, while toads have dry, bumpy skin and shorter…
• CFrogs eat insects, while toads eat small fish.
• DFrogs hatch from eggs, while toads do not.

Read the passage and answer the question. Plants use their roots to absorb water and minerals from the soil. The stem acts like a drinking straw, carrying water upward to the leaves and flowers. If a book includes a diagram showing arrows pointing upward inside a stem from the roots to the leaves, what does the diagram help explain?

• AHow sunlight changes leaf colors in autumn
• BHow water moves upward from the roots through the stem
• CHow insects build hives inside plant stems
• DHow seeds travel across rivers

Read the sentence below. The blue whale is an **enormous** creature, growing longer than three school buses parked end-to-end. What does the word **enormous** mean in this sentence?

• AVery small
• BExtremely large
• CQuick and nimble
• DBrightly colored

Read the sentence below. When the outdoor picnic was cancelled due to thunderstorm warnings, the children felt **unhappy**. What does the prefix **un-** mean in the word **unhappy**?

• ANot
• BAgain
• CBefore
• DVery

Read the sentence below. The kitten was so **playful** that it spent hours chasing a red yarn ball around the rug. What does the suffix **-ful** mean in the word **playful**?

• AWithout
• BFull of
• CAble to be
• DOne who does

Read the sentence below. After running five miles in the hot sun, the marathon runners were completely **exhausted** and collapsed onto the grass to rest. Which word is a synonym for **exhausted** in this sentence?

• AEnergetic
• BTired
• CExcited
• DThrifty

Read the sentence below. 'Look at that rainbow!' **shouted** Liam, pointing up at the sky. Which word has almost the same meaning as **shouted**?

• AWhispered
• BYelled
• CThought
• DWrote

Read the sentence below. Scientists uncovered an **ancient** clay pot that was buried thousands of years ago. Which word is an antonym (opposite meaning) of **ancient**?

• AOld
• BModern
• CHeavy
• DBroken

Read the passage and answer the question. Eight-year-old Sam wanted to build a wooden birdhouse for his backyard. On his first attempt, the roof panels were crooked and rain leaked inside. Instead of tossing the wood aside, Sam measured the boards again, trimmed the uneven edges with a hand saw, and secured the roof with strong wood glue. By Saturday afternoon, a family of chickadees moved into his dry, sturdy birdhouse. What character trait does Sam demonstrate when his first birdhouse leaks?

• AImpatient and careless
• BDetermined and resourceful
• CSelfish and boastful
• DFearful and shy

Read the passage and answer the question. As cool autumn winds blew through the forest, Barnaby Bear gathered sweet blackberries, roots, and acorns every day until sunset. His friend Squirrel chattered, 'Come play tag in the fallen leaves!' But Barnaby replied, 'Winter is coming soon, and I must fill my den with food and soft pine needles so I can sleep safely.' When snowy blizzards arrived, Barnaby rested comfortably in his warm den, while animals who had played all fall shivered and searched for food. What is the central message of the passage?

• APlaying tag in the autumn leaves is more important than gathering food.
• BBears prefer to live alone without any forest friends.
• CPreparing ahead for future needs leads to safety and comfort.
• DWinter blizzards only happen in deep pine forests.

Read the passage and answer the question. At Saturday afternoon practice, Nora wanted her soccer team to focus on passing drills, while Chloe insisted on practicing penalty kicks. Both girls argued until their coach blew her whistle. Coach Davis suggested they spend fifteen minutes doing passing drills and the remaining fifteen minutes practicing penalty kicks. Both girls agreed, and practice went smoothly. How was the disagreement between Nora and Chloe resolved?

• ANora left the field and went home early.
• BThe coach divided the practice time equally between both activities.
• CChloe forced the team to practice penalty kicks for the entire hour.
• DThe team decided to play basketball instead of soccer.

Read the passage and answer the question. While playing catch indoors, Jonah accidentally knocked over his mother's favorite hand-painted vase, shattering it on the rug. Scared of getting into trouble, Jonah thought about blaming the family cat. But when his mother walked into the room, Jonah looked down, took a deep breath, and confessed, 'I'm sorry, Mom. I was tossing the ball indoors and broke your vase.' His mother sighed, thanked him for being honest, and helped him clean up the glass. What moral lesson is presented in this story?

• AIt is acceptable to blame pets when household accidents happen.
• BTelling the truth is the right choice even when you make a mistake.
• CVases should always be kept on top shelves.
• DPlaying ball indoors is the best way to practice sports.

Read the poem below. Gold and crimson leaves float down, Covering the quiet town. The crisp autumn breeze blows near, Whispering that winter's here. Which sensory detail in the poem appeals primarily to the sense of sight?

• AThe crisp autumn breeze
• BWhispering that winter's here
• CGold and crimson leaves float down
• DCovering the quiet town

Read the passage and answer the question. Elena stepped onto the auditorium stage and adjusted the microphone. Her stomach fluttered with butterflies, but as she looked out at her encouraging classmates, she took a deep breath and sang the first note clearly. What can be inferred about Elena's feelings before she began singing?

• AShe was feeling nervous about performing on stage.
• BShe was bored and wanted to fall asleep.
• CShe was angry at her music teacher.
• DShe was completely confident and relaxed.

Read the passage and answer the question. At the start of summer camp, Grace stood at the edge of the swimming pool, clutching her towel and refusing to step into the shallow end. Her counselor suggested she start by dipping her feet into the water. Each afternoon, Grace practiced kicking her legs and floating with a foam noodle. By the last week of camp, Grace smiled proudly as she jumped off the diving board into the deep water. How does Grace change from the beginning of summer camp to the end?

• AShe goes from being afraid of the water to being a confident swimmer.
• BShe goes from loving swimming to refusing to enter the pool.
• CShe decides to trade swimming for horseback riding.
• DShe moves from deep water swimming to standing in the shallow end.

Read the passage below. When Marcus saw the math puzzle on the board, he worried it would take all hour to solve. But after reading the first clue, he realized the answer right away. 'That puzzle was a **piece of cake**!' he whispered to his desk partner. What does the non-literal phrase **piece of cake** mean in the passage?

• AA sweet dessert served at a birthday party
• BSomething that is very easy to accomplish
• CA difficult problem that requires extra help
• DA recipe written in a cookbook

Read the passage and answer the question. Long ago, the people of the valley wondered why the Sun painted the evening sky in shades of rose and gold before disappearing behind Red Rock Mountain. According to an ancient myth, the Sun was a gentle giant who wore a glowing cape. Every evening, as he lay down to rest, he swept his cape across the sky, leaving behind trails of warm color to guard the village until dawn. What natural event does this myth explain?

• AHow ocean waves crash against rocky cliffs
• BWhy sunset creates colorful evening skies
• CWhy thunder rolls across desert valleys
• DHow rain falls from dark storm clouds

Read the passage and answer the question. Max the shepherd dog trotted along the meadow trail during an afternoon walk. Suddenly, he stopped and cocked his ears toward a thorny berry bush. A tiny, lost kitten was meowing softly, tangled in the branches. Max barked gently until his owner arrived with thick gloves to untangle the kitten and carry it safely back to the farm barn. Which event drives the main action of the story?

• AMax finding a lost kitten tangled in a berry bush
• BMax eating berries from the bushes along the trail
• CThe owner going to the store to buy leather gloves
• DThe kitten sleeping peacefully inside the farm barn

Read the passage and answer the question. Twin sisters Lily and Hannah reacted very differently when their family announced a camping trip to Bear Lake. Lily jumped up, clapped her hands, and immediately began packing her flashlight and sleeping bag. Hannah, on the other hand, sat quietly on the sofa, biting her lip and asking whether there would be dark woods and noisy bugs. How do Lily's and Hannah's reactions contrast?

• ALily is excited and eager to pack, while Hannah is anxious and hesitant.
• BLily wants to stay home, while Hannah is already packed.
• CBoth sisters are angry about going on the trip.
• DLily is afraid of bugs, while Hannah loves flashlights.

Read the passage and answer the question. The third-grade drama club was practicing for their annual spring play. Just as the lead actor stepped up to deliver his opening line, the auditorium lights flickered and went out completely. Mrs. Adams told everyone to remain seated while the school custodian checked the main breaker box. Ten minutes later, the lights clicked back on, and rehearsal resumed. What caused the rehearsal to be delayed?

• AThe lead actor forgot his opening lines.
• BThe auditorium lights went out when power was interrupted.
• CMrs. Adams mislaid the script papers.
• DThe custodian asked everyone to clean the stage.

Read the poem below. Patter, patter on the roof, Raindrops dance with tiny hoof. Inside my room, so cozy and warm, I snuggle down and watch the storm. What is the speaker's mood in the poem?

• AScared and lonely
• BCalm and comfortable
• CAngry and upset
• DHurried and rushed

Read the passage and answer the question. While exploring the old barn, Ethan and Maya discovered a faded wooden chest hidden under a pile of burlap sacks. Inside, they found a brass key and a hand-drawn map with an 'X' marked near the big oak tree. 'Look!' Ethan whispered. 'This key must open something buried by the tree!' They grabbed a garden trowel and ran out into the pasture to find the spot. What can be inferred about Ethan and Maya's goal?

• AThey want to sell the brass key at a store.
• BThey are eager to use the map and key to search for something buried.
• CThey plan to cut down the big oak tree.
• DThey want to hide the burlap sacks in the house.

Read the passage and answer the question. 'I can't believe we built this whole fort out of cardboard boxes!' exclaimed Caleb, beaming as he stepped back to admire their work. 'It has two windows, a doorway, and even a mailbox!' What does Caleb's dialogue reveal about how he feels?

• AHe is proud and delighted with the cardboard fort.
• BHe is disappointed that the boxes fell down.
• CHe is worried that rain will ruin the windows.
• DHe is embarrassed by how small the fort looks.

Read the passage and answer the question. Wyatt and his father were building a treehouse in the sturdy maple tree. They had nailed down the floorboards, but when they tried to attach the wall frames, they ran out of long nails. The hardware store was already closed for the evening. Wyatt suggested they organize the remaining supplies and return early Saturday morning to buy more nails. What is the main problem in the story?

• AThe maple tree fell down during a storm.
• BThey ran out of nails while the hardware store was closed.
• CWyatt refused to help his father build floorboards.
• DThe hardware store sold them the wrong tools.

Read the passage and answer the question. A thirsty crow found a tall pitcher with a small amount of water at the bottom. His beak could not reach the water. Instead of giving up, the crow picked up small pebbles one by one and dropped them into the pitcher. As the pebbles settled at the bottom, the water level rose until the crow could drink easily. What character trait does the crow demonstrate?

• AClever and persistent
• BLazy and foolish
• CSelfish and greedy
• DImpatient and loud