Reading short original stories and non-fiction passages, then finding the main idea, details and order of events, making inferences and working out word meanings from context.
Washington State Learning Standards learning standard: ELA.3.R.4 · understanding stories and true texts
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Where did Zoe and Grandpa have their picnic?
The Indoor Picnic
Zoe and her grandpa had planned a picnic at the park for Saturday. But when Zoe woke up, rain was drumming on her window.
“Our picnic is ruined,” Zoe sighed, pressing her nose against the cold glass.
Grandpa smiled. “Who says a picnic has to be outside?” He spread a blanket on the living room floor. Zoe packed sandwiches, grapes and lemonade into the basket, just as they had planned.
They ate on the blanket and listened to the rain. After lunch, they built a blanket fort and read stories inside it. “This was even better than the park,” Zoe said with a grin.
On the living room floor
On the front steps
At the park
On the living room floor
Hint: Read the third paragraph. Where did Grandpa spread the blanket?
Question 2
What lesson does this story show?
The Indoor Picnic
Zoe and her grandpa had planned a picnic at the park for Saturday. But when Zoe woke up, rain was drumming on her window.
“Our picnic is ruined,” Zoe sighed, pressing her nose against the cold glass.
Grandpa smiled. “Who says a picnic has to be outside?” He spread a blanket on the living room floor. Zoe packed sandwiches, grapes and lemonade into the basket, just as they had planned.
They ate on the blanket and listened to the rain. After lunch, they built a blanket fort and read stories inside it. “This was even better than the park,” Zoe said with a grin.
Always stay inside on Saturdays.
Picnics are only fun at the park.
A change of plans can still be fun.
A change of plans can still be fun.
Hint: Zoe thought the day was ruined, but how did she feel at the end?
Question 3
How did Zoe feel when she first saw the rain?
The Indoor Picnic
Zoe and her grandpa had planned a picnic at the park for Saturday. But when Zoe woke up, rain was drumming on her window.
“Our picnic is ruined,” Zoe sighed, pressing her nose against the cold glass.
Grandpa smiled. “Who says a picnic has to be outside?” He spread a blanket on the living room floor. Zoe packed sandwiches, grapes and lemonade into the basket, just as they had planned.
They ate on the blanket and listened to the rain. After lunch, they built a blanket fort and read stories inside it. “This was even better than the park,” Zoe said with a grin.
Excited
Proud
Disappointed
Disappointed
Hint: Zoe sighed and said the picnic was ruined. What feeling do those clues show?
Question 4
What was the problem in this story?
The Indoor Picnic
Zoe and her grandpa had planned a picnic at the park for Saturday. But when Zoe woke up, rain was drumming on her window.
“Our picnic is ruined,” Zoe sighed, pressing her nose against the cold glass.
Grandpa smiled. “Who says a picnic has to be outside?” He spread a blanket on the living room floor. Zoe packed sandwiches, grapes and lemonade into the basket, just as they had planned.
They ate on the blanket and listened to the rain. After lunch, they built a blanket fort and read stories inside it. “This was even better than the park,” Zoe said with a grin.
Zoe forgot to pack the sandwiches.
Rain spoiled their plan for a picnic at the park.
Grandpa lost the picnic blanket.
Rain spoiled their plan for a picnic at the park.
Hint: What went wrong at the very beginning of the story?
Question 5
Put these in order, from first to last.
Ravi's Rocks
Ravi was going to share his rock collection at show and tell on Monday. All weekend, his stomach felt fluttery whenever he thought about talking in front of the whole class.
On Sunday, Ravi practiced his talk for his mom. Then he practiced for his little sister. Last of all, he practiced for the cat, who yawned. Each time, Ravi spoke a little more clearly.
On Monday, Ravi held up a shiny piece of quartz. His voice wobbled at first, but then he remembered his practice. He told the class where he had found each rock. When he finished, so many hands went up with questions that the bell rang before he could answer them all.
Ravi practiced for the cat.
Ravi practiced for his mom.
Ravi practiced for his little sister.
Ravi held up a piece of quartz.
Ravi practiced for his mom. → Ravi practiced for his little sister. → Ravi practiced for the cat. → Ravi held up a piece of quartz.
Hint: Look back at the passage. Find each part, then see which one comes first.
Question 6
What did Ravi share at show and tell?
Ravi's Rocks
Ravi was going to share his rock collection at show and tell on Monday. All weekend, his stomach felt fluttery whenever he thought about talking in front of the whole class.
On Sunday, Ravi practiced his talk for his mom. Then he practiced for his little sister. Last of all, he practiced for the cat, who yawned. Each time, Ravi spoke a little more clearly.
On Monday, Ravi held up a shiny piece of quartz. His voice wobbled at first, but then he remembered his practice. He told the class where he had found each rock. When he finished, so many hands went up with questions that the bell rang before he could answer them all.