Grade 3 ABC Order & Dictionary worksheet
from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
How to explain it
- Put words in ABC order by the first letter. If the first letters match, look at the second, then the third.
- Guide words at the top of a dictionary page show the first and last words on it.
- A word is on that page if it comes between the two guide words.
Example: A page has the guide words “camp” and “cat.” Is “car” on that page? c-a-m, c-a-r, c-a-t: compare the third letters. m comes before r, and r comes before t. Answer: Yes
Question 1
Put these words in ABC order.
- octopus
- kettle
- owl
- hat
hat → kettle → octopus → owl
Hint: Start with the first letters. If two words start the same, look at the second letter.
Question 2
What do the guide words at the top of a dictionary page show?
- The words that rhyme
- The hardest words on the page
- The first and last words on that page
The first and last words on that page
Hint: Guide words help you find the right page quickly. They match the first and last entries.
Question 3
Which word comes last in ABC order?
- car
- cloud
- brick
cloud
Hint: When two words start with the same letter, look at the second letter to break the tie. The answer is “cloud.”
Question 4
A dictionary page has the guide words “band” and “brick.” Which word is on that page?
- ball
- broom
- bread
bread
Hint: Words on the page come between the guide words in ABC order: band … bread … brick.
Question 5
A dictionary page has the guide words “market” and “maze.” Which word is on that page?
- mask
- moon
- magnet
mask
Hint: Words on the page come between the guide words in ABC order: market … mask … maze.
Question 6
Which word comes first in ABC order?
- yarn
- fox
- fly
fly
Hint: When two words start with the same letter, look at the second letter to break the tie. The answer is “fly.”
Question 7
Where in a dictionary would you find the word “whale”?
- Near the beginning
- Near the end
- In the middle
Near the end
Hint: A dictionary goes from A to Z. “whale” starts with w, so it is near the end.
Question 8
A dictionary page has the guide words “spell” and “spoon.” Which word is on that page?
- spun
- space
- spider
spider
Hint: Words on the page come between the guide words in ABC order: spell … spider … spoon.
Question 9
A dictionary page has the guide words “camp” and “cat.” Which word is on that page?
- cabin
- car
- cave
car
Hint: Words on the page come between the guide words in ABC order: camp … car … cat.
Question 10
A dictionary page has the guide words “map” and “mask.” Which word is on that page?
- maze
- market
- magnet
market
Hint: Words on the page come between the guide words in ABC order: map … market … mask.
Answer key
- 1. hat → kettle → octopus → owl
- 2. The first and last words on that page
- 3. cloud
- 4. bread
- 5. mask
- 6. fly
- 7. Near the end
- 8. spider
- 9. car
- 10. market
Want more than 10 questions?
In Gradelings the questions change every time and adjust to your child, with hints and kind feedback.