CAASPP Grade 3 ELA
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Last updated about 1 month ago
33 questions
Read the passage and answer questions 1-9.
Treasure in the Field
by Marilyn Bolchunos
Once there was a man who lived with his two young sons on a farm in Vietnam. Since the man had to tend the field, the boys took care of the house. That is, they were supposed to take care of the house.
Often the father returned home to find that nothing had been done—he even had to cook dinner.
"What have you been doing all day, Ta?" he would ask his older son.
"Studying, Father, and thinking," Ta would reply.
"And what have you been doing, Hai, my young son?" the father would ask.
"Watching the house for you," Hai would answer.
A neighbor asked the old man, "Are your sons helping you?"
"Oh, they would," the father answered, "but they are young."
Some years later, the neighbor asked, "Aren't your sons helping you in the field?"
"Oh, they would," the father replied again, "but they are still young. I will let them enjoy life now. They will help me later on.
As the years went by, it became clear even to their father that the boys were lazy. Though they sometimes tended the field with him, they always made excuses to go home early.
Finally the father grew too old to work, and he took to his bed. The sons were sad, for they not only depended on their father, but they also loved him.
One day the old man called Ta and Hai to his side and said weakly, "I have a secret to tell you, my sons. Bend close."
Hai and Ta leaned over to hear the secret.
"A while ago," the old man said, "we learned that there is treasure buried in the field. It's still there, but you must dig for it."
The sons' eyes widened.
"Treasure in the field?" Ta said. "Where?" asked Hai.
"Dig for it, and you will find it," said their father. "But promise me that you will share it equally."
The sons promised and hurried out to begin. Day after day they dug. Their neighbor was astonished to see how long and hard the young men worked. As for Ta and Hai, they felt stronger and better than ever before.
At last, the entire field had been dug, but no treasure had been found. The brothers moped around with their heads down.
Finally an idea came to Ta. "The land is ready for planting," he said to his brother. "And our rice is almost gone. You take one half of the field, and I'll take the other. We'll tend it just as Father did."
The days passed and the seedlings grew. In due time, the field gave an abundant harvest. There was rice to eat and rice to sell.
When the sons took the rice to the marketplace, it brought a good price.
Excited, Ta and Hai ran back to the house and approached their father's bedside. They dropped coins into the old man's hands.
"Look, Father," said Hai. "We have sold rice and brought you gold!"
"Yes," said Ta. "Just as you said, the treasure was in the field."
The old man smiled. They had learned his secret.
"Treasure in the Field" by Marilyn Bolchunos, from Highlights for Children. Copyright © 2004 by Highlights for Children, Inc.
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1
Which detail from the passage best explains why the father must stop working in the field?
Which detail from the passage best explains why the father must stop working in the field?
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1
Read the sentences from the passage.
Day after day they dug. Their neighbor was astonished to see how long and hard the young men worked.
What does the word astonished most likely mean?
Read the sentences from the passage.
Day after day they dug. Their neighbor was astonished to see how long and hard the young men worked.
What does the word astonished most likely mean?
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1
Part AThis question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.
Which statement about the boys is supported by the passage?
Part A
This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.
Which statement about the boys is supported by the passage?
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1
Part BWhich sentence from the passage best supports your answer in part A.
Part B
Which sentence from the passage best supports your answer in part A.
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1
Which detail from the passage best shows that the old man's sons are lazy?
Which detail from the passage best shows that the old man's sons are lazy?
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1
What is the most likely reason the author included the final sentence in the passage? Pick two choices.
What is the most likely reason the author included the final sentence in the passage? Pick two choices.
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1
Which sentence is most likely true about both sons in the passage?
Which sentence is most likely true about both sons in the passage?
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1
Which of these best describes why the author used dialogue in the passage?
Which of these best describes why the author used dialogue in the passage?
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1
Read the sentence from the passage.
It became clear, even to their father, that the boys were lazy.
What does the phrase even to their father tell the reader about the story?
Read the sentence from the passage.
It became clear, even to their father, that the boys were lazy.
What does the phrase even to their father tell the reader about the story?
Read the passage and answer questions 10-17.
Sap's Running
by Stephen R. Swinburne
The Coleman brothers—Nelson, Ralph, and Harold—step out their front door in Vermont. They feel the wind. They feel the sun on their faces. "Sap could be running this morning," says Nelson.
As they pass 75-year-old sugar-maple trees, sap drips from holes in the trees into metal buckets. They know for sure that today will be a good day for sugaring.
Sap from sugar maples looks like water, but tastes sweet. That's because it has sugar in it. It also contains minerals from the soil. A 50-foot-high sugar maple has nearly two hundred thousand leaves. All these leaves drink in summer sunshine and make sugar. During winter, sugar is stored in the tree. Running sap in the spring contains the sugar that was made in the tree the summer before.
Every spring, the Colemans tap holes into sugar-maple trees, then hang a bucket under each hole to catch the sap. To make syrup, the sap is heated in big open pans so that most of the water will boil away. The Colemans say it takes about thirty-five gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup.
More than a hundred years ago, scientist Charles Darwin wrote that sap flow was a "most mysterious subject." Since then, many people have studied how sap flows. Much of the research has been done at the University of Vermont, where sap is still being studied.
Nelson Coleman and his brothers have made maple syrup all their lives. It is a family tradition. They don't worry too much about why the sap is running in their trees this morning. They're just glad it is.
The Iroquois Legend of Woksis and Maple Syrup
According to legend, an Iroquois chief named Woksis yanked his tomahawk out of a maple tree one spring day. A bowl sat by the trunk of that tree. As the day warmed, sap dripped from the gash into the bowl. When Woksis's wife saw the sap in the bowl, she thought it was water. She used it to cook their meal. The sap boiled away, leaving maple syrup. When Woksis tasted the sweetened meat, he loved it. So, boiling sap to make maple syrup began.
What Makes Sap Run?
For years, people have thought that sap rises up from the roots of the sugar-maple tree. It doesn't. "During the time when sap flows from tap holes, the bulk flow of sap is downward," says Dr. Tim Perkins. He is a scientist at the University of Vermont.
How does sap flow? During cold nights, maple trees freeze solid. That's when water rises into the trunk and branches. The water forms frost inside tiny hollow spaces within the tree. In the morning, this frost melts and becomes sap, which flows down the tree.
Scientists say that anyone who cuts down a sugar-maple tree in freezing weather can see this is true. When the weather warms up, sap will flow from the cut end of the trunk—not from the stump.
"Sap's Running" by Stephen R. Swinburne from Highlights for Children.
Copyright © 2004 by Highlights for Children, Inc.
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1
Which sentence from the passage supports the idea that the Coleman brothers have experience with making maple syrup?
Which sentence from the passage supports the idea that the Coleman brothers have experience with making maple syrup?
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1
This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.
Part AClick on the sentence that gives the best conclusion about sugar-maple trees.
This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.
Part A
Click on the sentence that gives the best conclusion about sugar-maple trees.
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Part BHighlight the sentence from the passage that best supports your answer in part A. Choose one answer.
Part B
Highlight the sentence from the passage that best supports your answer in part A. Choose one answer.
A 50-foot-high sugar maple has nearly two hundred thousand leaves.
The Coleman brothers—Nelson, Ralph, and Harold—step out their front door in Vermont.
Scientists say that anyone who cuts down a sugar-maple tree in freezing weather can see this is true.
Every spring, the Colemans tap holes into the sugar-maple trees, then hang a bucket under each hole to catch the sap.
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1
The author states that many years ago, sap flow was a "most mysterious subject." How does the author explain that this is no longer true?
The author states that many years ago, sap flow was a "most mysterious subject." How does the author explain that this is no longer true?
Required
1
Read the sentences from the passage.
More than a hundred years ago, scientist Charles Darwin wrote that sap flow was a "most mysterious subject." Since then, many people have studied how sap flows. Much of the research has been done at the University of Vermont, where sap is still being studied.
What does this paragraph show about the author's point of view?
Read the sentences from the passage.
More than a hundred years ago, scientist Charles Darwin wrote that sap flow was a "most mysterious subject." Since then, many people have studied how sap flows. Much of the research has been done at the University of Vermont, where sap is still being studied.
What does this paragraph show about the author's point of view?
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1
What is the most likely reason the author included the legend in the passage? Pick two choices.
What is the most likely reason the author included the legend in the passage? Pick two choices.
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1
Read the sentences from the passage.
Nelson Coleman and his brothers have made maple syrup all their lives. It is a family tradition.
What is a family tradition?
Read the sentences from the passage.
Nelson Coleman and his brothers have made maple syrup all their lives. It is a family tradition.
What is a family tradition?
Required
1
Read the sentence from the passage.
All these leaves drink in summer sunshine and make sugar.
Which statement best describes what this sentence means?
Read the sentence from the passage.
All these leaves drink in summer sunshine and make sugar.
Which statement best describes what this sentence means?
Required
1
Ellen is writing a story for her class about a day at the beach. She wants to revise her story to use more descriptive words. Read the draft and complete the task that follows.
It was Ellen's last day of summer vacation. She raced into the garage and announced, "Dad, we have to go to the beach today! It's our last chance this summer to go swimming and build sandcastles together!"
Dad smiled happily and, together, Ellen and Dad drove 45 minutes to the beach. Once there, they set up their chairs near the water. Dad read and Ellen played.
Ellen worked for about an hour on her sandcastle. Then, she noticed that her dad had spent that entire time just reading a book. She felt annoyed. She tugged at Dad's book. She looked at him.
Dad grinned and set his book aside. Together, the two raced into the warm, bubbly waves. They laughed with excitement.
Select two of the choices that have the best descriptive sentences to replace Dad read and Ellen played and She looked at him.
Ellen is writing a story for her class about a day at the beach. She wants to revise her story to use more descriptive words. Read the draft and complete the task that follows.
It was Ellen's last day of summer vacation. She raced into the garage and announced, "Dad, we have to go to the beach today! It's our last chance this summer to go swimming and build sandcastles together!"
Dad smiled happily and, together, Ellen and Dad drove 45 minutes to the beach. Once there, they set up their chairs near the water. Dad read and Ellen played.
Ellen worked for about an hour on her sandcastle. Then, she noticed that her dad had spent that entire time just reading a book. She felt annoyed. She tugged at Dad's book. She looked at him.
Dad grinned and set his book aside. Together, the two raced into the warm, bubbly waves. They laughed with excitement.
Select two of the choices that have the best descriptive sentences to replace Dad read and Ellen played and She looked at him.
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1
A student is writing a report for social studies class about the state of Alaska. The student wants to revise the draft to make sure it has enough details. Read this portion of the report and complete the task that follows.
Alaska is a very big state. It is bigger than Texas, California, and Montana put together! Even though it is a big state, only about 730,000 people live there. Alaska has 39 mountain ranges and two rain forests. A lot of different animals live in Alaska. In Barrow, the town located farthest north in the state, the sun doesn't set between May 10 and August 2, but between November 18 and January 23, the sun doesn't rise. Alaska is a very interesting and unusual place.
My notes on Alaska:- Black bears, brown bears, moose, musk ox, and whales are just a few animals that call Alaska home.
- The capital of Alaska is Juneau.
- There are 70,000 sea otters living in the waters of Alaska.
- Alaska did not become a state until 1959.
- The mountains in Alaska have the coldest temperatures in the United States.
- Alaska is only 55 miles away from Russia.
Choose the two sentences from the student's notes that add more facts to the information given in the underlined sentence.
A student is writing a report for social studies class about the state of Alaska. The student wants to revise the draft to make sure it has enough details. Read this portion of the report and complete the task that follows.
Alaska is a very big state. It is bigger than Texas, California, and Montana put together! Even though it is a big state, only about 730,000 people live there. Alaska has 39 mountain ranges and two rain forests. A lot of different animals live in Alaska. In Barrow, the town located farthest north in the state, the sun doesn't set between May 10 and August 2, but between November 18 and January 23, the sun doesn't rise. Alaska is a very interesting and unusual place.
My notes on Alaska:
- Black bears, brown bears, moose, musk ox, and whales are just a few animals that call Alaska home.
- The capital of Alaska is Juneau.
- There are 70,000 sea otters living in the waters of Alaska.
- Alaska did not become a state until 1959.
- The mountains in Alaska have the coldest temperatures in the United States.
- Alaska is only 55 miles away from Russia.
Choose the two sentences from the student's notes that add more facts to the information given in the underlined sentence.
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1
A student is writing an opinion article for her teacher about her favorite field trip. The student wants to revise the draft so that it has a logical conclusion. Read the draft of the opinion article and complete the task that follows.
Highlight the sentence in the draft below that is in the wrong place.
A student is writing an opinion article for her teacher about her favorite field trip. The student wants to revise the draft so that it has a logical conclusion. Read the draft of the opinion article and complete the task that follows.
Highlight the sentence in the draft below that is in the wrong place.
My favorite third-grade field trip is the trip to the zoo. There are many reasons that the zoo is the best field trip. First, when we go to the zoo, we get to ride on big buses that have televisions and bathrooms. As you can see, the best third-grade trip by far is the zoo field trip. Second, we get to eat lunch at a really great rest area with picnic tables. Also, we get to spend the whole day walking around looking at interesting animals.
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1
A student is writing an opinion paper for her teacher about dogs. Read this paragraph from the paper and the directions that follow.
Dogs are described as "people's best friend" because they make people happy. The fur on a dog can be long or short, or curly or straight, but most of the time it is soft. When people pet dogs, it makes them feel happy. There are community groups that bring dogs to nursing homes for the patients. Being able to play with the dogs makes the patients feel good. This is one reason why I think dogs are wonderful animals.
Select the best two words from the choices to replace the underlined words in the paragraph.
A student is writing an opinion paper for her teacher about dogs. Read this paragraph from the paper and the directions that follow.
Dogs are described as "people's best friend" because they make people happy. The fur on a dog can be long or short, or curly or straight, but most of the time it is soft. When people pet dogs, it makes them feel happy. There are community groups that bring dogs to nursing homes for the patients. Being able to play with the dogs makes the patients feel good. This is one reason why I think dogs are wonderful animals.
Select the best two words from the choices to replace the underlined words in the paragraph.
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1
Highlight two sentences that have mistakes in punctuation.
Highlight two sentences that have mistakes in punctuation.
Tim and I sat in the front row at the circus, and the clowns tumbled and danced in front of us. They pretended to throw water on us, but their buckets just had shiny bits of paper. Then, one clown really did spray water on me from a flower on his jacket.
"Oh, he got me! I said to Tim."
"Yes" he laughed "he tricked you twice!"
After that, the elephants came out. The elephants did tricks like stand on their front legs.
"How can those huge animals do that?" I asked Tim.
"I don't know, but it's amazing," Tim answered.
Required
1
Highlight the sentences that use the incorrect verb tenses.
Highlight the sentences that use the incorrect verb tenses.
Standing on the stage, I could feel my heart beating in my chest.
I sings my song on the stage with my friends.
The audience clapped loudly.
I take a bow and walked off the stage with a smile on my face.
Soaring on the Wings of the Wind
Listen to the presentation. Then answer the questions.
“Soaring on the Wings of the Wind” by Lois Miner Huey. Copyright © 2012 by Highlights for Children. Reprinted with permission of Highlights for Children.
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1
Part AWhat is the most likely reason the author made the presentation?
Part A
What is the most likely reason the author made the presentation?
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1
Part BWhich sentence from the presentation best supports your answer in part A?
Part B
Which sentence from the presentation best supports your answer in part A?
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1
Which question can a listener answer after hearing the presentation?
Which question can a listener answer after hearing the presentation?
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1
Complete the chart to show which events were planned. Click in the boxes next to the events that match if they were planned or unplanned.
Complete the chart to show which events were planned. Click in the boxes next to the events that match if they were planned or unplanned.
Planned | Unplanned | |
|---|---|---|
Edward Warren Jr. rode in a balloon. | ||
The balloon filled with smoke from a fire. | ||
A crowd in Baltimore saw how a balloon could fly. | ||
Peter Carnes used a stove to make the balloon rise. |
All About Pizza
Listen to the presentation. Then answer the questions.
"All About Pizza" by Marcia Amidon Lusted, from Appleseeds. Copyright © 2013 by Carus Publishing Company. Reprinted with permission of Carus Publishing Company.
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1
Which conclusion is supported by the presentation?
Which conclusion is supported by the presentation?
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1
Complete the chart to show which countries are known for which pizza toppings. Click in the boxes next to the countries that match the toppings.
Complete the chart to show which countries are known for which pizza toppings. Click in the boxes next to the countries that match the toppings.
eel | pepperoni | ginger | |
|---|---|---|---|
United States | |||
India | |||
Japan |
Required
1
What is the most likely reason the author made the presentation?
What is the most likely reason the author made the presentation?
Required
1
A student is writing a research report about the human eye. Read the sentences from her report and the directions that follow.
Our eyes are wonderful body parts. They help us see the beauty of the world. In the center of the eye is a black spot. Have you ever wondered why that spot gets bigger and smaller?
Choose two of the sources that would most likely give the student more information about the ideas she has written.
A student is writing a research report about the human eye. Read the sentences from her report and the directions that follow.
Our eyes are wonderful body parts. They help us see the beauty of the world. In the center of the eye is a black spot. Have you ever wondered why that spot gets bigger and smaller?
Choose two of the sources that would most likely give the student more information about the ideas she has written.
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1
A student is writing a report about red foxes. She is looking for information about the body of the red fox. Which sentence has information that the student can use?
A student is writing a report about red foxes. She is looking for information about the body of the red fox. Which sentence has information that the student can use?
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1
A student is writing a research report about different kinds of fruit. He wrote an opinion in the report. Read the sentences from the student's report and the directions that follow.
Many Kinds of Fruit
A fruit is the part of the plant that has the plant's seeds. There are many kinds of fruits. Some that are popular with kids are apples, bananas, grapes, oranges, and strawberries. Sometimes it is confusing to tell if a food is a fruit.
The student found another source about different kinds of fruit. Which sentence best supports the student's opinion?
A student is writing a research report about different kinds of fruit. He wrote an opinion in the report. Read the sentences from the student's report and the directions that follow.
Many Kinds of Fruit
A fruit is the part of the plant that has the plant's seeds. There are many kinds of fruits. Some that are popular with kids are apples, bananas, grapes, oranges, and strawberries. Sometimes it is confusing to tell if a food is a fruit.
The student found another source about different kinds of fruit. Which sentence best supports the student's opinion?