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FAST ELA Grade 3 study materials
FAST ELA Grade 3 study resources

FAST ELA Grade 3 practice questions

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Question 1Reading: Literary Text

Read this sentence: 'Maya tiptoed into the quiet kitchen and peeked inside the cookie jar.' What does the word 'tiptoed' tell the reader about Maya?

  1. She moved slowly and quietly. Correct answer.
  2. She sang a happy song.
  3. She ran quickly down the hall.
  4. She slammed the door behind her.

Explanation

The word 'tiptoed' describes walking softly on the tips of the toes, which shows a slow, quiet movement. The other details in the sentence, like the 'quiet kitchen,' support that meaning.

Question 2Reading: Literary Text

In a story, a character named Leo says, 'I can't wait to stand on that stage and sing for everyone!' What does this tell you about Leo?

  1. He is excited to perform. Correct answer.
  2. He has never sung before.
  3. He wants to leave the show.
  4. He is afraid of crowds.

Explanation

The phrase 'I can't wait' shows eagerness, and he is talking about singing on a stage. Together these clues show he is excited to perform.

Question 3Reading: Literary Text

Which sentence best shows that a story is told by a narrator who is a character in the story?

  1. The wind blew the leaves across the yard.
  2. Sam walked to school with his sister.
  3. I packed my lunch and headed out the door. Correct answer.
  4. They waited for the bus at the corner.

Explanation

A narrator who is also a character uses first-person words like 'I' and 'my' to tell the story. The other sentences use third-person words like 'he' or 'they,' which point to an outside narrator.

Question 4Reading: Literary Text

Read this short poem: 'The little seed sleeps in the ground, / waiting for the rain's soft sound.' Which words rhyme in these lines?

  1. seed and rain
  2. sleeps and waiting
  3. ground and sound Correct answer.
  4. little and soft

Explanation

Rhyming words have the same ending sound. 'Ground' and 'sound' both end with the '-ound' sound, so they rhyme.

Question 5Reading: Literary Text

In a story, Ella practices her piano piece every day for a week. On the day of the recital, she plays it without any mistakes. Which word best describes Ella?

  1. sleepy
  2. foolish
  3. careless
  4. patient Correct answer.

Explanation

Practicing every day for a week shows that Ella keeps working steadily toward her goal. That steady effort is best described as being patient and hardworking.

Question 6Reading: Literary Text

Which of these is a main event that usually happens at the end of a story?

  1. The problem is solved. Correct answer.
  2. The setting is introduced.
  3. The characters are first named.
  4. The narrator describes the weather.

Explanation

Most stories follow an order: the setting and characters come first, then a problem, and finally a solution. The problem being solved is what usually brings the story to its end.

Question 7Reading: Literary Text

Read this sentence: 'The old bridge groaned under the heavy truck.' What does the word 'groaned' help the reader imagine?

  1. how the bridge sounds under weight Correct answer.
  2. how colorful the bridge is
  3. how tall the truck is
  4. how fast the truck drives

Explanation

'Groaned' is a sound word that describes a low, creaking noise. It helps the reader imagine the sound the bridge makes when something heavy presses on it.

Question 8Reading: Literary Text

In a story, a boy finds a lost puppy and decides to keep it a secret from his parents. Later, he feels worried all day and finally tells them the truth. What lesson does the story most likely teach?

  1. Parents do not like pets.
  2. Keeping secrets can make you feel bad. Correct answer.
  3. It is fun to hide things.
  4. Puppies are hard to take care of.

Explanation

The boy feels worried the whole day after hiding the puppy, and he feels better after telling the truth. The story shows that keeping a secret can cause unhappy feelings.

Question 9Reading: Literary Text

Read this sentence: 'The wind whispered through the trees.' This sentence uses a kind of figurative language called-

  1. an idiom
  2. a simile
  3. personification Correct answer.
  4. a rhyme

Explanation

Personification gives human qualities to something that is not human. The wind cannot really whisper, so the writer is giving it a human action.

Question 10Reading: Literary Text

Which sentence uses a simile?

  1. The clouds drifted across the sky.
  2. The stars were bright that night.
  3. Her smile was as warm as sunshine. Correct answer.
  4. The moon was a silver coin.

Explanation

A simile compares two things using the words 'like' or 'as.' 'As warm as sunshine' compares a smile to sunshine using 'as.'

Question 11Reading: Literary Text

Read this poem: 'The summer sun is warm and bright, / it fills the world with golden light.' Which words describe the sun in these lines?

  1. warm and bright Correct answer.
  2. dark and heavy
  3. cold and gray
  4. soft and quiet

Explanation

The poem directly states that the sun is 'warm and bright' and fills the world with 'golden light.' The describing words in the poem match this choice.

Question 12Reading: Literary Text

In a story, a girl named Rina moves to a new town and knows no one. On her first day at school, she sits alone at lunch. Then a classmate asks her to join a game. How does Rina most likely feel at the end of this part of the story?

  1. afraid of the game
  2. happy to be included Correct answer.
  3. angry that someone spoke to her
  4. bored by her new school

Explanation

Rina starts out lonely, sitting by herself. When a classmate invites her to join a game, being included would likely make her feel happy.

Question 13Reading: Literary Text

Which detail from a story best shows the setting?

  1. Marco laughed at the joke.
  2. She wanted to win the race.
  3. He promised to help his friend.
  4. The cabin sat deep in a snowy forest. Correct answer.

Explanation

The setting is where and when a story takes place. 'Deep in a snowy forest' tells the reader the place, which is the setting.

Question 14Reading: Literary Text

Read this paragraph: 'The crowd roared. Players sprinted across the field. The score was tied with one minute left.' What is the mood of this paragraph?

  1. calm and sleepy
  2. sad and lonely
  3. exciting and tense Correct answer.
  4. silly and playful

Explanation

Words like 'roared,' 'sprinted,' and 'one minute left' create a feeling of action and suspense. This mood is exciting and tense.

Question 15Reading: Literary Text

A story says: 'Dev dropped his ice cream on the sidewalk. His shoulders slumped, and he stared at the ground.' What does the way Dev acts tell you about how he feels?

  1. He feels proud.
  2. He feels grateful.
  3. He feels disappointed. Correct answer.
  4. He feels curious.

Explanation

A reader can learn how a character feels by noticing actions and body language. Slumped shoulders and staring at the ground after losing his ice cream show that Dev is disappointed.

Question 16Reading: Literary Text

Which sentence is written from the third-person point of view?

  1. I could hear the birds singing.
  2. My brother found a shiny rock.
  3. We walked to the park together.
  4. Nora opened the door and smiled. Correct answer.

Explanation

Third-person point of view uses words like 'he,' 'she,' or 'they' to tell about characters. 'Nora opened the door' uses the character's name and tells the story from outside.

Question 17Reading: Literary Text

Read this sentence: 'The kitten was a furry ball of mischief.' This sentence is an example of-

  1. a simile
  2. a metaphor Correct answer.
  3. personification
  4. alliteration

Explanation

A metaphor compares two things by saying one thing is another, without using 'like' or 'as.' The sentence says the kitten 'was' a ball of mischief, which is a direct comparison.

Question 18Reading: Literary Text

In a story, a fox tries many times to reach some grapes but cannot. At last he walks away saying, 'Those grapes were probably sour anyway.' What does the fox's words show about him?

  1. He is making excuses for failing. Correct answer.
  2. He wants to share the grapes.
  3. He is happy he tried.
  4. He plans to try again.

Explanation

The fox could not reach the grapes, so he decides they must be bad. This is a way of making an excuse so that failing does not feel as bad.

Question 19Reading: Literary Text

Read these lines: 'The leaves dance down from branches high, / they twirl and swirl across the sky.' What does the poet compare the leaves to by using the words 'dance,' 'twirl,' and 'swirl'?

  1. birds building nests
  2. children playing a game
  3. dancers moving in the air Correct answer.
  4. falling rain

Explanation

The words 'dance,' 'twirl,' and 'swirl' describe graceful movement in the air. The poet uses these words to compare the falling leaves to dancers.

Question 20Reading: Literary Text

A story is mostly about a girl who is nervous about her first day at a new school. Which sentence best states the main idea of the story?

  1. The girl eats lunch at noon.
  2. The girl faces her fears and makes a new friend. Correct answer.
  3. The girl's school has a large playground.
  4. The girl wears a blue jacket.

Explanation

The main idea is what the whole story is mostly about. A story about being nervous on the first day would most likely center on how the girl handles her fear and meets someone new.

Question 21Reading: Literary Text

Read this sentence: 'The thunder grumbled like an angry giant.' Which two things does this sentence compare?

  1. thunder and a drum
  2. thunder and a giant Correct answer.
  3. a giant and the sky
  4. rain and a giant

Explanation

A simile uses 'like' or 'as' to compare two things. Here 'like an angry giant' compares the thunder to a giant.

Question 22Reading: Literary Text

In a story, two friends both want to use the same swing. They argue, then decide to take turns. What is the problem in this story, and how is it solved?

  1. The problem is a broken swing, solved by fixing it.
  2. The problem is a shared swing, solved by taking turns. Correct answer.
  3. The problem is missing friends, solved by going home.
  4. The problem is a rainy day, solved by going inside.

Explanation

The problem is the conflict between the two friends over one swing. They solve it by agreeing to take turns, which is fair to both.

Question 23Reading: Literary Text

Read this paragraph: 'Grandpa opened the dusty box. Inside were old letters, a faded photo, and a small wooden boat he had carved as a boy.' What does the box most likely mean to Grandpa?

  1. It is full of things to sell.
  2. It holds memories from his past. Correct answer.
  3. It belongs to a stranger.
  4. It is too heavy to open.

Explanation

The box holds old letters, a faded photo, and a toy he carved as a boy. These are keepsakes that help him remember his past.

Question 24Reading: Literary Text

Which of these is a clue that a story takes place long ago?

  1. The students use computers.
  2. The family uses a telephone.
  3. The characters travel by horse and wagon. Correct answer.
  4. The children ride in a car.

Explanation

Details about how people travel and live help show when a story takes place. Traveling by horse and wagon points to a time before cars and modern machines.

Question 25Reading: Literary Text

Read this poem: 'Small bird, small bird, / why do you sing? / You wake the morning / with the song you bring.' Which line asks a question?

  1. why do you sing? Correct answer.
  2. You wake the morning
  3. Small bird, small bird,
  4. with the song you bring.

Explanation

A question ends with a question mark and asks something. The line 'why do you sing?' ends with a question mark and asks the bird a question.

Question 26Reading: Literary Text

Read this sentence: 'Maya tiptoed into the kitchen and peeked inside the cookie jar.' What does the word 'tiptoed' help the reader imagine about Maya?

  1. She moved slowly and quietly. Correct answer.
  2. She was cooking dinner.
  3. She was singing loudly.
  4. She was running fast.

Explanation

A word like 'tiptoed' gives a clue about how a character moves. Tiptoeing means walking softly and carefully so no one hears. The word helps the reader picture quiet, careful movement.

Question 27Reading: Literary Text

Which sentence tells about a character's feelings?

  1. Lena smiled and clapped her hands. Correct answer.
  2. The rain fell on the roof.
  3. The bus stopped at the corner.
  4. The school has a new library.

Explanation

A character's feelings are shown through actions, words, or thoughts. Smiling and clapping are actions that suggest happiness. The other sentences describe places or events, not a character's emotions.

Question 28Reading: Literary Text

Read this story: 'Sam packed a bag with a towel, sunscreen, and a snack. He grabbed his goggles and ran to the car.' Where is Sam most likely going?

  1. To a birthday party
  2. To the swimming pool Correct answer.
  3. To the dentist
  4. To the library

Explanation

A reader can use details to infer where a character is going. A towel, sunscreen, and goggles are items people take swimming. These clues point to a pool rather than the other places.

Question 29Reading: Literary Text

In a story, a rabbit wants to reach the top of a hill but keeps slipping on the loose dirt. What is the rabbit's problem?

  1. The rabbit lost its home.
  2. The rabbit is hungry.
  3. The rabbit cannot climb the hill. Correct answer.
  4. The rabbit has no friends to help.

Explanation

The problem in a story is the trouble a character faces. Here the rabbit keeps slipping, so it cannot get up the hill. The other choices are not mentioned in the story.

Question 30Reading: Literary Text

Which word in this sentence is a word that shows sound? 'The bacon sizzled in the pan.'

  1. the
  2. pan
  3. bacon
  4. sizzled Correct answer.

Explanation

Some words imitate or describe sounds, and these help readers hear the scene. 'Sizzled' tells how the bacon sounded as it cooked. The other words name things or are small grammar words.

Question 31Reading: Literary Text

A story is told by a character who says, 'I raced to the door and threw it open.' Which point of view is this?

  1. First person Correct answer.
  2. No point of view
  3. Second person
  4. Third person

Explanation

Point of view is shown by the pronouns the narrator uses. A narrator who says 'I' and tells about his or her own actions is speaking in first person. Third person would use 'he,' 'she,' or 'they.'

Question 32Reading: Literary Text

Read this line from a poem: 'The moon is a silver coin in the night sky.' What is the moon being compared to?

  1. A light
  2. The sky
  3. A coin Correct answer.
  4. A night

Explanation

A metaphor compares two things by saying one thing is another. The line says the moon is a silver coin, so the moon is compared to a coin. The reader pictures a round, shining object.

Question 33Reading: Literary Text

Which sentence tells about the setting of a story?

  1. Mia wanted to win the race.
  2. The cabin sat deep in a snowy forest. Correct answer.
  3. Jin laughed at the joke.
  4. The dog barked at the mail carrier.

Explanation

The setting is where and when a story takes place. A cabin in a snowy forest tells the reader the place. The other sentences describe actions or feelings.

Question 34Reading: Literary Text

Read this paragraph: 'Nia looked at the tall tree and took a deep breath. She grabbed the lowest branch and pulled herself up. One foot at a time, she climbed higher.' What is Nia doing?

  1. Cutting a tree
  2. Planting a tree
  3. Painting a tree
  4. Climbing a tree Correct answer.

Explanation

Details in a paragraph show what is happening. Nia grabs a branch and pulls herself up one foot at a time, which is climbing. A reader puts these clues together to understand the action.

Question 35Reading: Literary Text

In a story, Leo practices the piano every day for a month. At the recital, he plays his song without any mistakes. Which sentence best tells what Leo learned?

  1. Piano songs are very short.
  2. Hard work and practice pay off. Correct answer.
  3. Music is louder than noise.
  4. Recitals are held in the evening.

Explanation

A lesson or theme is the message a story teaches. Leo practices daily and then succeeds, which shows that practice leads to success. The other sentences are details, not lessons.

Question 36Reading: Literary Text

Read these lines: 'The old dog stretched beside the fire, / his racing days are done.' What does the reader learn about the dog?

  1. He is afraid of fire.
  2. He is lost in the woods.
  3. He is old and rests now. Correct answer.
  4. He is young and fast.

Explanation

Poems give clues about characters through words and images. The dog is called 'old' and his racing days are 'done,' and he is resting by the fire. These details show an older dog who no longer runs.

Question 37Reading: Literary Text

Read this sentence: 'The hallway was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.' What does this sentence mean?

  1. The hallway was very noisy.
  2. Pins are easy to hear.
  3. The hallway was extremely quiet. Correct answer.
  4. Someone dropped a pin.

Explanation

This is a figure of speech that exaggerates to make a point. Saying you could hear a pin drop means the room was almost silent. Readers should not take the words literally.

Question 38Reading: Literary Text

In a story, Ava borrows her sister's scarf without asking. Later, she sees her sister looking for it and feels a knot in her stomach. What does the knot in her stomach show?

  1. Ava feels guilty. Correct answer.
  2. Ava is cold.
  3. Ava is hungry.
  4. Ava is sleepy.

Explanation

Writers show feelings through the body and actions. A knot in the stomach after doing something wrong suggests guilt or worry. The reader connects the feeling to Ava's choice to take the scarf.

Question 39Reading: Literary Text

Which sentence best shows that a character is kind?

  1. Tomas forgot his homework at home.
  2. Tomas ran to the front of the line.
  3. Tomas shut the door hard.
  4. Tomas shared his lunch with a classmate who had none. Correct answer.

Explanation

A character's traits are shown by what the character does. Sharing lunch with someone who has none is a caring action. The other sentences do not show kindness.

Question 40Reading: Literary Text

Read this paragraph: 'The first day of camp, Eli knew no one. He sat by himself at lunch. By the last day, he had a list of friends and promises to write.' What change happens in Eli?

  1. He goes from happy to sad.
  2. He goes from lonely to having friends. Correct answer.
  3. He goes from tall to short.
  4. He goes from tired to awake.

Explanation

Stories often show a character changing from beginning to end. Eli starts alone with no friends and ends with many friends. The reader compares the two parts to see the change.

Question 41Reading: Literary Text

Which sentence is written in the third-person point of view?

  1. We packed our bags for the trip.
  2. You should pack your bag for the trip.
  3. I packed my bag for the trip.
  4. She packed her bag for the trip. Correct answer.

Explanation

Third-person point of view uses pronouns like 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' or 'they.' The sentence with 'she' and 'her' tells about someone from the outside. First person uses 'I' or 'we,' and second person uses 'you.'

Question 42Reading: Literary Text

Read this dialogue: '"You can't catch me!" shouted Ben, sprinting toward the gate.' What does the dialogue and action tell the reader about Ben?

  1. He is shy and quiet.
  2. He is tired and slow.
  3. He is angry and rude.
  4. He is playful and fast. Correct answer.

Explanation

Dialogue and actions help readers learn about characters. Ben shouts a teasing line and sprints, which shows he is playful and quick. Readers combine words and actions to understand a character.

Question 43Reading: Literary Text

Read this poem: 'Rain taps the window, / soft as a fingertip.' Which words help the reader imagine how the rain sounds?

  1. the window
  2. fingertip
  3. soft as
  4. Rain taps Correct answer.

Explanation

Poets choose words that help readers hear and feel. 'Rain taps' describes the sound of rain hitting the glass. A simile like 'soft as a fingertip' describes how gentle it is, but 'taps' is the sound word.

Question 44Reading: Literary Text

In a story, two brothers want the last slice of cake. They talk it over and decide to split it in half. Which sentence best describes how the problem is solved?

  1. The brothers throw the cake away.
  2. The brothers ask a parent to buy more cake.
  3. The brothers share the slice fairly. Correct answer.
  4. The brothers argue until they give up.

Explanation

A story's problem is solved by the choices characters make. Here the brothers talk and split the slice, so they share it. That choice ends the conflict fairly.

Question 45Reading: Literary Text

Read this sentence: 'The wind howled all night, and the shutters banged against the house.' Which mood does this sentence create?

  1. A silly, funny mood
  2. A warm, cozy mood
  3. A scary, stormy mood Correct answer.
  4. A calm, peaceful mood

Explanation

Word choice creates mood, the feeling a passage gives the reader. Howling wind and banging shutters suggest a wild, stormy night. These details make the scene feel tense rather than calm.

Question 46Reading: Literary Text

Read this story: 'Every morning, the fox watched the farmer's hens from behind the fence. One day, the gate was left open.' What will most likely happen next?

  1. The fox will go to sleep.
  2. The farmer will sell the hens.
  3. The hens will fly away.
  4. The fox will enter the gate. Correct answer.

Explanation

A prediction is a guess about what happens next, based on clues in the story. The fox has watched the hens daily, and now the gate is open. These clues suggest the fox will go through the open gate.

Question 47Reading: Literary Text

Read this paragraph: 'The letter had no stamp. The address was smudged. Still, Cora held it tightly, as if it were made of gold.' What does the comparison to gold show about Cora's feelings?

  1. She thinks the letter is yellow.
  2. She thinks the letter is heavy.
  3. She thinks the letter is a gift.
  4. She thinks the letter is valuable to her. Correct answer.

Explanation

A comparison can reveal how a character feels about something. Saying Cora held the letter 'as if it were made of gold' shows it is precious to her. The comparison is about value, not color or weight.

Question 48Reading: Literary Text

Read these lines: 'I knocked on the door. / No answer came. / I knocked once more. / Still just the same.' What pattern do these lines follow?

  1. Each line asks a question.
  2. Each pair of lines rhymes. Correct answer.
  3. The lines repeat the same words.
  4. Every line is very long.

Explanation

Poems often have a pattern of rhymes. In these lines, 'came' rhymes with 'same,' so the pairs of lines rhyme. Looking at the end words helps readers find the pattern.

Question 49Reading: Literary Text

Read this story: 'Rosa practiced her speech every night. On the day of the contest, her hands shook. She took a breath and began. When she finished, the room was silent, then everyone stood and clapped.' Which sentence best states the main idea?

  1. Rosa faced her fear and did well. Correct answer.
  2. The room was silent after the speech.
  3. Rosa's hands shook before the contest.
  4. Rosa practiced her speech at night.

Explanation

The main idea is what a story is mostly about, not a small detail. Rosa is nervous but takes a breath, speaks, and earns applause. The story is mostly about facing fear and succeeding.

Question 50Reading: Literary Text

Read this paragraph: 'The house was still. Dust covered the chairs. A clock on the wall had stopped long ago.' What does the paragraph suggest about the house?

  1. It has been empty for a long time. Correct answer.
  2. It is full of noisy guests.
  3. It is brand new.
  4. It is being cleaned today.

Explanation

Readers infer ideas from clues rather than being told directly. Dust, stillness, and a stopped clock all suggest no one has been there for a long while. Together these details point to a house that has been empty.