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MCAS ELA Grade 3 study materials
MCAS ELA Grade 3 study resources

MCAS ELA Grade 3 practice questions

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Question 1English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student reads this sentence from a story: "Maya tiptoed past the sleeping dog and eased the door shut behind her." What does the word eased tell the reader about how Maya moved the door?

  1. She moved it without touching it.
  2. She moved it quickly and carelessly.
  3. She moved it with a loud bang.
  4. She moved it slowly and carefully. Correct answer.

Explanation

The word eased suggests gentle, careful motion, which fits a character trying not to wake a sleeping dog. Context clues like tiptoed support the idea that Maya is being quiet and cautious.

Question 2English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Which sentence from a story is written in the first-person point of view?

  1. I tucked the letter into my pocket. Correct answer.
  2. You should always check the mailbox.
  3. They waited by the fountain until noon.
  4. Sam carried the box up the stairs.

Explanation

First-person point of view uses the pronouns I and we, and the narrator tells the story from inside the action. Only the sentence with I and my shows a narrator speaking about their own experience.

Question 3English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student is writing a report about how honeybees find flowers. Which source would best give the student facts about bee behavior?

  1. A poem about a garden in summertime
  2. A science article titled 'How Bees Locate Flowers' Correct answer.
  3. A recipe that uses honey as an ingredient
  4. A picture book about a bear who loves honey

Explanation

A research report needs sources that give accurate factual information about the topic. A science article focused on how bees locate flowers matches the report's subject and is written to inform.

Question 4English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this sentence: "The kitten batted the yarn across the floor." Which word in the sentence is the verb?

  1. kitten
  2. yarn
  3. floor
  4. batted Correct answer.

Explanation

A verb shows the action in a sentence. Batted tells what the kitten did, so it is the action verb.

Question 5English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Which sentence correctly uses a comma?

  1. After lunch we walked to the park.
  2. After lunch, we walked to the park. Correct answer.
  3. After lunch we, walked to the park.
  4. After, lunch we walked to the park.

Explanation

An introductory phrase that comes before the main clause is followed by a comma. In this sentence After lunch introduces the main clause, so the comma belongs right after lunch.

Question 6English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A story says: "Diego stared at the mountain of homework on his desk and sighed." What does the phrase mountain of homework most likely mean?

  1. Diego stacked his books into a real mountain.
  2. Diego's homework is about mountains.
  3. Diego has finished all of his homework.
  4. Diego has a very large amount of homework. Correct answer.

Explanation

Mountain of homework is a figure of speech comparing a big pile of work to a mountain. The sigh shows Diego feels overwhelmed by how much work he has.

Question 7English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Which word correctly completes the sentence? "The birds _____ loudly every morning."

  1. singing
  2. sing Correct answer.
  3. sings
  4. sang

Explanation

The subject birds is plural, so the present-tense verb must agree with it by taking no -s ending. Sing matches the plural subject and the sentence's present-tense pattern.

Question 8English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A book about volcanoes has a table of contents and an index. Which would help a reader most quickly find the page where a specific term, such as 'lava tube,' is discussed?

  1. The copyright page
  2. The glossary
  3. The index Correct answer.
  4. The title page

Explanation

An index lists topics alphabetically with page numbers so readers can jump to where a term appears in the book. A table of contents shows only chapter titles and starting pages.

Question 9English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this paragraph: "The rain stopped at noon. Sunlight broke through the clouds, and the playground began to fill with children. Puddles sparkled like small mirrors on the blacktop." Which sentence best states the main idea of the paragraph?

  1. The playground was empty because of the weather.
  2. Children prefer to play indoors when it rains.
  3. The weather cleared and the playground came back to life. Correct answer.
  4. Rain fell all afternoon on the playground.

Explanation

The paragraph describes the rain ending, sunlight appearing, and children returning to play. Those details together support the idea that the weather improved and activity resumed.

Question 10English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student wants to make a story more interesting by showing a character's feelings instead of just telling them. Which sentence best shows that a character is nervous?

  1. Jada's hands shook as she took the stage. Correct answer.
  2. Jada was a nervous person that day.
  3. Jada walked into the spelling bee.
  4. Jada felt nervous about the spelling bee.

Explanation

Showing a feeling means giving details that let readers infer it from action. Shaking hands on stage lets readers conclude Jada is nervous without the word nervous being stated.

Question 11English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read these sentences: "The tide crept in slowly. It covered the sandcastle the children had built that morning." Which relationship between the two sentences do the words crept in slowly help create?

  1. Sequence, because the sentences tell what happened first and then next. Correct answer.
  2. Problem and solution, because the tide solved a problem for the children.
  3. Comparison, because the tide is compared to the children.
  4. Cause and effect, because the tide made the children build the castle.

Explanation

The sentences describe events in time order: the tide moves in, and then it covers the castle. Words like slowly and that morning signal the sequence of events.

Question 12English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Which sentence uses the word bark to mean a sound rather than a tree covering?

  1. The bark protected the trunk from insects.
  2. The dog's bark echoed across the yard. Correct answer.
  3. The bark of the oak felt rough under her hand.
  4. He peeled the bark from the fallen branch.

Explanation

Some words have more than one meaning, and context tells you which one is intended. A dog making a sound shows bark meaning the noise an animal makes, not the outer layer of a tree.

Question 13English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student is writing a paragraph that compares two kinds of pets. Which sentence would work best as a transition that signals a difference?

  1. For example, both pets are small and furry.
  2. However, rabbits need much more space to hop than hamsters do. Correct answer.
  3. In addition, both pets enjoy playing with toys.
  4. Both animals need food and water every day.

Explanation

A comparison paragraph uses transition words to signal similarities or differences. However signals a contrast, and the sentence points out a difference between rabbits and hamsters.

Question 14English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this sentence: "Because the trail was icy, the hikers moved carefully." Which part of the sentence is the dependent clause?

  1. moved carefully
  2. the trail
  3. the hikers moved carefully
  4. Because the trail was icy Correct answer.

Explanation

A dependent clause has a subject and a verb but begins with a word such as because that makes it unable to stand alone. Because the trail was icy cannot be a complete sentence by itself.

Question 15English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student reads two articles about school gardens. Article 1 says gardens help students learn science. Article 2 says gardens take too much time away from class. What should the student do to write a balanced report?

  1. Include the main points from both articles. Correct answer.
  2. Ignore both articles and write from memory.
  3. Use only Article 1 because it supports gardens.
  4. Use only Article 2 because it is more serious.

Explanation

A balanced report presents more than one perspective so readers can see the full picture. Including the main points from both articles lets the student fairly represent the benefits and the concerns.

Question 16English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe to show that the books belong to one student?

  1. The students book was left on the bus.
  2. The student books' was left on the bus.
  3. The students' book was left on the bus.
  4. The student's book was left on the bus. Correct answer.

Explanation

For a singular noun, add an apostrophe and s to show possession. Student's book means the book belongs to one student.

Question 17English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A story's paragraph ends: "Ana looked at the empty seat beside her and then at the clock on the wall." What does this detail most likely suggest about Ana?

  1. She wants to leave the room quickly.
  2. She has forgotten what time it is.
  3. She is angry at the clock.
  4. She is waiting for someone who is late. Correct answer.

Explanation

Readers make inferences by connecting details in the text. Looking at an empty seat and then at the clock suggests Ana is checking the time while waiting for someone to arrive.

Question 18English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Which sentence uses a pronoun correctly so that the reader knows whom it refers to?

  1. She gave it to her after they talked.
  2. Maya and Priya talked, and she gave her the book.
  3. Maya gave the book to Priya, and Priya thanked her. Correct answer.
  4. When Maya met Priya, she gave her the book.

Explanation

A pronoun should clearly refer to one person or thing. Naming Priya as the one who thanks her makes it clear that her refers to Maya.

Question 19English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this sentence: "The old bridge groaned under the weight of the truck." Why does the author most likely use the word groaned instead of said?

  1. To show that the bridge can speak like a person.
  2. To give the exact weight of the truck.
  3. To show that the truck is old.
  4. To make the bridge sound weak and strained. Correct answer.

Explanation

Groaned is a word choice that gives the bridge a human-like sound, helping readers picture it straining under the load. This word choice creates a feeling of weakness and effort.

Question 20English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student writes: "The science fair was fun. I learned a lot." Which revision best combines the two sentences into one clear sentence?

  1. The science fair was fun but I learned a lot.
  2. The science fair was fun, and I learned a lot. Correct answer.
  3. The science fair was fun, I learned a lot.
  4. The science fair was fun I learned a lot.

Explanation

Two complete sentences can be joined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction such as and. This keeps each complete thought intact and joins them clearly.

Question 21English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this short passage: "Some deserts are not made of sand. The Atacama Desert in Chile is one of the driest places on Earth, and parts of it are rocky and bare. Very little rain falls there, so few plants can grow." Which detail best supports the idea that the Atacama is extremely dry?

  1. Parts of it are rocky and bare.
  2. Very little rain falls there. Correct answer.
  3. It is located in Chile.
  4. Some deserts are not made of sand.

Explanation

A supporting detail should directly back up the main idea. The statement that very little rain falls directly explains why the Atacama is extremely dry.

Question 22English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

In a fable, a fox tries many times to reach grapes and finally walks away saying they are probably sour. Which statement best expresses the lesson, or theme, of the fable?

  1. People sometimes pretend not to want what they cannot have. Correct answer.
  2. Foxes are faster than most other animals.
  3. It is easy to give up when a task is hard.
  4. Grapes are not a healthy food for animals.

Explanation

A theme is a message about life that a story conveys through its events. The fox decides the grapes are sour only after failing to reach them, which illustrates pretending not to want something you cannot get.

Question 23English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student is writing an opinion piece about whether recess should be longer. Which sentence best states a clear opinion that the rest of the piece could support?

  1. Recess is held after lunch at our school.
  2. Some students play kickball, and others play tag during recess.
  3. Our school should lengthen recess because students focus better after they move around. Correct answer.
  4. Recess lasts twenty minutes at many schools.

Explanation

An opinion statement tells what the writer believes and can be supported with reasons. The sentence with should states a position and gives a reason about focus that the writer can develop.

Question 24English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this sentence: "Although the team practiced every day, they lost the final game, which surprised everyone." Which part of the sentence is an independent clause?

  1. they lost the final game Correct answer.
  2. which surprised everyone
  3. every day
  4. Although the team practiced every day

Explanation

An independent clause has a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence. They lost the final game can stand alone, while the other clauses begin with words that make them dependent.

Question 25English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student reads a website about a new snack. The page says the snack is 'the best ever' but gives no facts about its ingredients or nutrition. What is the best reason for the student to be cautious about using this page in a report?

  1. The page was written by a student.
  2. The page uses too many numbers.
  3. The page is about food instead of science.
  4. The page gives an opinion without facts to support it. Correct answer.

Explanation

A reliable source supports its claims with facts and evidence. A page that only says a snack is the best ever, without data, gives an unsupported opinion.

Question 26English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this sentence from a third-grade story: "Maya's backpack was a bottomless pit that swallowed her lunch, her library book, and her lucky pencil." What does the phrase "bottomless pit" help the reader understand about the backpack?

  1. It holds many things and seems to keep losing them. Correct answer.
  2. It is made of a dark fabric.
  3. It belongs to someone else.
  4. It is too heavy for Maya to carry.

Explanation

A simile or metaphor compares two things to create a picture. Calling the backpack a "bottomless pit" suggests it is deep and full of items that disappear inside it, which matches the list of swallowed objects.

Question 27English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A third grader is writing a report about beavers and wants a word that means "a home built by beavers." Which word best fits that meaning in the report?

  1. den
  2. burrow
  3. nest
  4. lodge Correct answer.

Explanation

Each animal home has its own precise name, and a beaver's home is called a lodge. Choosing the exact word helps a report stay accurate and clear.

Question 28English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this sentence from a class story: "The wind rattled the windows, and the lights flickered twice before going out." Which mood does the author create with these details?

  1. an uneasy and tense mood Correct answer.
  2. a cheerful and hopeful mood
  3. a silly and playful mood
  4. a calm and sleepy mood

Explanation

Word choices such as "rattled" and "flickered" build a feeling of unease. When details suggest something unsettling is happening, the mood of the passage is tense.

Question 29English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student is writing a story and needs a word that shows the character walked slowly and heavily because she was tired. Which word best shows that action?

  1. dashed
  2. skipped
  3. trudged Correct answer.
  4. glided

Explanation

A vivid verb can show how an action feels as well as what happens. "Trudged" means walking with slow, heavy steps, which matches a tired character.

Question 30English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this sentence: "The puppy chased its tail until it fell over, dizzy and surprised." Which word in the sentence is an adjective that describes the puppy?

  1. chased
  2. tail
  3. until
  4. dizzy Correct answer.

Explanation

An adjective describes a noun or pronoun. In this sentence, "dizzy" describes the puppy, telling how it felt after falling over.

Question 31English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this sentence: "After the storm passed, the neighbors gathered in the street and shared stories about the night." Which part of the sentence tells when the neighbors gathered?

  1. the neighbors gathered in the street
  2. and shared stories
  3. After the storm passed Correct answer.
  4. about the night

Explanation

A phrase that tells when something happened answers the question "when?" The opening phrase "After the storm passed" sets the time for the gathering.

Question 32English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student is writing a friendly letter to a cousin. Which greeting is punctuated correctly for a friendly letter?

  1. Dear Jamal;
  2. Dear Jamal
  3. Dear Jamal, Correct answer.
  4. Dear Jamal.

Explanation

In a friendly letter, the greeting ends with a comma after the person's name. A period, semicolon, or no punctuation does not follow the standard letter format.

Question 33English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student wants to find the meaning of an unfamiliar word while reading a science article. Which reference would give the word's meaning most directly?

  1. a thesaurus
  2. a dictionary Correct answer.
  3. an atlas
  4. an almanac

Explanation

A dictionary lists words alphabetically with their meanings, which is exactly what a reader needs to define an unfamiliar word. Other references serve different purposes.

Question 34English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student is writing a story and wants to show that a character is nervous without saying "she was nervous." Which sentence best shows nervousness through actions?

  1. The test was going to be hard for everyone.
  2. Nervousness is a common feeling before tests.
  3. She felt very nervous about the test.
  4. She tapped her pencil and checked the clock every few seconds. Correct answer.

Explanation

Showing rather than telling means using actions a reader can picture. Tapping a pencil and repeatedly checking the clock are behaviors that suggest worry without naming the feeling.

Question 35English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this sentence pair: "The campers packed their bags. They had hiked for three days and were ready to go home." Which revision best combines the two sentences to show the cause of packing?

  1. The campers packed their bags, and they had hiked for three days.
  2. Because they had hiked for three days and were ready to go home, the campers packed their bags. Correct answer.
  3. The campers packed their bags, but they had hiked for three days and were ready to go home.
  4. The campers packed their bags; the hikers hiked for three days.

Explanation

Combining sentences with a cause-and-effect word such as "because" makes the relationship clear. The campers pack their bags as a result of finishing a long hike and wanting to go home.

Question 36English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this paragraph: "Many people think sharks are dangerous hunters. However, the largest shark, the whale shark, eats only tiny sea creatures called plankton. It swims slowly with its mouth open and filters food from the water." What is the main idea of the paragraph?

  1. Some sharks, like the whale shark, are gentle filter feeders. Correct answer.
  2. Whale sharks swim faster than other sharks.
  3. All sharks hunt large animals.
  4. Plankton is the most important food in the ocean.

Explanation

The main idea is the most important point the paragraph develops. The word "However" signals that the paragraph is correcting a common belief by explaining that the whale shark is a gentle filter feeder.

Question 37English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this sentence: "The scientist examined the sample carefully, and then she recorded her results in a notebook." Which word in the sentence is an adverb that tells how the scientist examined the sample?

  1. recorded
  2. results
  3. carefully Correct answer.
  4. sample

Explanation

An adverb describes how, when, or where an action happens. "Carefully" tells how the scientist examined the sample.

Question 38English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student is writing an opinion paragraph about why the school should start a recycling club. Which sentence best supports the opinion with a reason?

  1. Our school throws away hundreds of paper sheets each week that could be recycled. Correct answer.
  2. The recycling club would meet on Tuesdays.
  3. Recycling is something many people talk about.
  4. Some students join clubs after school.

Explanation

A strong support gives a specific reason or fact that backs up the opinion. The number of paper sheets thrown away shows why a recycling club would help.

Question 39English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this sentence: "The museum was so crowded that visitors moved through the exhibits like sardines in a can." What does the comparison help the reader understand?

  1. The museum had a display about the ocean.
  2. The visitors were moving quickly through the rooms.
  3. The visitors were eating fish at the museum.
  4. The visitors were packed closely together in a small space. Correct answer.

Explanation

The comparison to sardines in a can creates a picture of many people squeezed tightly together. The reader should connect the image to the crowded conditions described earlier in the sentence.

Question 40English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student is writing a story that begins: "The lights went out, and the hallway grew silent." Which sentence would best continue the story by adding a suspenseful detail?

  1. The school was built in 1952.
  2. The hallway was painted a pale yellow.
  3. Later that week, the class had a spelling test.
  4. A floorboard creaked somewhere above the stairs. Correct answer.

Explanation

A suspenseful detail should build tension and connect to the scene already set. A creaking floorboard in a dark, silent hallway suggests something unknown is nearby.

Question 41English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this passage: "The tide crept in slowly. It covered the sandcastle the children had built that morning." Which word best describes the effect of the tide on the sandcastle?

  1. protected
  2. moved
  3. destroyed Correct answer.
  4. repaired

Explanation

The tide covering the sandcastle would wash it away, so the effect is destruction. Readers infer the result by connecting the rising water to the sandcastle built earlier.

Question 42English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student is writing a paragraph comparing two types of transportation. Which sentence would work best as a transition that signals a difference?

  1. In contrast, trains can travel much faster than buses. Correct answer.
  2. As a result, many people ride buses.
  3. For example, buses stop at many corners.
  4. Both buses and trains carry many passengers.

Explanation

A transition that signals a difference uses words such as "in contrast" or "however." The sentence then states a way the two types of transportation differ.

Question 43English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this sentence: "The old bridge groaned under the weight of the truck." Why does the author most likely use the word "groaned" instead of "made a noise"?

  1. to make the bridge seem alive and struggling Correct answer.
  2. to show that the bridge was made of wood
  3. to tell the reader the bridge was old
  4. to explain how heavy the truck was

Explanation

Personification gives human qualities to an object. Saying the bridge "groaned" makes it seem as if it is straining like a living thing, which creates a stronger image than a plain phrase.

Question 44English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student reads an article about honeybees. The article says bees dance to tell other bees where flowers are. Which sentence best summarizes this information in the student's own words?

  1. Some people keep honeybees in boxes called hives.
  2. Flowers are an important food source for many animals.
  3. Bees are interesting insects that live in groups.
  4. Honeybees use a kind of dance to show other bees where to find flowers. Correct answer.

Explanation

A summary restates the most important information in the reader's own words without adding new ideas. The key point is that bees communicate flower locations through dancing.

Question 45English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student is writing a story and wants to replace the underlined words in this sentence with a pronoun: "When Maria saw the puppy, Maria ran to the puppy and hugged the puppy." Which revision uses pronouns correctly?

  1. When it saw Maria, the puppy ran to her and hugged her.
  2. When Maria saw it, she ran to the puppy and hugged it.
  3. When she saw the puppy, Maria ran to her and hugged her.
  4. When Maria saw the puppy, she ran to it and hugged it. Correct answer.

Explanation

Pronouns should match the noun they replace in number and gender. "She" replaces Maria, and "it" replaces the puppy, so the sentence stays clear.

Question 46English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this sentence: "Although the team practiced every day, they lost the final game, which surprised everyone." Which part of the sentence is the opening dependent clause?

  1. the final game
  2. they lost the final game
  3. Although the team practiced every day Correct answer.
  4. which surprised everyone

Explanation

A dependent clause has a subject and verb but cannot stand alone because it begins with a word such as "although." It depends on the rest of the sentence to make complete sense. Here, "Although the team practiced every day" is the opening dependent clause.

Question 47English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student reads a website about a new snack. The page says the snack is "the best ever" but gives no facts about its ingredients or nutrition. Why should the student be careful about trusting this claim?

  1. The page uses strong opinion words without evidence to support them. Correct answer.
  2. The page uses difficult science words.
  3. The page is too short to read.
  4. The snack has not been sold in stores yet.

Explanation

A claim is stronger when it is supported by facts or evidence. Words like "the best ever" show an opinion, and without facts about ingredients or nutrition the reader cannot judge whether the claim is true.

Question 48English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this poem line: "The moon tiptoed across the sky, leaving silver footprints on the lake." Which two figures of speech does the poet use?

  1. onomatopoeia and simile
  2. personification and metaphor Correct answer.
  3. a simile and a rhyme
  4. hyperbole and alliteration

Explanation

Personification gives human actions to a nonhuman thing, as when the moon "tiptoed." The "silver footprints on the lake" are a metaphor comparing moonlight's reflection to footprints without using "like" or "as."

Question 49English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

A student is writing a story. Which pair of sentences best uses a pronoun so that the reader clearly knows who is being described?

  1. Jordan met Sam at the park, and Jordan brought a ball. Correct answer.
  2. Jordan met Sam at the park, and he brought a ball.
  3. Jordan met Sam at the park, and they brought a ball.
  4. Jordan met Sam at the park, and it brought a ball.

Explanation

A pronoun should clearly refer to one noun. Repeating "Jordan" avoids confusion about who brought the ball, while the other versions leave the reader unsure.

Question 50English language arts (as tested in grades 3–8 and 10)

Read this short passage: "Some deserts are not made of sand. The Atacama Desert in Chile is one of the driest places on Earth. In some years, no rain falls there at all." Which sentence best states the main idea of the passage?

  1. The Atacama Desert receives a great deal of rain.
  2. All deserts are covered with sand.
  3. Chile is a country in South America.
  4. Not all deserts are sandy, and some are extremely dry. Correct answer.

Explanation

The main idea combines the passage's key points: deserts can differ from the sandy image, and some are extremely dry. The Atacama is given as an example that supports this idea.