Name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Date: ___________________________
Grade 3 Unit 4 Reading Comprehension Practice
Use this table to score questions 1-3 after you have completed the reading
comprehension practice exercise.
Question
Number
Code
Standard
1
RI.3.3.
Describe the relationship between a series of
historical events in a text, using language that
pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.
2
RI.3.1.
Ask and answer questions to demonstrate
understanding of a text, referring explicitly to
the text as the basis for the answers.
3
RI.3.3.
Describe the relationship between a series of
historical events in a text, using language that
pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.
4
RI.3.1.
Ask and answer questions to demonstrate
understanding of a text, referring explicitly to
the text as the basis for the answers.
RI.3.3.
Describe the relationship between a series of
historical events in a text, using language that
pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.
W.3.2.
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine
a topic and convey ideas and information
clearly.
1
Student Mastery
√= Answered
correctly
X= Answered
incorrectly
Total points on
question 4:
_________/ 4 points
Maya Angelou
Used with permission by ReadWorks.org
Read the passage. Then answer question 1 in the space provided.
1
Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1931, her parents
got divorced. Angelou and her brother, Bailey, were sent to live with their
grandmother in Arkansas. Four years later she and Bailey went to live with their
mother again.
2
Angelou had a difficult childhood. She endured some terrible experiences. Her
reaction to these experiences was to become mute. She did not speak for almost five
years. Angelou is African American and she grew up at a time when African
Americans were discriminated against because of the color of their skin.
3
As a teen, Angelou began to talk again. After high school, she worked many different
jobs. Eventually, she became a singer, dancer, and actor. Later, she began to write.
She wrote poems and stories. In 1969, she published her first autobiography, I Know
Why the Caged Bird Sings. It was a huge success. The book is still very popular today.
4
In January 1993, Angelou received a great honor. She was asked by President-elect
Bill Clinton to recite a poem at his inauguration1. She was only the second poet in
U.S. history to have that honor.
5
Ms. Angelou died in May of 2014. Today, she is remembered as a celebrated poet,
writer, educator, actress, playwright, historian, producer, and director. She fought
for equality and civil rights2. Many of her writings defended black culture. Angelou
has written more than a dozen best-selling books.
_________1. What happened as a result of the terrible experiences Angelou endured as a child?
A.
B.
C.
D.
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2
Angelou began to talk.
Angelou became mute.
Angelou was asked to recite a poem at Bill Clinton’s inauguration.
Angelou published a book.
inauguration—the ceremony at which a new president is sworn in
Civil rights—basic rights that all humans should have
2
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Used with permission by ReadWorks.org
Read the passage. Then answer questions 2-3 in the space provided.
1
The Civil Rights Movement was a reform3 movement in the United States in
the 1950s and 1960s. During the Civil Rights Movement, many people worked
to end racial discrimination of African Americans.
2
Martin Luther King, Jr. was the most important figure in the Civil Rights
Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. There is a national holiday in his honor
that is celebrated every January. His famous “I Have a Dream” speech is still
talked about today. He is the hero of civil rights in America.
3
King was a Baptist minister. He had an incredible ability4 to speak and be
heard. He was expressive and powerful with his words. He gained the support
of thousands of blacks and whites. He became famous throughout the world.
4
In 1964, King won the Nobel Peace Prize for his civil rights work. Ironically, his
work for peace resulted in violent reactions. On several occasions,5 people
threw rocks at King. Some even went so far as to bomb his family’s house in
Montgomery, Alabama. Finally, the worst act of violence ended King’s life. He
was shot and killed at the age of 39.
_________ 2. Why is Martin Luther King, Jr. famous?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Because of his work in civil rights
Because he is from Montgomery, Alabama.
Because of his speaking voice.
Because of his father, Martin Luther King, Sr.
_________3. Which of the following is NOT an effect of King’s work in civil rights?
A.
B.
C.
D.
King has a national holiday in his honor.
King became a Baptist minister.
King won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
King was attacked by people who disagreed with him.
3
reform—improve or make better
4
ability—skill or power to do something well
5
occasion—time when something happens
3
Answer question 4 in the space provided below.
4. Why are both Maya Angelou and Martin Luther King, Jr. considered famous African
Americans? Use details from both passages to support your response.
In your response, be sure to:
 Explain why Maya Angelou is considered a famous African American
 Explain why Martin Luther King, Jr. is considered a famous African American
 Use details from both passages to support your response
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ANSWER KEY
_________1. What happened as a result of the terrible experiences Angelou endured as a child?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Angelou began to talk.
Angelou became mute.
Angelou was asked to recite a poem at Bill Clinton’s inauguration.
Angelou published a book.
EXPLANATION: This question requires students to identify the effect of the terrible
experiences Angelou endured as a child. While the effect is not stated explicitly, it is implied in
paragraph 2. Have students carefully read paragraph 2. Point out the sentence, “Her reaction to
these experiences was to become mute.” This sentence follows immediately after the sentence
which states “She endured some terrible experiences,” thus making the cause/effect relationship
clear. Students might choose another answer if they did not go back to the text and reread to
identify the appropriate answer. Stress the importance of going back to the text.
_________ 2. Why is Martin Luther King, Jr. famous?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Because of his work in civil rights
Because he is from Montgomery, Alabama.
Because of his speaking voice.
Because of his father, Martin Luther King, Sr.
EXPLANATION: This question requires students to identify why Martin Luther King, Jr. is
famous based on the information provided in the text. Point out to students that King’s work
in civil rights is referenced several times throughout the passage. Ask students to identify specific
lines from the text that discuss King’s civil rights work. Point out that while choices B and C are
facts referenced in the passage, there is no clear connection between these choices and the fact
that Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous. Choice D is never mentioned in the passage and can
therefore be eliminated.
_________3. Which of the following is NOT an effect of King’s work in civil rights?
A.
B.
C.
D.
King has a national holiday in his honor.
King became a Baptist minister.
King won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
King was attacked by people who disagreed with him.
EXPLANATION: This question requires students to identify several effects of King’s work in
civil rights and eliminate the choice that is NOT an effect of King’s civil rights work. Review
each answer choice with students and ask them to explain the connection between each choice
and King’s work in civil rights. Point out that the passage never says that King became a Baptist
minister. Rather, it says “King WAS a Baptist minister.” This language does not indicate any sort
of cause/effect relationship.
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4. Why are both Maya Angelou and Martin Luther King, Jr. considered famous African Americans? Use
details from both passages to support your response.
In your response, be sure to:



Explain why Maya Angelou is considered a famous African American
Explain why Martin Luther King, Jr. is considered a famous African American
Use details from both passages to support your response
Answers will vary. Use the enclosed rubric as a guideline for scoring.
Example of a 4-level answer:
Both Maya Angelou and Martin Luther King, Jr. are famous African Americans. Maya Angelou is
famous for her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. She is also famous because she recited
a poem at Bill Clinton’s inauguration. Finally, her work as a “poet, writer, educator, actress, playwright,
historian, producer, and director” also makes her famous. She helped fight for civil rights for African
Americans.
Martin Luther King, Jr. is also a famous African American. He is famous because of his powerful
speeches, like “I Have a Dream.” He also “won the Nobel Peace Prize for his civil rights work.” He was
an important leader for African Americans.
Both Maya Angelou and Martin Luther King, Jr. did many things for African Americans, and that
is why they are famous.
Suggestions for class review:
This question requires students to identify details which explain why Martin Luther King, Jr. and Maya
Angelou are famous African Americans in two different passages. Revisit each text and ask students to
annotate the two passages for supporting details. When reviewing this question, be sure to reinforce
the importance of pre-writing. Model an outline or graphic organizer that might help students answer
this question successfully.
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