Reading Benchmark #2
3rd Grade
Read the passage. Then answer the following questions.
Francis Marion
In 1780, the war was going badly for the Patriots, especially in the South.
When the British captured Charleston, South Carolina, Francis Marion was one
of the few officers who escaped. Marion knew something had to be done. He
gathered about 200 of the best men he could find and formed a team.
Francis Marion counted on speed and bravery to fight the larger British forces.
He moved his band through South Carolina's thick woods and swamps. From
there, they would begin a surprise attack on the Redcoats, and then disappear
back into the murky swamps. From then on, Marion was known as the Swamp
Fox. Marion's team helped win the final battles of the war.
Marion spent many years after the war serving on the South Carolina Senate
and died on his plantation in 1795. His children continued to name their male
children after him, including Marion or Francis in their names until the 1900s.
Discus
1. Based on the passage what is most likely true?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Without Marion, the Revolutionary War would have been harder to win.
The British were very tired and went home.
Francis Marion died during the Revolutionary War.
Francis Marion was never able to go to Charleston.
2. What source would contain the most information about the Revolutionary
War?
f.
g.
h.
i.
the Washington War Monument
an encyclopedia
an atlas
a dictionary
3. What does band mean in this passage?
a.
b.
c.
d.
musicians playing together
people joined together for a job
a flat strip of metal to strengthen something
to wrap or cover something
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Reading Benchmark #2
3rd Grade
4. What is the best answer for why this passage is an example of nonfiction?
f.
g.
h.
i.
It contains a real person.
It contains an exciting life.
The time is in the past.
Plantations are real.
5. Francis Marion was probably called the Swamp Fox because
a.
b.
c.
d.
He
He
He
He
never had time to clean his uniform.
loved animals, especially foxes.
could move through the swamps unnoticed.
had always worked in the swamps.
6. When using the internet to study the reason for the Revolutionary War, what
search words would you most likely use?
f.
g.
h.
i.
Highlights of the Revolutionary War
Generals of the Revolutionary War
Wars in Charleston, SC
Causes of the Revolutionary War
7. Based on the passage, one could predict that
a.
b.
c.
d.
There are many children named Francis or Marion after 1795.
All children born after 1795 were girls.
Boys in the Marion family did not like their names.
Francis Marion was the best Patriot of all times.
2
Reading Benchmark #2
3rd Grade
Read the passage. Then answer the following questions.
Sliding Along
You lift a leaf in a shady, dirt-filled garden, and there it is. It’s an animal
that moves slowly on one big foot. What is it, you wonder? It’s a snail!
Snails can live on land and in the water. All snails have a hard shell
covering their bodies.
You can keep water snails in the water in a fish tank. They will help keep
the glass clean.
Like most snails, a land snail has two feelers on its head. It also has eyes
and a mouth on its head. Snails don’t like hot and dry weather and stay in
shady, moist areas. During very cold winter weather, snails hibernate in the
ground.
Most land snails eat rotting plants. They also eat flowers, and many
gardeners aren’t happy when they see snails.
Everywhere it goes, a land snail leaves a trail of slime that it pours out as
it moves. The slime helps the snail move on its one foot. The foot is a big body
part, made mostly of muscle. This muscle moves in a wave, taking the snail
with it. When a snail is disturbed, it pulls itself into its shell to stay safe. Also,
if weather is too dry, the snail can retreat into its shell and seal off the
entrance to protect its body from drying up.
If you see a one-footed animal letting out slime, it’s most likely a snail.
Snails are fascinating animals.
Assessing Comprehension Thinking Strategies
8. Based on the passage, what does the word hibernate mean?
f.
g.
h.
i.
move around
dig
cover up
to sleep or rest
3
Reading Benchmark #2
3rd Grade
9. What is the best definition for retreat in this passage?
a.
b.
c.
d.
to move back
a safe, quiet place for rest
to find and take back to someone
keep something within limits
10. What would be the best resource to find out more information about snails?
f.
g.
h.
i.
a
a
a
a
thesaurus entry for snails
poem about snails
dictionary entry for snails
book about snails
11. What effect could dry weather have on a snail?
a.
b.
c.
d.
A
A
A
A
snail could produce more slime.
snail would fall asleep.
snail’s body could dry up.
snail will get bigger.
12. Which of the following is an opinion from the passage?
f.
g.
h.
i.
Snails
Snails
Snails
Snails
can live on land and in water.
have a hard shell covering their bodies.
hibernate in the ground during very cold winters.
are fascinating animals.
13. Which detail best supports the central idea in paragraph four?
a.
b.
c.
d.
body features of snails
benefits of a snail living in a garden
the slimy trail a snail leaves
where snails live
4
Reading Benchmark #2
3rd Grade
Read the poem. Then answer the following questions.
Lengths of Time
Time is peculiar
And hardly exact.
Though minutes are minutes,
You’ll find for a fact
(As the older you get
And the bigger you grow)
That time can
Hurrylikethis
Or plod, plod, slow.
Waiting for your dinner when you’re hungry?
Down with the sniffles in your bed?
Notice how an hour crawls along and crawls along
Like a snail with his house upon his head.
But when you are starting
A game in the park,
It’s morning,
It’s noon,
And suddenly it’s dark.
And hours like seconds
Rush blurringly by,
Whoosh!
Like a plane in the sky.
Collected Readings - Are We There Yet?
14. What type of figurative language is “an hour crawls along and crawls along”
an example of?
f.
g.
h.
i.
alliteration
metaphor
hyperbole
personification
15. What type of figurative language does the author use to compare an hour to
a plane in the sky?
a.
b.
c.
d.
onomatopoeia
simile
alliteration
hyperbole
5
Reading Benchmark #2
3rd Grade
16. What is an antonym for the word peculiar?
f.
g.
h.
i.
odd
strange
normal
unusual
17. Which word is an example of onomatopoeia?
a.
b.
c.
d.
whoosh
blurringly
crawls
sniffles
18. In which stanza does the speaker of the poem mention the different times of
the day?
f.
g.
h.
i.
Stanza
Stanza
Stanza
Stanza
1
2
3
4
6
Reading Benchmark #2
3rd Grade
Read the passage. Then answer the following questions.
Betsy Brandon Meets the President
There was a flurry of excitement in the Brandon household early one morning in
1791. It was the day that President Washington was supposed to visit Salisbury,
North Carolina. Everybody planned to be there. Everybody, it seemed, except
Betsy, the oldest child of Squire Richard Brandon’s family. Her father needed her
to stay at home to finish the chores.
Betsy was not one to mope; she felt happy to keep the house clean. When
everyone left she returned to the kitchen and swept the floor. Then she went
outside to feed the chickens. But what was that rumbling noise?
Betsy’s eyes grew wide. Coming down the road that passed in front of the house
was the most beautiful coach she had ever seen.
As it came near, Betsy felt herself drawn down the pathway to get a better view.
The coach was gold and white and decorated with scenes that reminded Betsy of
the four seasons. And it had a great emblem on it, like a coat of arms.
The driver pulled on the reins. The harnesses tinkled musically as the four fine
horses halted right in front of the gate where Betsy stood.
The door of the coach opened, and a tall, handsome man in uniform stepped
down. Then another, even more handsome man stepped out. He was whitehaired and stood at least six-feet-four.
“Good morning, Miss,” said the taller man. His face was stern and deeply lined,
but his blue eyes were warm and friendly.
“Good morning, sir,” Betsy said nervously, with her voice quavering.
“Are your parents home?”
“My family went to Salisbury to see the President,” she explained.
“Did you not wish to see the President, too?” The voice was kind.
“Oh, yes, sir,” Betsy replied, “but I must stay here to do the chores.”
“If you make breakfast for us,” came the reply, “I promise that you will see the
President before the others will.”
Thinking that the President would soon pass by on his way to Salisbury, Betsy
hurried into the kitchen. She cooked a delicious breakfast that the men enjoyed.
7
Reading Benchmark #2
3rd Grade
They thanked her and were about to leave. Betsy asked, “Sir, when my family
returns, to whom shall I say I served breakfast?”
The white-haired man climbed inside the coach. Leaning out the window, he
smiled. “Just tell them you served breakfast to President Washington and his
aide,” he said. And the coach rolled away.
North Carolina Website
19. Based on the passage, what does the word mope mean?
a.
b.
c.
d.
feel sorry for yourself
dislike her father
yell at her brothers
clean the floor
20. How does the reader know that the visitor in the coach might be an
important man?
f.
g.
h.
i.
He has a badge and smiled a lot.
He has a driver and a fancy coach.
He is wearing white and gold.
A trumpet is playing.
21. Which phrase best describes Betsy’s attitude about being left at home to
clean?
a.
b.
c.
d.
excited to be alone
lazy about doing work
respectful of her father’s orders
hopeful to get to go out to eat
22. What is the main idea of this passage?
f.
g.
h.
i.
Betsy is respectful to adults by helping and following directions.
You can cook and clean at the same time.
Betsy would get to ride with the president.
There were many chores to do.
8
Reading Benchmark #2
3rd Grade
23. Which research question would lead to finding the most information on
George Washington as the country’s leader?
a.
b.
c.
d.
What did George Washington do in his free time?
What were George Washington’s contributions as president?
Did George Washington have a large family?
What were George Washington’s illnesses?
24. Which detail best supports the main idea of the passage?
f.
g.
h.
i.
The white haired man climbed inside the coach.
To whom shall I say I served breakfast?
She cooked a delicious breakfast that the men enjoyed.
Betsy’s eyes grew wide.
25. Based on the passage, what does the word quavering probably mean?
a.
b.
c.
d.
waving
shaking
crying
yelling
9
Reading Benchmark #2
3rd Grade
Read the following advertisement. Then answer the following questions.
ALL NEW!
Great School Clothing Store
Meets ALL Your Needs
Kids! Are you tired of having to ride 10 miles to a store only to find they don’t
have your style, or they are out of your size? Even worse, the waist is 4 inches
too large!
Mom or Dad! Are you tired of arguing with your child about clothes? Are you
fed up with paying too much?
Consider this:
Caggy’s Online Clothing Store - Just fill in a simple computer questionnaire with
your child’s sizes from wrist to feet. Then, your child will fill out a preference
form. Examples of questions: What colors do you like? What fabrics and
textures do you like? What style are you looking for? Which designers’ clothes
do you crave? What are the dress codes at your school? Caggy’s, the Online
Store, will meet all your needs and desires. As soon as you choose your style
you will select color, size, fabric and design from simple drop down boxes.
Within 10 seconds your online clothing store will begin to make your special
outfit, to fit only you in the colors and fabric that you choose, and you NEVER
leave the comfort of your home. You have a one-of-a-kind outfit that all your
friends will envy.
When your green and orange Caggy’s Online Clothing Store box arrives, you
will soon be wearing the most beautiful, well-made, stylish outfit you have ever
owned.
So Remember:
If you are hot and tired in August or when you need to shop for school clothes,
or if you don’t want to fight the shopping rush, shop at Caggy’s Online Clothing
Store and you will have the easiest and best shopping experience of your life!
Caggy’s Online Clothing Store is the place to be – Extraordinary clothes for
you and me!
Adapted from South Carolina website
26. According to the advertisement, why would a child like the Caggy Online
Store?
f.
g.
h.
i.
The store is unusual and interesting.
Going out in traffic is dangerous.
The clothes will look good, be different, and fit well.
Using a computer is fun.
10
Reading Benchmark #2
3rd Grade
27. In the advertisement, what does the word preference mean?
a.
b.
c.
d.
color
activity
reason
favorite
28. In the advertisement, what does the word crave mean?
f.
g.
h.
i.
know
wear
desire
buy
29. What is the main purpose of the advertisement?
a.
b.
c.
d.
to
to
to
to
tell you when Caggy’s will open
help you know how to choose clothes
encourage you to shop at Caggy’s
help you to make choices
30. In the section, Consider This, what is the purpose of the last sentence?
f.
g.
h.
i.
to
to
to
to
remind you how good you will look when you buy from Caggy’s
show that sentences can be long
tell you that the store is on the internet
let you know how long boxes take to arrive
31. What is a synonym for envy in this passage?
a.
b.
c.
d.
jealous of
joining
made larger
study of
11
Reading Benchmark #2
3rd Grade
Read the recipe. Then answer the following questions.
Perfect Pineapple Popsicles
Prep time: about 60 to 120 minutes
Ingredients:
2 c. plain yogurt
1/2 c. canned crushed pineapple (packed in its own juice instead of
packed in syrup)
1 can frozen pineapple or orange-pineapple juice concentrate, thawed
Utensils:
 medium-sized bowl
 mixing spoon
 small paper cups
 plastic wrap
 wooden popsicle sticks (available at craft stores)
 measuring cups
Directions:
1. Drain the can of crushed pineapple so all the juice runs out.
2. Put all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and mix them together.
3. Spoon the mixture into the paper cups. Fill them almost to the top.
4. Stretch a small piece of plastic wrap across the top of each cup.
5. Using the popsicle stick, poke a hole in the plastic wrap. Stand the
stick straight up in the center of the cup.
6. Put the cups in the freezer until the mixture is frozen solid.
7. Remove the plastic wrap and peel away the paper cup. You'll have
pineapple popsicles to eat and share!
www.kidshealth.org
32. What is the most logical reason for the action in step 6 of the directions?
f.
g.
h.
i.
to
to
to
to
keep the juice from spilling out of the cups
help freeze the juice
keep the popsicle still
have a handle for the popsicle
33. According to the passage, which ingredients are part of the recipe?
a.
b.
c.
d.
soda pop and orange juice concentrate
cherry yogurt and whole, fresh pineapple
plain yogurt and canned, crushed pineapple
orange-pineapple juice and soda pop
12
Reading Benchmark #2
3rd Grade
34. What would be the best resource to find recipes for similar treats?
f.
g.
h.
i.
a cookbook for desserts
dictionary entry for popsicles
a poem book about sweets
an encyclopedia entry about ice cream
35. What type of figurative language is Perfect Pineapple Popsicles an
example of?
a.
b.
c.
d.
hyperbole
metaphor
personification
alliteration
36. What is a synonym for the word poke?
f.
g.
h.
i.
touch
punch
wrap
finger
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