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Colorado CMAS · ELA · Grades 3–8

Colorado CMAS ELA Practice Test: Grades 3–8

Build CMAS ELA readiness with five focused 10-question practice sets covering literature, informational text, vocabulary, writing, editing, evidence, and research.

CMAS ELA practice sets

This Colorado CMAS ELA Practice Test page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The sets offer supplemental practice for Grades 3–8 across reading literature, informational text, vocabulary, writing, editing, evidence, and research skills.

ELA skills covered

  • Character, setting, plot, resolution, theme, point of view, mood, poetry, and climax
  • Main idea, headings, text structure, facts and opinions, charts, sources, claims, transitions, captions, and comparison
  • Context clues, antonyms, prefixes, synonyms, adjectives, multiple-meaning words, suffixes, figurative language, conjunctions, and grammar
  • Capitalization, punctuation, sentence revision, transitions, topic focus, supporting details, sentence combining, sentence completeness, commas, and drafting
  • Character evidence, source evaluation, graphs, research notes, multiple sources, cause and effect, data evidence, citing sources, text comparison, and unexpected results

How to use this page

Complete one 10-question set at a time. Read the passage or task carefully, identify the evidence, and review every explanation before moving to the next set.

This is supplemental State Test Practice, State Assessment Practice, and Standardized Test Practice. It does not replace current Colorado Department of Education guidance, official CMAS blueprints, accommodations, or testing policies.

For the Colorado assessment hub, visit Colorado State Assessments.

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5 Tests
1. Test2. Test3. Test4. Test5. Test

1. Test

Colorado CMAS ELA Practice Questions

A 10-question Colorado CMAS ELA practice set on reading literature, with answers and explanations.

Read each passage or writing task carefully, choose one answer, and review the explanation after responding.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

A story says, "Maya practiced the piano each afternoon before the concert." What does this detail show?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Maya prepared for the concert..

  1. Read the task: Identify what the question asks you to explain, compare, or revise.
  2. Use the text evidence: Practicing before the concert is evidence of preparation.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is directly supported by the passage or writing task.

Practicing before the concert is evidence of preparation.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which detail best shows that a character is nervous?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The character checks the clock and takes a deep breath..

  1. Read the task: Identify what the question asks you to explain, compare, or revise.
  2. Use the text evidence: Checking the clock and taking a deep breath can show nervousness.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is directly supported by the passage or writing task.

Checking the clock and taking a deep breath can show nervousness.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the setting of a story?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The time and place where the story happens..

  1. Read the task: Identify what the question asks you to explain, compare, or revise.
  2. Use the text evidence: Setting describes when and where a narrative takes place.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is directly supported by the passage or writing task.

Setting describes when and where a narrative takes place.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

A character loses a map but uses landmarks to reach the destination. Which trait does the character show?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Resourcefulness.

  1. Read the task: Identify what the question asks you to explain, compare, or revise.
  2. Use the text evidence: Using landmarks to solve a problem shows resourcefulness.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is directly supported by the passage or writing task.

Using landmarks to solve a problem shows resourcefulness.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

A narrative begins with a problem and ends after the character solves it. What is the ending called?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Resolution.

  1. Read the task: Identify what the question asks you to explain, compare, or revise.
  2. Use the text evidence: The resolution is where the central problem is solved.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is directly supported by the passage or writing task.

The resolution is where the central problem is solved.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

A poem repeats the phrase "I will try" at the end of several lines. What does the repetition emphasize?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Determination.

  1. Read the task: Identify what the question asks you to explain, compare, or revise.
  2. Use the text evidence: The repeated phrase highlights the speaker’s determination.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is directly supported by the passage or writing task.

The repeated phrase highlights the speaker’s determination.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Which theme could come from a story about neighbors helping after a storm?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is People can solve problems by working together..

  1. Read the task: Identify what the question asks you to explain, compare, or revise.
  2. Use the text evidence: A theme is a broader message rather than a single detail.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is directly supported by the passage or writing task.

A theme is a broader message rather than a single detail.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

A narrator says, "I opened the letter and felt my hands shake." What point of view is used?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is First person.

  1. Read the task: Identify what the question asks you to explain, compare, or revise.
  2. Use the text evidence: The narrator uses I and describes a personal experience.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is directly supported by the passage or writing task.

The narrator uses I and describes a personal experience.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Why might an author describe a dark, empty hallway before a character enters?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is To create a tense mood..

  1. Read the task: Identify what the question asks you to explain, compare, or revise.
  2. Use the text evidence: The description can make readers feel suspense or tension.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is directly supported by the passage or writing task.

The description can make readers feel suspense or tension.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which event is most likely the climax of a story about a lost dog?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The family finds the dog after following its tracks..

  1. Read the task: Identify what the question asks you to explain, compare, or revise.
  2. Use the text evidence: Finding the dog is the key event that resolves the central problem.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is directly supported by the passage or writing task.

Finding the dog is the key event that resolves the central problem.

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Frequently asked questions about Colorado CMAS ELA Practice Test

Which ELA skills are covered?

The page covers supplemental reading literature, informational text, vocabulary, writing, editing, evidence, and research skills practice for Grades 3–8.

How many questions are included?

There are five practice sets with 10 questions each, for 50 questions in total. Each set can be completed separately.

Are these official CMAS ELA questions?

No. These are original supplemental practice questions. Check the latest Colorado Department of Education information for official materials, standards, accommodations, and policies.