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Colorado CMAS · ELA · Grade 3

Colorado CMAS Grade 3 ELA Practice Test

Build Grade 3 ELA readiness with five focused 10-question practice sets covering literary text, informational text, language, writing, and reading evidence.

Grade 3 ELA practice sets

This Colorado CMAS Grade 3 ELA Practice Test page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The sets offer supplemental practice across literary text, informational text, vocabulary, language, writing, research, and reading evidence.

ELA skills covered

  • Story elements, setting, plot, character traits, theme, sequence, inference, and summary
  • Main idea, supporting details, headings, diagrams, captions, facts, vocabulary, sources, comparison, and informational summary
  • Synonyms, antonyms, context vocabulary, commas, plural nouns, verb tense, subject-verb agreement, prefixes, suffixes, and sentence conventions
  • Topic sentences, supporting details, transitions, conclusions, source evaluation, sentence combining, precise language, sequencing, and research questions
  • Text evidence, cause and effect, author purpose, figurative language, character change, passage comparison, and written reasoning

How to use this page

Complete one 10-question set at a time. Read the passage or task carefully, select the best-supported answer, 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.

Select a test

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

1. Test

Colorado CMAS Grade 3 ELA Practice Questions

A 10-question Colorado CMAS Grade 3 ELA practice set on literary text and story elements, with answers and explanations.

Read each passage or language 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

What is the setting of a story?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

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

  1. Read the passage or task: Read the question and identify the text detail, language feature, or writing goal it asks about.
  2. Use text evidence: Setting tells readers when and where the events occur.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

Setting tells readers when and where the events occur.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which detail best shows that Maya is feeling nervous before the performance?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Maya twists the ribbon on her costume and takes a deep breath..

  1. Read the passage or task: Read the question and identify the text detail, language feature, or writing goal it asks about.
  2. Use text evidence: Twisting the ribbon and taking a deep breath show nervous behavior before the performance.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

Twisting the ribbon and taking a deep breath show nervous behavior before the performance.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the main problem in a story?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The challenge that the characters must try to solve..

  1. Read the passage or task: Read the question and identify the text detail, language feature, or writing goal it asks about.
  2. Use text evidence: The main problem is the central challenge that drives the plot.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

The main problem is the central challenge that drives the plot.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence best describes a character trait?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Luis is patient because he waits calmly for his turn..

  1. Read the passage or task: Read the question and identify the text detail, language feature, or writing goal it asks about.
  2. Use text evidence: Patient describes how Luis behaves, so it is a character trait.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

Patient describes how Luis behaves, so it is a character trait.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the best summary of a story about a girl who loses a library book, searches carefully, and returns it?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is A girl finds and returns a lost library book after searching for it..

  1. Read the passage or task: Read the question and identify the text detail, language feature, or writing goal it asks about.
  2. Use text evidence: A summary includes the important problem, action, and outcome without minor details.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

A summary includes the important problem, action, and outcome without minor details.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Why does the author include the detail that Omar shares his umbrella?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is It shows that Omar is kind and helps solve the problem..

  1. Read the passage or task: Read the question and identify the text detail, language feature, or writing goal it asks about.
  2. Use text evidence: Sharing the umbrella reveals Omar’s kindness and helps the other character.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

Sharing the umbrella reveals Omar’s kindness and helps the other character.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

What lesson is most likely taught by a story in which a team succeeds after listening to every teammate?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Working together and listening can help a group solve a problem..

  1. Read the passage or task: Read the question and identify the text detail, language feature, or writing goal it asks about.
  2. Use text evidence: The characters’ success after listening supports a lesson about cooperation.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

The characters’ success after listening supports a lesson about cooperation.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Which event belongs in the beginning of a story?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The characters discover that the school garden needs water..

  1. Read the passage or task: Read the question and identify the text detail, language feature, or writing goal it asks about.
  2. Use text evidence: The beginning introduces the situation and the first challenge.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

The beginning introduces the situation and the first challenge.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

How does a character’s action help the reader understand the character?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is It gives evidence about what the character thinks or values..

  1. Read the passage or task: Read the question and identify the text detail, language feature, or writing goal it asks about.
  2. Use text evidence: Actions provide evidence about a character’s feelings, traits, or goals.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

Actions provide evidence about a character’s feelings, traits, or goals.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

What can a reader infer when a character packs a flashlight, map, and water bottle?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The character is preparing for a trip or outdoor activity..

  1. Read the passage or task: Read the question and identify the text detail, language feature, or writing goal it asks about.
  2. Use text evidence: The objects suggest preparation for travel or an outdoor activity.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

The objects suggest preparation for travel or an outdoor activity.

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Frequently asked questions about Colorado CMAS Grade 3 ELA Practice Test

Which Grade 3 ELA skills are covered?

The page covers literary and informational reading, vocabulary, language conventions, writing, research, inference, and text evidence.

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 questions?

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