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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.

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Colorado CMAS Grade 3 ELA Practice Questions

A 10-question Colorado CMAS Grade 3 ELA practice set on informational text and text features, 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 main idea of a passage explaining how bees help plants reproduce?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Bees help plants by carrying pollen from one flower to another..

  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 passage’s central idea is the role bees play in pollination.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

The passage’s central idea is the role bees play in pollination.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which detail supports the idea that wetlands are important habitats?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Many birds, fish, and other animals find food and shelter in wetlands..

  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: Animals using wetlands for food and shelter supports the habitat idea.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

Animals using wetlands for food and shelter supports the habitat idea.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the purpose of a heading such as “How Seeds Travel”?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is It tells what the next section will explain..

  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 heading previews the topic of a section.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

A heading previews the topic of a section.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

How can a diagram help a reader understand a text about the water cycle?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is It can show the steps water follows as it moves through the cycle..

  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 diagram can represent the process and its sequence visually.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

A diagram can represent the process and its sequence visually.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Why might an author include a caption under a photograph?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is To explain what the photograph shows..

  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 caption gives information that helps readers interpret an image.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

A caption gives information that helps readers interpret an image.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence is a fact?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The Rocky Mountains extend through Colorado..

  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 statement can be checked using reliable geographic sources.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

The statement can be checked using reliable geographic sources.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

What does the word “adapt” most likely mean in a passage about animals?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is To change in a way that helps an animal survive..

  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: In an animal text, adapt means changing to meet conditions for survival.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

In an animal text, adapt means changing to meet conditions for survival.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Which source would best support a report about the stages of a butterfly?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is A science book with labeled illustrations of the life cycle..

  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 labeled science source directly explains the butterfly life cycle.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

A labeled science source directly explains the butterfly life cycle.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Why does an author compare a desert and a rainforest in one passage?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is To explain how the two environments are alike or different..

  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: Comparison helps readers understand similarities and differences.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

Comparison helps readers understand similarities and differences.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the best summary of a passage about recycling paper, glass, and metal?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Recycling several materials can reduce waste and conserve resources..

  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 summary states the central benefit and includes the main materials without minor examples.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

The summary states the central benefit and includes the main materials without minor examples.

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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.