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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 writing and research, 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

Which sentence is the best topic sentence for a paragraph about school gardens?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is School gardens give students useful ways to learn about plants and responsibility..

  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 topic sentence introduces the paragraph’s main idea about school gardens.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

The topic sentence introduces the paragraph’s main idea about school gardens.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which detail best supports the claim that walking to school can be healthy?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Walking gives students a chance to exercise before and after school..

  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 detail directly connects walking with exercise and health.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

The detail directly connects walking with exercise and health.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

Which transition best completes the sentence? “First, we planted the seeds. ___, we watered them.”

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Next.

  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: Next shows that watering follows planting in the sequence.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

Next shows that watering follows planting in the sequence.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence would best conclude a paragraph about keeping parks clean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is When everyone helps, a clean park is safer and more enjoyable for all..

  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 concluding sentence restates the importance of the paragraph’s idea.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

The concluding sentence restates the importance of the paragraph’s idea.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Which piece of evidence would best support a report about the school library?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is A librarian’s description of the books and services available..

  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 librarian is a relevant and direct source about the library.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

The librarian is a relevant and direct source about the library.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

What should a writer do before using information from a source?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Check that the information is relevant and reliable..

  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: Checking relevance and reliability helps a writer use trustworthy information.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

Checking relevance and reliability helps a writer use trustworthy information.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence best combines the ideas? “The trail was steep. The trail was narrow.”

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The trail was steep and narrow..

  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: And correctly joins two related descriptions of the trail.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

And correctly joins two related descriptions of the trail.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Which revision makes the sentence more precise? “The animal moved.”

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The fox crept quietly beneath the fence..

  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 revision adds a specific subject, action, and detail.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

The revision adds a specific subject, action, and detail.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Which order is best for a how-to paragraph about making a bird feeder?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Gather materials, build the feeder, add seeds, and hang it safely..

  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 how-to paragraph should present actions in a logical sequence.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

A how-to paragraph should present actions in a logical sequence.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which question would help a writer research why some birds migrate?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is What causes some birds to travel to different places during the year?.

  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 question focuses the research on causes of migration.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or language rule.

The question focuses the research on causes of migration.

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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.