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Connecticut State Assessments · Grade 3 · Smarter Balanced ELA

Connecticut Grade 3 Smarter Balanced ELA Practice Test

Build Grade 3 reading, vocabulary, grammar, writing, research, and evidence skills with five focused 10-question practice sets.

Connecticut Grade 3 Smarter Balanced ELA practice sets

This Grade 3 Connecticut Smarter Balanced ELA Practice Test page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The sets cover literary reading, informational reading, vocabulary, language, writing, research, and evidence.

Skills covered

  • Main idea, story lessons, inferences, plot problems, figurative language, character evidence, setting, and symbols
  • Informational main idea, supporting details, author purpose, text structure, vocabulary, headings, summaries, diagrams, and facts
  • Synonyms, antonyms, plural nouns, subject-verb agreement, commas, verb tense, pronouns, adjectives, and complete sentences
  • Writing introductions, supporting sentences, transitions, sentence combining, capitalization, conclusions, precise details, sequence, and opinions
  • Research sources, search terms, claims, notes, source integration, paired texts, focused questions, evidence, and paraphrasing

How to use this page

Complete one 10-question set at a time. Return to the passage, underline useful clues, and explain why the best answer is supported by the text.

This is supplemental State Test Practice, State Assessment Practice, and Standardized Test Practice. It does not replace current Connecticut State Department of Education guidance, official Smarter Balanced materials, accommodations, or testing policies.

For the Connecticut assessment hub, visit Connecticut State Assessments.

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

1. Test

Connecticut Grade 3 ELA Practice Questions

A 10-question Connecticut Grade 3 Smarter Balanced ELA practice set on literary reading, with answers and explanations.

Read each 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

Mia found a small bird under a tree. She made a box nest, added soft grass, and called the animal helper. What is the main idea?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Mia helps a bird that needs care..

  1. Read carefully: Look for the story detail, text clue, word meaning, or writing goal that the task asks about.
  2. Use the text: The important events all show Mia caring for the bird.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

The important events all show Mia caring for the bird.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

In a story, Ben practices tying his shoes until he can do it without help. What lesson does the story teach?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Practice helps people learn new skills..

  1. Read carefully: Look for the story detail, text clue, word meaning, or writing goal that the task asks about.
  2. Use the text: Ben succeeds because he keeps practicing.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

Ben succeeds because he keeps practicing.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

A character says, “I could not wait to show Grandma the picture I drew.” What can the reader infer?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The character feels excited..

  1. Read carefully: Look for the story detail, text clue, word meaning, or writing goal that the task asks about.
  2. Use the text: The phrase could not wait shows excitement.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

The phrase could not wait shows excitement.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

A story begins with a girl losing a library book and ends with her finding it under a blanket. Which event is the problem?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The girl loses the library book..

  1. Read carefully: Look for the story detail, text clue, word meaning, or writing goal that the task asks about.
  2. Use the text: The lost book creates the problem that the story follows.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

The lost book creates the problem that the story follows.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

In a poem, the moon is called a “night lamp.” What does this phrase help the reader imagine?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The moon gives light at night..

  1. Read carefully: Look for the story detail, text clue, word meaning, or writing goal that the task asks about.
  2. Use the text: Calling the moon a night lamp compares its light to a lamp.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

Calling the moon a night lamp compares its light to a lamp.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Which detail best shows that the character is careful?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is She checks her list before packing the bag..

  1. Read carefully: Look for the story detail, text clue, word meaning, or writing goal that the task asks about.
  2. Use the text: Checking a list before packing shows careful preparation.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

Checking a list before packing shows careful preparation.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

At first, Carlos does not want to share the swing. Later, he invites another child to play. How does Carlos change?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is He becomes more willing to share..

  1. Read carefully: Look for the story detail, text clue, word meaning, or writing goal that the task asks about.
  2. Use the text: His actions change from refusing to share to inviting another child.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

His actions change from refusing to share to inviting another child.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

A story takes place during a windy afternoon on a farm. Which detail shows the setting?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Dust blows across the field..

  1. Read carefully: Look for the story detail, text clue, word meaning, or writing goal that the task asks about.
  2. Use the text: Dust blowing across a field describes a windy farm setting.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

Dust blowing across a field describes a windy farm setting.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

A fable tells about an ant that saves food during summer and has food during winter. What is the lesson?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Planning ahead can help during hard times..

  1. Read carefully: Look for the story detail, text clue, word meaning, or writing goal that the task asks about.
  2. Use the text: The ant prepares early and benefits later, which shows the lesson.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

The ant prepares early and benefits later, which shows the lesson.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

The same red scarf appears when a character leaves home and when the character returns. What might the scarf represent?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The character’s connection to home.

  1. Read carefully: Look for the story detail, text clue, word meaning, or writing goal that the task asks about.
  2. Use the text: The repeated scarf connects the beginning and ending of the journey home.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

The repeated scarf connects the beginning and ending of the journey home.

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Frequently asked questions about Connecticut Grade 3 ELA Practice

Which Grade 3 ELA skills are covered?

The page covers literary and informational reading, vocabulary, language, writing, research, and evidence skills.

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 Smarter Balanced questions?

No. These are original supplemental practice questions. Check the latest Connecticut State Department of Education and Smarter Balanced information for official materials, accommodations, and policies.