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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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Connecticut Grade 3 ELA Practice Questions

A 10-question Connecticut Grade 3 Smarter Balanced ELA practice set on informational 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

A passage explains that earthworms loosen soil, help water move through it, and add nutrients. What is the main idea?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Earthworms help make soil healthy..

  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 passage lists several ways earthworms help soil.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

The passage lists several ways earthworms help soil.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which detail best supports the idea that bees help plants?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Bees carry pollen from one flower to another..

  1. Read carefully: Look for the story detail, text clue, word meaning, or writing goal that the task asks about.
  2. Use the text: Moving pollen between flowers directly helps plants reproduce.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

Moving pollen between flowers directly helps plants reproduce.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

A text gives steps for planting a seed: fill the cup, place the seed, cover it, and add water. What is the author’s purpose?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is To explain how to plant a seed.

  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 ordered steps explain how to complete a task.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

The ordered steps explain how to complete a task.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

A passage explains what frogs eat, where they live, and how they grow. Which text structure is mainly used?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Description.

  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 passage gives facts that describe frogs.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

The passage gives facts that describe frogs.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

In the sentence “The glass was fragile, so Ava carried it gently,” what does fragile mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Easy to break.

  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 need to carry it gently shows that fragile means easy to break.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

The need to carry it gently shows that fragile means easy to break.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

A heading says “How Clouds Form.” What information will the section probably explain?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The steps that lead to cloud formation.

  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 heading tells readers that the section will explain cloud formation.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

The heading tells readers that the section will explain cloud formation.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

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

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The town recycles several materials to reduce the amount of waste..

  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 summary includes the main action and its purpose.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

The summary includes the main action and its purpose.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

A diagram shows arrows moving from the Sun to a plant and then to a rabbit. What does the diagram show?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is How energy moves through a simple food chain.

  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 arrows show energy moving from the Sun to a plant and then to an animal.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

The arrows show energy moving from the Sun to a plant and then to an animal.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

An article tells about a problem with litter and then describes a neighborhood cleanup. What text structure is used?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Problem and solution.

  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 litter is the problem and the cleanup is a possible solution.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

The litter is the problem and the cleanup is a possible solution.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which statement is a fact?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Water freezes at a lower temperature than liquid water..

  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 statement about freezing can be checked with scientific evidence.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that is best supported by the passage or the sentence.

The statement about freezing can be checked with scientific evidence.

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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.