Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts : Understand Connections within Texts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts
All Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Understand Connections Within Texts
Text 1: Where to see African Animals
Animals that are from Africa are some of the most fascinating animals to see. If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing the animals that live in Africa, there are two ways to make this happen. The first is to visit a local zoo. Most zoos have an African section, which have many of the animals that you would find in Africa. The other, and probably the more exciting option, would be to take a trip to Africa and go on an African safari!
Visiting a Zoo
If you go to a zoo to see African animals, you can usually follow signs straight to the African section. There you will see an area that is modeled off of what an African habitat, or area where animals live, would look like. There will be tall trees for the giraffes and lots of grass and small plants for the elephants. The neat thing about seeing animals in a zoo is that you can see tons of different animals from all over the world.You can see Polar Bears found in Alaska or Kangaroos found in Australia, just to name a few!
African Safari
An African safari is a trip that is very popular in Africa. People sign up for tours and ride around Africa to see many African animals in their homes in the wild. During an African safari, the driver is also the tour guide. He, or she, will know many facts and details about the area and the animals. During the safari, you might go by giraffes eating from tall trees, elephants spraying water from their noses, and lions laying in the sun.
Text 2: African Animals
Africa is home to many amazing and different animals! The weather in Africa is generally very warm, but depending on where in Africa you are, you will see different habits and animals. The top half of Africa, or the northern part, is mainly made up of deserts. The bottom half of Africa, or the southern part, is made up of plains and jungles.
Desert
African deserts are home to animals that can live in very hot temperatures, with very little water. If you were to visit an African desert you might see animals such as camels, foxes, or sheep. Reptiles also live in African deserts. Reptiles that you might see include snakes or lizards.
Plains
African plains are flat areas with a lot of grass. You might see some tall trees spread out, but the majority of this area is covered in grass. If you visit this area of Africa, you might run into some dangerous animals. The plains are where lions and chetahs call home. However, many other animal call the plaines their home. If you want to see elephants, giraffes, or zebras, the plains are where you will find them.
Jungles
The jungles in Africa are rainforest. They are filled with tall trees, plants, and many animals. If you were in an African rainforest, you might see monkeys hanging from branches, or big snakes wrapped around trees. Also, bright colored parrots can be seeing flying from tree to tree. Much bigger animals, such as gorillas and jaguars also live within all of the trees of the rainforest.
According to Text 1, what is an advantage of going to a zoo instead of going to Africa?
You can see elephants
You can see animals from all over the world
You can see lots of different people
You can see zebras
You can see animals from all over the world
Text 1 compares going to a zoo to see animals and going to Africa to see animals. The advantage to going to a zoo over Africa will mostly likely be in the section "Visiting a Zoo" so we should start there to look for our answer.
"If you go to a zoo to see African animals, you can usually follow signs straight to the African section. There you will see an area that is modeled off of what an African habitat, or area where animals live, would look like. There will be tall trees for the giraffes and lots of grass and small plants for the elephants. The neat thing about seeing animals in a zoo is that you can see tons of different animals from all over the world.You can see Polar Bears found in Alaska or Kangaroos found in Australia, just to name a few!"
Example Question #1 : Understand Connections Within Texts
The History of Soccer
In the late 1800s, there was a man named Arthur, who lived in London. Arthur had a lot of friends, and they all enjoyed spending time together. Arthur and his friends would occasionally get bored. There was not always a lot to do back then.
One day, their boredom led to them trying a new game. They put a ball on the ground and started kicking it. Arthur was having so much fun! The only problem was the game was complete chaos. Everyone was playing their own version of the game. “We need to create rules!” Arthur said.
The group of friends began creating a list of guidelines for their new game. Each member of the group thought of something different. One friend decided you could not use your hands. Another friend suggested that kicking the ball in the net would count as a goal. Arthur, himself, thought the winning team would be decided by who had scored the most goals.
Arthur and his friends were very happy with the game. Only one thing was missing! They needed a name for the game. They decided to call it football! Over 100 years later, the game has grown in popularity. Today, in America, we call the game Soccer!
What do we learn first in this passage?
It was decided that in soccer, kicking a ball in the net would count as a goal.
A group of friends created the game of soccer.
Soccer was originally called football.
The game of soccer started in London.
The game of soccer started in London.
In the first sentence, we are introduced to a person named Arthur and told that he lives in London. Later in the passage, we learn that Arthur and his friends created the game of soccer. Since we learned that Arthur lived in London, this means the game of soccer started in London.
Example Question #2 : Understand Connections Within Texts
The History of Soccer
In the late 1800s, there was a man named Arthur, who lived in London. Arthur had a lot of friends, and they all enjoyed spending time together. Arthur and his friends would occasionally get bored. There was not always a lot to do back then.
One day, their boredom led to them trying a new game. They put a ball on the ground and started kicking it. Arthur was having so much fun! The only problem was the game was complete chaos. Everyone was playing their own version of the game. “We need to create rules!” Arthur said.
The group of friends began creating a list of guidelines for their new game. Each member of the group thought of something different. One friend decided you could not use your hands. Another friend suggested that kicking the ball in the net would count as a goal. Arthur, himself, thought the winning team would be decided by who had scored the most goals.
Arthur and his friends were very happy with the game. Only one thing was missing! They needed a name for the game. They decided to call it football! Over 100 years later, the game has grown in popularity. Today, in America, we call the game Soccer!
Of the choices below, what’s the best reason for the game of soccer originally being called football?
Because the game was primarily played with the feet- kicking the ball into a net.
Because there was a lot of running involved in the game, and you run with your feet.
Because the game is played with your hands.
Because the friends liked that name the best.
Because the game was primarily played with the feet- kicking the ball into a net.
We learn in the text that “football”, what we know as soccer, is mostly played without using your hands. In order to score a goal, and thus win a game, you have to kick the ball into the net. When you kick things you use your feet. Based on this logic, the correct answer is, “Because the game was primarily played with the feet- kicking the ball into a net."
Example Question #81 : Reading
The History of Soccer
In the late 1800s, there was a man named Arthur, who lived in London. Arthur had a lot of friends, and they all enjoyed spending time together. Arthur and his friends would occasionally get bored. There was not always a lot to do back then.
One day, their boredom led to them trying a new game. They put a ball on the ground and started kicking it. Arthur was having so much fun! The only problem was the game was complete chaos. Everyone was playing their own version of the game. “We need to create rules!” Arthur said.
The group of friends began creating a list of guidelines for their new game. Each member of the group thought of something different. One friend decided you could not use your hands. Another friend suggested that kicking the ball in the net would count as a goal. Arthur, himself, thought the winning team would be decided by who had scored the most goals.
Arthur and his friends were very happy with the game. Only one thing was missing! They needed a name for the game. They decided to call it football! Over 100 years later, the game has grown in popularity. Today, in America, we call the game Soccer!
What is the last thing we learn from this passage?
The winning team is decided by who scored the most goals.
Soccer began in the 1800s.
Kicking the ball into the net results in scoring a goal.
In America, we call the game soccer.
In America, we call the game soccer.
The last sentence of the passage tells us that in American we call the game soccer. Thus, this is the last thing we learn about the game from the passage.
Example Question #2 : Understand Connections Within Texts
The History of Racing
There once lived a businessman from Washington, D.C. named William. In 1935, William decided to move south to Daytona Beach, Florida. Daytona Beach had become well known over the last 10 years for people racing cars, so William set up a car repair shop.
Racing in Daytona Beach continued to grow. William and several others started having organized races on the beach. Cars would begin the race driving south for two miles on the pavement. At the end of the 2 miles, they would return 2 miles north on the sandy beach along the Atlantic Ocean.
This oval racetrack format became very popular. The number of spectators increased each race, so William and his fellow drivers decided to start a formal annual event. Today, the annual event is called the Daytona 500 and is one of the largest races in the world. William’s family still organizes the race to this day.
What is the first thing William did when he moved to Daytona Beach?
Organized races on the beach
Opened a car repair shop
Designed a racetrack
Started a yearly racing event
Opened a car repair shop
The answer to this question is in the first paragraph. We learn that Daytona Beach had become well known for racing- and because of this William opened a car repair shop.
Example Question #6 : Understand Connections Within Texts
The History of Racing
There once lived a businessman from Washington, D.C. named William. In 1935, William decided to move south to Daytona Beach, Florida. Daytona Beach had become well known over the last 10 years for people racing cars, so William set up a car repair shop.
Racing in Daytona Beach continued to grow. William and several others started having organized races on the beach. Cars would begin the race driving south for two miles on the pavement. At the end of the 2 miles, they would return 2 miles north on the sandy beach along the Atlantic Ocean.
This oval racetrack format became very popular. The number of spectators increased each race, so William and his fellow drivers decided to start a formal annual event. Today, the annual event is called the Daytona 500 and is one of the largest races in the world. William’s family still organizes the race to this day.
What led William and his friends to start a formal racing event?
William’s family wanted him to start a formal event.
They were no longer allowed to race on the beach.
The track on the beach wasn’t working well.
The number of fans was growing with each race they hosted.
The number of fans was growing with each race they hosted.
The answer to this question can be found in the last paragraph of the sentence. We are told that the number of spectators increased. Spectators are fans that come to watch and event. And increase means to grow. Thus, the correct answer is “The number of fans was growing with each race they hosted."
Example Question #7 : Understand Connections Within Texts
The History of Racing
There once lived a businessman from Washington, D.C. named William. In 1935, William decided to move south to Daytona Beach, Florida. Daytona Beach had become well known over the last 10 years for people racing cars, so William set up a car repair shop.
Racing in Daytona Beach continued to grow. William and several others started having organized races on the beach. Cars would begin the race driving south for two miles on the pavement. At the end of the 2 miles, they would return 2 miles north on the sandy beach along the Atlantic Ocean.
This oval racetrack format became very popular. The number of spectators increased each race, so William and his fellow drivers decided to start a formal annual event. Today, the annual event is called the Daytona 500 and is one of the largest races in the world. William’s family still organizes the race to this day.
Of the choices below, what is the last thing we learn from the passage?
William started a car repair shop.
William moved from Washington D.C. to Daytona Beach.
William organized races on the beach.
The annual event that William and his friends put together was later named the Daytona 500.
The annual event that William and his friends put together was later named the Daytona 500.
Of the choices provided, the last thing we learn in “The annual event that William and his friends put together was later named the Daytona 500.”. This is the second to last sentence of the passage. When you are looking for the last thing you learned, it is wise to start at the bottom of the passage and read up.
Example Question #8 : Understand Connections Within Texts
The Dog and the Princess
Once upon a time Princess Ali and her mother, The Queen, ruled all of the lands. Princess Ali’s father had died when Ali was very young, so she had no memory of him and she always felt like something was missing from her life. But, many people told her tales of the great King Archie. Every story that she heard made her father sound like a jovial and fun king. Everyone always laughed when they spoke of King Archie. She thought about him often and how different her life may have been if she had grown up with both a mother and a father.
On a beautiful spring day, Princess Ali was walking in the grand gardens when she spotted a goofy-looking dog. His legs were way too long for his body, one ear stood straight up, while the other folded down, and his big tongue hung out of the left side of his mouth. He had a great big grin on his face as he ran towards Princess Ali. The dog was running too quickly and wasn’t able to stop his long legs from crashing into Princess Ali, so they both tumbled to the ground.
Princess Ali giggled as the dog covered her in kisses. When she was able to break free, she stood up and the dog began to dance in circles around her, barking happily. She saw that he wore a red collar with the name “Archie” stitched in white writing. She decided this dog must belong to someone so she spent all day walking the dog around the kingdom trying to find his rightful owners.
Throughout the day Princess Ali laughed more than she ever had. The dog spent the whole day trying to please her and make her laugh. He chased butterflies, played in puddles, licked her hand, snuggled his head into her belly, and pulled flowers out of the ground for her. As the day drew to a close, they hadn’t come across anyone that claimed to be his owner.
Princess Ali decided to keep the dog Archie, and they all lived happily ever after.
Of the choices below, what is the best reason for the author choosing to name the dog Archie?
Because Archie is a very popular dog name
Because the author likes the name, Archie
Because Archie is Princess Ali’s favorite name
Because the dog shared similar characteristics to King Archie
Because the dog shared similar characteristics to King Archie
At the start of the passage, Kind Archie is described as a funny, happy person. People laugh when they recall memories of him. Near the end of the passage, we learn that Princess Ali laughed and enjoyed being around the dog, Archie. Thus, the best reason for the author choosing to name the dog Archis is because the dog shared similar characteristics to King Archie.
Example Question #8 : Understand Connections Within Texts
The Dog and the Princess
Once upon a time Princess Ali and her mother, The Queen, ruled all of the lands. Princess Ali’s father had died when Ali was very young, so she had no memory of him and she always felt like something was missing from her life. But, many people told her tales of the great King Archie. Every story that she heard made her father sound like a jovial and fun king. Everyone always laughed when they spoke of King Archie. She thought about him often and how different her life may have been if she had grown up with both a mother and a father.
On a beautiful spring day, Princess Ali was walking in the grand gardens when she spotted a goofy-looking dog. His legs were way too long for his body, one ear stood straight up, while the other folded down, and his big tongue hung out of the left side of his mouth. He had a great big grin on his face as he ran towards Princess Ali. The dog was running too quickly and wasn’t able to stop his long legs from crashing into Princess Ali, so they both tumbled to the ground.
Princess Ali giggled as the dog covered her in kisses. When she was able to break free, she stood up and the dog began to dance in circles around her, barking happily. She saw that he wore a red collar with the name “Archie” stitched in white writing. She decided this dog must belong to someone so she spent all day walking the dog around the kingdom trying to find his rightful owners.
Throughout the day Princess Ali laughed more than she ever had. The dog spent the whole day trying to please her and make her laugh. He chased butterflies, played in puddles, licked her hand, snuggled his head into her belly, and pulled flowers out of the ground for her. As the day drew to a close, they hadn’t come across anyone that claimed to be his owner.
Princess Ali decided to keep the dog Archie, and they all lived happily ever after.
What is the first thing we learn about the dog Archie?
His tongue hangs out of the side of his mouth
He has long legs
One of his ears stands straight up
He looked goofy
He looked goofy
We are introduced to the dog Archie in the second paragraph. We are told that Princess Ali spotted a “goofy-looking dog”. The next sentence goes on to describe why Archie looks goofy. The correct answer is, “He looked goofy”.
Example Question #3 : Understand Connections Within Texts
Prince Meanerman
Once upon a time, a mean prince ruled over a farming town called Summersville. The prince was named Prince Sweeterman, but he was known throughout Summersville as Prince Meanerman. The people of Summersville were very poor farmers, as the prince kept most of the wealth and food for himself. The farmers worked day and night trying to grow enough food for themselves, but still, the Prince took more and more. The sight of the hard-working farmers cracked Prince Sweeterman up as he watched from his castle in joy as the farmers struggled day after day. The Prince was warned that he should not treat his people this way, but the warning went in one ear and out the other. He never changed his ways.
One, by one the farmers began to look for other kingdoms to take them in. Eventually, Prince Sweeterman was left with no workers and no kingdom to rule over. With no food to eat for himself, he grew very hungry and meaner and meaner each day. Prince Meanerman never did learn his lesson.
Of the choices below, what’s the best reason for why the farms began to look for other kingdoms to live in?
Because they didn’t like the weather in Summersville
Because they wanted a change
Because they didn’t want to be farmers
Because Prince Sweeterman wasn’t a kind ruler
Because Prince Sweeterman wasn’t a kind ruler
The first paragraph describes Prince Sweeterman as a mean person, he is even nicknamed “Prince Meanerman”. The farmers all worked very hard, but never had enough food or money for themselves because the prince would take it all for himself. Because of this, the farmer all began to leave. The passage doesn’t mention the weather of Summersville or whether or not the farmers actually enjoyed farming or not. Thus the best answer is, “Because Prince Sweeterman wasn’t a kind ruler”.
All Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts Resources
