STAAR Grade 3 English Reading Sample Questions

Questions 1-2 are related to the following passage.

Read the passage and answer the questions.

Mae finished her homework as quickly as she could. She could not stop thinking about her favorite television show. She knew if she finished her homework, she would be able to sit down and watch it.

The grandfather clock in the living room began to chime. It was eight o'clock. Mae scrambled down the stairs and rushed into the kitchen. She grabbed some popcorn to enjoy during the show.

Then she ran to the living room. She switched on the television set. But Mae was disappointed. She felt let down. Her favorite show was not on. There was a new program on instead!

Q1. Which sentence tells the meaning of the word disappointed?

A. "It was eight o'clock.

B."Then she ran to the living room."

C."She felt let down."

D. "There was a new program on, instead."

Q2. What does the word scrambled mean in the passage?

A. appeared

B. screamed

C. walked

D. rushed

Questions 3 - 6 are related to the following passage.

Triceratops Never Existed ?

Many people have read about the famed dinosaur triceratops. It is known around the world for its unique attributes, such as leathery skin and large bony collar around its neck. But it's probably best known for the three sharp horns emerging from its face. But scientists now say that the three horns coming from its skull show something very important.

For years, scientists thought the triceratops and the torosaurus were two closely related dinosaurs. They looked very similar in many ways. But the three horns show that the triceratops was actually just a younger version of the torosaurus. So these two were actually the same type of dinosaur all along. It was just hard to discover. To tell, scientists had to study many fossils for a long time.

Think about how humans develop as they age. A human child looks a lot like an adult, but also looks very different, This is what scientists had to figure out about the triceratops and torosaurus.

Q3. In this paragraph, the word famed means

A. sharp

B. important

C. young

D. well-known

Q4. Read the following sentence from the passage.

It is known around the world for its unique attributes, such as leathery skin and large bony collar around its neck.

What is the meaning of attributes?

A. dinosaurs

B. traits

C, countries

D. leathers

Q5. In paragraph 1, the word emerging means

A. coming from

B. pointing at

C. looking toward

D. showing off

Q6. Read the following sentence from the passage.

Think about how humans develop as they age.

What is the meaning of develop?

A. study

B. figure out

C. grow

D. think

Questions 7- 10 are related to the following passage.

Different Types of Bees

1) You probably know about honeybees. 2) Honeybees are common in Texas. 3) They gather pollen from flowers. 4) They live in groups and make honey 5) They will sting people, but they sting only when they are in danger. 6) But there are different kind of bees. 7) One type of bee has moved to Texas from South America. 8) It was originally from Africa. 9) It is more dangerous. 10) These bees defend their hives and sting more often than honeybees. 11) People should stay away from beehives. 12) But if one of these tougher bees tries to sting a person, the person should run! 13) The person should definitely not hit the bees. 14) The person should get to a building and close all windows and doors. 15) This is the best way to keep from getting stung.

Q7. Read the sentence 12.

But if one of these tougher bees tries to sting a person, the person should run!

Which two words are made from open syllables?

A. if, to

B. But, the

C. one, run

D. But, of

Q8. In sentence 9, how many syllables does the word dangerous have?

A. one

B. two

C. three

D. four

Q9. Read sentence 10.

These bees defend their hives and sting more often than honeybees.

Which words have the same consonant sound?

A. these, sting, more

B. these, their, than

C. these, hives, and

D. bees, and, than

Q10. Which word has the same -er sound as flowers in sentence 3?

A. are

B. there

C. originally

D. person

Correct Answers Key for STAAR Grade 3 English Sample Questions

A1. C. "She felt let down."

A2. D. rushed

A3. D. well-known

A4. B. traits

A5. A. coming from

A6. C. grow

A7. A. if, to

A8. C. three

A9. B. these, their, than

A10. D. person

Review Topics of STAAR Exam

For more questions Study Guide and Preparation- State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)

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