3rd Grade Reading Comprehension
30 passages for ages 8–9, with questions and answer keys. Read online or print.
📚 Stories, letters & diaries (literature)
Personal storyToo Short for the Team?A personal story about Lily, the shortest girl in her class, who trained hard to get into the school basketball team.157 words · 8 questions · RL.3.1StoryBen's RobotA story about Ben, who built a robot for the science fair, and what happened when it did not work at the key moment.168 words · 8 questions · RL.3.1LetterJoin the Class Cooking Contest!An email from the class committee inviting students to a cooking contest: the rules, the prizes and what not to bring.150 words · 8 questions · RL.3.1DiaryDear Diary: My First DayA diary entry by Nora, who moved house and started at a new school: her fear, her embarrassment and a nice surprise.143 words · 7 questions · RL.3.1Personal storyMy First Day at the Dog ShelterA personal story about Sophie, 13, who volunteers at a dog shelter for the first time and bonds with an old dog named Lucky.161 words · 8 questions · RL.3.1LetterHello from Toronto!An email from Mia, who moved with her family to Toronto, to her cousin Lily about the snow, her new school and a new friend.156 words · 8 questions · RL.3.1StoryThe King Who Was AfraidA story about Dan, who gets the part of a king in the class play and is afraid to go on stage, and the idea that helps him.180 words · 8 questions · RL.3.1DiaryA Night Under the Desert SkyA diary page about a family camping night near Mitzpe Ramon: a sky full of stars, the Milky Way and a shooting star.167 words · 8 questions · RL.3.1StoryThe Wallet on the BusA story about Owen, who found a wallet on the bus and returned it to its owner, and learned what was really important inside it.188 words · 8 questions · RL.3.1DiaryThe Night the Lights Went OutA diary entry by a girl from Fairview about a power cut on a stormy night that became a lovely family evening.186 words · 8 questions · RL.3.1LetterA Letter to the PrincipalA letter from a seventh-grade girl to the school principal, asking for a water fountain in the yard and explaining why.176 words · 8 questions · RL.3.1Personal storyGrandpa OnlineA personal story about Jill, who taught her grandfather from the farm to make video calls, and now they talk every week.185 words · 8 questions · RL.3.1Personal storyNever Too LateA simple personal story about Anna, a 12-year-old who overcame her fear and learned to swim.173 words · 8 questions · RL.3.1
🔎 Informational texts
Fact textSaving the Baby TurtlesA fact text about sea turtles that lay eggs on Israel's beaches, and the volunteers who protect the nests until the babies hatch.168 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1AdvertisementVolunteers Wanted: Reading BuddiesA notice inviting older students to volunteer and read stories with first-grade children.162 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1Fact textWhy Do Cats Purr?A fact text about cat purring: how the sound is made and why cats purr even when they are not happy.163 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1Fact textUp, Up and AwayA fact text about hot-air balloons: why hot air rises, who flew first and how the pilot controls the balloon.152 words · 7 questions · RI.3.1Fact textWhy Is the Dead Sea So Salty?A short fact text explaining how water evaporates and salt stays behind in the Dead Sea, and why it is easy to float there.161 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1AdvertisementGrade 7 Trip to the GalileeA notice for students and parents about the Grade 7 trip to the Galilee: what happens each day, what to bring and which rules to follow.168 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1Fact textHunting with SoundA short fact text explaining how bats use high sounds and echoes to find insects in the dark.166 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1InterviewMeet the Robot BuilderA short school-newspaper interview with Max, 14, who builds Lego robots and tells how he started and what his advice is.172 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1Fact textHow Do Penguins Keep Warm?A short fact text explaining how penguins stay warm with fat, feathers and standing close together in a group.165 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1AdvertisementLet's Make Music!A notice about a weekend music workshop for kids at a community center: what they do, when, how much it costs and what to bring.161 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1Fact textWhy Do We Have Seasons?A short fact text explaining that the seasons happen because the Earth is tilted, not because of its distance from the Sun.186 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1InterviewThe Blue Book BoxA short interview with Ella, a 13-year-old from Columbus who started a book swap cupboard in her neighborhood.184 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1Fact textHow Do Bees Make Honey?A short fact text that explains, step by step, how honeybees turn nectar from flowers into honey.171 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1Human-interest articleMaya's Bird CaféA short article about Maya, an 11-year-old who built a bird feeder from old things she found at home.164 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1News reportLost Rabbit Found in School GardenA light news report about a pet rabbit that escaped from its cage and was found eating lettuce in a school garden.150 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1ReviewMy Review: A Class Trip to Green Hills Nature ReserveA review by a student about a class trip to a (made-up) nature reserve: what was good, what was not, and what advice she gives.157 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1Opinion articleEvery School Needs a Recycling ContestAn opinion article by a student who argues that every school should have a recycling contest, with reasons and an opposing view.162 words · 8 questions · RI.3.1