School Improvement in Maryland

Using the State Curriculum: Reading/ELA, Grade 3

Reading/ELA | Informational | Literary | Writing | Language | Listening | Speaking

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Standard 1.0 General Reading Processes

Topic D. Vocabulary

Indicator 3. Understand, acquire, and use new vocabulary

Objective a. Use context to determine the meanings of words

Selected Response Item
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose the answer in which the underlined word is used in the same way. Mark the space for the answer you have chosen.

May Sammy come outside to play after school?

In which sentence does the word play mean the same as in the sentence above?

  1. Jackie's play train moves very fast.
  2. My sister is learning how to play the piano.
  3. Sonia has an important part in this year's school play.
  4. I had to do homework before I could play with my friends.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_3_037.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose the answer in which the underlined word is used in the same way. Mark the space for the answer you have chosen.

The new bridge will make it easy for people to cross the river.

In which sentence does the word cross mean the same as in the sentence above?

  1. Be sure to look both ways before you cross the street.
  2. I will cross the chores off my list as I finish each one.
  3. The map shows the spot where the two streets cross each other.
  4. The girl felt cross when her baby brother broke her new toy.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_3_039.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose the answer in which the underlined word is used in the same way. Mark the space for the answer you have chosen.

Bike riders pass the playground when they take the path around the park.

In which sentence does the word pass mean the same as in the sentence above?

  1. Anne is sure she will pass the spelling test tomorrow.
  2. I pass the library on my way to school every day.
  3. Sam asked Jake to pass him the ball during the game.
  4. Time away from school always seems to pass too quickly.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_3_040.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item
As you read each sentence, use the other words in the sentence to help you figure out what the underlined word means. Then mark the space for the answer you have chosen.

As she crossed the busy street, the little girl felt secure because she held her father's hand.

What does secure mean?

  1. safe
  2. wise
  3. excited
  4. cheerful
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_3_042.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item
As you read each sentence, use the other words in the sentence to help you figure out what the underlined word means. Then mark the space for the answer you have chosen.

Janet felt miserable when her best friend Luke moved to a different town.

Miserable means —

  1. curious
  2. foolish
  3. unhappy
  4. unkind
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_3_043.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item
As you read each sentence, use the other words in the sentence to help you figure out what the underlined word means. Then mark the space for the answer you have chosen.

The sudden rainstorm made us scurry to get indoors so we would not get wet.

What does scurry mean?

  1. walk carefully
  2. move quickly
  3. step quietly
  4. hop easily
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_3_044.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose the answer in which the underlined word is used in the same way. Mark the space for the answer you have chosen.

Did you remember to brush your teeth before going to bed?

In which sentence does the word brush mean the same as in the sentence above?

  1. The farmer's field is filled with scratchy brush.
  2. Keep your brush clean by washing it with soap and water.
  3. Before coming inside, brush the dirt off your pants and coat.
  4. I was almost hurt when I had a close brush with a big, mean dog.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_3_038.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item
As you read each sentence, use the other words in the sentence to help you figure out what the underlined word means. Then mark the space for the answer you have chosen.

Sarah felt timid at her new school because she did not know her classmates.

Timid means —

  1. calm
  2. eager
  3. happy
  4. shy
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_3_041.xml

Correct Answer:
D
Resources for Objective 1.D.3.a:
Lesson Seeds | Sample Assessments | PUBLIC RELEASE ITEMS |