3rd Grade: ELA PSSA Released Items (Vocab & Language)

The suffix "-less" helps the reader know that the word "clueless" means

• made of clues
• without clues
• one who has clues
• state of having clues

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3A

By summer's end, he had rounded up ten bear buddies who hung out together year after year.
What does the phrase rounded up mean?

• ignored
• changed
• gathered
• watched

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4A

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

And it helps them adapt to a changing world.
What does the word adapt mean?

• to break apart
• to listen closely
• to fun from
• to fit in

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4A

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

On the morning of September 3, 1999, I saw a huge plume of ash shoot from the volcano. The mushroom-shaped cloud rose to a height of more than three miles!
Which word from the sentences BEST helps the reader know the meaning of the word plume?

• huge
• shoot
• cloud
• height

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4A

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RI.3.4

Even the cities miles away from Quito were blanketed in ash.
What does the phrase "blanketed in ash" mean?

• The cities were kept warm by ash.
• The cities were covered with ash.
• The citites spread out from Quito in many directions.
• The citiies needed help from the people of Quito.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4A

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

The eruption blasts the bits into the air while they are still hot, and they cool as separate particles, forming a fine dust.
What does the word particles mean?

• warm gas
• watery clouds
• round spots
• tiny pieces

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4A

CCSS.RI.3.4

Which two words from the passage are MOST alike in meaning?

• turned - trotted
• climbed - sank
• stopped - drove
• spoke - whispered

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5C

This is great wheat country, Caroline! Rich, level land, with not a tree or a rock to contend with.
Which meaning of the word level is used in the sentence?

• filled to a height even with the rim of a container
• having no part taller than another
• to raise or lower to a particular position
• to speak truthfully and openly

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4A

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

There was only the height sky above her, and down below her the water was talking to itself.
What does the phrase "talking to itself" mean about the water?

• It is noisy
• It may be dangerous
• It is moving swiftly
• It would be fun for swimming

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4A

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

The meaning of the suffix "-ly" helps the reader know the word "loudly" means

• one who is loud
• less loud
• not loud
• in a loud way

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3A