Iguana Persuasion Comprehension Worksheet
Name: Date:
Grade 3 Reading Score: _____ / 10
Persuasive Fiction
I Wanna Iguana
Based on the book by Karen Kaufman Orloff • Illustrated by David Catrow
Letter Story
Story Background: Alex desperately wants to adopt his friend Mikey's baby iguana before Mikey moves away. But his mom isn't so sure! Read their hilarious exchange of persuasive letters below, then answer the questions on Page 2.
Part 1: The First Pleas & Space
TO: Mom Note #1
Dear Mom, I know you don't think I should have Mikey's baby iguana when he moves, but here's why I should: if I don't take him, he's going to Stinky. And Stinky's dog, Lurch, will eat him! You don't want that to happen, do you?
Love, your sensitive son, Alex
TO: Alex Note #2
Dear Alex, I'm glad you are so compassionate, but I doubt Stinky's mother will let Lurch into the iguana's cage. Nice try, though!
Love, Mom
TO: Mom Note #3
Dear Mom, Did you know iguanas are really quiet and cute? They are way cuter than hamsters! You'd never even have to see him. I'll keep his cage on my dresser next to my soccer trophies.
Love, your adorable son, Alex
TO: Alex Note #4
Dear Alex, Tarantulas are quiet, too, but I wouldn't want one as a pet! By the way, that iguana is uglier than Godzilla. Plus, iguanas grow to be over six feet long! You won't have room on your dresser with or without your trophies.
Love, Mom
TO: Mom Note #5
Dear Mom, Mikey told me it takes 15 years for an iguana to get that big! I'll be married by then and living in my own house!
Love, your smart kid, Alex
Part 2: Responsibility & The Agreement
TO: Alex Note #6
Dear Alex, How are you going to get a girl to marry you when you own a 6-foot reptile? Love, your concerned mother.
Alex replies: "Forget marriage—I need a brother! Baby Ethan doesn't do tricks. He just burps and poops!"
TO: Alex Note #7
Dear Alex, How do I know you are ready for a pet? Remember what happened when you brought home the class fish? Love, Mom.
Alex replies: "If I knew the fish was going to jump into the spaghetti sauce, I never would have taken off the jar lid! I learned my lesson. PS: Iguanas don't like spaghetti."
TO: Alex Note #8
Dear Alex, Let's say I let you have him on a trial basis (a test for a week or two). What would you do to take care of him? Love, Mom.
Alex replies: "I'll feed him fresh lettuce every day, give him water, and clean his cage! Also, I will pay for the lettuce with my own allowance!"
Love, Alex the Financial Wizard
FINAL NOTE The Dresser
Dear Alex, Look on your dresser! Love, Mom.
"YES! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" — Alex
Grade 3 Vocabulary Spotlight
Compassionate: Caring about others and wanting to help.
Persuade: Giving good reasons to convince someone.
Trial Basis: A test period to prove responsibility.
Allowance: Money earned by doing chores at home.
Reading Assessment
I Wanna Iguana • Comprehension Check
Select the best answer for each question. Score: _____ / 10
1 Why does Alex need to take Mikey's iguana?
A The iguana escaped into Alex's backyard
B Mikey traded the iguana for a hamster
C Mikey is moving away and cannot keep it
D The iguana grew too big for Mikey's cage
2 Why does Alex say Stinky's dog Lurch will eat it?
A Because Lurch has eaten lizards before
B Mikey told Alex that Stinky hates animals
C To convince Mom to adopt Stinky's puppy
D To make Mom feel worried so she agrees
3 How does Mom's opinion contrast with Alex's in Note 4?
A Alex says it is loud; Mom says it is quiet
B Alex thinks it is cute; Mom calls it uglier than Godzilla
C Mom wants a tarantula, but Alex wants a dog
D Mom wants it outside, but Alex wants it inside
4 How does Alex respond when Mom worries it will grow six feet long?
A He promises to keep it in a small box so it never grows
B He offers to give the iguana away to Stinky next summer
C He says iguanas only grow six feet if they eat spaghetti
D He says it takes 15 years, so he will be grown and moved out
5 What past mishap does Mom bring up to Alex in Note 7?
A Alex forgot to clean his bedroom for a month
B Alex lost his soccer trophy at the park
C The class fish jumped into spaghetti sauce
D Alex let baby Ethan open the hamster cage
6 What does the phrase "trial basis" mean?
A A courtroom meeting where a judge picks an owner
B A special coupon discount at the pet supply store
C A race between the iguana and Stinky's dog Lurch
D A test period to see if someone can care for a pet
7 Why does Alex think an iguana is better than Ethan?
A He can teach it tricks; Ethan just burps and poops
B Ethan is moving away to live with Mikey
C The iguana can score goals on his soccer team
D Ethan does not like eating green lettuce
8 Which promise best shows Alex is ready for responsibility?
A He promises to move out when he turns 15
B He promises to hide the cage from his mother
C He offers to buy the lettuce with his own allowance
D He promises to teach the iguana to do his chores
9 What does Mom mean by "Look on your dresser"?
A She is reminding Alex to dust his soccer trophies
B Mikey left his homework notebook on the dresser
C She bought him a tarantula instead of the iguana
D She agreed to the trial and placed the iguana there
10 How does the author format the story to make it entertaining?
A Through a rhyming poem with five verses
B Through a scientific encyclopedia article about reptiles
C Through a humorous series of notes between Alex and his mom
D Through a diary entry written entirely by Mikey's dog
Review Checklist: □ Read all 10 questions □ Checked text evidence on Page 1 □ Double-checked answers
I Wanna Iguana • Grade 3 Reading Comprehension
Iguana Persuasion Answer Key
Teacher Resource Grade 3 • CCSS Aligned
I Wanna Iguana • Teacher Answer Key
Total Possible
10 Points (1 pt each)
Quick-Grade Key 100% = 10/10 • 80% = 8/10 • 70% = 7/10
Q1
C
Q2
D
Q3
B
Q4
D
Q5
C
Q6
D
Q7
A
Q8
C
Q9
D
Q10
C
1 Answer: C CCSS.RL.3.1 Key Details
Text Evidence: Note #1 states: "when he moves, but here's why I should..."
Note: Mikey is moving away and cannot take the iguana to his new house.
2 Answer: D CCSS.RL.3.3 Persuasion
Text Evidence: Alex warns that Lurch will eat it to create emotional urgency for Mom.
Note: Mom calls out his plea in Note #2 ("nice try though").
3 Answer: B CCSS.RL.3.6 Point of View
Text Evidence: Alex claims it is "cute", while Mom counters it is "uglier than Godzilla."
Note: Highlights humorous differences in perspective between mother and child.
4 Answer: D CCSS.RL.3.3 Counterarguments
Text Evidence: Alex writes: "It takes 15 years... I'll be married by then and living in my own house!"
Note: Alex uses comedic future thinking to eliminate Mom's space concern.
5 Answer: C CCSS.RL.3.1 Recalling Details
Text Evidence: Mom asks: "Remember what happened when you brought home the class fish?"
Note: Alex took the jar lid off and the fish jumped into spaghetti sauce.
6 Answer: D CCSS.RL.3.4 Vocabulary
Definition & Evidence: A test period for a week or two before deciding forever.
Note: Reinforced in the Page 1 Vocabulary Spotlight box.
7 Answer: A CCSS.RL.3.3 Character Motivations
Text Evidence: Alex says: "Baby Ethan doesn't do tricks. He just burps and poops!"
Note: Shows playful sibling rivalry and why Alex seeks an animal companion.
8 Answer: C CCSS.RL.3.3 Character Growth
Text Evidence: Alex promises: "I'll pay for the lettuce with my own allowance!"
Note: Offering his own money proves authentic commitment and maturity.
9 Answer: D CCSS.RL.3.1 Drawing Inferences
Text Evidence: Mom writes: "Look on your dresser!" Alex replies: "YES! Thank you!"
Note: The cage is placed right next to his trophies on his dresser.
10 Answer: C CCSS.RL.3.5 Text Structure
Text Evidence: The story is written entirely in back-and-forth letter notes.
Note: Epistolary structure allows readers to see both characters' perspectives.
Mini Pacing & Scoring Guide
Suggested Time: 25–35 minutes (15 min reading/partner read, 15 min independent questions). Benchmark: 8–10 correct represents mastery of Grade 3 persuasive reading standards.
Class Discussion Prompt
"Why was Alex's offer to use his allowance more effective than saying Lurch would eat the iguana?" (Contrast emotional drama vs. concrete responsibility).
