STAAR Reading Review Test
Grade 3 Reading & Language Arts STAAR Benchmark Review
Reading Assessment: Part 1
Read the selection and answer the questions that follow.
Name: ________________
Date: _________
The Mystery of the Clockwork Owl
by Sarah Ramirez
1
Oliver loved visiting his grandfather’s repair shop after school. The tiny room smelled of warm lemon oil and aged cedar wood. Rows of grandfather clocks ticked in calm rhythm, while shelves overflowed with brass gears, springs, and curious gadgets. Oliver’s grandfather, Mr. Silas, wore round magnifying glasses perched on the tip of his nose. He could fix almost anything that had ticking parts.
2
One rainy Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Silas pulled a dusty wooden crate from under the workbench. "Look at this treasure, Oliver," he whispered gently. Inside nestled a mechanical owl made of tarnished copper. When Mr. Silas gently turned a silver key on its back, its tiny copper wings fluttered as smoothly as silk in the breeze. However, after two quiet twitches, the toy sputtered and froze completely.
3
Oliver leaned forward, his heart thumping. "Can we repair it together, Grandpa?" he asked eagerly. Mr. Silas smiled with twinkling eyes. "A patient detective always inspects the clues first," his grandfather remarked. "Every broken gear has a story to tell if you listen closely." Oliver grabbed his small notebook and drew a sketch of the gears inside the owl's chest.
4
Mr. Silas guided Oliver’s hands as they used delicate tweezers to clear away decades of thick lint. Oliver was astonished when he spotted a tiny ruby caught inside the central wheel. "Grandpa, look!" Oliver exclaimed. "Something is blocking the teeth of the gear!"
5
With careful teamwork, Oliver pried the glowing stone loose while Mr. Silas held the tension spring steady. Immediately, a melodious chime echoed through the shop. The copper owl lifted its head, flapped its wings rhythmically, and opened its eyes to reveal two gleaming emerald lenses. Oliver grinned proudly, feeling like a true master watchmaker beside his patient mentor.
6
"Splendid work, partner," Mr. Silas said, handing Oliver the tiny silver key. "Now that this little bird is singing again, there is one more locked chest in the attic waiting for someone with your keen eyes." Oliver gripped the key tightly and glanced eagerly toward the attic stairs.
Grade 3 STAAR Reading Review Page 1 — Go to the next page
Part 1: Fiction Questions 1 – 3
Now answer questions 1 through 5. Base your answers on the story "The Mystery of the Clockwork Owl."
1
What does the relationship between Oliver and Mr. Silas reveal about both characters?
A
Oliver is impatient, but Mr. Silas refuses to teach him how to repair clocks.
B
Oliver admires his grandfather, and Mr. Silas patiently guides him as a valued partner.
C
Mr. Silas wants Oliver to do all the work so he can take a nap in his shop.
D
Oliver prefers playing outside rather than spending time in his grandfather's shop.
2
In paragraph 4, which word is a synonym for astonished?
A
Amazed
B
Confused
C
Weary
D
Nervous
3
Based on paragraph 3, the reader can infer that Oliver —
A
is afraid he might break the mechanical owl permanently
B
takes the repair process seriously and wants to learn how to solve problems
C
wants to sell the owl to buy new art supplies for his drawing notebook
D
disagrees with his grandfather's instructions about listening to gears
Grade 3 STAAR Reading Review Page 2 — Go to the next page
Part 1: Fiction (Continued) Questions 4 – 5
4
The author includes the simile "its tiny copper wings fluttered as smoothly as silk in the breeze" in paragraph 2 to show that —
A
the mechanical owl was made out of lightweight fabric and kite paper
B
a strong gust of wind blew through the open window of the repair shop
C
the owl was crafted with fine skill and moved with graceful ease
D
the toy owl was too weak and delicate to ever move again
5
Based on the ending in paragraph 6, what can the reader predict Oliver will most likely do next?
A
Climb the stairs to search for the locked chest and solve another mystery
B
Leave the repair shop immediately to go home and finish his school homework
C
Throw away the silver key because he no longer needs it
D
Take the mechanical owl apart so he can keep the ruby for himself
End of Fiction Section
Turn to the next page to read an informational article about nature's master engineers.
Grade 3 STAAR Reading Review Page 3 — Go to the next page
Grade 3 Reading & Language Arts STAAR Benchmark Review
Reading Assessment: Part 2
Informational Text
Nature's Master Builders: The Busy American Beaver
by Dr. Marcus Bennett, Wildlife Biologist
1
Deep in North American river valleys, an extraordinary animal shapes entire ecosystems. The American beaver is often called nature’s architect. While most animals build small nests or dig burrows for shelter, beavers are famous for altering rivers and creating wetlands that provide homes for dozens of other living creatures.
Special Tools for a Wet World
2
Beavers possess remarkable physical adaptations that make them expert aquatic builders. Their orange, chisel-shaped front teeth never stop growing. By chewing tough tree trunks, beavers continuously wear their teeth down and keep them razor-sharp. Their broad, leathery tails act like powerful boat rudders while swimming and slap the water loudly to warn family members of approaching predators.
Building Dams and Lodges
3
To create a safe habitat, beavers fell aspen, birch, and willow trees using their strong jaws. They drag branches into flowing streams, stacking them carefully with stones and thick river mud. This barrier slows the rushing water and creates a deep, tranquil pond. In the middle of this pond, beavers construct a dome-shaped home called a lodge.
4
The beaver lodge is an engineering marvel. Its entrances are hidden completely underwater, which prevents land predators like wolves and coyotes from entering. Inside the lodge, above the water level, lies a dry, cozy living chamber lined with shredded wood. Even during freezing winters, body heat keeps the inside temperature comfortable and warm.
Fact File: Beaver Adaptations at a Glance
• Double Fur Coat: An oily inner layer provides waterproof insulation against icy water.
• Clear Eyelids: Transparent third eyelids act like swimming goggles underwater.
• Webbed Hind Feet: Large rear paws propel the beaver smoothly through strong currents.
• Ecosystem Impact: Beaver ponds supply water, food, and shelter for fish, birds, and frogs.
5
By transforming fast streams into calm wetlands, beavers help purify water and prevent erosion. These small creatures prove that one hardworking builder can protect an entire ecosystem.
Grade 3 STAAR Reading Review Page 4 — Go to the next page
Part 2: Informational Text Questions 6 – 8
Now answer questions 6 through 10. Base your answers on the article "Nature's Master Builders: The Busy American Beaver."
6
In paragraph 2, the word aquatic refers to something that —
A
flies high in the forest sky
B
lives or operates in or near water
C
travels across dry desert sands
D
hunts large animals at night
7
Which detail from the article supports the key idea that beaver lodges are designed for safety?
A
The lodge entrances are submerged underwater away from land predators.
B
Beavers cut down aspen, birch, and willow trees using their orange front teeth.
C
Beaver tails slap against tree trunks when building nests on the shore.
D
Lodge roofs are decorated with colorful autumn leaves and river flowers.
8
Why does the author include the text box titled "Fact File: Beaver Adaptations at a Glance"?
A
To show readers how to tame a wild beaver as a household pet
B
To provide quick, highlighted facts about the physical traits that help beavers thrive
C
To explain why beavers should be moved away from cold northern rivers
D
To list recipes for food that beavers eat during the long winter months
Grade 3 STAAR Reading Review Page 5 — Go to the next page
Part 2: Informational Text (Continued) Questions 9 – 10
9
Which section of the article would the reader check to find information about how beavers create their homes?
A
Special Tools for a Wet World
B
Building Dams and Lodges
C
The Title Box at the beginning of the article
D
The author's biography note
10
After reading both the article and the Fact File, what new understanding can the reader form about beavers?
A
Beavers cause severe damage to natural rivers that cannot be repaired.
B
Beavers rely on both physical adaptations and building behaviors to survive and benefit other animals.
C
Beavers only live in warm climates where water never freezes during winter.
D
Beavers build dams only to store extra wood for food during summer months.
End of Reading Section
Turn to the next page for Written Conventions: Revising and Editing (Questions 11 through 14).
Grade 3 STAAR Reading Review Page 6 — Go to the next page
Grade 3 Language Arts & Writing STAAR Benchmark Review
Written Conventions: Part 3 (Revising)
Drafting & Revising
Directions:
Marcus wrote this short draft about a weekend volunteer project. Read Marcus's draft and think about the revisions he should make. Then answer questions 11 and 12.
Cleaning the Creek Trail
[1] Last Saturday, my scout troop visited Oak Creek Park for our community project. [2] The walking trail was cluttered with plastic bottles, paper bags, and old soda cans. [3] We grabbed heavy canvas work gloves and bright yellow trash bags. [4] We carefully picked up litter along the bank of the creek. [5] Our team worked together for three hours. [6] We filled ten giant bags with recycled bottles and trash. [7] Afterward, the park ranger thanked us for our hard work. [8] The trail was clean and safe for all the neighborhood families to enjoy.
11
Marcus wants to add a transition word to the beginning of sentence 4 to show order. Which transition word or phrase is the best choice?
A
Next,
B
However,
C
Instead,
D
For example,
12
What is the most effective way to combine sentence 5 and sentence 6?
A
Our team worked together for three hours, and we filled ten giant bags with recycled bottles and trash.
B
Because our team worked together for three hours, but we filled ten giant bags with recycled bottles and trash.
C
Our team worked together for three hours or filled ten giant bags with trash and bottles.
D
Our team worked together for three hours, so ten giant bags were filled by our team.
Grade 3 STAAR Reading Review Page 7 — Go to the next page
Grade 3 Language Arts & Writing STAAR Benchmark Review
Written Conventions: Part 4 (Editing)
Standard English Conventions
Directions:
Read each question carefully and choose the best answer to correct errors in conventions.
13
Marcus wrote this sentence in his science journal:
"The two park rangers walks along the muddy path every morning."
What change, if any, should be made in this sentence?
A
Change two to too
B
Change walks to walk
C
Change path to paths
D
No change is needed.
14
Marcus wrote this sentence in his project summary:
"We packed apples sandwiches and bottled water for our picnic lunch."
What change, if any, should be made in this sentence?
A
Change packed to paked
B
Add an apostrophe to sandwiches'
C
Insert a comma after apples
D
No change is needed.
Student Answer Document (Questions 1 – 14) Darken each bubble completely
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Grade 3 STAAR Reading Review Page 8 — End of Test
