IREAD Reading Baseline Pretest
Indiana Assessment Prep Grade 3 Literacy
Form A • 35 Items
IREAD Reading Baseline Pretest
Standardized baseline assessment measuring foundational decoding, word analysis, nonfiction, and literature comprehension.
Student Name:
Date:
Teacher:
School:
Section 1: Reading Foundations (Items 1–11) Phonics, Vowels, Context & Word Meaning
- Which word has the SAME soft c sound as the word pencil?
1.RF.5
A cabin
B cement
C custom
D cricket
- Read the sentence. Which word correctly completes the sentence?
1.RF.5
The hiker looked up at the rocky ___________ high above the canyon floor.
A clift
B cliff
C clith
D cleff
- Which word has the SAME vowel sound as the underlined vowel team in train?
2.RF.2
A track
B brave
C branch
D blast
- Which word has a SHORT e vowel sound?
2.RF.2
A bead
B sleep
C thread
D gleam
- Read the sentence below.
3.RC.11
The glass vase was so fragile that even a slight tap on the table could shatter it into pieces.
What does the word fragile mean in this sentence?
A easily broken
B brightly colored
C heavy and solid
D very expensive
- Read the sentence below.
3.RC.11
After hiking through the thick briars, Marcus felt a twinge of sharp pain in his ankle.
Which clue best helps the reader understand the meaning of twinge?
A hiking through
B thick briars
C sharp pain
D in his ankle
Indiana IREAD-3 Baseline Assessment • Grade 3 Page 1 of 8
Section 1: Reading Foundations (Continued) Student Name: __________________________________
- Read the sentences below.
3.RC.11
The young seedling began to wilt under the scorching afternoon sun. Its bright green leaves turned yellow and drooped toward the dry soil.
What does the word wilt mean in the sentence?
A grow taller
B bend and weaken
C produce fruit
D soak up water
- Which two words are SYNONYMS (words that have almost the same meaning)?
3.RC.12
A brave and fearless
B swift and clumsy
C harsh and gentle
D hollow and solid
- Read the sentence below.
3.RC.12
The scientist gave a cautious response because the experiment was not yet complete.
Which word is an ANTONYM (opposite meaning) of cautious?
A careful
B reckless
C quiet
D honest
- Read the pair of sentences below.
3.RC.12
1. The captain watched the white ________ flutter high above the ship.
2. The department store will have a summer clothing ________ next week.
Which pair of words correctly completes sentence 1 and sentence 2?
A sail / sale
B sale / sail
C sail / sail
D scale / sail
- Read the dictionary entry below for the word scale.
3.RC.12
1. thin plate on fish
2. tool to weigh things
3. to climb up steep rocks
4. series of musical notes
"The rock climber used both hands to scale the jagged cliff."
Which definition matches the way scale is used in the sentence?
A Definition 1
B Definition 2
C Definition 3
D Definition 4
✓ End of Section 1 (Foundations) Turn the page to begin Section 2: Nonfiction Reading Passage
Indiana IREAD-3 Baseline Assessment • Grade 3 Page 2 of 8
Section 2: Reading Nonfiction (Items 12–23) Informational Text & Features
Directions: Read the informational article below about river otters in Indiana. Then answer questions 12 through 23 on the following pages.
Science & History Feature
Return of the River Otter
How wildlife scientists brought a playful swimmer back to Indiana waterways
Paragraph 1: Long ago, northern river otters swam through every river, stream, and wetland across Indiana. These energetic mammals are built for life in the water. They have thick, waterproof fur that keeps them warm in chilly water, webbed feet that push them swiftly through currents, and powerful tails that steer them like boat rudders. Otters eat crayfish, frogs, and fish. For hundreds of years, they thrived across the state.
Vanishing from Indiana Waters
Paragraph 2: By the early 1900s, river otters were in grave danger. People cut down forests and drained marshes to build towns and farms. Dirt and factory waste washed into rivers, polluting the water and killing off the fish that otters needed for food. In addition, hunters trapped otters for their thick pelts. Because of these rapid changes, the otter population plummeted. In 1942, state wildlife officials declared the river otter endangered in Indiana. For more than fifty years, seeing a wild otter in an Indiana river was nearly impossible.
The Great Comeback Plan
Paragraph 3: In 1995, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) launched a bold rescue project. First, biologists inspected Indiana waterways to locate clean rivers with plenty of food. Next, the state brought 303 healthy otters from the wetlands of Louisiana. Wildlife teams carefully checked each animal's health and gave them identification tags. Finally, scientists released the otters into twelve different river basins across Indiana. Because communities had cleaned up local rivers over the previous decades, the released otters found safe habitats and abundant fish.
Text Feature: Steps in the Indiana Otter Restoration Project 1995–2005 Timeline
Step 1: Test Biologists test river water purity and fish levels in 12 basins.
Step 2: Relocate 303 otters safely transported from Louisiana marshes.
Step 3: Release Health-checked otters placed into clean protected habitats.
Step 4: Success In 2005, river otters were officially removed from endangered list!
Paragraph 4: The restoration succeeded beyond expectations. The otters raised healthy pups each spring, and their numbers grew steadily. Today, river otters can be found in almost all of Indiana's 92 counties. Their return proves that when people protect clean water and work together to repair nature, wild species can flourish once again.
Go to the next page to answer questions 12–17 →
Indiana IREAD-3 Baseline Assessment • Grade 3 Page 3 of 8
Section 2: Reading Nonfiction (Questions 12–17) Student Name: __________________________________
- According to Paragraph 1, what body part helps the river otter steer while swimming in water?
3.RC.1
A its thick waterproof fur
B its powerful tail
C its sharp claws
D its round snout
- Based on Paragraph 2, why did the otter population decline in Indiana during the early 1900s?
3.RC.1
A Winters became too cold for the otters to survive.
B Other predators drove the otters out of the rivers.
C Forests were cleared, water was polluted, and hunters trapped them.
D The otters migrated south to find warmer ocean waters.
- What is the MAIN IDEA of the entire passage?
3.RC.5
A River otters have webbed feet and thick fur that help them catch fish.
B After disappearing from Indiana, river otters successfully returned through careful conservation.
C Louisiana has more river otters than any other state in the nation.
D Hunting and building factories along rivers should always be allowed.
- Which detail from the text BEST supports the idea that the comeback project was a success?
3.RC.5
A "In 1942, state wildlife officials declared the river otter endangered."
B "Today, river otters can be found in almost all of Indiana's 92 counties."
C "Biologists inspected Indiana waterways to locate clean rivers."
D "Otters eat crayfish, frogs, and fish."
- According to Paragraph 2, why did water pollution cause otter populations to drop?
3.RC.6
A It destroyed the dams built by beavers.
B It killed the fish that otters needed to eat.
C It made the river current flow too quickly.
D It turned the otters' fur dark gray.
- In Paragraph 3, what did scientists do BEFORE releasing the otters into Indiana rivers?
3.RC.6
A They checked their health and tagged them.
B They removed them from the endangered list.
C They taught them how to swim in cold water.
D They counted otter pups in all 92 counties.
Indiana IREAD-3 Baseline Assessment • Grade 3 Page 4 of 8
Section 2: Reading Nonfiction (Questions 18–23) Student Name: __________________________________
- How many river otters were brought from Louisiana during the restoration project?
3.RC.1
A 12
B 92
C 303
D 1,995
- Which sentence from the article shows WHY otters were able to thrive after being released?
3.RC.1
A "For more than fifty years, seeing a wild otter in an Indiana river was nearly impossible."
B "Because communities had cleaned up local rivers... the released otters found safe habitats and abundant fish."
C "In addition, hunters trapped otters for their thick pelts."
D "In 1995, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources launched a bold rescue project."
- Why did the author include the subheading "The Great Comeback Plan"?
3.RC.7
A To tell readers how otters build their winter dens
B To signal that the section explains how the state restored the otter
C To describe what foods otters like to eat
D To list rules for visiting Indiana state parks
- Look at the Text Feature box on page 3. What milestone occurred in the year 2005?
3.RC.7
A The first 303 otters arrived in Indiana.
B River otters were officially removed from the endangered list.
C Scientists began testing river water for the first time.
D Hunters were invited to track otters across 12 basins.
- How is the information in the article mostly structured?
3.RC.8
A It presents a problem and explains the solution used to solve it.
B It compares river otters to sea otters living in the ocean.
C It gives directions on how to build a wildlife shelter.
D It lists opinions from hunters who lived in the 1800s.
- According to the final paragraph, what does the return of river otters prove?
3.RC.1
A Otters can only survive if they never encounter human beings.
B When people protect clean water and work together, wild species can recover.
C Wetlands in Louisiana are identical to rivers in Indiana.
D Every county in Indiana now has the exact same number of otters.
✓ End of Section 2 (Nonfiction) Turn the page to begin Section 3: Literature Reading Passage
Indiana IREAD-3 Baseline Assessment • Grade 3 Page 5 of 8
Section 3: Reading Literature (Items 24–35) Fables, Themes & Character Actions
Directions: Read the classic fable below about an old heron and a wise crab. Then answer questions 24 through 35 on the following pages.
Classic Animal Fable
The Heron, the Fish, and the Wise Crab
Adapted from traditional folklore
Paragraph 1: An old gray heron stood by the edge of a shallow forest pond. For years, he had easily caught fish with his long, sharp beak. But as he grew older, his eyesight dimmed and his wings grew stiff. He was no longer fast enough to spear the darting minnows. Hungry and desperate, the heron devised a sly trick. He bowed his head, drew back his feathers, and let heavy sighs drift across the reed beds.
Paragraph 2: A school of curious small fish swam near the bank. "Why do you stand there looking so mournful, Uncle Heron?" their leader asked. The heron wiped away a pretend tear. "Alas, my little friends, my heart breaks for you. Just this morning, I overheard three fishermen in the village. They plan to bring wide drag-nets tomorrow at sunrise and empty this pond of every living creature."
Paragraph 3: Panic broke out beneath the water. The fish leapt about in terror, begging the heron for help. The heron pretended to think deeply. "Beyond that pine ridge lies a deep, hidden lake," he whispered softly. "Its waters are crystal clear and fishermen never go there. Because I feel pity for you, I can carry a few of you in my beak on each journey and set you free in that peaceful sanctuary." Overjoyed and trusting, the fish agreed eagerly.
Paragraph 4: Each morning, the heron filled his beak with trusting fish and flew past the ridge. But there was no peaceful sanctuary. Instead, the greedy bird flew directly to a tall flat rock, ate every single fish for lunch, and wiped his beak clean on the moss. He repeated this cruel deceit day after day until the shallow pond was almost completely empty.
Paragraph 5: At last, only an old crab remained creeping along the muddy bottom. The crab was cautious by nature and had observed the heron's suspicious visits. "Friend Heron," the crab said evenly, "will you carry me to the deep lake as well? I have no relatives left in this pond." The hungry heron looked at the crab's plump body and agreed at once. Because the heron's beak could not hold the crab's hard shell, the crab gripped the heron's neck firmly with his two strong pincers.
Paragraph 6: As they soared high above the trees, the crab looked down. He saw no shimmering blue lake. Instead, he spotted a bare slab of granite littered with white fish bones. Realizing the terrible truth, the crab tightened his grip. "Where is the lake you promised?" the crab demanded. The heron laughed wickedly, "Foolish creature! You are not flying to a lake; you are flying to my dinner table!"
Paragraph 7: But the crab was prepared. Before the heron could strike him against the stone, the crab squeezed his razor-sharp pincers into the bird's throat with all his might. Choking and helpless, the heron tumbled safely down into the soft marsh grasses below, completely defeated. The wise crab scuttled back to the river and shared the tale with all the creatures of the valley.
Go to the next page to answer questions 24–29 →
Indiana IREAD-3 Baseline Assessment • Grade 3 Page 6 of 8
Section 3: Reading Literature (Questions 24–29) Student Name: __________________________________
- Why was the heron unable to catch fish like he used to?
3.RC.1
A The pond was frozen solid with thick ice.
B He had grown old with dim eyes and stiff wings.
C Other birds chased him away from the water.
D The fish learned how to fly above the reeds.
- What lie did the heron tell the fish to make them frightened?
3.RC.1
A He said a giant snake was swimming toward their pond.
B He said fishermen were coming with nets to empty the pond.
C He said the pond water was turning into poisonous mud.
D He said the sun would dry up the lake within an hour.
- What is the central THEME or moral lesson of this fable?
3.RC.2
A Older animals always make the wisest leaders in nature.
B Those who trick and harm others will eventually face justice.
C Swimming in a deep lake is safer than staying in a shallow pond.
D It is best to never speak to any bird near a river.
- Which sentence best recounts how the crab saved himself from the heron?
3.RC.2
A He dropped into the water and buried himself deep in the mud.
B He squeezed the heron's neck with his pincers when he discovered the trick.
C He called out to the fishermen to throw a net over the heron.
D He convinced the heron that his hard shell was filled with bitter poison.
- Which word best describes the heron's character trait throughout the story?
3.RC.3
A generous
B deceitful
C patient
D clumsy
- How did the crab feel when he saw the fish bones on the granite rock?
3.RC.3
A He felt relieved that lunch was ready.
B He realized he had been lied to and was in grave danger.
C He felt excited to swim in the cool blue lake.
D He wondered why the fish had fallen asleep on the stone.
Indiana IREAD-3 Baseline Assessment • Grade 3 Page 7 of 8
Section 3: Reading Literature (Questions 30–35) Student Name: __________________________________
- How did the crab's choice to grip the heron's neck change the outcome of the story?
3.RC.3
A It allowed the heron to fly faster across the mountains.
B It gave the crab control over the heron when danger appeared.
C It broke the heron's wings before they took flight.
D It forced the fishermen to release all the fish from the nets.
- How did the crab act differently from the fish?
3.RC.3
A The crab trusted the heron immediately, while the fish asked many questions.
B The crab was cautious and observant, while the fish blindly believed the heron's story.
C The crab was afraid to leave the pond, while the fish wanted adventure.
D The crab refused to talk to the heron, while the fish invited him to dinner.
- Based on how Paragraph 7 ends, what will the other valley creatures MOST LIKELY do next?
1.RC.4
A They will praise the heron and invite him back to the pond.
B They will stay alert and never trust the deceitful heron again.
C They will ask the heron to carry them over the ridge to the rock.
D They will leave the valley forever to search for the three fishermen.
- Which detail from the story best confirms why the crab was able to defeat the heron?
1.RC.4
A The crab's hard shell and razor-sharp pincers
B The heron's sharp eyesight
C The soft mud at the bottom of the pond
D The drag-nets brought by village fishermen
- Where did the heron land after the crab squeezed his throat?
3.RC.1
A In the pine ridge
B On the granite slab
C In the marsh grasses
D In the fisherman's boat
- In Paragraph 3, what did the heron mean when he promised to take the fish to a "sanctuary"?
3.RC.1
A A busy town market
B A safe, protected place
C A dark bird cage
D A rushing waterfall
Test Complete: Final Check All 35 Items Completed
Make sure your name is clearly written on each page. Go back and check that you answered every question from #1 to #35 and filled in only one circle per question. Put your pencil down when you are finished.
Indiana IREAD-3 Baseline Assessment • Grade 3 Page 8 of 8 • STOP
