Reading Evidence Exit Ticket
Reading Comprehension Exit Ticket
The Cardboard Comet
Name:
Date:
Score: ___ / 6
AZ 3.RL.1: Text-dependent questions & explicit evidence
AZ 3.RL.4: Literal & nonliteral words and phrases
Directions: Read the story carefully, then answer the questions. Grade 3 • Arizona Standards
1 Marcus stared at the tall cardboard box sitting in his living room. It wasn’t just plain brown cardboard—to Marcus, it was a sleek silver rocket ship ready to blast past Jupiter. Tomorrow was the third-grade invention showcase, and Marcus had butterflies fluttering in his stomach. He wanted his invention, "The Star Hopper," to win the golden ribbon.
2 Marcus gathered his supplies: neon tape, aluminum foil, and cardboard tubes for thrusters. His six-year-old sister, Nina, trotted into the room clutching her stuffed rabbit, Captain Fluff. "Can Captain Fluff be your co-pilot?" she pleaded, her eyes shining like bright marbles. Marcus grinned and nodded, handing her a roll of tape. Working together, they were two busy bees, gluing shiny buttons on the control panel and wrapping the nose cone.
3 Suddenly, Marcus’s elbow bumped the jar of silver glitter. It tipped over and cascaded across the dark rug like a sparkling blizzard. Nina gasped, covering her mouth. Marcus felt his heart sink down into his sneakers. But Nina giggled and grabbed a small broom. "Look, Marcus! The floor is the Milky Way galaxy!" Marcus laughed in relief. Together, they swept up the glitter and sprinkled the extra shiny flakes right onto the rocket's wings. When Mom walked in, her jaw dropped. The Star Hopper was finished, gleaming brightly under the afternoon sun.
Part 1
Key Ideas & Explicit Details (AZ 3.RL.1)
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A: Why does Marcus allow Nina to help him build the Star Hopper?
A. He needed someone to clean up the room.
B. He wanted to make his sister happy and let her participate.
C. He did not know how to wrap the rocket cone alone.
D. His mother told him that Nina had to be his co-pilot.
Part B: Which sentence from the text best supports the answer to Part A?
A. "Marcus gathered his supplies: neon tape, aluminum foil, and cardboard tubes..."
B. "Marcus grinned and nodded, handing her a roll of tape."
C. "Marcus stared at the tall cardboard box sitting in his living room."
According to paragraph 2, what supply did Marcus use to build the thrusters on his rocket?
A. Plastic drinking straws
B. Rolls of neon duct tape
C. Cardboard tubes
D. Sheets of silver foil
Turn to Page 2 for Questions 3 – 6 ➔
Page 2
The Cardboard Comet • Exit Ticket Continued
Name:
How do Marcus and Nina solve the problem after the glitter spills onto the rug?
A. They ask Mom to vacuum the floor before anyone notices.
B. They sweep up the flakes and sprinkle the extra glitter onto the rocket wings.
C. They hide the cardboard box behind the couch until the floor dries.
D. They throw away the broken glitter jar and stop working on the project.
Part 2
Literal & Nonliteral Language (AZ 3.RL.4)
Read this sentence from paragraph 1:
"Tomorrow was the third-grade invention showcase, and Marcus had butterflies fluttering in his stomach."
What does the nonliteral phrase butterflies fluttering in his stomach mean in this sentence?
A. Marcus swallowed real insects outside.
B. Marcus felt nervous and excited about tomorrow.
C. Marcus was feeling very sick and needed medicine.
D. Marcus wanted to build a butterfly habitat.
Read this sentence from paragraph 2:
"Working together, they were two busy bees, gluing shiny buttons on the control panel and wrapping the nose cone."
Why does the author describe Marcus and Nina as two busy bees?
A. To show that they were making buzzing sounds as they built.
B. To show that they were working very hard and actively together.
C. To explain that they were wearing yellow and black striped shirts.
D. To explain that they were decorating the box to look like a beehive.
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A: In paragraph 3, what does the nonliteral phrase "felt his heart sink down into his sneakers" show about how Marcus felt?
A. He felt sudden disappointment and fear that his project was ruined.
B. He felt tired from standing on his feet for too long.
C. He felt proud of how quickly Nina swept the rug.
D. He felt surprised that his shoes had glitter on them.
Part B: What caused Marcus to feel this way?
A. Nina asked Captain Fluff to fly the rocket.
B. He knocked over the jar of glitter across the carpet.
C. His mother walked in and looked angry.
D. The cardboard rocket fell apart when taped.
Student Self-Check: Did you look back in the text for proof?
Yes, I found proof! I need to check again
