Extended 3rd Grade Iowa-Style Practice Test

This is an original practice exam modeled on common 3rd grade standardized test skills. It is not an official Iowa Assessment and does not copy the real test.
Approximate subjects: Reading, Language, Math, Science, Social Studies
Format: Multiple choice, short answer, and written response
Use: Take it in one sitting or split it into smaller sections
Security feature: Grading stays locked until the password is entered at the end

Section 1: Reading Comprehension

Read each passage carefully. Then answer the questions.

Passage A

Nina stood at the edge of the school garden and held a packet of bean seeds in her hand. Her class had been asked to choose one job to help the garden grow. Some students pulled weeds. Others filled watering cans. Nina chose planting because she wanted to see how something small could become strong. She pressed each seed into the soft dirt and covered it with care. Two weeks later, tiny green shoots pushed through the ground. Nina grinned. She knew the garden was teaching her that growth takes patience.
1.What is the main idea of Passage A?
2.Why did Nina choose planting?
3.What does the word shoots mean in the passage?

Passage B

Every Saturday morning, Omar set up a small table at the neighborhood market. He sold bracelets made from colorful string and shiny beads. At first, only a few people stopped to look. Omar watched which colors people liked best and began making patterns in blue, gold, and green. He also made a sign that said, “Handmade Bracelets.” Soon, more customers came to his table. By the end of the month, Omar had earned enough money to buy new art supplies. He felt proud that his careful choices had helped his small business grow.
4.What helped Omar’s business improve?
5.Which is the best summary of Passage B?
6.Which character trait best describes Omar?
7.What lesson is shared by both passages?

Passage C

The thunderstorm ended just before lunch, but the playground was still covered in puddles. Ms. Lee told the class they would have indoor recess instead. At first, several students groaned. Then Kai brought out a box of building blocks, and Mia started a drawing game on the whiteboard. Soon the room buzzed with laughter. By the time recess ended, many students agreed that indoor recess had been more fun than they expected.
8.Why did the students stay inside?
9.How did the students feel at first and then later?
10.What is the author’s message?

Section 2: Language Arts

Choose the best answer or write the corrected sentence.

11.Which sentence is written correctly?
12.Choose the correct word: The birds ___ building a nest.
13.Which word is a synonym for begin?
14.Which sentence uses correct punctuation?
15.Which word should be capitalized in this sentence? we visited savannah in july.
16.Rewrite correctly: the cat slept on the mat
17.Choose the best word: We wore boots ___ it was raining.
18.Which is a complete sentence?
19.Write one good sentence about your favorite season.

Section 3: Mathematics

Solve each problem carefully.

20.What is 356 + 128?
21.What is 700 - 268?
22.If 1 box holds 8 crayons, how many crayons are in 5 boxes?
23.Which number is the greatest?
24.Which fraction shows one out of three equal parts?
25.Which shape has 4 equal sides?
26.Sam had 42 stickers. He gave away 17. How many are left?
27.Write a number sentence for “6 groups of 4.”
28.Round 67 to the nearest ten.
29.There are 24 students in a class. They are divided into 3 equal groups. How many students are in each group?

Section 4: Science

Choose the best answer.

30.Which part of a plant takes in water from the soil?
31.Which object is a solid?
32.What does the sun mostly provide to Earth?
33.Which animal is most likely a herbivore?
34.Water changing into ice is called
35.Why do people use simple machines?

Section 5: Social Studies

Read and answer each question.

36.Why do communities have laws?
37.Which map tool explains what symbols mean?
38.Which branch of government makes laws in the United States?
39.People who buy goods and services are called
40.What is one reason people save money?
41.Write one job that helps a community and tell what that person does.

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Original extended practice material for 3rd grade test preparation.