FSA Practice Test (3rd Grade English Language & Arts) 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Carla reached in her pocket for the coins, but she could not feel them. Desperately, she pulled everything out of her pocket. She found a chocolate wrapper, a bus pass, her student ID card, lipstick, mascara, and her cell phone. There were no coins! Which items in Carla's pocket indicate that she is a teenager?

The bus pass
The makeup
The student ID card
All of the above (Correct answer)

Correct answer: All of the above

All the listed items provide clues that Carla is a teenager. A student ID card and bus pass strongly suggest she is a student, likely in high school. Lipstick and mascara are common makeup items used by teenagers, and a cell phone is a ubiquitous possession among this age group. Together, these items paint a clear picture of a young person.

Question 2: Just as he trumpeted, he heard a loud crashing and stamping. A herd of wrinkled elephants came charging up. What does the term "charging up" mean in the above sentence?

rushed forward to attack (Correct answer)
walked away
walked slowly forward
came up to dance

Correct answer: rushed forward to attack

In the context of elephants, 'charging up' implies a rapid, forceful, and often aggressive movement. Elephants typically charge when they feel threatened or are attacking, moving quickly and powerfully towards something. Therefore, it means they rushed forward, likely with intent to confront or attack.

Question 3: Determine who the intended audience for the following passage is. His nose was as long as his arm. When he sneezed, the trees swayed. He could smell a meal a mile away.

news bulletin
class descriptive paragraph (Correct answer)
party invitation
class short story

Correct answer: class descriptive paragraph

The passage uses vivid, imaginative, and somewhat exaggerated descriptive language, such as 'nose as long as his arm' and 'trees swayed' from a sneeze. This style is characteristic of creative writing exercises or descriptive paragraphs often found in a classroom setting. Its purpose is to engage imagination and build imagery, rather than to report news or invite guests.

Question 4: A thirsty crow discovered a pitcher with only a few drops of water in it. He could almost touch the water with his long, delicate beak, but he couldn't obtain a sip. The crow saw a lot of little stones nearby as he looked around. Patiently, he picked up the stones one by one, and filled the pitcher until the water was high enough for him to get a drink. What does this fable's moral imply?

Where there's a will, there's a way. (Correct answer)
Look before you leap.
He who hesitates is lost.
Haste makes waste.

Correct answer: Where there's a will, there's a way.

The fable describes a crow facing a difficult problem (water out of reach) but not giving up. Instead, it uses its intelligence and perseverance to find an unconventional solution by dropping stones to raise the water level. This demonstrates that with determination and ingenuity, even seemingly impossible obstacles can be overcome, which is the essence of 'Where there's a will, there's a way.'

Question 5: Which of the following sentences is correct?

I will go on the trip if i can.
i will go on the trip if I can.
I will go on the trip if I can. (Correct answer)
i will go on the trip if i can.

Correct answer: I will go on the trip if I can.

The correct sentence follows standard capitalization rules in English grammar. The first word of a sentence, 'I,' must always be capitalized. Additionally, the pronoun 'I' is always capitalized, regardless of its position within the sentence. Options A, B, and D violate these fundamental rules by using lowercase 'i' at the beginning of the sentence or for the pronoun.

Question 6: My brother and I are friends. The sentence is:

a question
an exclamation
a command
a statement (Correct answer)

Correct answer: a statement

The paragraph describes Ms. Lani performing a 'front split' and telling students they need to 'work on their stretches' to achieve this. In this context, flexibility refers to the ability of muscles and joints to bend and move through a full range of motion. This physical attribute is best described by the word 'limber,' which means supple and agile.

Question 7: Bryan accidentaly spilled his glass of milk. Which of the underlined words is incorrectly spelled?

milk
accidentaly (Correct answer)
glass
spilled

Correct answer: accidentaly

The phrase 'Kim and KC' refers to two people, forming a plural subject in the sentence. The pronoun that correctly substitutes for a plural subject is 'They.' 'Her' is singular and feminine, while 'Us' and 'Them' are object pronouns, not suitable for replacing a subject.

Question 8: Ms. Lani told her students about the importance of flexibility in dance. She went on to slide her front foot forward and her other foot backward all the way to the floor. Ms. Lani told the students that this was a front split, and before the students could do this, they would have to work on their stretches. What does the word flexibility mean in this paragraph?

Soft
Limber (Correct answer)
Stiff
Tense

Correct answer: Limber

The blank requires an object pronoun that refers to 'Bridger,' who is receiving the present. Since 'Bridger' is a male name, the correct object pronoun to use is 'him.' 'Me' and 'I' are first-person pronouns, and 'her' is a feminine pronoun, making 'him' the only appropriate choice.

Question 9: Kim and KC went to the movies. What word can be substituted for the underlined words?

Her
Us
They (Correct answer)
Them

Correct answer: They

Correct answer: They "They went to the movies."

Question 10: I brought a present for Bridger. I was excited to give it to _______. Choose the best word to fill in the blanks.

me
her
him (Correct answer)
I

Correct answer: him

Correct answer: him "I brought a present for Bridger. I was excited to give it to him."

Question 11: Martin showed his mother the dusty old lamp. "Perhaps we can sell it if we polish it up first," she said. When Martin set to work polishing the lamp, a genie appeared! "I am the spirit of the lamp! Command, and I obey." Delighted, Martin asked the genie for food, and a feast appeared. Martin began to dream of the wonderful things he could do with the help of the genie. He would ask for new clothes, a big house to live in, and camels to ride. What evidence do you have that Martin and his mother are poor?

He wishes for new clothes. (Correct answer)
The genie grants his wishes.
He wants to help his mother.
He has an old lamp instead of a new one.

Correct answer: He wishes for new clothes.

The story indicates Martin's poverty through his desires. He dreams of asking the genie for 'new clothes, a big house to live in, and camels to ride.' These are basic necessities or significant assets that someone who is already well-off would not typically need to wish for, implying they are currently out of his reach.

Question 12: Camels are bumpy, Their backs are all lumpy, Giraffes are long- legged and meek: Bears are so growly, Hyenas are howly, Dolphins are slippery and sleek. Kangaroos have a pocket, But no way to lock it, Their babies can look out and peep, But monkeys are funny I wish I had money, Enough to buy one and keep. There are two _______ in the poem above.

passages
parts
stanzas (Correct answer)
paragraphs

Correct answer: stanzas

A stanza is a group of lines forming the basic recurring metrical unit in a poem; essentially, a verse. The poem provided is clearly divided into two distinct sections, each containing several lines and a consistent rhyme scheme. These two separate groupings of lines are recognized as stanzas.

Question 13: Which of the following statements contains a capital letter in the proper location?

cats Like to purr.
cats like to Purr.
cats like to purr.
Cats like to purr. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Cats like to purr.

Standard capitalization rules dictate that the first word of every sentence must begin with a capital letter. In option D, 'Cats' is the first word of the sentence and is correctly capitalized. The other options either incorrectly capitalize a word in the middle of the sentence or fail to capitalize the first word.

Question 14: How do I put into words the monster I've worked so hard to create? In every aspect, he was terrifying. My thoughts were so erratic that I imagined I saw him everywhere. When at last I encountered him again, he said, "Remember, you have made me bigger and more powerful than you. Do not try to harm me. Be kind to me, as you should. Remember that I am your creature. I ought to be your son, but you rejected me for no reason. I was once good and kind, but everywhere I went people hated and feared me because of my hideous appearance. Misery has made me evil." Which of the following statements is NOT true about the monster?

He was strong.
He was gentle. (Correct answer)
He was large.
He was frightening.

Correct answer: He was gentle.

The passage describes the monster as 'terrifying,' 'bigger and more powerful,' and states that 'people hated and feared me because of my hideous appearance.' While he claims he 'was once good and kind,' the current description and the fear he instills do not portray him as gentle in the context of the story's present events.

Question 15: Which of the following sentences best describes an action?

They placed their clothes in duffel bags. (Correct answer)
They placed their cloth in duffel bags.
I took some junk for the trip.
He put stuff in a bag.

Correct answer: They placed their clothes in duffel bags.

An action sentence describes something happening or being done, typically containing a strong verb. Option A, 'They placed their clothes in duffel bags,' uses the specific and active verb 'placed,' which clearly indicates an action being performed. The other options use less precise verbs or describe objects rather than direct, clear actions.

Question 16: Which of the end marks is incorrect?

The cat ran fast?
The cat ran fast] (Correct answer)
The cat ran fast.
The cat ran fast!

Correct answer: The cat ran fast]

End marks are punctuation marks that signal the end of a sentence. The standard end marks in English are a period (.), a question mark (?), and an exclamation point (!). A closing bracket (]) is not a recognized end mark for a sentence, making its use in option B incorrect.

Question 17: What exactly does the phrase "can't go on" mean?

Cannot switch it on
Cannot stop fighting
Cannot go back
Cannot continue (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Cannot continue

The phrase 'can't go on' is an idiom meaning that someone or something is unable to proceed, persist, or continue with an activity or situation. It implies a cessation of progress or endurance, making 'cannot continue' the most accurate and direct definition.

Question 18: Which of the following is a full sentence?

Suddenly sprouted all over our front lawn.
She considered warmth and exercise to be the best therapy. (Correct answer)
He many events from World War II.
The spider next to the lamp on the table.

Correct answer: She considered warmth and exercise to be the best therapy.

A full sentence must contain a subject and a predicate (a verb and its objects/complements) and express a complete thought. Option B, 'She considered warmth and exercise to be the best therapy,' has a clear subject ('She') and a complete predicate ('considered warmth and exercise to be the best therapy'), forming a coherent and independent statement. The other options are fragments lacking either a subject or a complete predicate.

Question 19: I quarreled with my brother I don’t know what about, One thing led to another And somehow we fell out. The start of it was slight, The end of it was strong, He said he was right, I knew he was wrong! Michael Falcon is the author of this excerpt from "The Quarrel". What does the phrase underlined in this verse mean?

fell down
had a disagreement (Correct answer)
were pushed out
fainted

Correct answer: had a disagreement

In the context of the poem, 'I quarreled with my brother' and 'One thing led to another / And somehow we fell out,' the phrase 'fell out' is an idiom. It means to have a disagreement or argument with someone, which aligns perfectly with the preceding line about quarreling.

Question 20: Mike Collin, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, was well-known in England for his gambling. He used to spend a lot of time at the card table. According to story, he didn't want to stop playing to eat, so he had meat sandwiched between two slices of bread so he could eat while still playing. According to his official biographer, he invented the sandwich to keep from being disturbed while performing his devoted devotion to his community and country. Who says the Earl of Sandwich invented the sandwich so he could keep working and gambling at the same time?

History
His official biographer (Correct answer)
His cook
Mike Collin

Correct answer: His official biographer

The passage explicitly states, 'According to his official biographer, he invented the sandwich to keep from being disturbed while performing his devoted devotion to his community and country.' This sentence directly attributes the reason for the sandwich's invention to the official biographer, distinguishing it from the general 'story' mentioned earlier about gambling.

Question 21: In a pet-related outline, which of the following would be a subheading?

rocks
flowers
shoes
dogs (Correct answer)

Correct answer: dogs

In an outline, subheadings are more specific categories that fall under a broader main heading. If the main topic is 'pets,' then 'dogs' is a specific type of pet, making it an appropriate subheading. 'Rocks,' 'flowers,' and 'shoes' are unrelated to the general category of pets.

Question 22: Every night, an astronomer would go out to view the sky. With a telescope in one hand and a notebook in the other, he was frequently observed. One evening, while strolling through the suburbs with his gaze fixed on the sky, he fell into a deep uncovered well. He cried for help loudly. He moaned and howled about his sores and bruises as he awaited assistance. His neighbor happened to be passing by and heard his wailing and weeping. He quickly assisted him in exiting the well. After he came to know how the accident happened, this is what he said to the astronomer: “Hark you old fellow, why in striving to pry into heaven, do you not manage to see what is on earth?” Who is the narrator of this tale?

the astronomer
someone outside of the story (Correct answer)
the neighbor
the astronomer's wife

Correct answer: someone outside of the story

The story is told from a third-person perspective, using pronouns like 'he' and 'his' to refer to the astronomer and the neighbor. The narrator is not a character participating in the events but an external voice observing and recounting the tale, indicating it's someone outside of the story.

Question 23: Mark has grown several inches according to this chart. This sentence is:

makes a statement (Correct answer)
gives a command
asks a question
is an exclamation

Correct answer: makes a statement

A statement, also known as a declarative sentence, provides information or expresses a fact or opinion. The sentence 'Mark has grown several inches according to this chart' simply conveys information without asking a question, giving a command, or expressing strong emotion, thus making it a statement.

Question 24: What event do the logos above represent?

a business conference
the Olympic games (Correct answer)
a theatrical performance
a concert

Correct answer: the Olympic games

The Olympic rings are the universal symbol of the Olympic Games, representing the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from around the world. If the logos presented are the Olympic rings or other official Olympic symbols, they unequivocally represent the Olympic Games.

Question 25: Which of the following spellings is correct?

secratry
secritary
secretary (Correct answer)
secretery

Correct answer: secretary

The correct spelling of the word is 'secretary.' This spelling follows standard English orthography. The other options contain common misspellings, particularly in the vowel sounds within the middle syllables of the word.

Question 26: The year is represented by the figures in the logo. What year does each shape represent?

2011
2012 (Correct answer)
2013
2010

Correct answer: 2012

Assuming the logo visually depicts the numbers 2, 0, 1, and 2 in sequence, it directly represents the year 2012. Without the visual context, this explanation relies on the direct interpretation of the numbers presented in the logo.

Question 27: Cris chose a hat that matched her own. Which word can be substituted for the underlined one?

My
I
She (Correct answer)
Her

Correct answer: She

The underlined word 'Cris' is a proper noun referring to a female person and acts as the subject of the sentence. The pronoun that correctly substitutes for a female subject is 'She.' 'My,' 'I,' and 'Her' are grammatically incorrect in this context as they are possessive, first-person, or object pronouns, respectively.

Question 28: Examine the graph above and respond to the following question about Curbside School's lunch menu. What is the most popular lunch menu item?

Spaghetti
Pizza (Correct answer)
Corn dogs
Hamburgers

Correct answer: Pizza

To determine the most popular lunch menu item from a graph, one would identify the item represented by the tallest bar or largest segment. Assuming the graph visually indicates that 'Pizza' has the highest frequency or preference compared to the other options, it would be the most popular item.

Question 29: Which terms should be capitalized in the list?

buick, corvette, ford, toyota (Correct answer)
car, corvette, ford, toyota
buick, vehicle, ford, toyota
car, buick, vehicle, corvette

Correct answer: buick, corvette, ford, toyota

Proper nouns, which are specific names of people, places, or things, must always be capitalized. 'Buick,' 'Corvette,' 'Ford,' and 'Toyota' are all specific brand names of cars, making them proper nouns that require capitalization. Common nouns like 'car' and 'vehicle' are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence.

Question 30: In the wild, many animals eat other animals. Carnivores are the creatures that eat meat. Lions, tigers, and bears are carnivores. In this paragraph, what does carnivorous mean?

An animal that eats dead things
A plant eating animal
An animal that eats plants and animals
A meat eating animal (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A meat eating animal

The paragraph explicitly defines 'carnivores' by stating, 'Carnivores are the creatures that eat meat.' It then provides examples of well-known meat-eating animals like lions, tigers, and bears. Therefore, based on the context provided, 'carnivorous' means 'a meat eating animal.'

FSA Practice Test (3rd Grade English Language & Arts) 1

Carla reached in her pocket for the coins, but she could not feel them.
Desperately, she pulled everything out of her pocket.
She found a chocolate wrapper, a bus pass, her student ID card, lipstick, mascara, and her cell phone.
There were no coins!
Which items in Carla's pocket indicate that she is a teenager?