Hi-Lo Passages To Build Comprehension GR 3-4
Hi-Lo Passages To Build Comprehension GR 3-4
Hi-Lo Passages To Build Comprehension GR 3-4
by Michael Priestley
Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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ISBN: 0-439-54887-X
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Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension
Grades 34
Contents
Readability
A Note for Teachers.................................................................................................................. 4 Level
1. Rabbit Laughs (Story Elements)...................................................................................... 5 1.80
2. Here Comes the Sun (Sequence).................................................................................... 6 1.90
3. Trolls New Look (Story Elements) ................................................................................. 7 1.95
4. Meet Jorge Estrella (Drawing Conclusions).................................................................. 9 1.98
5. Rules for Our School (Drawing Conclusions)................................................................ 11 2.00
6. Talk With Your Hands (Main Idea and Details).............................................................. 12 2.03
7. The Right Pet (Making Inferences and Predictions) ...................................................... 14 2.05
8. Peanut Butter Fudge (Sequence)................................................................................... 15 2.10
9. The Snow Party (Making Inferences and Predictions)................................................... 17 2.15
10. Frieda and Her Trick (Details) ....................................................................................... 19 2.20
11. Creepy Spiders (Drawing Conclusions)........................................................................... 20 2.30
12. Asteroid Just Misses Boy! (Cause and Effect) ............................................................. 22 2.35
13. Riding the Board (Sequence) .......................................................................................... 23 2.37
14. The Clean-Up Team (Cause and Effect) ......................................................................... 25 2.40
15. Sisters in Space (Cause and Effect)................................................................................ 27 2.43
16. The Very Hungry Kid (Story Elements) ......................................................................... 29 2.45
17. Snow Caves (Main Idea and Details)................................................................................ 31 2.50
18. Mamas Magic Trick (Sequence) ..................................................................................... 32 2.55
19. What Is a Whale? (Comparing and Contrasting)............................................................ 33 2.60
20. What Did You Say? (Main Idea and Details) ................................................................... 35 2.65
21. Bug Eaters (Comparing and Contrasting) ....................................................................... 37 2.70
22. A Second Chance for Seabiscuit (Cause and Effect).................................................. 38 2.75
23. Animal Baths (Comparing and Contrasting) ................................................................... 40 2.80
24. Home Again (Story Elements).......................................................................................... 42 2.90
25. Blair Elementary School News for March (Making Inferences and Predictions) ..... 44 3.00
Answer Key................................................................................................................................. 46
Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
A Note for Teachers
Reading is the key to learning, and todays students read materials from an
ever-increasing number of sources. They must understand what they read in
traditional forms of fiction and nonfiction, such as stories and textbooks. They
must also comprehend newer forms of text, such as advertisements on Web sites
and e-mail on the Internet. Many students can benefit from more practice in
reading, but finding good examples of hi-lo texts for instruction at different
grade levels can be challenging.
Extending Activities
For some of these passages, you may want to have students go beyond
answering the questions that are provided. For example, for any given passage
you could have students write a summary of the selection in their own words
or rewrite the passage from a different point of view. For some pairs of texts,
you might have students compare and contrast the two selections. For other
passages, you might want to create writing prompts and have students write
full-length essays about what they have learned. Students will benefit from
reading and analyzing these passages, discussing them in class or in small
groups, and writing about them in a variety of ways.
Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Name Date
Long ago, there lived a rabbit. Rabbit had a field. It was filled with
weeds. Rabbit wanted to plant food. So she had to get rid of the weeds.
But Rabbit was lazy. She did not want to pull up the weeds.
Rabbit thought of a plan. She got a rope. She walked to one side of
the field. There she found a big hippo. I bet I can pull harder on this
rope than you! Rabbit told Hippo. Just hold one end. Wait until I
start to pull.
Then Rabbit took the other end of the rope. She walked to the
other side of the field. There she found an elephant. I bet I can pull
harder than you! Rabbit said. Just hold this rope until I start to pull.
Rabbit went to the middle. She gave a tug on the rope. Hippo and
Elephant began to pull on each end. They pulled hard. The rope went
this way and that. It cut down the weeds. Soon the weeds were gone!
Rabbit hopped over to Hippo. Thanks! she said. Then she hopped
back to Elephant. Thanks! she said.
Elephant and Hippo asked, But who
is pulling the other end of the rope if you
are hopping?
How that Rabbit laughed!
1. Where does this story take place?
A a sea
B a mountain
C a field
D a zoo
Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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Passage 2 Sequence
Do you like the sun? Here is a way to have a sun in your room
every day!
scissors
3. What is Step 6?
A Make a hole.
B Draw a happy face on your sun.
C Staple the hands to the plate.
6 D Cut out the 7 hands.
Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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Once there was a troll who lived under a bridge. Every day he
scared people. That is what his father told him to do. That is what all
trolls do. Troll yelled, and people ran away.
Good job! said his father.
But Troll was very sad. His was a lonely job.
No one ever talks to me. No one ever smiles, he said.
Of course not! said his father. You are a troll! No one will smile
at you.
When Troll heard this, he sat under the bridge. He thought he
would never move again.
The next morning, three girls came to the bank of the river. Troll
knew he should yell and wave his arms. But he wanted to smile. He
wanted to tell them how pretty they looked. Then he remembered
what his father had told him. He yelled.
What was that? screamed the
big sister.
It must be a monster! screamed
the middle sister. They both ran
back the way they had come.
But the little sister looked under
the bridge. She saw Troll. Who are
you? she asked.
I am just a troll, said Troll. No
one will ever smile at me.
Think about how you look, said
the girl.
What do you mean? asked Troll.
If you sit under bridges and look
wild, people will not smile at you.
They will be scared of you, said the
girl. You need to change the way
you look!
Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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5. How does Troll feel at the beginning of the story, and how
does he feel at the end?
Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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5. To write a story about the kids who want more soccer fields,
what does Jorge need to do?
A Meet and talk to people.
B Read a soccer book.
C Watch the kids play soccer.
D Give the kids a soccer field.
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2. What is one rule that you should NOT add to Rules for
Our School?
A Dont push others in line. C Dont help new students.
B Share with other students. D Always say Please.
Writing Prompt: Do you think these rules would be good for your
school? Why or why not?
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2. How do you think Will felt when he looked down at the floor?
A happy C tired
B surprised D sad
Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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Passage 8 Sequence
Step 1: Let the butter get soft. Step 5: Put the crushed peanuts
Rub a little butter all over into the bowl. Add the
the sides of the cake pan. sugar and the milk. Add
Step 2: Put the rest of the butter the chocolate chips. Stir
in the bowl. Add the everything together.
peanut butter. Put the Step 6: Put the bowl back in the
bowl in the microwave. microwave. Turn it on
Put it on high for two high for 1 minute.
minutes. Step 7: Take the bowl out and
Step 3: Take the bowl out of the stir well.
microwave. Stir well. Step 8: Pour the fudge into the
Step 4: Crush the peanuts into cake pan. Cool the pan
little pieces. You can do for one hour.
this with a rolling pin. Step 9: Cut the fudge into pieces.
Eat and ENJOY!
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5. What do you do just after you pour the fudge into the
cake pan?
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Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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Mrs. Arnold went next. She did not steer very well and had to roll
off. When she came up the hill, she looked like a snow woman! The
twins laughed.
Hana had a great run. She steered just right. Amy clapped.
Then it was Amys turn. She jumped on her sled. She started down
the big hill. She went so fast! The snow flew up into her face! Where
was the path?
Jump! Mr. Arnold yelled.
Amy took a deep breath. She let go of her sled.
1. Why did Amy and Hana smile after they learned school
was closed?
A They were tired.
B They were mad.
C They were happy.
D They were hungry.
4. Why did Amy take a deep breath at the end of the story?
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Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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Passage 10 Details
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Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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3. Why do you think Ann was ready for the big test at the end
of the story?
A She could put spiders in jars.
B She could hide toy spiders in her house.
C She could let spiders run on her hand.
D She wasnt afraid of toy spiders anymore.
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Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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September 1, 1991
Noblesville, Indiana
Last night, Brodie Spaulding was shooting star in the night sky? It is
standing outside his house. He heard really a burning space rock. Most of
a strange sound. Then a small rock hit these rocks burn up before they reach
the ground. It was black and brown. Earth. Only a few hit the ground.
When Brodie touched the rock, he The rock in Brodies yard was still
was surprised. The rock was warm! warm because it had just been on fire!
Brodies rock was very special. It The rock hit Earth hard because it
came all the way was moving very
from space to fast. It made a hole
Brodies yard! in Brodies yard.
Space is full of Brodie felt
rocks. They are scared. The rock
called asteroids. High almost hit him!
in the air, the asteroid He also felt lucky.
catches on fire. Have Now he owned a
you ever seen a space rock!
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Passage 13 Sequence
Yoko stepped on her skate board and pushed off. But this time
something went wrong. Her board flew out from under her. As she
started to fall, she put out her arm and fell hard on it.
Yoko rubbed her arm. She waited for the hurting to stop, but it
did not. Then Yoko tried to move her arm. It hurt even more.
She looked across the park. Dad was reading a book.
She got up and she walked toward Dad. She held her arm still as
she walked, but it still hurt a lot.
Now Yoko was crying. Dad moved Yokos hurt arm just a little bit.
Ow! shouted Yoko. That hurts!
Dad took Yoko to the doctor. Dr. Rio took an X-ray of Yokos arm.
She showed it to Yoko and her dad. The X-ray showed that Yokos
arm bone was broken.
But I was wearing my arm pads, said Yoko. How could I break
my arm?
You held your arm out and landed on it. Thats why it broke,
said Dr. Rio. Next time hold them close to your body.
Thats an important thing to know,
said Dad.
Yes, said Dr. Rio. We often learn best
from the mistakes we make. Then she
smiled at Yoko. Now, lets put a cast
on that arm of yours.
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Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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Mrs. Gill lived next door to Nita. Every afternoon, Mrs. Gill took
a walk. She said it kept her young. Nita liked to peek out when
Mrs. Gill came back. Mrs. Gill was always happy after her walk. She
often showed Nita something she had found, like a bright red leaf.
One afternoon, Mrs. Gill looked sad. Nita asked her what was
wrong.
Mrs. Gill held up a can. I am sad about all the trash on the
street, she said. I have never seen so much trash in this
neighborhood! What has happened?
Mr. Trent moved, said Nita. He used to go out each morning
and pick up trash. I often saw him on my way to school.
Mrs. Gill looked surprised. I thought I knew everything about
this neighborhood! she said. But you see more than I do!
I wish I could do Mr. Trents job, but my back is stiff. Its hard
for me to bend over and pick things up.
I could do that, said Nita.
Mrs. Gill smiled. I will carry the trash bag! You can use my
gardening gloves so your hands stay clean.
Nita put on the gloves. She picked up pieces of paper. She
picked up cans. Lots of people stopped to thank Mrs. Gill and Nita.
The street looked much better when Nita and Mrs. Gill were done.
Thanks, Nita, said Mrs. Gill. Lets call ourselves the clean-
up team!
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Sisters in Space
Venus is close to Earth. It is the second planet from the sun.
Earth is third from the sun. Venus and Earth are almost the same
size. Thats why Venus is called Earths sister planet.
Scientists have been learning about Venus for a long time. First
they looked at Venus through telescopes. Telescopes make things
that are far away look closer. But Venus is covered with thick clouds.
The scientists could not see Venus through the clouds. So they made
guesses about it.
For a long time, scientists thought that Venus had water and
plants. They thought Venus might have animals, too. But they could
not know for sure.
Then scientists found a way to learn more about Venus. In 1978,
they began sending space probes to Venus. Probes are tools that are
used to look at things. The probes flew through the thick
clouds. They took pictures of Venus up close. They
found out other things, too. The probes sent
the pictures and things they found out back
to the scientists.
The scientists learned a lot from the
probes. First they learned that most of
their guesses were wrong. Nothing could
ever live on Venus. Why not? Venus is
much, much too hot.
After that, scientists knew
they could not send people
to Venus. But they still
wanted to know more Venus
about it. So they made
new probes. These
new probes took great
pictures of the planet.
The pictures showed
that Venus has plains,
mountains, and valleys.
In some ways, Venus
looks like Earth. Earth
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So he started off. The trip down the first mountain took a long
time. The walk up the next mountain took even longer. At last the
biggest kid reached the green patch he had seen from far away. But
now his heart sank. Instead of grass, all he found were weeds. The
weeds had a very bad taste.
The biggest goat had to go back to his family. As he made his way
back, he cried. By now my brothers and sisters have eaten every
piece of grass. I am sure they have left nothing for me.
For the second time that day, the biggest kid was wrong. When he
found his family again, they were sleeping in the warm sun. Most of
the grass was chewed down to its roots. But there was still some
grass for him. It was more than enough to fill the biggest kids very
empty belly.
1. At what time of day does the story begin?
3. Why did the biggest kid go down the first mountain and up
the next?
Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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Passage 18 Sequence
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Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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Did you know that you are a mammal, too? You are more like a
whale than you might think. You have hair on your body. So does a
whale. Your heart has four parts. So does a whales. Your body always
stays about the same temperature. A whales body does, too.
Of course, you are different from a whale in many ways. You dont
have fins or a tail. You spend almost all your time on land. But heres
something to think about the next time you go swimming. When you
dive under the water and come back up for air, you are acting just
like a whale!
1. How are the bodies of fish and whales alike?
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Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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Here is another saying. When you are sick, you might say you are
under the weather. But why? This saying is more than 200 years old.
It began in the days when many people went from place to place by
boat. When the storm winds rocked the boat, people often felt sick.
The boat was sailing under the weather.
Old sayings like these can be hard for kids to understand. But new
sayings come along every day. Kids often understand new sayings
better than older people do. Thats why your grandmother might not
know what you mean when you say chill out or give me five. She
might think youre off your rocker.
1. What is this article mostly about?
A colors C jobs
B sayings D boats
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Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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Did you know that some plants eat bugs? They do! But first the
plants must catch their food.
The Venuss flytrap has little hairs on its leaves. When a bug moves
against these hairs, the plant feels it. Then the leaves snap shut. The
bug is trapped.
The teasel is a plant shaped like a cup. When it rains, water stays in
the bottom of the cup. Bugs fall into the water. They cannot get out.
Look at the picture of the sundew plant. Do you see the long
arms? These arms make sticky drops. A bug lands on the drop and
gets stuck. Then the arms close up. They trap the bug!
The rainbow plant also traps bugs with sticky drops.
1. Which two plants have sticky drops?
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In 1936, a horse named Seabiscuit was put up for sale. At the age
of three, Seabiscuit had run many races. But he lost most of them.
His owner did not want to keep a losing horse.
A man name Charles Howard bought Seabiscuit. He had seen
the horse race. He liked what he saw. Howard thought Seabiscuit
could win races. He asked a man named Tom Smith to work
with Seabiscuit.
Smith knew that Seabiscuits first owner had raced him too hard.
Seabiscuit was tired and mean. Smith thought that being with other
animals would make Seabiscuit happy. So he put a goat next to
Seabiscuit. But Seabiscuit didnt like the goat at all. He picked up
the goat with his teeth and tossed it away. Next Smith put a little
horse next to Seabiscuit. Seabiscuit liked the horse and began to
calm down. Before long, Seabiscuit also made friends with a dog
and a monkey. They were his pets.
Now Tom Smith was ready to train Seabiscuit. Smith was kind.
Seabiscuit grew to like him. Soon Seabiscuit was running well.
Smith told Howard the horse was ready to race again.
As Charles Howards
horse, Seabiscuit won some
big races. By 1938 many
people were talking about
Seabiscuit. They thought he
might be the best racehorse
around.
But there was another
great horse that Seabiscuit
had never raced. This horses
name was War Admiral. There
was only one way to tell
which horse was faster. The
owners planned a race
between the two horses.
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Many people turned out for the race on November 1, 1938. All over
the country, people listened to the race on the radio. When the bell
rang, War Admiral and Seabiscuit began to run. Side by side, the two
horses ran like the wind. Seabiscuit pulled ahead, but War Admiral
caught up to him. The crowd roared.
Together, the horses headed for the finish line. Then Seabiscuit
pulled ahead again. But this time War Admiral was too tired to catch
up. Seabiscuit won the race by just a few yards!
Today, people think of the race between Seabiscuit and War
Admiral as one of the greatest ever. Charles Howard and Tom Smith
are famous, too. They gave a losing horse a second chance.
1. Why did Seabiscuits first owner put him up for sale?
A He did not like horses anymore.
B He knew someone else could help Seabiscuit.
C He needed a way to get some money.
D He did not want to keep a horse that lost races.
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Birds take baths in something else besides dust and ants! Some
birds take smoke baths. They sit on chimneys. They wave their
wings in the smoke!
5. How are the ways elephants and birds take baths alike?
How are they different?
Writing Prompt: Think about the way a pet or animal that you
know takes a bath. How is it like and different from the way that
people take baths?
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Niki looked past Mom and smiled at the woman. The woman smiled
back kindly at Niki. Then the woman gasped with surprise. She stood
up and walked over to Mom and Nikis table. She looked closely at
Moms face before she spoke. Margaret, its so nice to see you after all
these years.
Mom gave the woman a blank look.
Im Mrs. Blade, the woman said. Your third-grade teacher.
Mom jumped up and hugged Mrs. Blade. I didnt know who
you were.
Mrs. Blade laughed loudly again. I didnt know who you were
either, Margaret, she said. Then she turned toward Niki and said,
But your daughter looks just like you did in third grade. And I never
forget a students face.
1. What were Mom and Niki doing in this story?
2. How did Mom feel when she saw her old house?
A sad C sleepy
B happy D mad
4. Why did Mom turn around and look at the woman with
white hair?
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www.blairelementaryschool.net
Other News:
This spring, Mrs. Bains class will be in charge of the schools
flower garden near the front door.
Laurie Burks visited Mr. Waynes class. She sang some of her
songs to the class. The class gave Laurie a big hand.
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1. Why do you think students should wear shoes that feel good
on the zoo trip?
A They will be doing a lot of walking.
B They will be riding on animals.
C You need special shoes to go to the zoo.
D Other kinds of shoes scare the zoo animals.
3. The flower garden will be near the front door. What do you
think the front door is?
A the front door of Mrs. Bains class
B the front door of the school
C the front door of a students house
D the front door of a greenhouse
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Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Answer Key
1. Rabbit Laughs 6. Talk With Your Hands
1. C 1. D
2. Rabbit had to clear a field of weeds. 2. C
3. D 3. ball
4. dog
2. Here Comes the Sun 5. Answers should include two of the
1. Paint the back of the plate yellow. following: from a book, a friend, or
2. Cut out the 7 hands. a teacher.
3. A
7. The Right Pet
3. Trolls New Look 1. He was trying to catch a mouse.
1. A 2. D
2. He has a lonely job and people dont 3. C
smile at him.
3. He takes a bath, gets a haircut, and 8. Peanut Butter Fudge
buys new clothes. 1. C
4. town 2. B
5. He feels sad and lonely at the 3. Crush the peanuts with a rolling pin.
beginning; he feels happy at the end. 4. Take the bowl out and stir well.
5. Cool the pan for one hour.
4. Meet Jorge Estrella
1. A 9. The Snow Party
2. D 1. C
3. at the building where he works 2. A
4. On an easy day, few things would 3. A
happen. Jorge might write just 4. Sample answer: She was worried
a few stories. about letting go of the sled.
5. A 5. She rolled off the sled.
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11. Creepy Spiders 15. Sisters in Space
1. She was afraid of spiders. 1. Venus is covered with thick clouds.
2. to help her get used to seeing 2. to learn more about the planet
spiders 3. D
3. D 4. C
4. Yes. She is now able to catch spiders 5. Venus has plains, mountains,
even though she is still a little afraid and valleys.
of them.
5. Answers will vary. Students should 16. The Very Hungry Kid
mention a fear and a way of helping 1. morning
someone overcome it. 2. up a mountain to some grass
3. Sample answer: He thought there
12. Asteroid Just Misses Boy! wasnt enough grass for him on the
1. D first mountain, and he thought he
2. The asteroid hit Earth hard. saw grass on the next mountain.
3. It almost hit him. 4. Instead of grass, he found weeds
that tasted bad.
13. Riding the Board 5. D
1. D Writing Prompt: Answers will vary.
2. She put out her arm.
3. B 17. Snow Caves
4. C 1. B
5. She showed the X-ray picture to 2. Brush the snow off.
Dad and Yoko. 3. to keep your body heat in the cave
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Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources
19. What Is a Whale? 23. Animal Baths
1. Both have fins. 1. wombats and birds
2. A school is a group of fish; a pod 2. A
is a group of whales. 3. A polar bear uses snow, but a cat
3. A licks itself.
4. D 4. B
5. Both have four parts. 5. Both elephants and birds take baths
in water. Unlike elephants, birds also
20. What Did You Say? take baths in dust, ants, and smoke.
1. B They also use their beaks.
2. C Writing Prompt: Answers will vary.
3. A
4. go to sleep or go to bed 24. Home Again
5. D 1. They were visiting the town where
Mom grew up.
21. Bug Eaters 2. A
1. the sundew plant and the 3. the Layton Diner
rainbow plant 4. Mom remembered the laugh, so she
2. B turned to see who was laughing.
3. the teasel 5. B
22. A Second Chance for Seabiscuit 25. Blair Elementary School News
for March
1. D
2. His first owner had raced him 1. A
too hard. 2. A
3. C 3. B
4. He was kind. 4. D
5. War Admiral was too tired to 5. It means the class clapped for Laurie
catch up. because they liked her songs.
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Hi-Lo Passages to Build Comprehension: Grades 3-4 Michael Priestley, Scholastic Teaching Resources