Story Structure

Two is Company

Early Saturday morning, Val and Reese's parents took them to the amusement park. Val and Reese had both wanted to go, but they had not wanted to go together. They could never agree on anything. Even at breakfast, Val wanted toast and eggs. Reese wanted cereal and fruit.

At the park, they began to argue about what rides to go on first. So their parents decided to separate them. Val went on rides with Mom, while Reese went on rides with Dad. Near the end of the day, the family met up again.

"I'll go get the car and pick you up at the front gate," said Dad. "I'll text you when I'm there, but it will probably be about 30 minutes."

Mom bought them frozen bananas while they waited. Val nibbled her banana slowly so that it could last longer. She watched as Reese, on the other hand, ate his banana in big bites. They even ate differently. Val shook her head. No wonder they never agreed on anything.

Reese looked up when he was done eating and asked, "What?"

"I wish we could go on one more ride," said Val.

"You should have time for one more ride before Dad gets here. But, only if you ride together."

Val and Reese ran to line up for the roller coaster. Reese grinned at Val.

"What?" Val asked.

"I could not get Dad to go on this one with me," Reese said.

Val looked at the large drops and twisty turns of the amusement park's largest rollercoaster. She had not been able to get her mom to ride this one either.

"Perhaps we are not as different as I thought we were," Val said to her brother. "We both like the same rides." They laughed as they slid into the seat of the roller coaster and prepared to ride.

What do Val and Reese discover at the end of the passage?

• They both are frightened by roller coasters.

• They both want to stay at the park longer.

• They both enjoy frozen bananas.

• They both enjoy the same rides.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RL.3.2

Two is Company

Early Saturday morning, Val and Reese's parents took them to the amusement park. Val and Reese had both wanted to go, but they had not wanted to go together. They could never agree on anything. Even at breakfast, Val wanted toast and eggs. Reese wanted cereal and fruit.

At the park, they began to argue about what rides to go on first. So their parents decided to separate them. Val went on rides with Mom, while Reese went on rides with Dad. Near the end of the day, the family met up again.

"I'll go get the car and pick you up at the front gate," said Dad. "I'll text you when I'm there, but it will probably be about 30 minutes."

Mom bought them frozen bananas while they waited. Val nibbled her banana slowly so that it could last longer. She watched as Reese, on the other hand, ate his banana in big bites. They even ate differently. Val shook her head. No wonder they never agreed on anything.

Reese looked up when he was done eating and asked, "What?"

"I wish we could go on one more ride," said Val.

"You should have time for one more ride before Dad gets here. But, only if you ride together."

Val and Reese ran to line up for the roller coaster. Reese grinned at Val.

"What?" Val asked.

"I could not get Dad to go on this one with me," Reese said.

Val looked at the large drops and twisty turns of the amusement park's largest rollercoaster. She had not been able to get her mom to ride this one either.

"Perhaps we are not as different as I thought we were," Val said to her brother. "We both like the same rides." They laughed as they slid into the seat of the roller coaster and prepared to ride.

How have Val and Reese changed at the end of the passage?

• They are very happy to have one another.

• They want to buy more frozen bananas.

• They are tired from the amusement park.

• They do not want to go on any more rides.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.3

A Sweet Treat

by Alicia Skelton

Kayla, Darla, and Sue opened the door and walked inside. They all giggled as they ran up to the counter. “What flavor are you going to get?” Kayla asked Darla.

Sue asked the teenager behind the counter if she could try some chocolate. He took a little spoonful and gave it to Sue. She tasted it and smiled. Sue knew what flavor of ice cream she was going to get.

Darla said, “I am going to get one scoop of strawberry on a cone please.” The teenager took a large scoop and dropped it on a cone. Darla took the cone from him and started licking the ice cream off the sides.

Kayla ordered a scoop of bubblegum ice cream in a cup. The three girls sat down at a table and ate their ice cream. It was the perfect treat to eat since it was very hot outside.

What time of year does this story most likely take place?

• Winter

• Fall

• Autumn

• Summer

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.1

A Sweet Treat

by Alicia Skelton

Kayla, Darla, and Sue opened the door and walked inside. They all giggled as they ran up to the counter. “What flavor are you going to get?” Kayla asked Darla.

Sue asked the teenager behind the counter if she could try some chocolate. He took a little spoonful and gave it to Sue. She tasted it and smiled. Sue knew what flavor of ice cream she was going to get.

Darla said, “I am going to get one scoop of strawberry on a cone please.” The teenager took a large scoop and dropped it on a cone. Darla took the cone from him and started licking the ice cream off the sides.

Kayla ordered a scoop of bubblegum ice cream in a cup. The three girls sat down at a table and ate their ice cream. It was the perfect treat to eat since it was very hot outside.

Where are Kayla, Darla, and Sue?

• in an ice cream shop

• at the grocery store

• by an ice cream truck

• inside Kayla's kitchen

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.1

Jessie and her friend Debbie wanted to go camping. Jessie's parents packed food, sleeping bags, and a tent. Then, the four campers got into the car with Bessie the dog. Jessie's mother drove them up into the Oleander Mountains. The air coming through the windows turned cold. When they found the campsite, Jessie's mother stopped the car. Everyone got out and carried the supplies. Jessie's father set up the tent while the girls unpacked the food for dinner. Jessie's mother stood still in the middle of the campsite. "Oh, no!" she said. "How will we cook? I forgot the matches!" Jessie's father laughed. He reached into his pocket and took out a small box. "But I did not!"

What happens in the beginning of the story?

• Everyone gets out of the car and carries supplies.

• Jessie's mother stands in the middle of the campsite.

• Jessie's parents pack food, sleeping bags, and a tent.

• Jessie's father takes a small box out of his pocket.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.1

Sharing Love

Aito was not ready to be a big brother yet. After all, he had been an only child all his life. When his parents brought the baby home from the hospital, Aito knew his life was going to change forever. He did not like the baby even before he knew her.

Baby Mayuri lay in her crib all day and cried a lot. She always needed someone to be near her. One afternoon, when Aito came home from school, his mother was singing his favorite songs to the baby. That’s it, Aito thought. What is so special about the baby anyway? I am going to find out. He went over to the sofa where his mom was rocking the baby to sleep.

At that moment, the baby smiled at her brother and touched his cheek with her soft hands. Aito understood that the baby was harmless. He knew she only wanted some love. When Aito thought about his friends who hated being an only child, he felt glad.

“When you grow bigger, we can play together,” Aito told his little sister as he kissed her tiny hands.

What is Aito's problem?

• His mother does not sing to him.

• His friends do not like their sisters.

• He is not ready for a baby sister.

• He does not like to go to school.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RL.3.3