G R A D E

3
Mathematics & Reading

S A M P L E

T E S T

B O O K
999-8143-64-0

FCAT Sample Test Materials

These sample test materials are designed to help you prepare to answer FCAT
questions. These materials introduce you to the kinds of questions you will answer
when you take FCAT. The FCAT sample test materials for Grade 3 are composed of
the books described below:

Sample Test Book

Includes a mathematics sample test, a reading sample test, and instructions for
completing the sample tests. (Copies are available for all students in the tested
grade.)
Sample Answer Key
Includes answers and explanations for the questions in the sample tests. (Copies
are available for classroom teachers only.)

= This book

Every effort has been made to trace the ownership of all copyrighted material and to secure the necessary permissions to
reprint selections. In the event of any question arising from the use of any material, the publisher expresses regret for any
inadvertent error and will make the necessary correction(s) in future printings.

Copyright Statement for this Assessment and Evaluation Services Publication

Authorization for reproduction of this document is hereby granted to persons acting in an official capacity within the State
System of Public Education as defined in Section 228.041(1), Florida Statutes. The copyright notice at the bottom of this
page must be included in all copies.
All brand and product names found in this publication are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies and are not associated with the publisher of this publication.
Permission is NOT granted for distribution or reproduction outside of the State System of Public Education or for
commercial distribution of the copyrighted materials without written authorization from the Department of Education.
Questions regarding use of these copyrighted materials should be sent to the following:
The Administrator

Assessment and Evaluation Services

Florida Department of Education

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

Copyright 2002

State of Florida

Department of State

Sample

Test Book

SAMPLE

Directions for the Mathematics Sample Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2

This section introduces the FCAT Mathematics Sample Test. It includes hints for answering
FCAT mathematics questions and an estimate of the time required to complete the sample
test.

Mathematics Sample Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3

The Mathematics Sample Test consists of 15 practice questions that are similar to questions on
FCAT.

Directions for the Reading Sample Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18

This section introduces the FCAT Reading Sample Test. It includes hints for answering FCAT
reading questions and an estimate of the time required to complete the sample test.

Reading Sample Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 19

The Reading Sample Test consists of two reading passages and 15 practice questions that are
similar to questions on FCAT.

Page 1

Hints for Taking the FCAT Mathematics Test

Here are some hints to help you do your best when you take the FCAT mathematics test. Keep these
hints in mind when you answer the sample questions.

Read each problem carefully and think about ways to solve the problem before
you try to answer the question.
Answer the questions you are sure about first. If a question seems too difficult,
skip it and go back to it later.
Be sure to fill in the answer bubbles correctly. Do not make any stray marks
around answer spaces.
Think positively. Some problems may seem hard to you, but you may be able to
figure out what to do if you read each question carefully.
When you have finished each problem, reread it to make sure your answer is
reasonable.
Relax. Some people get nervous about tests. Its natural. Just do your best.

Directions for Taking the Mathematics Sample Test

This Sample Test contains 15 questions. It should take about 15 to 20 minutes to answer all
the questions. You will mark your answers in this book. If you dont know how to work a
problem, just ask your teacher to explain it to you. Your teacher has the answers to the sample
questions.
Calculators and rulers are NOT to be used on the Mathematics Sample Test.

Page 2

Mathematics

Sample

Test

SAMPLE

Page 3

Blank Page

Page 4

SAMPLE

FCAT Mathematics

Mrs. Ortiz assigned each student in a group an equal number of math

problems to do at the board. There were 5 students in the group. Which
of the following could be the number of math problems she assigned all
together?
A


B


C


12

D


15

Kimberly set a pencil on her desk. The pencil was 6 inches long.

6 INCHES

LENGTH

Which of the following is closest to the length of Kimberlys desk?

F


6 inches

G


12 inches

H


18 inches

I


24 inches
Page 5

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SAMPLE
3

FCAT Mathematics

The bar graph shows the number of feet from sea level to the top of four
lighthouses in Florida.
FLORIDA LIGHTHOUSES

110

Feet Above Sea Level

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

Amelia Cape Egmont

Island Florida Key

Key
West

Names

How many feet above sea level is the top of the Egmont Key lighthouse?

A


107 feet

B


95 feet

C


91 feet

D


85 feet

Connie and her brother went fishing. Connie caught 2 more fish than her
brother did. The  represents the number of fish her brother caught.
Which of the following could be used to find the number of fish Connie
caught?
F


2

G


2

H


2

I


2
Page 6

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SAMPLE

FCAT Mathematics

Demetrius walked down the hall at school. He passed the following room
numbers on his right.
102

104

106

Which number would he most likely see on the next door on his right?

101

107

108

110

Reggie went to the board and worked the problem 32  8. He got an

answer of 24. Which of the following could Reggie use to check his
answer for this problem?
F

24  8

24  8

24  8

24  8

Page 7

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SAMPLE
7

FCAT Mathematics

The grid below shows the location of the trees in Kanes backyard.
6
5
Oak Tree
4
Maple Tree
3

Pine Tree

2
Dogwood Tree
1
0
1

Which tree is located at (4, 2) on the map?

A


Dogwood tree

B


Maple tree

C


Oak tree

D


Pine tree

Page 8

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FCAT Mathematics

SAMPLE

Leticia went on a picnic with her family. This clock shows the time they
left in the morning.

11 12 1
2
10
3
9
4
8
7 6 5
This clock shows the time they got home that afternoon.

11 12 1
2
10
3
9
4
8
7 6 5
How long were they gone on their picnic?
F


3 hours

G


5 hours

H


7 hours

I


10 hours

Page 9

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SAMPLE
9

FCAT Mathematics

Shannon saw that the temperature outside was 91 Fahrenheit. Which

thermometer shows 91 Fahrenheit?
A


C


B


10

110

110

105

105

100

100

95

95

90

90

85

85

80

80

D


110

110

105

105

100

100

95

95

90

90

85

85

80

80

There are 67 counties in Florida, and 5 of them were formed in 1824. How
many counties were NOT formed in 1824?
F


72

G


62

H


58

I


Page 10

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SAMPLE

FCAT Mathematics

11

Jessica made this chart showing the area of each of the four smallest states
of the United States.
AREA OF THE FOUR SMALLEST
STATES OF THE UNITED STATES
State

Area (in square miles)

Connecticut

5,544

Delaware

2,396

Hawaii

6,459

Rhode Island

1,231

What is the second largest state listed in the chart?

A


Connecticut

B


Delaware

C


Hawaii

D


Rhode Island

Page 11

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SAMPLE

FCAT Mathematics

Ramons art class is making a quilt. Each student was given a piece of
fabric to decorate. Each piece of fabric is 6 inches long by 6 inches wide.

6 INCHES

12

6 INCHES

What is the perimeter of each piece of fabric?

Perimeter = distance around a figure
F


12 inches

G


18 inches

H


24 inches

I


36 inches

Page 12

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SAMPLE

FCAT Mathematics

13

Shelley is ordering a skirt from a catalog. She can choose one of two
lengths: a short skirt or a long skirt. Then she can choose one of three
fabric patterns: stripes, plaid, or flowers.

Short
Stripes

Plaid

Flowers

Long

Skirts

Fabric Patterns

How many different skirts could Shelley order choosing a length and a
fabric pattern?
A


B


C


D


Page 13

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SAMPLE
14

FCAT Mathematics

Tammia set her pencil on the desk so it was pointing to the right as
shown below.

Which of the following shows her pencil after she turned it 180?
F


G


H


I


Page 14

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SAMPLE

FCAT Mathematics

15

The students in Mr. Beasleys class are studying the planets in the solar
system. So far they have studied 4 of the 9 planets.

Sun

Pluto

Uranus
Neptune

Mercury

Jupiter
Saturn

Earth
Mars

Venus

Which of the following could be used to find the number of planets that
Mr. Beasleys class has NOT yet studied?
A


9

B


9 4 

C


4

D


4
9

 4 9

Page 15

STOP
This is the end of the Mathematics Sample Test.
Until time is called, go back and check your work or answer questions you did not
complete. When you have finished, close your test book.

Page 16

Reading

Sample

Test

SAMPLE

Page 17

Hints for Taking the FCAT Reading Test

Here are some hints to help you do your best when you take the FCAT reading test. Keep these
hints in mind when you answer the sample questions.

Read the directions carefully. Ask your teacher to explain any directions you do
not understand.
Read the passages and questions very carefully. You may look back at a passage
as often as you like.
Answer the questions you are sure about first. If a question seems too difficult,
skip it and go back to it later.
Be sure to fill in the answer bubbles correctly. Do not make any stray marks
around answer spaces.

Think positively. Some questions may seem hard, but others will be easy.

Check each answer to make sure it is the best answer for the question.

Relax. Some people get nervous about tests. Its natural. Just do your best.

Directions for Taking the Reading Sample Test

This book contains two reading passages and 15 sample questions. It should take
about 30 to 45 minutes to read the passages and answer all the questions. You will
mark your answers in this book. If you dont understand a question, just ask your
teacher to explain it to you. Your teacher has the answers to the sample questions.

Page 18

Reading

Sample

Test

SAMPLE

Here is a list with pictures to help you locate the passages in your Reading Sample Test.
The questions follow each passage.

Peter, Peaches, and the Porch Swing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 20

Stingrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 25

After you have read each passage, read and answer the questions.

Page 19

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SAMPLE

Read the story Peter, Peaches, and the Porch Swing before answering Numbers 1
through 7.

Peter,
Peaches,
and the Porch Swing
By Linda Schultz

Peter knew that letters should make people happy.

eter wanted a letter of his own. He ran to get the mail each day as soon as it
arrived. He waved to Mrs. Casey on her porch next door as he carried the
mail to his mother. Every day his mother got mail, but there was never a letter
for him.
One day Mother said, Peter, please take this letter to Mrs. Casey. It came to us
by mistake.
Peter ran to Mrs. Caseys yard and raced her cat, Peaches, to the porch. A
letter for you, Mrs. Casey.
For me? Land sakes, no one ever writes to me. Who could it be? As Mrs.
Casey read the letter, she slowly sat back on the porch swing. Peaches jumped to
her lap and purred. Oh dear, Peaches, she said softly. They cant come to visit
this year. Oh, Peaches, my sweet little friend. She scratched Peaches ears as her
voice faded away.
Letters shouldnt make people sad, said Peter.
Oh, Peter, I forgot about you. Im sorry, dear. Here, have a cookie. And take
some to your mother. She took some cookies from a small blue plate and
wrapped them in a napkin. Peter took them home.
As he sat on his swing munching a cookie, Peter saw Mrs. Casey swinging
very slowly. Peaches lay curled up on a rug at her feet.

Page 20

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SAMPLE

Suddenly Peter had an idea. He got a piece of paper and wrote:

And he mailed it.

hen the mail came the next day, Peter

heard Mrs. Casey laugh. She slapped
her knee and laughed again. She called
Peaches and scratched his ears. Then she
waved to Peter. There was a piece of paper
in her hand. Hello, Peter, she called.
What a wonderful morning I am having.
Peter waved back. He smiled. His
morning seemed brighter, too.
That afternoon Peter wrote another letter:

Page 21

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SAMPLE

hen the mail came the next day, Peter heard Mrs. Casey laugh
again. She slapped her knee and rocked so fast that Peaches
scrambled out of the way. Then she opened a drawer in her table and took out
a notepad.
The next day when Peter ran to get the mail, there was one envelopewith
his name on it. Peter tore it open and read:
Dear Peter,
I got a wonderful letter from Peaches
and another wonderful letter from my
porch swing. I would love to get a letter
from you. It would make me very, very,
very, very happy.
Your friend,
Mrs. Casey

So Peter wrote Mrs. Casey

a letter. But he didnt mail it.
He delivered it himself the
next day. And he and Mrs.
Casey laughed, ate cookies,
scratched Peaches ears, and
rocked very fast on the porch
swing. And together they
waited for the mail.

Peter, Peaches, and the Porch Swing by Linda Schultz, copyright 1997 by Highlights for Children, Inc., Columbus, Ohio. Reprinted by permission of the
publisher.

Page 22

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SAMPLE
Peter, Peaches, and the Porch Swing

Now answer Numbers 1 through 7. Base your answers on the story Peter,
Peaches, and the Porch Swing.
1

Read these sentences from the story.

Oh dear, Peaches, she said softly. They cant come to visit this
year. Oh, Peaches, my sweet little friend. She scratched Peaches
ears as her voice faded away.
These sentences show that Mrs. Casey spoke

A


clearly.

B


quietly.

C


sharply.

D


slowly.

What happens AFTER Peter writes his last letter to Mrs. Casey?
F


Peter races Peaches to the porch.

G


Peter writes a note from Peaches.

H


Mrs. Casey waits for the mail with Peter.

I


Mrs. Casey sends cookies home with Peter.

How are Peter and Mrs. Casey ALIKE?

A


They both live in the same house.

B


They both want to make new friends.

C


They both like to receive letters in the mail.

D


They both receive letters that make them sad.

Page 23

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SAMPLE
4

FCAT Reading

Which sentence BEST tells what the story is about?

F


Peter writes a letter from a cat.

G


Peter makes Mrs. Casey happy.

H


Peter likes to play with animals.

I


Peter takes a letter to Mrs. Casey.

Why does Peter write letters to Mrs. Casey?

A


He wants to make new friends.

B


He wants to do what his mother asked.

C


He wants to make Mrs. Casey feel better.

D


He wants to help Mrs. Casey bake cookies.

At the end of the story, Mrs. Caseys feelings have changed. What does
she do that BEST shows her feelings have changed?
F


She swings fast.

G


She bakes cookies.

H


She sits on the porch.

I


She waits for the mail.

Why did the author write Peter, Peaches, and the Porch Swing?
A


to teach readers about writing letters

B


to explain how to make someone laugh

C


to show readers how to meet other people

D


to tell a story about a thoughtful young boy

Page 24

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SAMPLE

Read the article Stingrays before answering Numbers 8 through 15.

Stingrays
By Claire Miller

Fishy Pancakes
Stingrays are pancake-shaped fish, andyoud never guess ittheyre close
cousins of sharks. The smallest species (kinds) are about the size of a dinner
plate. But some 14-foot (4.2-m) stingrays live in the waters near Australia.
They might be too big to fit on a bedroom floor. Now thats a big pancake!
Whats Up?
A stingrays eyes are on top of its flat body. A special eyelid closes over the top
part of each eye in bright light. Next to each eye is a hole. Water flows into the
holes and passes over gills, where oxygen is taken from it.
Where Are They?
About 170 different
species of stingrays
live in the oceans
around the world.
And some live in
freshwater too. In
South America, a few
species swim in the
Amazon and other
rivers that flow into
the Atlantic. One
ocean species, the
Atlantic stingray, also
lives in the St. Johns
River in Florida.

eye
eye
breathinghole
hole
breathing

Page 25

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SAMPLE

The Flip Side

A stingray has a mouth
and nostrils on the
bottom of its body.
These nostrils are for
smelling, not for
breathing.

Who Needs Bones?

This fossil of a stingray shows
the rods that run through a
stingrays fins. The skeletons
of rays and sharks are made
up of tough, rubbery stuff
called cartilage (CAR-tih-lij).

How It Hunts
When water flows into a stingrays nostrils, the ray may pick up the smells of
creatures it wants to eat. It can also find prey by sensing the tiny amount of
electricity that animals give off.
Slowly, slowly the ray hunts by moving along the ocean or river bottom.
When it senses a worm, clam, shrimp, or other creature, it flaps its fins until
the prey is uncovered. Then the ray plops down over the prey, sucks it in, and
crunches it with its small teeth.
Sneaky Sand Snugglers
A stingrays flat shape helps it hide. It stirs up a cloud of sand by flapping its
big, flat fins. When the sand settles down over the ray, everything is covered but
its eyes, breathing holes, and sometimes its tail. Even the blue-spotted stingray
one of the few rays with bright colorscan hide from enemies that way.
Watch That Tail!
Its tail gave the sting to a stingrays name.
When a stingray is attacked by an enemy, it
whips its tail around. Then a sharp stinger
releases a powerful poison into the enemy.
When stingrays are on the ocean bottom, its
easy for a diver to step on one by mistake. Then
the ray usually stings the person in the ankle.
The poison is very painful, and the wound may
hurt for a day or two. Worse yet, pieces of the
stinger can break off and infect the ankle. But
stingrays dont chase after prey or people to
sting them. In fact, divers can swim among
flocks of friendly rays without getting hurt.
Stingrays by Claire Miller. Reprinted from the February 1997 issue of Ranger Rick magazine, with permission of the publisher, the National Wildlife
Federation. Copyright 1997 by the National Wildlife Federation.

Page 26

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SAMPLE
Stingrays

Now answer Numbers 8 through 15. Base your answers on the article Stingrays.
8

10

11

Why did the author write the article Stingrays?

F


to tell readers an exciting story about the ocean

G


to give readers facts about an interesting fish

H


to warn readers about dangers in the ocean

I


to teach readers how fish hunt their prey

It is easy for a diver to step on a stingray by mistake because stingrays

A


are many different sizes.

B


can cover themselves with sand.

C


move slowly above the ocean floor.

D


live in freshwater as well as in oceans.

Use the information in the article and the picture on page 25 to answer
this question. There are holes next to the stingrays eyes. These holes are
used for
F


breathing.

G


eating.

H


hearing.

I


smelling.

A part of the article is called Sneaky Sand Snugglers because stingrays

A


can sting quickly.

B


can move slowly.

C


are good at hiding.

D


are the color of water.

Page 27

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SAMPLE
12

Read these sentences from the article.

When water flows into a stingrays nostrils, the ray may pick up the
smells of creatures it wants to eat. It can also find prey by sensing
the tiny amount of electricity that animals give off.
When stringrays find prey, they find

13

14

15

FCAT Reading

F


food.

G


light.

H


sand.

I


water.

Why does a stingray flap its fins when it finds prey?

A


to smell the prey

B


to escape the prey

C


to frighten the prey

D


to uncover the prey

How are stingrays and sharks ALIKE?

F


They both use electricity to hunt.

G


They both have rubbery skeletons.

H


They both have poison in their tails.

I


They both live in the Amazon River.

How might a sting from a stingray become infected?

A


Pieces of the stinger break off in the wound.

B


Poison from the stinger gets into the wound.

C


Electricity from the stinger shocks the wound.

D


Fins beside the stinger throw sand into the wound.

Page 28

STOP
This is the end of the Reading Sample Test.
Until time is called, go back and check your work or answer questions you did not
complete. When you have finished, close your test book.

Page 29

A B C D E
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Assessment and Evaluation Services
Florida Department of Education
Tallahassee, Florida
Copyright 2002 State of Florida Department of State