Maze Passages for

Measuring Reading
Comprehension
 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text,
distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.

Name___________________________________________________ Date____________________
Circle the word that makes the most sense in the sentence.
Passage 1
Once upon a time there was a little girl. She (ate, lived, slept) in a house
with two brothers. Her brothers were older than (he, her, she) was.
They would always do things for her. They never let her try to (make,
see, do) things on her own. One day she got a brand new bike. This bike
had (no, know, now) training wheels. She was excited to try it out. She
was also (afraid, sad, mad) she would fall and hurt herself. She always
wanted a (small, okay, big) grown up bike like her brothers. The next day
she (left, went, came) to the park with her brothers. She (deciding,
decided, decide) she would try to ride her new bike all on her own.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text,
distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.

Name____________________________________________________ Date____________________
Circle the word that makes the most sense in the sentence.
Passage 2
Cheetahs (were, are, is) the fastest (sea, land, ocean) animals in the world.
A cheetahs diet consist of mainly gazelles, wildebeests, impalas and small
hooved (animals, friends, places). The largest population of Cheetahs are
found in Africa and Iran. Cheetahs live and hunt mostly in open grasslands
and bushy areas. Cheetahs (had, are, have) great eyesight which helps them
easily catch their prey in daylight. Cheetahs like to (graze, play, hide) in tall
grass. The blend in because of (there, their, they’re) spotted coats. After a
chase, Cheetahs need about half an hour to (run, hold, catch) their breath
before they can (sleep, play, eat).
 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text,
distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.

Name_____________________________________________________ Date______________________
Circle the word that makes the most sense in the sentence.

Passage 3

Halloween is a fun time. I (hate, never, like) to dress up for Halloween and
go trick or treating. Trick or treating is fun when you (do, have, follow) the
safety rules. You must always walk on the side walk, not in the street. When
you cross the (road, dirt, trail), you need to look for cars in both directions.
Another safety (problem, rule, scare) is not to ring the doorbell at
someone’s house if (they’re, there, their) lights are off. That means they
probably are not (saving, loving, giving) out candy. When you do ring a
doorbell make sure you say, “Trick or Treat!”. Another nice thing to do is
say, “Thank you”. When you get home show (your, you’re, us) parents your
candy. Have them check each (peace, piece, pace) before you eat it.
Halloween can be fun as long as you are safe.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text,
distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.

Name___________________________________________________ Date_______________________
Circle the word that makes the most sense in the sentence.
Passage 4

African elephants (has, have, had) very long trunks. Their trunks are about
seven feet (wide, deep, long). African elephants live in vey hot climates.
They use their trunks to keep them (warm, cool, hot). An elephant can suck
up to 2 gallons of water in their (trunk, nose, mouth) at one time. Elephants
also use their trunks as snorkels when they wade in (shallow, low, deep)
water. Elephants use their trunks to pull down large tree branches. When
threatened, elephants can use their trunks to make loud (chirps, sounds,
beacons) like a trumpet. Elephants also use their trunks to (great, grate,
greet) each other and as a sign of affection.
 MAZE PASSAGES FOR MEASURING READING
COMPREHENSION
ANSWER KEY

Passage 1 Passage 2

lived are
she land
do animals
no have
afraid hide
big their
went catch
decided eat

Passage 3 Passage 4

like have
follow long
road cool
rule trunk
their deep
giving sounds
your greet
piece

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