NAPLAN Year 3 Reading Practice Test PDF

Try each question first, then open the worked solution to check your answer and see how to reach it.

1. 1.Read the text: "Leo the lion cub was nervous. Today was his first time hunting with his mother. They crept silently through the tall, yellow grass. His mother pointed her nose towards a group of zebras. 'Stay low and watch me,' she whispered." Why was Leo nervous?

   • AHe was thirsty
   • BIt was his first time hunting
   • CHe was scared of zebras
   • DHis mother was angry
   Show answer and working

   Answer: B (It was his first time hunting)

   The answer is found right after the text says Leo was nervous: 'Today was his first time hunting with his mother.' The writer gives the reason in the very next sentence. Nothing in the text says Leo was thirsty or that his mother was angry, and the zebras are what they are hunting, not something Leo is scared of.

2. 2.Read the text: "Spiders are amazing creatures. They are not insects, because they have eight legs while insects only have six. Many spiders build sticky webs to catch their food, which is usually small insects like flies." What is one reason spiders are different from insects?

   • AThey eat flies
   • BThey live all over the world
   • CThey have eight legs
   • DThey build webs
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   Answer: C (They have eight legs)

   The text compares spiders and insects with the word 'because': spiders 'are not insects, because they have eight legs while insects only have six'. That is the difference. Eating flies and building webs are things spiders do, but the text does not say insects cannot do them, so they do not explain the difference.

3. 3.Read the text: "To plant a sunflower seed, first fill a pot with soil. Next, make a small hole in the middle of the soil with your finger. Then, drop the seed into the hole and cover it gently. Finally, give it a little water and place the pot in a sunny spot." What should you do right after you make a hole in the soil?

   • AFill the pot with soil
   • BPlace the pot in the sun
   • CGive it water
   • DDrop the seed in the hole
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   Answer: D (Drop the seed in the hole)

   This question is about the order of steps. The text uses order words: first fill the pot, next make a hole, then drop the seed in, finally water it. The step that comes straight after making the hole is 'Then, drop the seed into the hole'. Filling the pot happens before, and watering happens after.

4. 4.Read the text: "The moon does not make its own light. The light we see from the moon is actually the sun's light reflecting off its surface, like a giant mirror. As the moon travels around the Earth, we see different amounts of its lit-up side." Where does the moon's light come from?

   • AFrom the Earth
   • BIt makes its own light
   • CFrom the stars
   • DFrom the sun
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   Answer: D (From the sun)

   The text says the moon 'does not make its own light' and that the light we see 'is actually the sun's light reflecting off its surface, like a giant mirror'. So the moon's light comes from the sun. Option B is the opposite of what the text says, and the Earth and stars are not mentioned as light sources.

5. 5.Read the text: "On sports day, the children had a running race. Ben was in the lead, but then he tripped and fell. Lily, who was in second place, stopped to help him up. They finished the race together, last but smiling." Why did Lily stop running?

   • AShe was tired
   • BShe wanted to win
   • CTo help Ben up
   • DShe tripped as well
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   Answer: C (To help Ben up)

   The text tells us that Ben 'tripped and fell' and that Lily 'stopped to help him up'. So she stopped to help Ben. The ending, where they finish 'last but smiling', shows she cared more about her friend than winning, which rules out option B. Nothing says Lily was tired or tripped herself.

6. 6.Read the text: "A kangaroo is a marsupial from Australia. It is known for its powerful back legs, which it uses to hop at high speeds. A mother kangaroo carries her baby, called a joey, in a special pouch on her stomach." What is a baby kangaroo called?

   • AA calf
   • BA joey
   • CA kitten
   • DA puppy
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   Answer: B (A joey)

   The text says a mother kangaroo carries her baby, 'called a joey', in her pouch. When a question asks what something is called, look for the words 'called' or 'known as' in the text. A calf is a baby cow or elephant, a kitten is a baby cat and a puppy is a baby dog.

7. 7.Read the text: "If you want to be a good friend, it is important to share your toys and take turns. You should also listen when your friends are talking. If your friend is sad, you can try to cheer them up by giving them a hug." According to the text, what is one way to be a good friend?

   • AAlways be the winner
   • BKeep all your toys
   • CListen when your friends talk
   • DTalk all the time
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   Answer: C (Listen when your friends talk)

   The words 'according to the text' mean the answer must be stated in the passage. The text says 'You should also listen when your friends are talking.' The other options are the opposite of the advice given: the text says to share your toys and take turns, so keeping all your toys or always winning would not make you a good friend.

8. 8.Read the text: "The library is a quiet place full of books. You can read stories about dragons, space, or animals. Remember to whisper so you don't disturb others." Why should you whisper in the library?

   • ATo be scary
   • BSo you don't disturb others
   • CBecause it is a secret
   • DTo wake people up
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   Answer: B (So you don't disturb others)

   The text gives the reason directly: 'Remember to whisper so you don't disturb others.' The word 'so' introduces the reason. A library is described as a quiet place, so whispering helps everyone read. The other options, such as being scary or keeping a secret, are not mentioned anywhere in the text.

9. 9.Read the text: "Giraffes are the tallest animals in the world. They have long necks that help them reach leaves high up in the trees." Why do giraffes have long necks?

   • ATo see far away
   • BTo reach high leaves
   • CTo run fast
   • DTo swim
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   Answer: B (To reach high leaves)

   The text explains that giraffes 'have long necks that help them reach leaves high up in the trees'. The word 'help' tells us what the neck is used for. A long neck might also help a giraffe see far away, but the text does not say this, and reading questions should be answered from what the text says.

10. 10.Read the text: "Max brushed his teeth before bed. He put toothpaste on his toothbrush and brushed for two minutes. Then he rinsed his mouth with water." What did Max do after brushing?

    • AWent to school
    • BRinsed his mouth
    • CAte breakfast
    • DPlayed a game
    Show answer and working

    Answer: B (Rinsed his mouth)

    Look at the order of events. Max put toothpaste on his brush, brushed for two minutes, and 'Then he rinsed his mouth with water.' The word 'then' shows what came after brushing. The text happens before bed, so going to school or eating breakfast does not fit.