Lion #12

3rd Grade STAR Testing Practice 
Reading Comprehension

  

Frog and Coyote’s Race

A Native American Tale

 

One afternoon, Coyote went hunting. He caught a mouse, and later, a squirrel. As a fat rabbit hopped by, Coyote grabbed him too and started home to cook his supper.

 

Suddenly, a large frog landed in front of him. Coyote pounced and pinned Frog to the ground.  Frog thought quickly and came up with a plan. “Brother Coyote,” he called. “You must not eat me today!”

Coyote laughed loudly, “Why shouldn’t I help myself to such a tasty morsel?”

“Why, I have a bet to make with you,” Frog stated. “Tomorrow there is to be a race.” Coyote’s ears twitched. “A race?”

“Yes,” Frog continued. “You and I will race. If you win, then you may eat me.”

 

Coyote was never able to pass up dares, refuse bets, or miss a race. He agreed and loped away swiftly to enjoy his dinner. Frog hurried to the lake. There he told his friends of his bet with Coyote. They laughed, knowing one little frog could never win against such a large, strong coyote. Frog hushed them and explained his clever plan. With some help, it was certain that Coyote would lose.

 

In the morning, the animals gathered to watch as Coyote and Frog agreed on the course they would run. They were to start at the large stone and circle all the way around the lake. The first one back to the stone would be the winner. When the sun reached the noonday mark, they were off. Coyote sprinted as quickly as he could. Frog bounded into the grass and waited. Coyote looked behind him. Seeing no sign of Frog, Coyote was sure he would win. As Coyote was beginning to tire, Frog’s look-alike buddy jumped onto the course from behind an alder tree ahead. Coyote was surprised to see what he thought was Frog, and ran even faster, determined to win. Coyote dashed past him and called, “You may be fast, but I’m faster. I’ll wait at the finish line to eat you up, Frog!”

 

When Coyote came in sight of the finish line, Frog had emerged from his hiding place and easily hopped across the line. “You may be fast, Coyote, but I’ve managed to beat you!” Frog joyfully called out. Silently, he added, “With the help of my friends.”

Coyote went home puzzled and hungry again.

Read this sentence from the passage.

Coyote laughed loudly, “Why shouldn’t I help myself to such a tasty morsel?”

1) In this sentence, you can tell that a morsel is something

A to eat.

B to chase.

C to laugh at.

D to help out.

2) Which word BEST describes Coyote in

this passage?

A weak

B foolish

C afraid

D tricky

3) What is Frog’s problem in this passage?

A He is hungry.

B He is in danger.

 

C He has no friends.

D He thinks too slowly.

 

4) How does Frog solve his problem in this

passage?

 

A He hides.

 

B He runs away.

 

C He outsmarts Coyote.

 

D He becomes friends with Coyote.

 

5) This passage teaches readers that it is

better to be

 

A fast than slow.

 

B big than little.

 

C a rabbit than a mouse.

 

D clever than strong.

 

Copyright © California Department of Education.


Test tip:  Double check if you have time left over.