Name: Date:

Roadrunner’s Dance—Selection
Vocabulary
Read each item below carefully and choose the
correct answer.

1 What does the word created mean?

a made something multiply
b made something repeat
c made something exist
d made something spin

2 What does the word interfere mean?

f to disturb or interrupt
g to answer or acknowledge
h to question someone thoroughly
i to become involved with a new team

3 What does the word timid mean?

a defeated
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b frightened
c grumpy
d jealous

4 What does the word awkward mean?

f angry
g clumsy
h helpless
i uptight
GO ON ➜
Selection Tests • Unit 2, Week 1 Grade 3 21
Name: Date:

5 The word furiously means very

a angrily.
b heavily.
c lazily.
d noisily.

6 Read the dictionary entry below.

• Verb: try to do something

• Noun: the act of trying to do something

Which of the following words is defined in the

entry above?
f attempt
g created
h interfere
i involve

7 What does the word cooperation mean?

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a working together
b playing quietly
c singing loudly
d running fast

8 Which one of these words means “to take part in

an activity”?
f attempted h interfered
g created i involved

STOP

22 Grade 3 Selection Tests • Unit 2, Week 1

 Name: Date:

Roadrunner’s Dance—
Comprehension
Read the following questions carefully. You may look back
at the selection to help find the answer to each question.

1 What happens first in the story?

a Rattlesnake threatens the people.
b Desert Woman creates Roadrunner.
c Roadrunner challenges Rattlesnake.
d Rattlesnake threatens the other animals.

2 All of the following are gifts the animals give to the

guardian of the road EXCEPT
f strength.
g good hearing.
h ability to dance.
i a tail to balance himself.

3 What is the MAIN problem in the story?

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a Roadrunner is being a bully.

b Rattlesnake is being a bully.
c Rattlesnake is biting everyone.
d Roadrunner does not know how to dance.

GO ON ➜
Selection Tests • Unit 2, Week 1 Grade 3 23
Name: Date:

4 What does Desert Woman tell Roadrunner he needs to

do to learn to dance?
f practice
g read a book
h take lessons
i go to Sacred Mountain

5 Why does Roadrunner not want to be king of the road?

a Desert Woman tells Roadrunner to use his gift to
help others.
b He does not think he is big enough or fast enough.
c He does not have time to keep the roads safe.
d The desert animals do not like him.

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STOP

24 Grade 3 Selection Tests • Unit 2, Week 1