3rd Grade Author's Purpose and Text Structure worksheets

Author's Purpose and Text Structure

Grade 3 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the answer.

1. Read this first

   From Seed to Pumpkin

   Pumpkins take a long time to grow. A farmer has to follow the steps in the right order.

   First, the farmer plants pumpkin seeds in late spring. The soil must be warm, or the seeds will not sprout. Each seed goes about one inch deep.

   Next, small green shoots push up through the soil. In about a week, two leaves open. Soon the plant grows long vines that creep across the ground.

   After that, bright yellow flowers bloom on the vines. Bees fly from flower to flower. They carry pollen, and this helps tiny pumpkins start to form.

   Then the pumpkins grow bigger and bigger. They begin green and slowly turn orange. This takes about three months.

   Finally, the farmer cuts the pumpkins from the vines in the fall. Some go to stores. Others are sold at the farm. Growing pumpkins takes patience, but it is worth the wait. Now you know how a pumpkin grows from one small seed.

2. 1.

   What is the author's main purpose for writing this text?

   • to persuade readers to buy pumpkins
   • to entertain readers with a farm story
   • to inform readers how a pumpkin grows
3. 2.

   How is this text organized?

   • problem and solution
   • sequence, or steps in time order
   • compare and contrast
4. 3.

   Which words are clues to how this text is organized?

   • Because, So, As a result
   • Alike, Different, Both
   • First, Next, After that, Finally
5. 4.

   What happens right after the yellow flowers bloom?

   • Bees carry pollen from flower to flower.
   • The farmer plants the seeds.
   • Small green shoots push up.
6. 5.

   Which sentence states the author's purpose most directly?

   • They begin green and slowly turn orange.
   • Now you know how a pumpkin grows from one small seed.
   • Bees fly from flower to flower.
7. 6.

   Why must the soil be warm when the seeds are planted?

   • so the pumpkins turn orange
   • so the bees find the flowers
   • so the seeds will sprout
8. 7.

   The vines creep across the ground. What does creep mean?

   • jump up high
   • break into pieces
   • move slowly and low
9. 8.

   Which paragraph tells what bees do?

   • the fourth paragraph
   • the last paragraph
   • the second paragraph
10. 9.

    Which sentence shows the author's own point of view?

    • The soil must be warm, or the seeds will not sprout.
    • Others are sold at the farm.
    • Growing pumpkins takes patience, but it is worth the wait.
11. 10.

    Why does the author use words like First and Next?

    • to make readers laugh at the busy farmer
    • to help readers follow the steps
    • to show readers which pumpkin is the biggest