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3rd Grade Compare Stories worksheets

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Compare Stories

Grade 3 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

Circle the answer.

  1. Read this first

    Two Stories About Sharing

    Story 1: The Big Umbrella

    Rain poured down on the forest. Rabbit hopped home under a big leaf umbrella. On the way, she saw Squirrel shivering under a bush.

    "Come share my umbrella," Rabbit said. Squirrel hopped under the leaf. The two friends walked home together, dry and warm.

    The next week, the sun was very hot. Squirrel had a big shady tree, and he shared it with Rabbit.

    Story 2: The Last Orange

    Hana came home from school very hungry. There was only one orange left in the bowl. Then her little brother, Ken, came into the kitchen.

    "I'm hungry too," Ken said.

    Hana looked at the orange. She wanted it all for herself. But she peeled it and split it into two parts. She gave half to Ken.

    Ken smiled. Then he opened his backpack and shared his crackers with her. They sat at the kitchen table and ate their orange together.

  2. What lesson do both stories share?

    • Rain makes forest animals cold and wet.
    • Sharing helps others, and it comes back to you.
    • Older sisters should get the last snack.

  3. How are the settings of the two stories different?

    • Both stories happen in a forest.
    • Story 1 is in a kitchen, and Story 2 is at school.
    • Story 1 is in a forest, and Story 2 is in a kitchen.

  4. What does Rabbit share in Story 1?

    • her shady tree
    • half of an orange
    • her leaf umbrella

  5. What does Hana share in Story 2?

    • her whole lunch
    • half of an orange
    • a leaf umbrella

  6. How are the characters in the two stories different?

    • Both stories have only animals.
    • Story 1 has people, and Story 2 has animals.
    • Story 1 has animals, and Story 2 has people.

  7. In which story does a character want to keep it all at first?

    • Story 2
    • Story 1
    • both stories

  8. How are the endings of the two stories alike?

    • The one who shared feels sorry about it.
    • The one who was helped shares back.
    • Both stories end with a big rainstorm.

  9. Rabbit saw Squirrel shivering under a bush. What does shivering mean?

    • singing very softly
    • shaking from the cold
    • sleeping very soundly

  10. Which story tells about a hot, sunny day?

    • Story 2
    • both stories
    • Story 1

  11. Who shares first in Story 2?

    • Ken, the little brother
    • Hana, the big sister
    • Rabbit, the forest friend
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3rd Grade Compare Stories worksheet 1 – printable PDF
Download PDF: 123456

About this worksheet

Comparing two stories asks a reader to hold both of them in mind at once and notice what is alike and what is different in their characters, settings, lessons, and structure. Third graders can often summarize one story well but struggle once a second story is added, since the temptation is to describe each one separately instead of comparing them. This worksheet prints two short stories, one after the other, and asks direct questions about each one plus questions that require comparing both. Encourage your child to reread the labeled sections and answer using only what each text actually says.

This habit builds toward comparing themes, topics, and patterns of events across longer texts in later grades. If your child answers a comparison question from memory, send them back to the page: the two stories are printed one above the other on purpose, so both are in front of them while they answer, and the answer is always something one story says and the other does not. A useful question to ask out loud is which story you would give to a friend who liked the other one, and why.

What your child will learn

  • Identify the character, setting, and lesson in two texts
  • Compare two texts for what is alike
  • Compare two texts for what is different
  • Use evidence from both texts, not just one

Common Core standard: RL.3.9

Worked example

If Story 1 happens in a village square and Story 2 happens in a classroom, the setting is something the two stories do NOT share.

Common mistake

Answering about only one of the two texts when the question asks for a comparison.

Helpful hint

Reread both texts before choosing a comparison.

Next skill: Informational Main IdeaEarlier: Character Point of View

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with compare stories?

Answering about only one of the two texts when the question asks for a comparison.

How can I help my child with compare stories?

Reread both texts before choosing a comparison.

Are these 3rd grade reading worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

Similar: Literature Central Message · Character Point of View

More 3rd grade literature

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