3rd Grade Literature Central Message worksheets

Literature Central Message

Grade 3 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the answer.

1. Read this first

   Kesi and the Clay Jug

   It had not rained for many weeks. The fields were dry, and the ponds had turned to cracked mud. Kesi the crow flew from place to place, looking for a drink of water.

   At last she found a tall clay jug in a farmer's yard. There was a little water at the very bottom. Kesi pushed her beak inside, but she could not reach it. She tried to tip the jug over. It was too heavy.

   Kesi felt like giving up. Then she looked at the small pebbles on the ground. She had an idea. She picked up one pebble and dropped it into the jug. Plink! She dropped another, and then another.

   Slowly, the water rose higher. Kesi kept working, even when her wings grew tired. After many pebbles, the water reached the top. Kesi took a long, cool drink.

   "Thinking and trying again worked better than pushing," she said with a happy caw.

2. 1.

   What lesson does this fable teach?

   • When a problem is hard, think of a new way and keep trying.
   • Big, strong animals solve problems faster than small ones.
   • Always share your water with friends who are thirsty.
3. 2.

   Which detail best shows the lesson in action?

   • The ponds had turned to cracked mud.
   • Kesi dropped pebbles until the water rose.
   • Kesi found the jug in a farmer's yard.
4. 3.

   How does Kesi change from the middle of the story to the end?

   • She goes from wanting to quit to working until it works.
   • She goes from feeling brave to feeling scared.
   • She goes from being kind to being selfish.
5. 4.

   Why couldn't Kesi drink the water at first?

   • The water was too muddy to drink.
   • Her beak could not reach it.
   • The farmer took the jug away.
6. 5.

   What would most likely have happened if Kesi had given up?

   • She would have stayed thirsty.
   • The jug would have filled with rain.
   • The farmer would have tipped the jug for her.
7. 6.

   Which detail is true but too small to be the lesson?

   • A new plan can solve a hard problem.
   • The jug was made of clay.
   • Hard work and good ideas get you what you need.
8. 7.

   Slowly, the water rose higher. What does rose mean in this sentence?

   • went up
   • dried up
   • turned red
9. 8.

   What did Kesi try before she used the pebbles?

   • She flew off to look for a pond.
   • She tried to break the jug open.
   • She tried to tip the jug over.
10. 9.

    Which sentence shows what Kesi learned?

    • Clay jugs are much too heavy for crows.
    • Farmers should leave water out for birds.
    • Thinking and trying again worked better than pushing.
11. 10.

    Which advice would Kesi most likely give a friend?

    • Ask a farmer for help when you are thirsty.
    • Never look for water on a hot day.
    • If one way doesn't work, try another way.