Informational Vocabulary

Grade 3 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the answer.

1. Read this first

   The Life Cycle of a Bean

   Every living thing has a life cycle. A life cycle is the set of changes a living thing goes through as it grows. A bean plant has a life cycle too.

   It starts as a seed. The seed has a hard outside layer called a seed coat. The seed coat keeps the tiny plant inside safe.

   When a seed gets water and warmth, it begins to germinate. To germinate means to start to grow. First, the seed coat splits open. A small root pokes out and grows down into the soil. The root takes in water for the plant.

   Next, a green shoot pushes up toward the light. Soon the young plant is a seedling. A seedling is a very young plant with just a few leaves.

   The seedling grows taller and makes more leaves. Then it grows flowers. Inside each flower is a yellow powder called pollen. Bees carry pollen from flower to flower. This helps the flowers make new seeds inside bean pods.

   When the pods dry, the seeds fall to the ground. Then the life cycle starts all over again.

2. 1.

   In paragraph 1, what does 'life cycle' mean?

   • the food a plant makes in its leaves
   • the path bees fly between flowers
   • the changes a living thing goes through
3. 2.

   In paragraph 2, what is a 'seed coat'?

   • the thin green skin of a bean pod
   • the hard outside layer of a seed
   • the soft food stored inside a seed
4. 3.

   In paragraph 3, what does 'germinate' mean?

   • to take in sunlight
   • to start to grow
   • to dry up and fall
5. 4.

   Which phrase from the text tells what a 'seedling' is?

   • grows taller and makes more leaves
   • a very young plant with just a few leaves
   • a green shoot pushes up toward the light
6. 5.

   In paragraph 4, a green 'shoot' pushes up. What does 'shoot' mean here?

   • a new stem growing up from a seed
   • a root growing down into the soil
   • to throw a ball toward a hoop
7. 6.

   In paragraph 3, the seed coat 'splits open.' What does that mean?

   • turns bright green
   • breaks apart
   • closes up tight
8. 7.

   What is 'pollen'?

   • a yellow powder inside a flower
   • a small green seed inside a pod
   • a sweet juice inside a flower
9. 8.

   Which word from the text means 'a very young plant'?

   • pollen
   • seed coat
   • seedling
10. 9.

    In paragraph 2, the seed coat keeps the plant 'safe.' What does safe mean?

    • protected from harm
    • tall and green
    • wet and warm
11. 10.

    The life cycle 'starts all over again.' What does that mean?

    • it stops for good
    • it moves to a new garden
    • it begins one more time