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Year 3 NAPLAN Reading Sample Questions

Year 3ReadingMedium difficultyNAP

10 real Year 3 NAPLAN Reading questions from our practice bank. Medium difficulty. Select an answer to reveal the worked solution. Free, no signup, open in 10 seconds.

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Sample questions

All questions are medium difficulty and drawn from the Skillo practice bank. Each worked solution is revealed after you select an answer.

SAMPLE QUESTION 1Medium

Priya read a book about the coral reef. She learned that coral is not a plant but an animal, made up of tiny creatures called polyps. The colours of coral come from microscopic algae living inside them. When the ocean temperature rises, the coral expels the algae and turns white — a process called bleaching. Without the algae, the coral starves and can die. The Great Barrier Reef has experienced several mass bleaching events due to rising ocean temperatures. According to the passage, why does coral turn white during bleaching?

AThe coral grows too large and cracks
BThe polyps die from too much sunlight
CThe coral expels the algae that give it colour
DThe ocean becomes too salty for the coral

Select an answer to reveal the worked solution.

SAMPLE QUESTION 2Medium

Mei loved maths but struggled with reading aloud in class. Whenever the teacher asked students to read from the textbook, Mei's heart would beat fast and her hands would sweat. She worried she would say a word wrong and people would laugh. One day, her teacher let her practise reading a passage at home first. When Mei read it in class, it went perfectly. She realised that preparation could help with the things that scared her. What did Mei learn from this experience?

AThat reading aloud is always difficult
BThat maths is more important than reading
CThat preparing for something can make it less scary
DThat teachers should always let students practise at home

Select an answer to reveal the worked solution.

SAMPLE QUESTION 3Medium

How did Priya feel before the race started?

AExcited because she knew she would win.
BNervous because of the large crowd watching.
CAngry because the race was too long.
DBored because she had raced many times before.

Select an answer to reveal the worked solution.

SAMPLE QUESTION 4Medium

Read the following text: Every summer, Aarav's class visited the rockpools at the edge of the bay to observe sea creatures. This year, Aarav noticed a small crab tucked beneath a ledge, perfectly still. His teacher explained that crabs hide in tight spaces to protect themselves from the hot sun and hungry birds. Aarav carefully sketched the crab in his notebook so he could remember exactly where it was sheltering. Why did the crab stay hidden under the ledge?

ATo stay cool and avoid being eaten by birds
BTo wait for the tide to bring it food
CBecause it was sleeping during the daytime
DBecause Aarav had frightened it by getting too close

Select an answer to reveal the worked solution.

SAMPLE QUESTION 5Medium

What happened to the water vapour when it reached the plastic wrap?

AIt evaporated again and disappeared.
BIt passed through the plastic and escaped.
CIt condensed back into water droplets.
DIt turned into ice on the surface of the plastic.

Select an answer to reveal the worked solution.

SAMPLE QUESTION 6Medium

Why did Devi warn students not to feed the pelicans?

ABecause the pelicans might bite
BBecause human food is unhealthy and feeding them could stop them hunting for themselves
CBecause the pelicans were not hungry that afternoon
DBecause feeding pelicans is against the law

Select an answer to reveal the worked solution.

SAMPLE QUESTION 7Medium

Why is a wombat's tough rump useful?

AIt helps the wombat dig longer and deeper burrows.
BIt keeps the wombat warm during cold nights.
CIt allows the wombat to block its burrow and protect itself from predators.
DIt helps the wombat carry food back to its young.

Select an answer to reveal the worked solution.

SAMPLE QUESTION 8Medium

Read the following text: Mia and her dad went rockpooling at the beach near their home. Mia carefully lifted a wet rock and spotted a small crab hiding underneath. She gently put the rock back so the crab would not lose its shelter. Her dad smiled and told her she was a thoughtful explorer. Why did Mia put the rock back carefully?

ASo the crab would still have a place to hide and stay safe.
BSo she could look for shells underneath a different rock.
CBecause her dad told her to put it back.
DBecause the rock was too heavy for her to hold.

Select an answer to reveal the worked solution.

SAMPLE QUESTION 9Medium

What does the phrase 'think on their feet' most likely mean?

AStanding up while performing on stage
BMoving quickly across the stage
CRemembering all their lines perfectly
DBeing able to keep going and solve problems in the moment

Select an answer to reveal the worked solution.

SAMPLE QUESTION 10Medium

What does the saying 'A prepared house is a safer house' most likely mean?

AHouses that are very big are safer in fires
BGetting ready before a fire arrives helps keep your home safer
COnly firefighters can keep houses safe
DNew houses are less likely to catch fire

Select an answer to reveal the worked solution.

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About this practice

Skillo's NAPLAN-style practice is authored independently. NAPLAN® is a registered trademark of ACARA. Skillo is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ACARA. Questions are drawn from the Skillo practice bank and aligned with the Australian Curriculum v9.0 ↗.