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Comprehension ExerciseYear 3Getting started

Free Year 3 Planting Day at the Stream — Reading Comprehension

A recount of a class trip to plant native harakeke and other plants beside a local stream. Children find facts, put events in order using time words, explain why plants help a stream and its creatures, work out word meanings and write about a time they helped look after a special place.

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Year
Year 3
Subject
English
Topic
Reading Comprehension
Difficulty
Getting started
Estimated time
20 minutes
Curriculum
New Zealand Curriculum
Questions
12
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practise

  • finding facts in a recount
  • sequencing events using time words
  • explaining reasons using the text
  • working out word meanings from context
  • writing a short recount

Curriculum: New Zealand Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Planting Day at the Stream — Reading Comprehension

  1. 1Describing Words: Adjectives
  2. 2Past Tense Verbs: Adding -ed
  3. 3Pronouns: he, she, it, they, we

How to use this comprehension exercise

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this comprehension exercise for?

Year 3 students (typically ages 7–8) working on reading comprehension. It is pitched at getting started.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 20 minutes for 12 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Describing Words: Adjectives.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheetsYear 3 · English · Reading Comprehension

Planting Day at the Stream — Reading Comprehension

Name

Date

Score /

Read the recount first. Then answer the questions in order.

Part A: Find the facts

Look back at the recount to find each answer.

1.Which class went to plant trees?[1 mark] (answer space)
2.What was the weather like?[1 mark]
  1. Ahot and sunny
  2. Bcold and grey
  3. Cwindy and snowy
  4. Dwarm and rainy
3.What is another name for harakeke?[1 mark] (answer space)
4.How many plants did the class plant altogether?[1 mark] (answer space)
5.What bird sang to the class at lunch?[1 mark] (answer space)

Part B: Think about it

Use clues from the recount to explain your answers.

6.Give two reasons why plants beside a stream are good for it.[2 marks] (answer space)
7.Why did the children put a stake beside each plant?[1 mark] (answer space)
8.What did the class do after they put in the stakes?[1 mark]
  1. Alooked at the plants
  2. Bdug the holes
  3. Cate their lunch
  4. Dput on their gumboots
9.How does the writer feel at the end? Why do you think they feel this way?[2 marks] (answer space)
Free worksheets at worksheets.successtutoring.com · © Success Tutoring · Free for personal and classroom use

Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.