Success TutoringWorksheets
Comprehension Exercise3rd GradeLevel 1 · Easier

Free 3rd Grade How to Grow a Bean Plant in a Jar — Reading Comprehension

A procedure for sprouting a bean seed against the glass of a jar so children can watch roots and shoots appear. Students read a materials list and numbered steps, explain why each step matters, and learn words like "damp" and "shoot". Ends with writing their own short procedure.

Instant download · No sign-up · Free for personal, classroom and homeschool use

Grade
3rd Grade
Subject
English
Topic
Reading Comprehension
Difficulty
Level 1 · Easier
Estimated time
20 minutes
Curriculum
Texas grade levels (TEKS)
Questions
14
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practice

  • reading a procedure in sequence
  • locating details in a materials list and steps
  • explaining the purpose of a step
  • understanding instruction verbs and science words

Curriculum: Texas grade levels (TEKS). We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: How to Grow a Bean Plant in a Jar — Reading Comprehension

  1. 1Finding Nouns in Sentences
  2. 2Conjunctions: and, but, so, because
Harder: Level 2 · Standard →

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?

3rd Grade students (typically ages 8–9) working on reading comprehension. It is pitched at level 1 · easier; a harder version is linked above.

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 14 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 Finding Nouns in Sentences.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheets3rd Grade · English · Reading Comprehension

How to Grow a Bean Plant in a Jar — Reading Comprehension

Name

Date

Score /

Read the whole procedure first. Then answer the questions.

Part A: Find the answers

Look back at the procedure to find each answer.

1.How many dried beans do you need?[1 mark] (answer space)
2.Where should you put the jar?[1 mark]
  1. Ain the fridge
  2. Bin a dark cupboard
  3. Con a sunny windowsill
  4. Doutside in the rain
3.Where exactly should you slide the beans?[1 mark] (answer space)
4.What should you see after three to five days?[1 mark] (answer space)
5.When should you move the bean to a pot of soil?[1 mark]
  1. Astraight away
  2. Bwhen the root appears
  3. Cwhen the shoot has two leaves
  4. Dafter one day
6.What does the safety note tell you to do after touching the beans?[1 mark] (answer space)

Part B: Think about it

The procedure does not tell you these answers directly. Use clues and what you know.

7.Why should the paper towel be damp but not swimming in water?[2 marks] (answer space)
8.Why should the beans be pressed against the glass?[2 marks] (answer space)
9.Why do you think the beans should not be touching each other?[2 marks] (answer space)
10.Which step would you most likely forget, and what might happen if you did?[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.

More 3rd Grade reading comprehension resources

  • Comprehension Exercise

    Monarch Butterflies on the Move — Reading Comprehension

    An information text about the monarch butterfly, the state insect of Texas, and its long fall journey through Texas to the mountain…

    Difficulty
    Level 2 · Standard
    Time
    25 min
    Questions
    13 questions
    Answers
    Answers included
  • Comprehension Exercise

    Every Child Should Learn to Swim — Reading Comprehension

    A short persuasive text arguing that every child should learn to swim. Students identify the writer's opinion and reasons, work out why…

    Difficulty
    Level 1 · Easier
    Time
    20 min
    Questions
    12 questions
    Answers
    Answers included
  • Comprehension Exercise

    The Sandcastle at Galveston — Reading Comprehension

    An original short story about Lucia, who plans to build the biggest sandcastle on the beach during a family day trip to Galveston.…

    Difficulty
    Level 2 · Standard
    Time
    25 min
    Questions
    12 questions
    Answers
    Answers included

Reading Comprehension in other year levels

Was this resource helpful?

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.