Monarch Butterflies on the Move — Reading Comprehension — Answers
Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the 3rd Grade reading comprehension comprehension exercise.
Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheet3rd Grade · English · Reading ComprehensionMonarch Butterflies on the Move — Reading Comprehension — Answers
Part A: Find the facts
Answer: Bright orange wings with black lines and white dots around the edges.
- Ain Canada
- Bin mountain forests in central Mexico
- Calong the Texas coast
- Din deserts
Answer: in mountain forests in central Mexico
The text says they fly “to mountain forests in central Mexico, where they spend the winter.”
Answer: October.
Answer: Milkweed.
Part B: Think about it
Answer: True
The first paragraph says so.
Answer: False
“No single monarch makes the whole round trip.”
Answer: True
They live “for several months,” while most monarchs live “only a few weeks.”
Answer: Because Texas lies right in the middle of the monarchs' path to Mexico.
Answer: Milkweed makes the caterpillars and butterflies taste bad to birds, so birds are less likely to eat them.
Answer: Females would have fewer places to lay eggs, and caterpillars would have no food, because milkweed is the only food they eat. There could be fewer monarchs.
Part C: Words in the text
- Achange color
- Bmove from one place to another as the seasons change
- Clay eggs
- Dsleep all day
Answer: move from one place to another as the seasons change
The text describes monarchs flying south in the fall and north in the spring.
- Aa group of butterflies born at about the same time, like parents, then children, then grandchildren
- Ba kind of flower
- Ca long flight
- Da type of tree
Answer: a group of butterflies born at about the same time, like parents, then children, then grandchildren
Each new set of monarchs that hatches is a new generation.
Part D: Write about it
Model answer: Every fall, monarch butterflies fly through Texas on their way to Mexico. You can help them by planting milkweed and flowers that bloom in the fall. Monarchs lay their eggs only on milkweed, and it is the only food their caterpillars eat. Fall flowers give the butterflies food for their long journey. A few plants in your yard can make a big difference!
Success criteria:
- States at least one way families can help
- Explains why it matters
- Uses at least two accurate facts from the text
- Written as a clear paragraph for families
Marking tips
- Give credit for correct method even when the final answer slips — the working shows where the thinking went right.
- For open-ended tasks, use the success criteria as a checklist rather than looking for one "right" answer.
- Celebrate what went well first, then pick one thing to work on next.