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Comprehension Exercise3rd GradeLevel 2 · Standard

Free 3rd Grade 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. Students put story events in order, describe how Lucia changes, make inferences about characters' feelings, and write a new ending from another character's point of view.

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Grade
3rd Grade
Subject
English
Topic
Reading Comprehension
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
25 minutes
Curriculum
Texas grade levels (TEKS)
Questions
12
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practice

  • sequencing events in a story
  • describing how a character changes
  • making inferences from clues in the text
  • explaining the meaning of words in context

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: The Sandcastle at Galveston — Reading Comprehension

  1. 1How to Grow a Bean Plant in a Jar — Reading Comprehension
  2. 2Finding Nouns in Sentences
  3. 3Conjunctions: and, but, so, because
← Easier: Level 1 · Easier

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 2 · standard; an easier 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 25 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 How to Grow a Bean Plant in a Jar — Reading Comprehension.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheets3rd Grade · English · Reading Comprehension

The Sandcastle at Galveston — Reading Comprehension

Name

Date

Score /

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

Part A: Find the facts

1.Where does the story take place?[1 mark] (answer space)
2.What three things was Lucia holding when the family arrived?[1 mark] (answer space)
3.What did Mateo want to do at the start of the story?[1 mark]
  1. Awatch Lucia
  2. Bhelp build the castle
  3. Cgo swimming
  4. Dsit with Grandma
4.What knocked down one wall of the castle?[1 mark]
  1. AMateo
  2. Ba big wave
  3. Ca gull
  4. Dthe wind

Part B: Think about it

5.Put these events in order: (a) a wave knocked down a wall; (b) Mateo went to look for shells; (c) Grandma took a picture; (d) Lucia and Mateo rebuilt the wall together.[1 mark] (answer space)
6.How do you think Mateo felt when Lucia said “You're ruining it!”? Which clue in the story tells you?[2 marks] (answer space)
7.Why did Lucia “almost say no” when Mateo offered to help? Why do you think she changed her mind?[2 marks] (answer space)
8.Why do you think they rebuilt the wall “a little farther from the water”?[1 mark] (answer space)
9.At the end, the castle was not the biggest, but Lucia decided it was “the best one.” What does this show about how Lucia has changed?[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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Reading Comprehension in other year levels

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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.