Language Standards: Grammar and Usage with Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, and Conjunctions (CCSS.L.3.1)
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Common Core 3rd Grade ELA › Language Standards: Grammar and Usage with Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, and Conjunctions (CCSS.L.3.1)
Our class got ready for the school assembly. Ms. Lane reminded us to line up quietly and bring our notebooks. A poster near the door listed what to remember for the event. The poster had big stars and bright colors so we would notice it. In the rush, we almost missed this sentence: "The list of rules were posted by the door." We paused to check it, because something about the verb didn't sound right.
Which revision correctly fixes the subject-verb agreement in the quoted sentence?
The list of rules are posted by the door.
The list of rules was posted by the door.
The list of rules were posting by the door.
The lists of rules was posted by the door.
Explanation
Rule: A singular subject takes a singular verb. 'List' is singular; 'of rules' does not change the subject. The error is 'were'; it should be 'was.' Choice B fixes it.
At recess, the playground buzzed with energy. Swings moved back and forth, and the slide shone in the sun. Mateo and I set up cones for a running game. Then I wrote our team names on a whiteboard near the bench. While I watched, I heard this sentence from a younger class: "Three childs played at recess." I knew we should fix that before it went on the chart.
Which revision correctly uses the irregular plural of 'child'?
Three children was playing at recess.
Three child played at recess.
Three childrens played at recess.
Three children played at recess.
Explanation
Rule: Some nouns have irregular plurals. The plural of 'child' is 'children,' not 'childs' or 'childrens.' The original used 'childs.' Choice D uses 'children' with the correct past tense 'played.'
On Saturday morning, I planned my day in a list. First, I feed the cat, then I practice piano, and later I call my friend. I also thought about what already happened. I wrote this sentence: "Yesterday I walk to practice and buy a snack." When I read it again, the times didn't match. I wanted both actions to show something that happened in the past, not now or later.
Which revision correctly uses simple past tense for both actions?
Yesterday I walked to practice and bought a snack.
Yesterday I walks to practice and bought a snack.
Yesterday I will walk to practice and buy a snack.
Yesterday I walking to practice and buyed a snack.
Explanation
Rule: Use simple past for actions completed in the past. With 'Yesterday,' both verbs should be past tense. The errors are 'walk' and 'buy'; they should be 'walked' and 'bought.' Choice A fixes both.
During cleanup, our teacher asked us to check the coat rack. Some coats had fallen to the floor when the bell rang. We made a quick sign-up to help hang things neatly. Then we read a sentence on the board: "Each student hung up their coat." We talked about matching pronouns with their singular antecedents. We wanted the sentence to be clear and correct for everyone reading it.
Which revision has correct pronoun-antecedent agreement?
Each student hung up their coats.
Each students hung up their coat.
Each student hung up his or her coat.
Each student hung up they coat.
Explanation
Rule: A pronoun must agree in number with its antecedent. 'Each student' is singular, so use a singular pronoun. The error is 'their coat.' Choice C uses 'his or her' to match the singular subject.
On Saturday, Leo cleaned his room and planned a surprise for his little brother. A box of art supplies sat on the desk, and bright markers waited in a cup. Leo and his friend Mia drew a giant card together. After a snack, they spread glue and added glitter all around the edges so the card would sparkle. Leo and Mia was excited to see it shine.
Which revision of the last sentence is correct?
Leo and Mia were excites to see it shine.
Leo and Mia were excited to see it shine.
Leo or Mia were excited to see it shine.
Leo and Mia was excited to see it shine.
Explanation
With a compound subject joined by 'and,' use a plural verb. The sentence uses 'was' (singular). Choice B changes it to 'were excited' and fixes the agreement.
During our field trip to the nature center, we walked quietly along a wooden path. A guide showed us animal tracks pressed into the muddy ground. We spotted tiny holes where chipmunks might hide and watched birds flutter near a feeder. As we stood still, we noticed little shapes scurry by the shed. We saw two mouses hiding near the feeder.
Which revision of the last sentence is correct?
We saw two mouse hiding near the feeder.
We seen two mouses hiding near the feeder.
We saw two mices hiding near the feeder.
We saw two mice hiding near the feeder.
Explanation
The irregular plural of 'mouse' is 'mice,' not 'mouses' or 'mices.' Choice D uses 'mice' and keeps the correct past tense 'saw.'
Tomorrow our class will clean the school garden after lunch. We will pull weeds and will turn the soil with small shovels. Then we will plant beans along the back fence. Mrs. Ortiz will bring watering cans, and we will take turns using them. To finish, we plant labels for each row so we remember what we grew.
Which revision of the last sentence keeps the paragraph in simple future tense?
To finish, we will plant labels for each row so we will remember what we plant.
To finish, we planted labels for each row so we remember what we plant.
To finish, we are planting labels for each row so we will remember what we plant.
To finish, we plants labels for each row so we will remember what we plant.
Explanation
Simple future uses 'will' + base verb. The last sentence shifts tenses ('plant' and 'grew'). Choice A uses 'will plant' and 'will remember' to keep the future tense consistent.
Coach Kim told the team that everyone must be prepared for the big game on Saturday. We practiced grounders, line drives, and pop flies during the week. The equipment bag is full of balls, helmets, and water bottles. Before we leave for the field, Coach will check that all items are packed. Every player must bring their glove to practice.
Which revision of the last sentence corrects the pronoun-antecedent agreement?
Every players must bring his or her glove to practice.
Every player must brings his or her glove to practice.
Every player must bring his or her glove to practice.
Every player must bring they glove to practice.
Explanation
A singular antecedent ('Every player') needs a singular pronoun. 'Their' is plural. Choice C correctly uses 'his or her' and keeps the rest of the sentence correct.
On Saturday, we cleaned the yard together. We raked and jumped in the leaves, laughing at how they flew like confetti. Dad pointed to a big, crinkly mound beside the fence. The pile of leaves were near the fence, and it kept getting bigger as we worked. My sister held the bag, and I scooped. By the end, our arms were tired, but the yard looked neat.
Which revision corrects the subject-verb agreement mistake in the sentence The pile of leaves were near the fence?
The pile of leaves were near the fence.
The pile of leaves was near the fence.
The piles of leaves was near the fence.
The pile of leaves are near the fence.
Explanation
A singular subject takes a singular verb. The subject is pile (singular), so use was, not were. Choice B fixes the error; the others keep or add mismatches.
During our field trip to the farm, we peeked inside the old barn. In the hay, something tiny scurried by. I whispered to my friend, "Look, I think I saw three mouses!" We stood still, listening for squeaks and watching for little tails. The guide told us to stay calm and give the animals space. We nodded and kept our voices low.
Which revision correctly uses the plural of mouse in the quoted sentence?
We saw three mouses in the barn.
We saw three mouse in the barn.
We sees three mice in the barn.
We saw three mice in the barn.
Explanation
Some nouns have irregular plurals. The plural of mouse is mice. Choice D uses mice and keeps the verb saw correct; the other choices use the wrong plural or add a verb error.