3rd Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets
reviewed by Laila A. Lico
Updated on August 5, 2025
3rd grade reading comprehension worksheets facilitate the way 3rd graders approach understanding texts. Being accustomed to viewing reading as a separate skill to learn and polish, they will see in the Brighterly worksheets a new approach. It will offer children the opportunity to use their reading abilities to learn and polish their other skills.
Reading comprehension worksheets grade 3: Examples
Brighterly’s reading comprehension worksheets 3rd grade include long and more sophisticated passages compared to the previous grades to support your kid’s learning progress.
Exercises in 3rd grade reading comprehension worksheets like multiple choice enable the transition from basic recalling to advanced reading that involves strategic thinking, witnessing text connections, and determining various structural elements of a text. They help 3rd graders apply the complete set of their reading skills and self-check with an answer key. This way, children can reach a higher reading comprehension overall.
Reading comprehension worksheets for grade 3 [download for free]
Download all the free printable reading comprehension worksheets for 3rd grade from Brighterly under the link below!
More reading worksheets
- Author’s Purpose Worksheet
- Context Clues Worksheets
- Сause and Effect Worksheets Grade 3
- Short Stories for 3rd Graders
Combine exercises from free third grade reading comprehension worksheets with other reading worksheets for long-term reading improvement!
Benefits of reading comprehension 3rd grade worksheets
- Make the reading-to-learn approach possible
- Context-based thinking
- Texts relevant to third graders
- Fosters critical abilities
- Relevant for classroom activities
Reading comprehension worksheets for 3rd grade – benefit #1: Make the reading-to-learn approach possible
3rd grade reading comprehension worksheet is a great tool to go beyond plain reading and start getting the meaning, questioning the logic, and making independent conclusions based on the information written in the text. This way, they can start using reading as the basis for acquiring new skills.
Note: This process is similar to getting from rote repetition (or simply repeating a task or a skill) to deliberate practice (where the true mastery in the chosen field begins).
Printable reading comprehension worksheets for 3rd grade — benefit #2: Context-based thinking
To improve the ability to pay attention to context when reading, the passages in Brighterly worksheets are complemented by follow-up questions that vary in difficulty and reinforce understanding of both the literal and figurative meaning of words. This way, kids reinforce their ability to grasp the main idea and find extra information in the story details.
3rd grade reading comprehension worksheets free — benefit #3: Texts relevant to 3rd graders
The third graders’ needs and interests are taken into consideration when selecting the stories for the worksheets. This makes the practice more likely to become genuinely interesting and beneficial for younger students.
Note: Once adjusted effectively, the skill practice results in automaticity, meaning an ability to choose the right actions and perform them quickly and accurately.
3rd grade reading comprehension worksheet – benefit #4: Fosters critical thinking
Maintaining their core idea of simplicity of learning, these Brighterly worksheets also contribute to strengthening critical thinking abilities. This way, children keep gaining confidence and motivation to study further, read more fiction and non-fiction, and reach more ambitious academic goals.
Reading comprehension worksheets for grade 3 PDF – benefit #5: Relevant for classroom activities
The worksheets can be used to assess students’ comprehension level in the classroom or during an online lesson. Instructors can use the worksheet exercises as additional resources provided for self-directed learning and pinpoint the precise areas that require focused assistance.
Note: The Brighterly worksheets align with Common Core English Language Arts requirements.
Free reading comprehension worksheets for 3rd grade: Practice
Advance the reading skills of your kid with these 3rd grade reading comprehension worksheets PDF from Brighterly! They are highly helpful if you want to foster a love for reading in your child and help them pass school tests smoothly. For extra practice with more fiction passages that can be read aloud, get some exercises from short stories for 3rd graders worksheets.
Check out this test and see answers on the 3rd Grade Reading Test page. The Reading Worksheets page contains a variety of free reading exercises your kid can practice with, grouped by grades and problems — check it out!