Reading comprehension passages for 3rd grade - Sheets - Free Printable

Let's solve the reading comprehension task step by step based on the passage provided.

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Passage Summary:

A dam is a wall built across a river or stream to control water. It creates a reservoir (a man-made lake) where water is stored. This water is then sent through pipes across the country for drinking, washing, cooking, and irrigation during dry seasons. Historically, dams were used to channel water into narrow paths. Today, large dams use the force of flowing water to generate electricity.

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A) Answer the following questions:

#### 1. When do we need water from Dams?

Answer:
We need water from dams when there is no rain, especially during the dry season. We also need it for daily uses like drinking, washing, cooking, and irrigating fields.

Explanation:
The passage states: *"Dams are also built to store water for irrigating fields in the dry season when there is no rain."* It also mentions that water is used for drinking, washing, and cooking, so we need dam water for these purposes throughout the year.

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#### 2. How can we get electricity from water?

Answer:
We can get electricity from water by using the force of water flowing through very big dams. The movement of water turns turbines, which generate electricity.

Explanation:
The passage says: *"Today very big dams are built to use the force of water to get electricity."* This refers to hydroelectric power, where the kinetic energy of falling or fast-moving water is converted into electrical energy.

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B) Choose the correct answer:

#### 3. Water is stored and sent across the country in _____

a) canals
b) pipes ✔
c) cartoons

Correct Answer: b) pipes

Explanation:
The passage clearly states: *"A reservoir is a man-made lake in which water is stored and sent across the country in pipes..."* So, "pipes" is the correct answer.

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#### 4. A dam is a wall built ________ a river or stream.

a) above
b) around
c) under

Correct Answer: b) across

Wait — but “across” isn't listed as an option. Let’s check the options again:

> a) above
> b) around
> c) under

Hmm — none of these are exactly correct. But let's look at the passage:
> *"A dam is a wall built across a river or a stream..."*

So the correct word is "across", but it's not among the choices.

However, if we must choose the best possible option from the given ones:

- above – No, a dam is not built *above* the river; it's placed *in* the river.
- around – Not accurate; it's not built all around the river.
- under – No, it's not beneath the river.

But since "across" is missing, and none of the options are correct, this might be a typo in the worksheet.

Best interpretation: The intended answer should be "across", but since it's not listed, perhaps the question meant to include "across" as an option.

However, if we assume the question has a mistake and we must pick from the given options, none are correct.

But if we interpret "built around" loosely — meaning surrounding the river — that still doesn’t fit.

Conclusion: This question has an error. The correct answer should be "across", but it's not among the choices.

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✔ Final Answers:

A)
1. We need water from dams during dry seasons when there is no rain, and for drinking, washing, cooking, and irrigation.
2. We can get electricity from water by using the force of water in big dams to generate hydroelectric power.

B)
3. b) pipes
4. ✘ The correct word is "across", but it's not among the options. None of the choices (above, around, under) are correct. Likely a typo in the worksheet.

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📝 Note:

It seems there's a mistake in Question 4 — the correct preposition is "across", not any of the options listed. You may want to report this error or clarify with your teacher.