Grade: Grade 3 Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Introduction to Passages SAT: Information+Ideas ACT: Reading

Short Passage Reading

Learning to read and understand short passages is an important skill. On tests like the SAT and ACT, you will read passages and answer questions about them. Let's learn how to be a super reader!

What is a Passage?

A Passage is a Short Piece of Writing

A passage is like a mini-story or article. It has a beginning, middle, and end. It tells you about one main topic or idea.

Passage: A short piece of writing that gives you information about a topic. Passages can be about stories, science, history, or everyday life.

When you read a passage on a test, you need to:

  • Understand what the passage is mostly about (the main idea)
  • Find important details that support the main idea
  • Answer questions about what you read
Test Tip: On the SAT and ACT, you will read many passages and answer questions about them. Learning these skills now will help you be ready!

How to Read Actively

Active reading means your brain is working hard while you read. You are not just looking at words - you are thinking about what they mean!

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Focus

Pay close attention to every sentence.

❓
Ask Questions

Wonder "What is this about?" as you read.

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Picture It

Make a movie in your mind of what you read.

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Connect

Think about what you already know about the topic.

📝 The STAR Reading Method

Use STAR to read any passage:

  • S - Scan: Look at the passage quickly. What is it about?
  • T - Think: Ask yourself questions. What do I want to learn?
  • A - Actively Read: Read carefully and look for answers.
  • R - Review: Think about what you just read. What was it mostly about?

Finding the Main Idea

The Main Idea is the BIG Point

Every passage has one main idea. It is what the whole passage is mostly about. All the other sentences help explain the main idea.

🔍 How to Find the Main Idea

Ask yourself these questions:

  • What is this passage mostly about?
  • If I had to tell a friend about this in ONE sentence, what would I say?
  • What topic keeps coming up again and again?

Let's Practice Finding the Main Idea

Bees are very important helpers in our world. They fly from flower to flower collecting a sweet liquid called nectar. As they move around, they carry tiny bits of pollen from one flower to another. This helps flowers make seeds so new plants can grow. Without bees, many of our favorite fruits and vegetables would not exist.

Main Idea
The first sentence tells me this is about how bees help us. Everything else explains HOW they help.
"What is the main idea of this passage?" is a common test question!

Finding Key Details

Key Details: Important facts or pieces of information that support the main idea. They answer questions like Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?

Main Idea vs. Key Details

Dolphins are amazing ocean animals. They can swim up to 20 miles per hour. Dolphins use clicking sounds to talk to each other. They live in groups called pods. Mother dolphins take care of their babies for many years.

Main Idea
Key Details
The main idea is that dolphins are amazing. The details tell me WHY they are amazing - speed, sounds, pods, and caring for babies!
Remember: Key details are like clues that help prove the main idea is true. They give specific facts and examples.

Worked Example

Let's read a passage together and answer questions step by step!

Read This Passage

The library is one of the best places in our town. It has thousands of books that anyone can borrow for free. Every Saturday morning, there is a special story time for children. The librarians are always happy to help people find what they need. Whether you want to read about dinosaurs, learn to cook, or find a funny story, the library has something for everyone.

📖 Step 1: Find the Main Idea

Question: What is this passage mostly about?

Let me think... Every sentence talks about the library and why it's great. The first sentence even says "the library is one of the best places."

Answer: The main idea is that the library is a great place for everyone in the town.

🔎 Step 2: Identify Key Details

Question: What details support the main idea?

  • Thousands of free books to borrow
  • Saturday story time for children
  • Helpful librarians
  • Books on many different topics

✅ Step 3: Answer a Question

Question: According to the passage, when does story time happen?

I need to look back at the passage and find where it talks about story time... "Every Saturday morning" - there it is!

Answer: Story time happens every Saturday morning.

Practice Time!

Now it's your turn! Read each passage carefully and answer the questions. Use the STAR method and look for main ideas and key details.

Your Progress

Score: 0 / 9
Passage 1

The Amazing Octopus

The octopus is one of the smartest animals in the ocean. It has eight long arms covered with suction cups that help it grab things. An octopus can change its color in less than a second to hide from enemies or sneak up on food. Scientists have watched octopuses solve puzzles and even open jars! These incredible creatures live in oceans all around the world, from warm tropical waters to cold seas near the Arctic.

Question 1: What is the main idea of this passage?
Question 2: How does an octopus use its color-changing ability?
Question 3: Which detail shows that octopuses are smart?
Passage 2

The First Day of Soccer Camp

Maya felt butterflies in her stomach as she walked onto the soccer field. She had never been to camp before and didn't know anyone there. A tall coach with a big smile waved everyone over. "Welcome to soccer camp!" she called out. "I'm Coach Jen, and we're going to have a fantastic week!" Maya noticed another girl standing alone nearby who looked just as nervous. Maya took a deep breath, walked over, and said, "Hi, I'm Maya. Want to be partners?" The girl smiled with relief. "I'm Sofia. Thanks for asking!" By the end of the day, Maya had made her first camp friend.

Question 1: How did Maya feel at the beginning of the passage?
Question 2: What is the main message of this passage?
Question 3: What did Maya do that showed bravery?
Passage 3

Saving Water at Home

Everyone can help save water, and it's easier than you might think! One simple way is to turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth. This can save up to four gallons of water each time! Taking shorter showers also makes a big difference. Instead of letting the water run for ten minutes, try to finish in five. Another helpful tip is to tell an adult if you see a leaky faucet - even small drips can waste hundreds of gallons over time. When families work together to save water, they help the Earth and save money too.

Question 1: What is the main idea of this passage?
Question 2: According to the passage, how much water can you save by turning off the faucet while brushing teeth?
Question 3: What are TWO benefits of saving water mentioned in the passage?

Check Your Understanding

What is a "main idea"?
What does "active reading" mean?
What do key details do?

What We Learned

📖

Passages

Short pieces of writing with one main topic.

🎯

Main Idea

What the whole passage is mostly about.

🔍

Key Details

Important facts that support the main idea.

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STAR Method

Scan, Think, Actively Read, Review.

Keep Practicing! The more you practice reading passages and answering questions, the better you will become. These skills will help you on tests and in everyday reading!

Next Steps

  • Practice the STAR method whenever you read
  • Try to find the main idea in stories, articles, and books you read
  • Look for key details that support main ideas
  • When ready, move on to learn about different types of passage questions!