The Library Rescue

Lexile: 530 | Grade: 3

Passage

Carlos loved visiting the school library. Every Friday, he checked out a new adventure book and read it under the big oak tree during lunch.

One day, when Carlos arrived at the library, he saw a big sign: 'Closed for Repairs.' The shelves were covered, and books were packed in boxes.

Carlos was disappointed. He asked the librarian, Ms. Reed, what was wrong. 'There’s a leak in the roof,' she said. 'We need to fix it before books get damaged.'

Carlos didn’t want students to miss out on reading. That afternoon, he came up with an idea. He made colorful signs that read: 'Book Borrowing Outside!' and helped Ms. Reed move boxes of books to the hallway.

By Monday, kids were checking out books in the hallway. Ms. Reed smiled and said, 'Thanks to you, the library is still open in a new way!'

Carlos beamed with pride. He didn’t fix the roof, but he had saved reading time for everyone.

Questions

Q1: What is the main idea of the story?

  • A. Carlos liked to sit under a tree during lunch.
  • B. Carlos helped keep the library going during repairs.
  • C. The school needed money to fix the roof.
  • D. Ms. Reed was a kind librarian.

Q2: Why was the library closed?

  • A. The books were missing.
  • B. Ms. Reed was sick.
  • C. There was a leak in the roof.
  • D. It was a holiday.

Q3: What can you tell about Carlos based on the story?

  • A. He likes solving problems and helping others.
  • B. He doesn’t like reading.
  • C. He only goes to the library on holidays.
  • D. He likes to fix things with tools.

Q4: What does the word 'beamed' most likely mean in the sentence 'Carlos beamed with pride'?

  • A. Yelled loudly
  • B. Shouted in anger
  • C. Smiled happily
  • D. Ran quickly

Q5: How did the author organize the story?

  • A. By comparing two different characters
  • B. In a problem-solution format
  • C. With a list of facts
  • D. By using a poem with rhymes

Q6: What is the theme or lesson of the story?

  • A. Books are not important.
  • B. It’s okay to give up when things go wrong.
  • C. Kids can make a difference by using their ideas.
  • D. Libraries are not useful when broken.

Q7: Which sentence from the passage is a fact?

  • A. Carlos is the smartest kid at school.
  • B. Ms. Reed is the best librarian in the world.
  • C. There’s a leak in the roof of the library.
  • D. Carlos is the hero of the whole town.

Printable Comprehension Practice

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Answers & Reasoning

Q1: What is the main idea of the story?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: The story focuses on how Carlos came up with a way to keep books available after the library closed for repairs.

Q2: Why was the library closed?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: Ms. Reed told Carlos the library was closed because the roof had a leak, and books might get damaged.

Q3: What can you tell about Carlos based on the story?

✅ Correct Answer: A

💡 Reasoning: Carlos came up with a creative idea to help others keep reading, showing he is helpful and a problem solver.

Q4: What does the word 'beamed' most likely mean in the sentence 'Carlos beamed with pride'?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The word 'beamed' is used to show Carlos was proud and happy, so it means he smiled with joy.

Q5: How did the author organize the story?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: The author presents a problem—the library closing—and then shows Carlos’s solution to it.

Q6: What is the theme or lesson of the story?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: Carlos found a way to help everyone keep reading even when the library was closed, showing that kids can help solve problems.

Q7: Which sentence from the passage is a fact?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The leak in the roof is a verifiable event in the story, unlike opinions or exaggerated claims.