The Snowy Surprise

Lexile: 500 | Grade: 3

Passage

Mila woke up and looked out the window. Everything was white! Snow had covered the trees, the ground, and even the mailbox.

She ran downstairs to ask her mom if school was canceled. Her mom smiled and said, 'Snow day!'

Mila quickly bundled up in her coat, scarf, and boots. She grabbed her red sled and ran outside. Her friend Leo was already there, building a snowman.

'Want to race down the hill?' Leo asked.

They climbed to the top of the hill and counted, 'Three, two, one—go!' Mila zoomed down the hill, snow flying all around her.

Later, they drank hot cocoa and told stories while their wet clothes dried by the heater. Mila whispered, 'This is the best snow day ever.'

Questions

Q1: What is the main idea of the passage?

  • A. Mila was late for school.
  • B. Mila had fun during a surprise snow day.
  • C. Mila stayed inside and watched the snow.
  • D. Leo built a snowman all by himself.

Q2: What caused Mila to stay home from school?

  • A. She was feeling sick.
  • B. It was the weekend.
  • C. Her mom gave her a day off.
  • D. There was a snow day.

Q3: What can you infer about Mila and Leo’s friendship?

  • A. They are classmates who don’t talk much.
  • B. They are close friends who enjoy playing together.
  • C. They only see each other at school.
  • D. Mila doesn’t like Leo very much.

Q4: What does the word 'bundled' mean in the sentence 'Mila quickly bundled up in her coat, scarf, and boots'?

  • A. Jumped high
  • B. Got dressed warmly
  • C. Took off her clothes
  • D. Ran outside quickly

Q5: How does the author show Mila is excited about the snow day?

  • A. By telling us what Mila ate for breakfast
  • B. By describing the snowman in detail
  • C. By showing Mila running outside quickly and having fun
  • D. By saying Mila didn’t want to go to school

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

  • A. Snow days are boring and cold.
  • B. Friends make fun days even better.
  • C. School should never be canceled.
  • D. Hot cocoa is the best winter drink.

Q7: What is the correct order of events in the story?

  • A. Mila plays outside, drinks cocoa, sees the snow
  • B. Mila drinks cocoa, runs outside, races Leo
  • C. Mila sees the snow, gets ready, plays outside, drinks cocoa
  • D. Mila sees Leo, builds a snowman, goes to school

Printable Comprehension Practice

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Answers & Reasoning

Q1: What is the main idea of the passage?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: The passage describes all the fun things Mila did on her snow day—from sledding to drinking cocoa.

Q2: What caused Mila to stay home from school?

✅ Correct Answer: D

💡 Reasoning: Mila’s mom told her it was a snow day, which means school was canceled because of snow.

Q3: What can you infer about Mila and Leo’s friendship?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: Mila and Leo play together, race down the hill, and drink cocoa—showing they are good friends.

Q4: What does the word 'bundled' mean in the sentence 'Mila quickly bundled up in her coat, scarf, and boots'?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: In the context of cold weather and putting on winter clothes, 'bundled up' means to get dressed warmly.

Q5: How does the author show Mila is excited about the snow day?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The story shows Mila waking up excited, rushing outside, racing Leo, and calling it the best snow day ever.

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

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: The story highlights how Mila and Leo enjoy their day together, showing the joy of friendship.

Q7: What is the correct order of events in the story?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The passage shows this clear sequence: Mila sees snow, gets dressed, plays, then warms up inside.