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Grade 3 Biography Cold Reads

February 9-13, 2026

📖 Directions: Read each biography carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Cold Read 1: Helen Keller

Biography

Helen Keller was born in 1880 in Alabama. When she was a baby, she became very sick. After the illness, Helen could no longer see or hear. Because of this, she had trouble understanding the world around her and communicating with others.

When Helen was seven years old, a teacher named Anne Sullivan came to help her. Anne taught Helen how to communicate by spelling words into her hand. Helen learned that objects had names, and this helped her understand language. She worked hard every day and did not give up, even when learning was difficult.

As Helen grew older, she learned to read, write, and speak. She went to college and later became an author and speaker. Helen traveled around the world to talk about the importance of education and helping people with disabilities.

Helen Keller's life shows that determination and support can help people overcome challenges.

1 Why did Helen Keller have difficulty communicating as a child?
AShe did not like school
BShe became blind and deaf after an illness
CShe moved to a new country
DShe refused help
2 Who helped Helen Keller learn language?
AHer parents
BHer doctor
CAnne Sullivan
DHer classmates
3 What is the central idea of the passage?
AHelen Keller traveled around the world
BHelen Keller was sick as a baby
CHelen Keller overcame challenges with help and hard work
DHelen Keller liked reading books
4 What does the word determination most nearly mean in the last paragraph?
AGiving up easily
BTrying something once
CContinuing to work even when it is hard
DFeeling angry

Cold Read 2: Martin Luther King Jr.

Biography

Martin Luther King Jr. was born in 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. As a child, he noticed that some people were treated unfairly because of the color of their skin. These experiences helped shape his beliefs about fairness and equality.

As an adult, Martin Luther King Jr. became a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He believed that change should happen peacefully. He gave powerful speeches and led marches where people protested unfair laws without using violence.

One of his most famous speeches was the "I Have a Dream" speech. In it, he shared his hope for a future where everyone would be treated equally. Because of his leadership, new laws were passed that helped make the United States more fair.

Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered for his courage, leadership, and commitment to peaceful change.

1 What problem did Martin Luther King Jr. notice as a child?
ASchools were too small
BPeople were treated unfairly
CJobs were hard to find
DCities were crowded
2 How did Martin Luther King Jr. believe change should happen?
AThrough fighting
BThrough silence
CThrough peaceful protests
DThrough moving away
3 What was the purpose of the "I Have a Dream" speech?
ATo explain school rules
BTo share his hopes for equality
CTo teach history facts
DTo tell a story about his childhood
4 Which word best describes Martin Luther King Jr.?
ASelfish
BLazy
CBrave
DCareless

Cold Read 3: Amelia Earhart

Biography

Amelia Earhart was born in 1897. From a young age, she loved adventure and trying new things. When she saw an airplane for the first time, she became interested in flying.

At a time when very few women were pilots, Amelia worked hard to learn how to fly. She practiced often and never gave up, even when flying was dangerous. Her dedication helped her become a skilled pilot.

Amelia became famous for breaking flying records. She was the first woman to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean. She also encouraged others, especially girls, to believe they could achieve their dreams.

Amelia Earhart is remembered as a brave woman who showed the importance of courage and determination.

1 What inspired Amelia Earhart's interest in flying?
AReading books
BSeeing an airplane
CWatching birds
DTalking to friends
2 Why was Amelia Earhart's achievement important?
AShe flew the longest distance
BShe was the first woman to fly alone across the Atlantic
CShe invented airplanes
DShe taught others to fly
3 Which detail shows Amelia's determination?
AShe traveled often
BShe practiced flying and did not give up
CShe wrote stories
DShe stayed home
4 What lesson does the passage teach?
AFlying is easy
BDreams are impossible
CHard work can help achieve goals
DRecords do not matter

Cold Read 4: Jackie Robinson

Biography

Jackie Robinson was born in 1919. He loved sports and was especially talented at baseball. Jackie worked hard to improve his skills and became an excellent player.

In 1947, Jackie Robinson made history by becoming the first Black player in Major League Baseball. At the time, many people believed baseball should only be played by white players. Jackie faced unfair treatment from fans and players.

Instead of responding with anger, Jackie stayed focused on playing his best. His strength and courage helped change baseball forever. Because of Jackie Robinson, more players of different backgrounds were given opportunities to play professional sports.

Jackie Robinson is remembered as a hero who helped bring fairness and equality to baseball.

1 What sport did Jackie Robinson play?
AFootball
BBasketball
CBaseball
DSoccer
2 Why was Jackie Robinson important in 1947?
AHe won a championship
BHe became the first Black MLB player
CHe became a coach
DHe retired
3 How did Jackie respond to unfair treatment?
AHe quit playing
BHe argued with fans
CHe stayed focused and calm
DHe ignored baseball
4 What is the main idea of the passage?
ABaseball rules are strict
BJackie Robinson helped bring equality to sports
CJackie Robinson liked sports
DFans were unfair

Cold Read 5: Jane Goodall

Biography

Jane Goodall was born in 1934 and loved animals from a young age. She spent many years studying chimpanzees in Africa. Jane carefully watched how they lived, played, and worked together.

Through her research, Jane discovered that chimpanzees use tools and have emotions. This helped people understand that animals are more like humans than once believed.

Jane also worked to protect animals and their habitats. She taught others about the importance of caring for nature and respecting wildlife.

Jane Goodall is known for her dedication to science and her love for animals.

1 What animals did Jane Goodall study?
ALions
BElephants
CChimpanzees
DBirds
2 What did Jane discover about chimpanzees?
AThey cannot learn
BThey use tools and have emotions
CThey only live alone
DThey avoid humans
3 How did Jane help animals besides studying them?
AShe built zoos
BShe hunted animals
CShe protected habitats
DShe trained pets
4 Which sentence best describes Jane Goodall?
AShe disliked science
BShe cared deeply about animals
CShe avoided nature
DShe worked alone
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