Common Core ELA · K-4
Every K-4 reading standard. Every practice question.
201 Common Core ELA reading comprehension standards across Kindergarten through 4th grade, with 1840+ practice questions. Tap any standard for free sample questions and plain-English explanations for families.
Kindergarten
Reading: Literature
- 1RL.K.1With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text
- 2RL.K.2With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details
- 3RL.K.3With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story
- 4RL.K.4Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text
- 5RL.K.5Recognize common types of texts (e.g., storybooks, poems)
- 6RL.K.6With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each
- 7RL.K.7With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story
- 9RL.K.9With prompting and support, compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in familiar stories
- 10RL.K.10Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding
Reading: Informational Text
- 1RI.K.1With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in an informational text
- 2RI.K.2With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text
- 3RI.K.3With prompting and support, describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text
- 4RI.K.4With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text
- 5RI.K.5Identify the front cover, back cover, and title page of a book
- 6RI.K.6Name the author and illustrator of a text and define the role of each in presenting the ideas or information
- 7RI.K.7With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the text in which they appear
- 8RI.K.8With prompting and support, identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text
- 9RI.K.9With prompting and support, identify basic similarities in and differences between two texts on the same topic
- 10RI.K.10Actively engage in group reading activities with informational texts with purpose and understanding
Reading: Foundational Skills
- 1aRF.K.1aFollow words from left to right, top to bottom, and page by page
- 1bRF.K.1bRecognize that spoken words are represented in written language by specific sequences of letters
- 1cRF.K.1cUnderstand that words are separated by spaces in print
- 1dRF.K.1dRecognize and name all upper- and lowercase letters of the alphabet
- 2aRF.K.2aRecognize and produce rhyming words
- 2bRF.K.2bCount, pronounce, blend, and segment syllables in spoken words
- 2cRF.K.2cBlend and segment onsets and rimes of single-syllable spoken words
- 2dRF.K.2dIsolate and pronounce the initial, medial vowel, and final sounds (phonemes) in three-phoneme (CVC) words
- 2eRF.K.2eAdd or substitute individual sounds (phonemes) in simple, one-syllable words to make new words
- 3aRF.K.3aDemonstrate basic knowledge of one-to-one letter-sound correspondences by producing the primary sound for each consonant
- 3bRF.K.3bAssociate the long and short sounds with the common spellings (graphemes) for the five major vowels
- 3cRF.K.3cRead common high-frequency words by sight (e.g., the, of, to, you, she, my, is, are, do, does)
- 3dRF.K.3dDistinguish between similarly spelled words by identifying the sounds of the letters that differ
- 4RF.K.4Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding
Language
- 1K.L.1Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking (nouns, verbs, plurals, question words, prepositions, complete sentences)
- 2K.L.2Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing
- 4K.L.4Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on kindergarten reading and content
- 5K.L.5With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings
- 6K.L.6Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts
1st Grade
Reading: Literature
- 1RL.1.1Ask and answer questions about key details in a text
- 2RL.1.2Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson
- 3RL.1.3Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details
- 4RL.1.4Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses
- 5RL.1.5Explain major differences between books that tell stories and books that give information
- 6RL.1.6Identify who is telling the story at various points in a text
- 7RL.1.7Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events
- 9RL.1.9Compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in stories
- 10RL.1.10With prompting and support, read prose and poetry of appropriate complexity for grade 1
Reading: Informational Text
- 1RI.1.1Ask and answer questions about key details in an informational text
- 2RI.1.2Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text
- 3RI.1.3Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text
- 4RI.1.4Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text
- 5RI.1.5Know and use various text features to locate key facts or information in a text
- 6RI.1.6Distinguish between information provided by pictures or illustrations and information provided by words in a text
- 7RI.1.7Use illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas
- 8RI.1.8Identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text
- 9RI.1.9Identify basic similarities in and differences between two texts on the same topic
- 10RI.1.10With prompting and support, read informational texts of appropriate complexity for grade 1
Reading: Foundational Skills
- 1aRF.1.1aRecognize the distinguishing features of a sentence
- 2bRF.1.2bOrally produce single-syllable words by blending sounds, including consonant blends
- 2cRF.1.2cIsolate and pronounce initial, medial vowel, and final sounds in spoken single-syllable words
- 2dRF.1.2dSegment spoken single-syllable words into their complete sequence of individual sounds
- 4bRF.1.4bRead grade-level text orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression
- 4cRF.1.4cUse context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding
- 3aRF.1.3aKnow the spelling-sound correspondences for common consonant digraphs
- 3bRF.1.3bDecode regularly spelled one-syllable words
- 3cRF.1.3cKnow final -e and common vowel team conventions for representing long vowel sounds
- 3dRF.1.3dUse knowledge that every syllable must have a vowel sound to determine the number of syllables in a printed word
- 3eRF.1.3eDecode two-syllable words following basic patterns by breaking the words into syllables
- 3fRF.1.3fRead words with inflectional endings
- 3gRF.1.3gRecognize and read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words
- 4aRF.1.4aRead on-level text with purpose and understanding
Language
- 4L.1.4Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 1 reading and content
- 4aL.1.4aUse sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase
- 4bL.1.4bUse frequently occurring affixes as a clue to the meaning of a word
- 4cL.1.4cIdentify frequently occurring root words and their inflectional forms
- 5L.1.5Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings
- 5aL.1.5aSort words into categories to gain a sense of the concepts the categories represent
- 5bL.1.5bDefine words by category and by one or more key attributes
- 5cL.1.5cIdentify real-life connections between words and their use
- 5dL.1.5dDistinguish shades of meaning among verbs and adjectives differing in manner or intensity
- 6L.1.6Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading, and responding to texts
- 1L.1.1Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking
- 2L.1.2Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing
2nd Grade
Reading: Literature
- 1RL.2.1Ask and answer who, what, where, when, why, how questions about key details in a text.
- 2RL.2.2Recount stories including fables and folktales and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.
- 3RL.2.3Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
- 4RL.2.4Describe how words and phrases supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.
- 5RL.2.5Describe the overall structure of a story, including how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.
- 6RL.2.6Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters.
- 7RL.2.7Use information from illustrations and words to understand characters, setting, or plot.
- 9RL.2.9Compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story by different authors or from different cultures.
- 10RL.2.10By end of year, read and comprehend literature in the grades 2-3 text complexity band proficiently.
Reading: Informational Text
- 1RI.2.1Ask and answer who, what, where, when, why, how questions about key details in a text.
- 2RI.2.2Identify the main topic of a multiparagraph text as well as the focus of specific paragraphs.
- 3RI.2.3Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas, or steps in technical procedures.
- 4RI.2.4Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
- 5RI.2.5Know and use various text features to locate key facts or information efficiently.
- 6RI.2.6Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe.
- 7RI.2.7Explain how specific images contribute to and clarify a text.
- 8RI.2.8Describe how reasons support specific points the author makes in a text.
- 9RI.2.9Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic.
- 10RI.2.10By end of year, read and comprehend informational texts in the grades 2-3 text complexity band proficiently.
Reading: Foundational Skills
- 3RF.2.3Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
- 3aRF.2.3aDistinguish long and short vowels when reading regularly spelled one-syllable words.
- 3bRF.2.3bKnow spelling-sound correspondences for additional common vowel teams.
- 3cRF.2.3cDecode regularly spelled two-syllable words with long vowels.
- 3dRF.2.3dDecode words with common prefixes and suffixes.
- 3eRF.2.3eIdentify words with inconsistent but common spelling-sound correspondences.
- 3fRF.2.3fRecognize and read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words.
- 4RF.2.4Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
- 4aRF.2.4aRead grade-level text with purpose and understanding.
- 4bRF.2.4bRead grade-level text orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression.
- 4cRF.2.4cUse context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.
Language
- 4L.2.4Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases.
- 4aL.2.4aUse sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
- 4bL.2.4bDetermine the meaning of the new word formed when a known prefix is added to a known word.
- 4cL.2.4cUse a known root word as a clue to the meaning of an unknown word with the same root.
- 4dL.2.4dUse knowledge of the meaning of individual words to predict the meaning of compound words.
- 4eL.2.4eUse glossaries and beginning dictionaries to determine or clarify the meaning of words.
- 5L.2.5Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
- 5aL.2.5aIdentify real-life connections between words and their use.
- 5bL.2.5bDistinguish shades of meaning among closely related verbs and adjectives.
- 6L.2.6Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading, and being read to, including adjectives and adverbs.
- 1L.2.1Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage
- 2L.2.2Demonstrate command of the conventions of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing
- 3L.2.3Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening
3rd Grade
Reading: Literature
- 1RL.3.1Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text.
- 2RL.3.2Recount stories including fables, folktales, and myths; determine the central message, lesson, or moral.
- 3RL.3.3Describe characters in a story and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
- 4RL.3.4Determine the meaning of words and phrases as used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.
- 5RL.3.5Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza.
- 6RL.3.6Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters.
- 7RL.3.7Explain how specific aspects of a text's illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words.
- 9RL.3.9Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written by the same author about the same or similar characters.
- 10RL.3.10By end of the year, read and comprehend literature at the high end of the grades 2-3 text complexity band.
Reading: Informational Text
- 1RI.3.1Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text.
- 2RI.3.2Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea.
- 3RI.3.3Describe the relationship between historical events, scientific ideas, or steps in technical procedures using time, sequence, and cause/effect language.
- 4RI.3.4Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text.
- 5RI.3.5Use text features and search tools to locate information relevant to a given topic efficiently.
- 6RI.3.6Distinguish their own point of view from that of the author of a text.
- 7RI.3.7Use information from illustrations and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding.
- 8RI.3.8Describe the logical connection between particular sentences and paragraphs in a text.
- 9RI.3.9Compare and contrast the most important points and key details presented in two texts on the same topic.
- 10RI.3.10By end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts at the high end of the grades 2-3 text complexity band.
Reading: Foundational Skills
- 3RF.3.3Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
- 3aRF.3.3aIdentify and know the meaning of the most common prefixes and derivational suffixes.
- 3bRF.3.3bDecode words with common Latin suffixes.
- 3cRF.3.3cDecode multisyllable words.
- 3dRF.3.3dRead grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words.
- 4RF.3.4Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
- 4aRF.3.4aRead grade-level text with purpose and understanding.
- 4bRF.3.4bRead grade-level prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression.
- 4cRF.3.4cUse context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.
Language
- 4L.3.4Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases.
- 4aL.3.4aUse sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
- 4bL.3.4bDetermine the meaning of the new word formed when a known affix is added to a known word.
- 4cL.3.4cUse a known root word as a clue to the meaning of an unknown word with the same root.
- 4dL.3.4dUse glossaries or beginning dictionaries to determine or clarify the precise meaning of key words.
- 5L.3.5Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- 5aL.3.5aDistinguish the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in context.
- 5bL.3.5bIdentify real-life connections between words and their use.
- 5cL.3.5cDistinguish shades of meaning among related words that describe states of mind or degrees of certainty.
- 6L.3.6Acquire and use accurately conversational, general academic, and domain-specific words and phrases.
- 1L.3.1Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking
- 2L.3.2Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling
- 3L.3.3Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening
4th Grade
Reading: Literature
- 1RL.4.1Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences.
- 2RL.4.2Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
- 3RL.4.3Describe in depth a character, setting, or event, drawing on specific details in the text.
- 4RL.4.4Determine the meaning of words and phrases as used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology.
- 5RL.4.5Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose; refer to structural elements when writing or speaking about a text.
- 6RL.4.6Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including first- and third-person.
- 7RL.4.7Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text.
- 9RL.4.9Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures.
- 10RL.4.10By end of the year, read and comprehend literature in the grades 4-5 text complexity band proficiently.
Reading: Informational Text
- 1RI.4.1Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences.
- 2RI.4.2Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.
- 3RI.4.3Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text.
- 4RI.4.4Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text.
- 5RI.4.5Describe the overall structure of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text.
- 6RI.4.6Compare and contrast a firsthand and secondhand account of the same event or topic.
- 7RI.4.7Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively and explain how it contributes to understanding.
- 8RI.4.8Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.
- 9RI.4.9Integrate information from two texts on the same topic to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
- 10RI.4.10By end of year, read and comprehend informational texts in the grades 4-5 text complexity band proficiently.
Reading: Foundational Skills
- 3RF.4.3Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
- 3aRF.4.3aUse combined knowledge of letter-sound correspondences, syllabication patterns, and morphology to read accurately unfamiliar multisyllabic words.
- 4RF.4.4Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
Language
- 4L.4.4Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content.
- 4aL.4.4aUse context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
- 4bL.4.4bUse common Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word.
- 4cL.4.4cConsult reference materials to find the pronunciation and determine or clarify the precise meaning of key words.
- 5L.4.5Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- 5aL.4.5aExplain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors in context.
- 5bL.4.5bRecognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
- 5cL.4.5cDemonstrate understanding of words by relating them to their opposites and to words with similar but not identical meanings.
- 6L.4.6Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases.
- 1L.4.1Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking
- 2L.4.2Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling
- 3L.4.3Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening