The Mystery of the Noisy Attic — 3rd Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheet
"The Mystery of the Noisy Attic" is a short fiction passage written for 3rd graders, followed by 5 comprehension questions that focus on sequencing. Two siblings investigate strange noises in their attic and discover the surprising cause. Print the passage and questions, or download the PDF with the answer key on the last page — it is free for home, classroom and homeschool use.
Make your worksheet
Free to print for home, classroom and homeschool use. The answer key prints on page 2.
The Mystery of the Noisy Attic
Grade 3 · Fiction · sequencing
Read the passage carefully. You may underline parts that help you answer.
Every night, Carlos and his sister Rosa heard scratching noises coming from the attic. Their parents said it was probably just the old house settling, but Carlos was not so sure. One evening, he decided to investigate with a flashlight.
Carlos climbed the ladder to the attic while Rosa waited nervously at the bottom. He shined his flashlight around the dusty room, looking behind boxes and old furniture. Suddenly, he heard the scratching sound again, coming from near the chimney.
Carlos crept closer and saw a small family of squirrels that had made a nest in an old box. He gently closed the attic door and told his parents. The next day, they called someone to help the squirrels move safely outside. The scratching noises finally stopped.
Answer the questions. Use details from the passage.
Answer Key
The Mystery of the Noisy Attic
Check a finished worksheet
Snap a photo of this completed worksheet. Our AI helper spots missed problems and suggests what to practice next. For best results, use the same worksheet shown above.
How to teach sequencing in fiction text
- 1
Read it once for enjoyment
Let your reader go through "The Mystery of the Noisy Attic" straight through without stopping. The first pass is about getting the story or the topic, not about the questions.
- 2
Read it again with a pencil
On the second read, underline names, numbers, dates and any sentence that answers a question. Marking the text is the habit that lifts comprehension scores.
- 3
Answer with evidence
For each question, ask “which sentence proves that?” Short answers should quote or paraphrase a line from the passage.
- 4
Check with the answer key
Compare answers together. For any miss, go back to the paragraph instead of just correcting the letter.
Common mistakes kids make
- Answering from memory instead of rereading — teach kids to point at the line that proves it.
- Picking the first choice that sounds familiar; familiar words often appear in the wrong answer too.
- Skipping the sequencing question because it needs more than one detail. Have them list two details first, then answer.
- Writing one word for a short-answer question. Ask for a full sentence that restates the question.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Read aloud together the first time if fluency is still developing.
- Cover the questions while reading so kids read the whole passage, not just for answers.
- Keep sessions to 15 minutes — one passage a day beats five on Sunday.
Grade alignment
This worksheet supports Common Core standard RL.3.1, typically taught in 3rd grade. Use it for practice, homework, review or a timed check of fluency.
Related worksheets
Seeds on the Move
3rd grade
Free printable 3rd grade reading comprehension worksheet: "Seeds on the Move". Seeds travel to new places in several clever ways, including wind, animals, and water. Includes 5 questions and an answer key.
Open worksheetThe Science Fair Project
3rd grade
Free printable 3rd grade reading comprehension worksheet: "The Science Fair Project". Maya overcomes a failed experiment to create a successful science fair project. Includes 5 questions and an answer key.
Open worksheetThe Statue of Liberty
3rd grade
Free printable 3rd grade reading comprehension worksheet: "The Statue of Liberty". The Statue of Liberty is a famous landmark that has welcomed people to the United States for over a century. Includes 5 questions and an answer key.
Open worksheetHow Volcanoes Form
3rd grade
Free printable 3rd grade reading comprehension worksheet: "How Volcanoes Form". Volcanoes form when melted rock beneath Earth's surface pushes up and erupts. Includes 5 questions and an answer key.
Open worksheetThe Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter
3rd grade
Free printable 3rd grade reading comprehension worksheet: "The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter". A girl helps her father light the lamp during a stormy night and saves a fishing boat. Includes 6 questions and an answer key.
Open worksheet3rd Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets
3rd grade
Free printable 3rd grade reading comprehension worksheets with fiction and nonfiction passages, inference questions, and answer keys.
Open worksheetReading Comprehension Worksheets
Grades 1-5
Printable reading comprehension worksheets with fiction and nonfiction passages for grades 1-5, including comprehension questions and answer keys.
Open worksheetFrequently asked questions
What reading level is "The Mystery of the Noisy Attic"?
It is written for 3rd grade readers, so it fits most kids in grade 3 and works as review for grade 4 or a challenge for grade 2.
Does this worksheet include an answer key?
Yes. Turn on the answer key option and the answers print on the page after the questions, with model answers for the short-answer items.
Is this reading worksheet free to print?
Yes, every passage on KGD Sheets is free to print and download as a PDF for home, classroom and homeschool use.
How many questions come with each passage?
This passage has 5 questions, mixing multiple choice with short written answers so kids practice both formats.
Can I use this passage for a reading test?
Yes. Print it without the answer key for testing, then print the key for grading. The questions follow the same style as state reading assessments.
What skill does this passage practice?
The questions center on sequencing, plus vocabulary in context and finding evidence in the text.