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The Promise Called an Oath

3rd grade nonfiction passage about oath of office: 162 words, six questions, an answer key and vocabulary.

3rd grade nonfiction oath of office 162 words

The Promise Called an Oath

When some people start an important job, they stand up and say a promise out loud. This promise is called an oath. Mayors, judges and other leaders often take one.

Why say it out loud? An oath is a way of showing that the person understands the job. The leader is saying, "I will do my work honestly and fairly, and I will follow the rules."

Many oaths are taken in front of other people. The leader may raise one hand, and family and neighbors may watch. That way, the whole community can hear the promise. People remember what was said, and they can expect the leader to keep it.

Oaths are not only for adults in big jobs. Some clubs and schools also have a pledge that members say together. A scout might promise to help others. A student council might promise to listen.

A promise matters most when someone keeps it. When a leader does, people trust that leader more.

Questions

  1. What is an oath? in the text

  2. Which leaders often take an oath? in the text

  3. What does the leader promise in an oath? in the text

  4. Why do many oaths happen in front of other people? think about it

  5. Who else might make a promise together, besides leaders? in the text

  6. What happens when a leader keeps a promise? in the text

Words to know

oath
a serious promise said out loud
honestly
in a way that tells the truth and does not cheat
fairly
in a way that treats everyone the same
pledge
a promise made by a group or person
trust
to believe that someone will do the right thing
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One passage, three levels

The same topic and facts written three ways, so a mixed class can read and talk about one text. Each group’s sheet shows only a shape; the key says which is which.

● Easier · 130 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 3.4

Some people start an important job by saying a promise out loud. This promise is called an oath. Mayors, judges and other leaders often take one.

Why say it out loud? An oath shows that the person knows the job. The leader says, "I will work honestly and fairly. I will follow the rules."

Many oaths happen in front of other people. The leader may raise one hand. Family and neighbors may watch. The whole community can hear the promise. People can expect the leader to keep it.

Oaths are not just for big jobs. Some clubs and schools have a pledge. A scout might promise to help others. A student council might promise to listen.

A promise matters most when someone keeps it. Then people trust that leader more.

▲ This passage · 162 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 4.5

When some people start an important job, they stand up and say a promise out loud. This promise is called an oath. Mayors, judges and other leaders often take one.

Why say it out loud? An oath is a way of showing that the person understands the job. The leader is saying, "I will do my work honestly and fairly, and I will follow the rules."

Many oaths are taken in front of other people. The leader may raise one hand, and family and neighbors may watch. That way, the whole community can hear the promise. People remember what was said, and they can expect the leader to keep it.

Oaths are not only for adults in big jobs. Some clubs and schools also have a pledge that members say together. A scout might promise to help others. A student council might promise to listen.

A promise matters most when someone keeps it. When a leader does, people trust that leader more.

■ Harder · 172 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 6.6

When certain people begin an important job, they stand and speak a solemn promise aloud. This promise is called an oath, and mayors, judges and other public leaders often take one.

Why is it spoken out loud? An oath is a way of showing that the person understands the responsibilities of the job. In effect, the leader declares, "I will do my work honestly and fairly, and I will follow the rules."

Many oaths are taken in front of an audience. The leader may raise one hand while family members and neighbors look on. That way, the entire community can hear the promise, remember what was said, and expect the leader to keep it.

Oaths are not reserved for adults in large jobs. Some clubs and schools also have a pledge that the members recite together. A scout might promise to help others, and a student council might promise to listen carefully.

A promise matters most when someone keeps it. When a leader does, people have more reason to trust that leader.

Download as one PDF

How to use it

  1. Press Read it big (or B) to put the text on the projector, or Full screen (F) to fill the whole screen.
  2. Ask the questions one at a time and use Show answer when the class has decided. A shows or hides every answer.
  3. Print student copy for the class, or Print with answers for yourself.

Ideas for class

  • Before reading, put oath, honestly, fairly, pledge and trust on the board with their meanings from the Words to know section and have students predict what the text will be about.
  • Read it aloud once while students follow along, then have them reread it alone or with a partner. At a calm 100 words a minute it takes about 2 minutes to read aloud.
  • Use the Read it big button (or B) to put the text on the projector, and Show answer on one question at a time so the class commits to an answer first.
  • Question 4 asks the reader to infer. Ask students to point to the words in the passage that led them to their answer.
  • Ask students to write one question the passage did not answer, then look for the answer in a book or on a classroom screen.
  • Print the student copy for independent work and keep the answer-key copy for yourself.

Related

Questions

What reading level is "The Promise Called an Oath"?

It was written for 3rd grade. It has 162 words and works out to a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of about 4.5. That is a formula's estimate from sentence length and syllables, and it is not a Lexile or a guided reading level, so check it against your students.

What do the questions ask?

There are six. 5 ask for something the text says directly and 1 ask the reader to work something out from clues. Each has an answer in the key, and the answers are written as a teacher would accept them, not as the only possible wording.

How long does it take to read?

About 2 minutes read aloud at 100 words a minute. For a one-minute fluency check, paste it into the fluency timer and use the word count.

Can I print it?

Yes. Print student copy gives the passage, the questions with lines to write on, and the word meanings. Print with answers gives the same page with the answers filled in. Both are made in your browser.

Is this passage from a published book?

No. It was written for Peabody Teach, so there is no book to buy and no login to read it.

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