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Taking What You Need From a Source is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on gathering relevant information from sources, aligned to Common Core standard D3.1.3-5. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 22 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Taking What You Need From a Source

D3.1.3-5

NameDate

Look at the source, then answer the questions.

1.Look at the source, then answer the questions.

Newspaper Report: The Railway Opens

A report in the county newspaper, printed the week the railway opened in 1846. THE LINE IS OPEN The first train reached the county town in one hour. By road the same journey took most of a day. Farmers may now send milk to the town while it is fresh. The canal company has cut its charges in answer. Some say the noise and smoke will spoil the valley.

  1. 1. How long did the same journey take by road?
  2. 2. Why could farmers now send milk to the town?
  3. 3. How long did the first train take?
2.Look at the source, then answer the questions.

A Modern History of the Valley

An extract from a local history book written in 2015. This is a SECONDARY work: the author was not there and is using the records. THE COMING OF THE RAILWAY The railway of 1846 transformed the valley within a decade. Canal traffic fell away and wharf families lost their living. The workhouse registers show the cost in admissions after 1846. Yet the line also brought fresh milk to market and new work as porters. The author argues the valley gained more than it lost, though not for everyone.

  1. 1. What records does the author use?
  2. 2. What year did the railway open, according to this book?
  3. 3. What does the author say happened to canal traffic?

LessonPrint · D3.1.3-5 · Set 22 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Taking What You Need From a Source

Set 22. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. Most of a day. 2. Because the train took one hour, so the milk arrived fresh. 3. One hour.
  2. 2.1. The workhouse registers. 2. 1846. 3. It fell away and wharf families lost their living.

More practice for D3.1.3-5

Gather what you need from several sources, choosing each for a reason.

Teaching this next? Taking Only What the Question Needs is the 45-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.

All Grade 3 to Grade 5 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D3.1.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.