A Christmas Without Presents
December 25
Dear Diary,
This morning was definitely not what I expected. When I raced downstairs, the space under our tree was completely empty. A giant winter blizzard hit our town last night, so the delivery truck carrying all our holiday packages got stuck two towns away. At first, I felt a little sting of disappointment, and my little brother, Sam, looked ready to cry. Mom gave us big hugs and said it was totally okay to feel bummed out.
After eating a huge stack of blueberry pancakes, Dad clapped his hands and announced that today was going to be an "Adventure Day." We decided to see how much fun we could have using only what we already had in the house.
First, we raided the recycling bin and found cardboard boxes, paper towel rolls, and old magazines. Sam and I built a miniature bowling alley in the hallway using empty plastic bottles and a tennis ball. We kept score on a paper plate, and Mom won by knocking down nine pins with a crazy backwards roll!
- blizzard:
- A severe winter snowstorm with strong winds and heavy snow.
- disappointment:
- A feeling of sadness because something did not happen the way you hoped.
- miniature:
- Much smaller than the normal size of something.
- recycling:
- The process of collecting used materials to reuse them or make new things.
- coupons:
- Small cards or pieces of paper that give a special offer, service, or reward.
- announced:
- told or shared something out loud to everyone in an exciting or clear way
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Point of View
Identify who presents the text and analyze how perspective shapes what the reader receives.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Language & Tone
Interpret nonliteral language and analyze how word choice shapes tone and meaning.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why were there no presents under the tree on Christmas morning?
- 2How did the narrator and Sam initially feel when seeing the empty space under the tree?
Where this passage belongs
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About this diary entry passage for 3rd Grade
“A Christmas Without Presents” is a diary entry reading passage about Family Holiday Celebration, written for 3rd Grade. It takes about 2 minutes to read (306 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.