Worksheet

Two Plans for Willow Creek

Read about two Willow Creek service plans, study a tax-funded services graph, and explain why communities use governments and taxes.

Grade 3Social StudiesInteractive · Printable

Aligned toCIV.3.1

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Single worksheet
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1 C3 Framework standard
Printable answer key
15 questions
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Details

Format: Interactive · Printable
Grade: Grade 3
Subject: Social Studies
Question types: Fill in the blank, Multiple choice, Circle the answer, Short answer

About this worksheet

What students practice

Students explain why communities use governments to provide shared public services.
Students explain how taxes help pay for public services.
Students compare community choices using costs, needs, and shared benefits.

How to use

Read the council report aloud or have students read it independently. Ask students to cite details from the report and graph before completing the final responses.

Curriculum

C3 Framework standard covered

CIV.3.1

Explain why communities have governments and how taxes pay for public services.

Preview

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Name Date

Two Plans for Willow Creek

Compare community choices and learn how taxes support public services.

Read the council report

Read about two possible public services in Willow Creek. Then answer the questions.

A Choice for Willow Creek

Willow Creek is a small town with homes, shops, a school, and a health clinic. People in the town use some services together. For example, streetlights help people see on public roads, and water workers test the town water. The town government organizes these services because one family could not provide them for everyone who needs them.

The town collects taxes from people and local businesses. The money goes into a public budget. The budget pays for services such as road repair, fire and rescue, water testing, and buses. Town leaders must decide how to use the money because the budget is limited.

This year, the town has $20,000 available for one new project. One plan would build a sidewalk from Willow Creek School to the health clinic for $18,000. The sidewalk would give students and patients a safer path. A second plan would build a covered shelter at the main bus stop for $12,000. The shelter would protect riders from rain and strong sun while they wait.

Mayor Elena Ortiz presented both plans at a public meeting. Residents shared reasons for each choice. Council members asked how many people would use each project and what care it would need later. The council will compare the information and vote. If a plan passes, town workers will complete the project. The mayor leads the meeting, but the council makes the decision by voting.

What is the main problem Willow Creek's government must solve?

A. It must choose which private business should sell bus tickets.
B. It must choose how to use limited money for a new public project.
C. It must decide which family should repair the town roads.
D. It must ask students to collect money for the health clinic.

Circle the TWO details that show why some services are shared by the community.

Streetlights help people see on public roads.A family chooses a lamp for its own bedroom.Water workers test the town water.A store sells umbrellas to its customers.

Why might the town government organize water testing instead of leaving each household to do it alone?

A. The service checks water used by many people in town.
B. The service lets each family choose a different mayor.
C. The service helps stores decide what products to sell.
D. The service gives one household control of the water.

Which choice correctly compares the mayor's job with the council's job in the report?

A. The mayor repairs the sidewalk, while the council tests the water.
B. The mayor collects every tax, while the council runs each store.
C. The mayor leads the meeting, while the council votes on the plan.
D. The mayor votes for residents, while the council builds the shelter.

Word bank: taxes · tickets · gifts · rents

Money collected from people and local businesses for the public budget is called .

According to the report, which project costs less?

A. The sidewalk to the health clinic
B. The covered shelter at the bus stop
C. The town water-testing service
D. The town's road-repair service

Use the budget and compare choices

Study the graph. Use the report and graph to answer the questions.

Which service receives $5,000 more than water testing in the graph?

A. Road repair
B. Fire and rescue
C. Buses
D. The sidewalk project

What does the graph show about tax money in Willow Creek?

A. Tax money supports several services used by the community.
B. Tax money is used mostly for buses.
C. Each family receives the same amount of tax money.
D. The town spends more on new projects than on services.

If the council chooses the sidewalk, which reason from the report best supports that choice?

A. It would use less money than the bus shelter.
B. It would give a safer path between two places many residents use.
C. It would let the mayor avoid holding a meeting.
D. It would allow town workers to stop caring for roads.

10.

Circle the TWO questions council members should ask before choosing a project.

How many people would use the project?Which color does the mayor like best?What care would the project need later?Which resident has the newest bicycle?

11.

The council approves the bus shelter. What would town workers most likely do next?

A. Choose a new council without an election
B. Collect every family's personal spending money
C. Build the shelter according to the approved plan
D. Decide that taxes are no longer needed

12.

Why can the town use tax money for either project but not both projects this year?

A. The town has $20,000 available, but both projects together cost more.
B. The bus shelter costs more than the sidewalk does.
C. The mayor decides how the town spends public money.
D. Residents are not allowed to discuss public projects.

13.

A student says, “Because people pay taxes, the town should buy everything people want.” Which reply best corrects the student's idea?

A. Taxes help pay for shared public services, not every personal purchase.
B. Taxes are used when a person wants a new toy.
C. Taxes allow the mayor to choose what families buy.
D. Taxes are saved until residents stop needing public services.

14.

Explain why Willow Creek has a government and how taxes help the town provide services. Use at least two details from the report or graph.

15.

Which project should the council choose this year: the sidewalk or the bus shelter? State your choice and give two reasons based on the cost, the people helped, or the care needed.