STAAR 2020 Testing Strategies Practice

Dear Fellow Writer(Nonliterary)

100

Question 11: How does the author organize paragraphs 8 through 10?

by listing common practices used by writers

200

Question 12: the author uses questions in paragraph 4 to-

explain how false assumptions kept her from pursuing her interest in writing

300

Question 13: Which sentence from the letter best supports the author's claim that reading helps writers develop their skills?

We're curious to see what others are doing with words, but- what is more important - we like what happens to us when we open a book, how we journey into the pages

400

Question 14: In paragraph 1, the word intimidating means-

frightening

500

Question 21: Read lines 6 through 10 from the poem.

Fill my lines. Crowd me with words, all kinds of words- happy, joyous words, angry, jangled words, burdened words, sad words, 

Which sentences from the letter express the same idea as these lines from the poem?

Living hurts, so sometimes we write about a miserable date, a friend who betrayed us, the death of a parent. Some days, though, we’re so full of joy we feel like a kite.

What the Page Says(Poetry)

100

Question 15: Which lines from the poem reflect a lesson that the speaker learns? 

“Start with any scribble,/and soon the ideas will form.”

200

Question 17:In stanza 2, the poet’s use of a metaphor suggests that — 

words help writers generate ideas

300

Question 18: Read these lines from the poem. 

Here it is again, that ghostly blank page staring me down, glaring at me in defiance. “Here,” the page says, “place your words here.” 

These lines highlight the speaker’s discomfort because they show that — 

the page appears to be taunting the speaker

400

Question 19: Based on the last stanza, the reader can conclude that the speaker — 

has begun expressing ideas freely

500

Question 23: Read these excerpts from the letter and the poem. 

Writing is my way of knowing myself better, of hearing myself, of discovering what is important to me and what makes me sad, what makes me different, what makes me me—of discovering my own true name. — “Dear Fellow Writer,” paragraph 12 know how to find the key to unlock, inside me, that treasure chest chock full of brilliant words and thorny thoughts? — “What the Page Says,” lines 33–35 

Based on these excerpts, the reader can conclude that both the author and the poet share a similar belief that —

writing develops a person’s sense of self

Hard Rain(Drama)

100

Question 53: The stage directions and dialogue in paragraph 35 indicate that Erica — 

decides she should remain inside the cabin

200

Question 54: What does deviated mean in paragraph 13? 

Strayed

300

Question 56: Why does the playwright include the stage directions at the beginning of Scene 1? 

To show how the setting has caused a conflict for the characters

400

Question 57: The Latin word sidere, meaning “to sink,” helps the reader understand that subsides in paragraph 28 means to — 

lessen

500

Question 58: The playwright uses the stage directions at the beginning and end of Scene 2 to highlight that Reggie — 

is more concerned about Dad than he is telling Erica

Hard Rain/ Peace Corps(Drama/Informational)

100

Question 59 (Hard Rain): Reggie’s dialogue in paragraphs 5 through 11 suggests that he — 

is hopeful that he and Erica can enjoy their time at the cabin

200

Question 60 (Hard Rain): Erica’s dialogue in Scene 1 mainly relates the idea that she — 

feels frustrated about having to spend time at the cabin

300

Question 2 (Peace Corps): Because the Latin root tangere means “to touch,” the reader can tell that the word intangible in paragraph 7 refers to something that — 

does not consist of a physical substance

400

Question 4(Peace Corps): In paragraphs 1 and 2, the author presents the idea that — 

the Peace Corps is focused on building mutual respect between the United States and other countries

500

Question 5 (Peace Corps): The author of the selection includes paragraphs 8 and 9 most likely to — 

provide examples of how actual volunteers feel about the Peace Corps

Peace Corps(Informational)

100

Question 6: The author begins and ends the selection by bringing together the idea that — 

the Peace Corps is still a success 50 years after its founding

200

Question 7: Why does the advertisement begin with a question? 

To cause readers to evaluate their own suitability for the Peace Corps

300

Question 8: Paragraphs 3 and 4 are mainly about — 

the creation of the Peace Corps in the early 1960s

400

Question 9: Which statement best expresses an opinion found in the section “Service to Others”? 

Americans should ask what they can do for their country instead of asking what the country can do for them.