Paired Passages & Author’s Craft
Mini-Passage:
Rosa watched the bees hover over the flowers. She kept her distance, remembering the sting she received last summer.
Which sentence best describes the author’s purpose in this passage?
A. To explain why bees are dangerous
B. To show Rosa’s cautious behavior
C. To persuade readers to save bees
D. To inform readers about bee habitats
B. To show Rosa’s cautious behavior
A text that explains why something happened uses—
A. Description
B. Chronological
C. Cause & Effect
D. Problem–Solution
C. Cause & Effect
A conclusion supported by details from the text is called—
A. A topic sentence
B. An inference
C. A prediction
D. A summary
B. An inference
“Fatigue” most likely means—
A. Strength
B. Tiredness
C. Fear
D. Excitement
B. Tiredness
Passage: “The School Garden Project” (Draft)
(1) Our science class started a garden behind the school last fall.
(2) At first, many students were unsure about the project.
(3) The weather had been extremely cold, and several students thought nothing would grow.
(4) However, our teacher explained that preparing the soil during colder months would help the plants later.
(5) We dig holes, planted seeds, and watered the ground carefully.
(6) By early spring, green sprouts appeared.
(7) Students began taking turns measuring plant growth and recording their observations.
(8) The school garden has teached us valuable lessons about patience and teamwork.
Question: Which revision to sentence 5 improves the clarity of the ideas?
Sentence 5: We dig holes, planted seeds, and watered the ground carefully.
A. We dig holes before planting seeds and watering the ground carefully.
B. We dug holes, planted seeds, and watered the ground carefully.
C. We dig holes and we planted seeds as we watered the ground carefully.
D. We are digging holes then planting seeds and we watered the ground carefully.
Correct Answer: B
Paired Excerpt A:
The wind pushed against the trees, making the branches rattle like bones.
Paired Excerpt B:
The night was quiet, except for the slow creaking of the old barn door.
Question:
How do both excerpts create a similar mood?
A. By describing peaceful settings
B. By using sound imagery that builds suspense
C. By showing characters reacting to danger
D. By explaining why nighttime can be unsafe
B. By using sound imagery that builds suspense
Students often throw away half-eaten lunches. This waste can be reduced by encouraging students to take only what they will eat.
What is the author doing?
A. Comparing two ideas
B. Presenting a cause and solution
C. Creating suspense
D. Providing step-by-step instructions
B. Presenting a cause and solution
Kai shut the window quickly as the thunder cracked overhead. He grabbed his flashlight just in case.
What can the reader infer?
A. Kai is afraid of insects
B. Kai expects the power might go out
C. Kai dislikes storms
D. Kai needs more light to read
B. Kai expects the power might go out
The desert was an inhospitable place, offering little shade or water.
Meaning?
A. Busy
B. Friendly
C. Unwelcoming
D. Secre
C. Unwelcoming
Which revision to sentence 2 adds the most effective specific detail?
Sentence 2: At first, many students were unsure about the project.
A. At first, many students were unsure about the project because lots of people didn’t know what would happen.
B. At first, many students were unsure about the garden project and didn’t think it mattered.
C. At first, many students were unsure about the project because they had never planted anything before.
D. At first, many students were unsure about the project, which was about plants and soil.
C. At first, many students were unsure about the project because they had never planted anything before.
Many students avoid public speaking because they fear embarrassment. However, practicing regularly can make speaking easier.
What organizational structure is used?
A. Problem–Solution
B. Compare–Contrast
C. Chronological Order
D. Description
A. Problem–Solution
Which text structure would best organize a passage explaining how a volcano erupts?
A. Cause and Effect
B. Description
C. Chronological
D. Compare and Contrast
C. Chronological
Which detail would best support an inference that a character is dishonest?
A. “He walked slowly to the door.”
B. “He avoided eye contact when answering.”
C. “He laughed loudly at the joke.”
D. “He wrote neatly on his paper.”
B. “He avoided eye contact when answering.”
The coach beckoned the players to come over.
The word “beckoned” suggests—
A. Shouted at
B. Called or signaled
C. Ignored
D. Ran toward
B. Called or signaled
What is the most effective way to combine sentences 6 and 7?
Sent. 6: By early spring, green sprouts appeared.
Sent. 7: Students began taking turns measuring plant growth and recording their observations.
A. By early spring, green sprouts appeared, and students began taking turns measuring plant growth and recording observations.
B. By early spring, green sprouts appeared students began taking turns measuring plant growth and recording their observations.
C. Students began taking turns measuring plant growth and recording their observations by early spring when green sprouts appeared.
D. Green sprouts appeared by early spring because students began taking turns measuring plant growth.
A. By early spring, green sprouts appeared, and students began taking turns measuring plant growth and recording observations.
Short Passage:
Some scientists argue that studying fear helps us understand how humans survived dangerous environments. Others believe fear studies should focus on emotional well-being instead. Despite these differences, both groups agree that fear is an important human response.
Which statement best summarizes the author’s viewpoint?
A. Fear always protects humans.
B. Fear is an important topic studied for different reasons.
C. Scientists cannot agree on anything about fear.
D. Fear research is unnecessary.
B. Fear is an important topic studied for different reasons.
Wildfires destroy acres of forest each year. As the temperature rises globally, the number of wildfires continues to increase.
Which structure is used?
A. Compare–Contrast
B. Description
C. Cause & Effect
D. Problem–Solution
C. Cause & Effect
Before the test, Ms. Lee reminded everyone to breathe deeply and trust their preparation. Several students finally began to relax.
Which inference is best supported?
A. The students didn’t study.
B. The students were nervous.
C. Ms. Lee was upset.
D. The test was canceled.
B. The students were nervous.
Which phrase BEST defines “significant” as used in the sentence?
The discovery was a significant moment in the experiment.
A. Unimportant
B. Confusing
C. Meaningful
D. Accidental
C. Meaningful
Which transition BEST connects sentence 3 to sentence 4?
3) The weather had been extremely cold, and several students thought nothing would grow.
(4) However, our teacher explained that preparing the soil during colder months would help the plants later.
B. However,
Paired Passages Summary:
Passage 1 explains how drought affects plant survival using scientific evidence.
Passage 2 uses a first-person narrator explaining how a drought changed their family farm.
Question:
How does Passage 2 enhance the understanding provided in Passage 1?
A. It repeats the same scientific information.
B. It provides emotional context that shows the real impact of drought.
C. It disproves the scientific data.
D. It analyzes the causes of drought in more detail.
B. It provides emotional context that shows the real impact of drought.
An author describes a problem in the school cafeteria and then offers three possible solutions. Which TEKS skill does this best support?
A. 6.5G – Summarizing
B. 6.8Di – Analyze how text structure contributes to meaning
C. 6.9A – Author’s Purpose
D. 6.5E – Making inferences
B. 6.8Di – Analyze how text structure contributes to meaning
Which pair of evidence best supports the inference that a character is motivated by loyalty?
A. “He thought the plan sounded risky.” and “He packed his bags slowly.”
B. “He refused to abandon his friend.” and “He stood beside him even when others left.”
C. “He enjoyed working alone.” and “He didn’t trust anyone else.”
D. “He forgot the directions.” and “He apologized for being late.”
B. “He refused to abandon his friend.” and “He stood beside him even when others left.”
The scientist proposed a tentative hypothesis, knowing more tests were needed.
“Tentative” means—
A. Certain
B. Temporary / not final
C. Incorrect
D. Dangerous
B. Temporary / not final
Read sentence 8 from the draft.
Sentence 8: The school garden has teached us valuable lessons about patience and teamwork.
Which revision corrects the error in the sentence?
A. The school garden teached us valuable lessons
B. The school garden has taught us valuable lessons
C. The school garden have taught us valuable lessons
D. The school garden is teaching us valuable lessons last year
B. The school garden has taught us valuable lessons