Inferencing
Author's Purpose
STAAR Revision and Editing
100

The scout leader looked at the sky and muttered something
under his breath. Then he looked at the map. "Let's get moving," he called to the group of tired boys. "The faster the better."

What do you think the scout leader was feeling?


The scout leader was feeling worried because he thought a storm was coming.


100

What does PIE (authors purpose) tell you?

Why the author wrote the story or passage.

100

(1) Benjamin Franklin was also known for an entertaining book he wrote when he was only 26 years old. (2) The book, Poor Richard’s Almanack, was a collection of information and advice. (3) It had weather predictions, a calandar, and recipes. (4) It also had common sayings, such as “Speak little, do much.” (5) There were many books like Franklin’s in the American colonies. (6) However, people believed his book was funnier and usefuller than other books. (7) It sold 10,000 copies per year from 1732 to 1758. (8) Even a french emperor wanted a copy of the book. 


What change should be made in sentence 3? 

F Change It to They 

G Change weather to whether 

H Delete the comma after predictions 

J Change calandar to calendar

J Change calandar to calender

200

Dad and Krystal were finishing up a project in the garage together. "Can we paint the roof red?" asked Krystal. "Sure," said Dad, "Then when the paint dries we can find a place to hang it in the back yard."

What do you think Dad and Krystal are making?

Why do you think so?


Dad and Krystal are making a birdhouse.


200

If an author is trying to convince you to do something, what is their purpose?

persuade

200

(1) Benjamin Franklin was also known for an entertaining book he wrote when he was only 26 years old. (2) The book, Poor Richard’s Almanack, was a collection of information and advice. (3) It had weather predictions, a calandar, and recipes. (4) It also had common sayings, such as “Speak little, do much.” (5) There were many books like Franklin’s in the American colonies. (6) However, people believed his book was funnier and usefuller than other books. (7) It sold 10,000 copies per year from 1732 to 1758. (8) Even a french emperor wanted a copy of the book. 


What change should be made in sentence 6? 

A Change However to Meanwhile 

B Change believed to believe 

C Change usefuller to more useful

D Change than to then

C Change usefuller to more useful

300

Cody knew he was in big trouble. He looked glumly at the math test on the desk in front of him. The door opened and Mr. Anders came into the office. "I've called your parents and they are on their way," he said.

Why is Cody in trouble? 

What makes you think so?


Cody is in trouble because he cheated on his math test.


300

EXAMPLE:

Freddy went to Six Flags on Saturday and rode all kinds of roller coasters. There were spinning roller coasters, upside down, and crazy coasters! He had so much fun!

Entertain


300

(1) Benjamin Franklin was also known for an entertaining book he wrote when he was only 26 years old. (2) The book, Poor Richard’s Almanack, was a collection of information and advice. (3) It had weather predictions, a calandar, and recipes. (4) It also had common sayings, such as “Speak little, do much.” (5) There were many books like Franklin’s in the American colonies. (6) However, people believed his book was funnier and usefuller than other books. (7) It sold 10,000 copies per year from 1732 to 1758. (8) Even a french emperor wanted a copy of the book. 


What change should be made in sentence 8? 

F Change Even to Evan 

G Change french to French 

H Change of to with 

J Change book to books

G Change french to French 

400

It was 8:30 on Thursday night. Emily stared at the large, empty poster board on her bed. Then she looked at the stack of books about Abraham Lincoln on her desk. Emily began to cry.

Why do you think Emily was crying?

What makes you think so?


Emily had not started a school project that was due the next day.


400

Example:

Mammals are one type of animal. Mammals have warm blood, fur or hair, and give birth to live young. Humans, monkeys, dogs, horses, and even hamsters are all mammals.

Inform

400

(1) Our class went on a field trip last week. (2) I did not think a field trip to an outdoor museum would be interesting, but I was wrong. (3) The Chester Sculpture garden is an amazing place to visit. (4) My classmates and I got to wander the grounds. (5) Over thirty sculptures that we could admire was displayed outdoors. (6) We viewed the sculptures and read about the artists. (7) Mr. Parsons asked us to sketch a picture of our favorite sculpture once we arrived back at school. (8) Drawing was enjoyable, but walking around the garden to study art was most fun. 


What is the correct way to write sentence 5? 

F Over thirty sculptures that we could admire being displayed outdoors. 

G Over thirty sculptures that we could admire had displayed outdoors. 

H Over thirty sculptures that we could admire were displayed outdoors.

J Over thirty sculptures that we could admire displaying outdoors.

H Over thirty sculptures that we could admire were displayed outdoors.

500

Ana and Sophie sat in their chairs staring straight ahead for nearly two hours. They did not talk or hardly even move, but they were not bored at all.

Where were Ana and Sophie? 

What makes you think so?

Ana and Sophie were at the movies.




500

Example:

Do you want to be an artist? Just take our awesome art class and you will be a famous artist in no time!

Persuade

500

(1) Our class went on a field trip last week. (2) I did not think a field trip to an outdoor museum would be interesting, but I was wrong. (3) The Chester Sculpture garden is an amazing place to visit. (4) My classmates and I got to wander the grounds. (5) Over thirty sculptures that we could admire was displayed outdoors. (6) We viewed the sculptures and read about the artists. (7) Mr. Parsons asked us to sketch a picture of our favorite sculpture once we arrived back at school. (8) Drawing was enjoyable, but walking around the garden to study art was most fun. 


What change should be made in sentence 8? 

A Change enjoyable to enjoyible 

B Change study to studying 

C Change art was to art were 

D Change most fun to more fun

D Change most fun to more fun