STAAR 8 Reading 2014 Released Pt. 1

STAAR 8 Reading 2014 Released

Part 1

"Wetlands and Wteheads"

"Finally Home"

"Thumbprint"

Author's purpose

Why does the author begin this selection by explaining what wetlands are?

Poll

Why does the author begin this selection by explaining what wetlands are?

• To describe the various aspects of a wetland area near a high school

• To offer reasons that readers should be committed to wetland conservation

• To give important background information about wetlands

• To encourage readers to become involved in wetland conservation

Multiple Choice

Why does the author begin this selection by explaining what wetlands are?

• To describe the various aspects of a wetland area near a high school

• To offer reasons that readers should be committed to wetland conservation

• To give important background information about wetlands

• To encourage readers to become involved in wetland conservation

What is paragraph 2 mostly about?

Poll

What is paragraph 2 mostly about?

• How the Tantramar Wetlands were created

• Why preserving freshwater wetlands is important

• Why a nonprofit group works to conserve wetlands

• How the Tantramar Wetlands Centre was constructed

What is paragraph 2 mostly about?

Multiple Choice

What is paragraph 2 mostly about?

• How the Tantramar Wetlands were created

• Why preserving freshwater wetlands is important

• Why a nonprofit group works to conserve wetlands

• How the Tantramar Wetlands Centre was constructed

What do the words came to fruition mean in paragraph 2?

Poll

What do the words came to fruition mean in paragraph 2?

• Became a reality

• Grew in importance

• Influenced others

• Drew attention

Multiple Choice

What do the words came to fruition mean in paragraph 2?

• Became a reality

• Grew in importance

• Influenced others

• Drew attention

Poll

What is the most likely reason the author wrote this selection?

• To inform readers about the importance of wetlands

• To advocate for more programs designed to preserve wetlands

• To encourage young people to learn more about wetlands

• To highlight a group of volunteers who help maintain wetlands

Multiple Choice

What is the most likely reason the author wrote this selection?

• To inform readers about the importance of wetlands

• To advocate for more programs designed to preserve wetlands

• To encourage young people to learn more about wetlands

• To highlight a group of volunteers who help maintain wetlands

Poll

How does the author support the idea that Wetheads enjoy volunteering at the Tantramar Wetlands Centre?

• By describing the type of work students do at the center

• By including a quote from a student who works at the center

• By explaining the importance of the students' work at the center

• By mentioning an award that the students won for their work at the center

How does the author support the idea that Wetheads enjoy volunteering?

• describing the type of work

• including a quote from a student

• explaining the importance of work

• mentioning an award

Multiple Choice

How does the author support the idea that Wetheads enjoy volunteering at the Tantramar Wetlands Centre?

• By describing the type of work students do at the center

• By including a quote from a student who works at the center

• By explaining the importance of the students' work at the center

• By mentioning an award that the students won for their work at the center

Poll

Which of these is the best summary of the selection?

• Al Smith, a retired biologist, was concerned about the loss of freshwater wetlands. In 1997 he had the idea to turn an area of abandoned farmland into a man-made wetland. With the help of a nonprofit organization, he founded the Tantramar Wetlands Centre. High school students called Wetheads volunteer at the center and teach others about the importance of wetlands.

• The Tantramar Wetlands Centre was founded in 1997 and now educates more than 4,000 visitors each year. Wetheads, high school students who volunteer at the center, have received national and international awards for their work. These students are not paid for the time they spend at the center, but they gain valuable knowledge and experience through the work they do.

• In 1997 retired biologist Al Smith had the idea to create a man-made wetland and helped found the Tantramar Wetlands Centre. Today high school students who volunteer at the center help with research and lead educational programs for thousands of visitors. These students, who are known as Wetheads, have received recognition for their efforts to teach others why wetlands need to be preserved.

• Retired biologist Al Smoth had the idea to create a man-made wetland when he noticed a piece of abandoned property near a high school. He worked with a nonprofit organization to turn 35 acres of unused farmland into a marsh. The Tantramar Wetlands Centre now welcomes more than 4,500 students each year to its educational programs. High school students who volunteer there are known as Wetheads.

Multiple Choice

Which of these is the best summary of the selection?

• Al Smith, a retired biologist, was concerned about the loss of freshwater wetlands. In 1997 he had the idea to turn an area of abandoned farmland into a man-made wetland. With the help of a nonprofit organization, he founded the Tantramar Wetlands Centre. High school students called Wetheads volunteer at the center and teach others about the importance of wetlands.

• The Tantramar Wetlands Centre was founded in 1997 and now educates more than 4,000 visitors each year. Wetheads, high school students who volunteer at the center, have received national and international awards for their work. These students are not paid for the time they spend at the center, but they gain valuable knowledge and experience through the work they do.

• In 1997 retired biologist Al Smith had the idea to create a man-made wetland and helped found the Tantramar Wetlands Centre. Today high school students who volunteer at the center help with research and lead educational programs for thousands of visitors. These students, who are known as Wetheads, have received recognition for their efforts to teach others why wetlands need to be preserved.

• Retired biologist Al Smoth had the idea to create a man-made wetland when he noticed a piece of abandoned property near a high school. He worked with a nonprofit organization to turn 35 acres of unused farmland into a marsh. The Tantramar Wetlands Centre now welcomes more than 4,500 students each year to its educational programs. High school students who volunteer there are known as Wetheads.

Poll

The author emphasizes the idea that wetlands -

• are an important source of freshwater

• should be studied in high school

• require maintenance by nonprofit organizations

• will disappear if people don't work to preserve them

Multiple Choice

The author emphasizes the idea that wetlands -

• are an important source of freshwater

• should be studied in high school

• require maintenance by nonprofit organizations

• will disappear if people don't work to preserve them

Poll

Which sentence shows that the author believes that the Wetheads are doing exceptional work at the Tantrmar Wetlands Centre?

• Every year more than 100 high school volunteers, known as Wetheads, learn about the value of wetlands.

• They learn how to paddle canoes, give oral presentations, and identify the plants, birds, and mammals that make the wetlands their habitat.

• Through their enthusiasm and dedication, these high school students have done more to change how people think about the wetlands than any other youth group in Canada.

• Wetheads are also trained how to place bands on the legs of birds.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence shows that the author believes that the Wetheads are doing exceptional work at the Tantrmar Wetlands Centre?

• Every year more than 100 high school volunteers, known as Wetheads, learn about the value of wetlands.

• They learn how to paddle canoes, give oral presentations, and identify the plants, birds, and mammals that make the wetlands their habitat.

• Through their enthusiasm and dedication, these high school students have done more to change how people think about the wetlands than any other youth group in Canada.

• Wetheads are also trained how to place bands on the legs of birds.

In paragraph 16, the word nonchalantly means -

Poll

In paragraph 16, the word nonchalantly means -

• happily

• slightly

• casually

• thoughtfully

Multiple Choice

In paragraph 16, the word nonchalantly means -

• happily

• slightly

• casually

• thoughtfully

Poll

Cassie's thoughts in paragraph 14 show that she -

• want to take a risk to meet new friends

• is trying too hard to impress the others

• has a false sense of pride

• is reluctant to let people get to know her

Cassie's thoughts in paragraph 14 show that she -

Multiple Choice

Cassie's thoughts in paragraph 14 show that she -

• want to take a risk to meet new friends

• is trying too hard to impress the others

• has a false sense of pride

• is reluctant to let people get to know her

Poll

The story reaches its climax when -

• Cassie hears the sound of an electric guitar

• Matt asks whether Cassie plays drums

• Matt recognizes Cassie as a girl from his class

• Cassie sits against the wall and listens to the band

Multiple Choice

The story reaches its climax when -

• Cassie hears the sound of an electric guitar

• Matt asks whether Cassie plays drums

• Matt recognizes Cassie as a girl from his class

• Cassie sits against the wall and listens to the band

Poll

Which sentence from the story provides the best evidence that Cassie feels insecure?

• Overwhelmed with curiosity, I followed the sound down a narrow cobblestone walkway.

• I slid my hands into my pockets and attempted to smile confidently.

• A green wooden door was slightly ajar, and I peeked inside.

• I glanced at Janis, who was quietly studying me.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence from the story provides the best evidence that Cassie feels insecure?

• Overwhelmed with curiosity, I followed the sound down a narrow cobblestone walkway.

• I slid my hands into my pockets and attempted to smile confidently.

• A green wooden door was slightly ajar, and I peeked inside.

• I glanced at Janis, who was quietly studying me.

Poll

The repetition of the words "my" and "my own" emphasizes the speaker's desire to -

• Show appreciation for something that is personal and unique

• express opinions that challenge accepted wisdom

• argue that people share some similar characteristics

• make a distinction between scientific facts and personal beliefs

Multiple Choice

The repetition of the words "my" and "my own" emphasizes the speaker's desire to -

• Show appreciation for something that is personal and unique

• express opinions that challenge accepted wisdom

• argue that people share some similar characteristics

• make a distinction between scientific facts and personal beliefs

Poll

The poet chose an irregular and unpredictable rhyme scheme most likely to -

• highlight the speaker's actions

• provide a sense of playfulness

• emphasize the poem's message

• suggest that the speaker is confused

Multiple Choice

The poet chose an irregular and unpredictable rhyme scheme most likely to -

• highlight the speaker's actions

• provide a sense of playfulness

• emphasize the poem's message

• suggest that the speaker is confused

What does line 6 suggest about the "whorls," "whirls," and "wheels" on the pad of the speaker's thumb?

Poll

What does line 6 suggest about the "whorls," "whirls," and "wheels" on the pad of the speaker' thumb?

• They are evidence of her intelligence and emotional depth.

• They represent more than physical identity.

• They reveal her genetic characteristics.

• They symbolize a link to the past.

What does line 6 suggest about the "whorls," "whirls," and "wheels" on the pad of the speaker's thumb?

Multiple Choice

What does line 6 suggest about the "whorls," "whirls," and "wheels" on the pad of the speaker' thumb?

• They are evidence of her intelligence and emotional depth.

• They represent more than physical identity.

• They reveal her genetic characteristics.

• They symbolize a link to the past.

Poll

The last two lines of the poem suggest that the thumbprint referred to in the title is a symbol for -

• a person's individuality

• an important clue to life's timeless mysteries

• a prediction about the future

• an anticipation of change

Multiple Choice

The last two lines of the poem suggest that the thumbprint referred to in the title is a symbol for -

• a person's individuality

• an important clue to life's timeless mysteries

• a prediction about the future

• an anticipation of change

Poll

Read these lines from the poem.

What a treasure to own!

My own flesh, my own feelings.

Which sentence from the story relates a similar idea?

• Janis had seemed so confident, but she was just as self-conscience as me.

• This was because I had never been part of any particular group.

• Behind my drum set was the one place I felt completely like myself.

• It was the perfect place to practice my drumming without anyone bothering me or judging me.

Multiple Choice

Read these lines from the poem.

What a treasure to own!

My own flesh, my own feelings.

Which sentence from the story relates a similar idea?

• Janis had seemed so confident, but she was just as self-conscience as me.

• This was because I had never been part of any particular group.

• Behind my drum set was the one place I felt completely like myself.

• It was the perfect place to practice my drumming without anyone bothering me or judging me.

Poll

Unlike the speaker in "Thumbprint," Cassie in "Finally Home" expresses -

• pride in her physical appearance

• a desire for personal change

• a strong sense of self-worth

• a fear of being judged

Multiple Choice

Unlike the speaker in "Thumbprint," Cassie in "Finally Home" expresses -

• pride in her physical appearance

• a desire for personal change

• a strong sense of self-worth

• a fear of being judged

Poll

Cassie in "Finally Home" and the speaker in "Thumbprint" both -

• expect to achieve greatness

• recognize their own uniqueness

• want to be accepted by others

• feel disconnected from the world

Multiple Choice

Cassie in "Finally Home" and the speaker in "Thumbprint" both -

• expect to achieve greatness

• recognize their own uniqueness

• want to be accepted by others

• feel disconnected from the world

Poll

Which line from the poem best expresses Cassie's feelings at the end of the story?

• I am myself,

• my own sun and rain.

• My signature,

• Impress, implant,

Multiple Choice

Which line from the poem best expresses Cassie's feelings at the end of the story?

• I am myself,

• my own sun and rain.

• My signature,

• Impress, implant,

Poll

One difference between Cassie in the story and the speaker in the poem is that the speaker -

• is uncomfortable letting others know who she really is

• embraces the qualities that make her different from everyone else

• is aware of her feelings

• questions the importance of her contribution

Multiple Choice

One difference between Cassie in the story and the speaker in the poem is that the speaker -

• is uncomfortable letting others know who she really is

• embraces the qualities that make her different from everyone else

• is aware of her feelings

• questions the importance of her contribution