Sexton NEST STAAR Review WK 1

STAAR Vocabulary Question Review

By ANNICE LANAE SEXTON

Use Last Dance to answer the following question.
What does the word reminisce mean in paragraph 11 of the story “Last Dance”?

F To remember past events
G To have doubts
H To judge someone’s actions
J To resolve an issue

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​My mom sighed but agreed. I stared at the empty chair at the table and started to reminisce about times with Becca as I finished my meal. I thought about the days when our biggest problems involved Olivia the doll.

​Which phrase in paragraph 8 helps the reader understand the meaning of commonplace?

F increasing in popularity
G arrival of new technologies
H can set goals
J help themselves reach

​Walking for exercise is increasing in popularity with the arrival of new technologies too. Fitness trackers and step counters on smartphones and wristbands are becoming commonplace. People can set goals on these trackers to help themselves reach the numbers of steps they hope to walk each day. It is clear that people everywhere are embracing this great activity.

​A. Definition 1
B. Definition 2
C. Definition 3
D. Definition 4

​Which definition best matches the meaning of retired in paragraph 10?

1. conclude a working career 

2. remove from danger 

3. retreat from a position 

4. withdraw to bed 

A. Definition 1
B. Definition 2
C. Definition 3
D. Definition 4

​10 When the Civil War ended in 1865, the camels at Camp Verde became the property of the U.S. government. A year later, the 66 remaining camels were auctioned off. Edward Beale, who had been so taken with the camels, bought some of them. Beale’s camels retired to his California ranch, where they lived in comfort. Others were bought and used to carry supplies over land. When these camels were no longer needed, the owners turned the camels loose. Over the years, settlers and miners claimed to see wild camels roaming the American Southwest. 

​PART A: The word “politician” has a Greek root that means “affairs of the city.” Based on this information, what does the word politicians mean as it is used in paragraph 7?
A People who supervise transportation systems
B People in charge of buying and selling goods
C People who frequently debate
D People engaged in government

​Five years after the camels arrived in the United States, the Civil War divided the country. The Southern states decided to secede—or break away—from the Northern states and form the Confederate States of America. As Texas politicians argued whether their state should also secede, General Twiggs saw a way to finally rid his command of the camels. He suggested that he could save the U.S. government more than $500 each month by ending the Camel Corps.

​PART B: Which phrase from paragraph 7 best supports the answer to Part A?

A argued whether their state should also secede
B rid his command of the camels
C before he received an answer
D found themselves in charge of weapons, supplies