Staar Reading Practice ('16) The Cholla Cactus/Cactus Wren

Use “The Cholla Cactus”(pp. 14–15)to answer questions 1-4.

What is the main idea of the section titled “A Prickly Feast”?

• People sometimes roast the buds of certain types of cholla cactus.

• The cholla cactus attracts bees because of its pollen.

• People and animals eat parts of the cholla cactus.

• The fruit of the cholla cactus is quite juicy.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

According to the article, rainwater is stored in the cholla cactus’s —

• Spines

• Roots

• Flowers

• Stems

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

The author included the information in paragraph 1 to help the reader —

• visualize a hot desert region

• learn about people who live in extreme conditions

• understand the kinds of plants that live in sandy soil

• identify the ways in which animals survive in the desert

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

What do the subheadings in the article help the reader understand?

• There are many different types of cholla.

• The author is knowledgeable about desert animals.

• The cholla can be used for different purposes.

• Many animals live in severe environments.

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.5

CCSS.RI.2.5

CCSS.RI.K.5

Use “Cactus Wren” (pp. 16–17) to answer questions 7-10.

Why does the cactus wren “like thorns in all directions”?

• They offer cool shade from the desert heat.

• They help keep intruders away.

• They are a source of food for the young hatchlings.

• They prevent the baby birds from moving around in the nest.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

In lines 1 through 13, the poet contrasts the wren’s behavior with that of other desert animals to show that the wren —

• feels comfortable in the heat of the desert

• worries about the needs of other animals

• makes noises that are more pleasant to listen to

• copies the actions of other animals

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.4.5

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

Look at the dictionary entry for the word entrance.

Which definition best fits the way entrance is used in line 25?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RI.6.4

The photograph below the title represents which part of the poem?

• Lines 1–7

• Lines 8–13

• Lines 14–22

• Lines 25–30

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.7

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RL.4.7

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RI.4.7

The poet uses the word “stickery” in line 21 to help readers understand —

• how animals are able to find an abandoned nest

• where the wren sits on the cactus to sing in the afternoons

• how much work the wren does to build a nest

• why most animals would not want to touch the cactus

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RI.4.4

This poem is written from the point of view of a —

• mouse

• baby bird

• mother bird

• cricket

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.4.5

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.4