STAAR Practice 2019

from The Winter Hibiscus by Minfong Ho

14 “Over there, in the corner, the hibiscus. Is that what you mean?” The florist pointed at a leafy potted plant by the corner.

15 There, in a shaft of the wan afternoon sunlight, was a single bloodred blossom.

16 “Saebba,” Saeng whispered.

• A. It stands out in its surroundings.

• B. It prefers to grow in the shade

• C. It is a color that is difficult to describe

• D. It is growing poorly in the greenhouse.

from The Winter Hibiscus by Minfong Ho

What does the point of view of this excerpt help the reader understand?

• F. The relationship between Saeng and the florist

• G. Saeng’s feelings during her experience

• H. The opinion of the florist

• J. The florist’s desire to help Saeng

from The Winter Hibiscus by Minfong Ho

13 It was like walking into another world. A hot, moist world exploding with greenery. Huge flat leaves, delicate wisps of tendrils, ferns and fronds and vines of all shades and shapes grew in seemingly random profusion.

What is the meaning of profusion as it is used in paragraph 13?

• A. Height

• B. Color

• C. Abundance

• D. Purpose

from The Winter Hibiscus by Minfong Ho

Which sentence suggests that Saeng’s main conflict in the excerpt will be resolved?

• F. The leaves on the shrub were of the same distinct serrated heart shape, but its flower looked—wrong, somehow. (paragraph 6)

• G. A slow smile deepened the wrinkles in her face. (paragraph 8)

• H. As she led the way there, the florist started talking again. (paragraph 10)

• J. Only half listening, Saeng wished that there were a polite way she could excuse herself and leave. (paragraph 11)

from The Winter Hibiscus by Minfong Ho

Why is the leaf Saeng carries important in the excerpt?

• It helps Saeng find a plant that causes her to have vivid memories of her childhood.

• It was given to Saeng by someone important to Saeng during her childhood.

• It leads Saeng to discover a new and beautiful plant.

• It is essential in teaching Saeng about her past.

from The Winter Hibiscus by Minfong Ho

How does the change in settings from the nursery to the greenhouse advance the plot?

• F. By forcing Saeng to develop a relationship with the elderly woman

• G. By causing Saeng to identify a problem and find a solution to it

• H. By teaching Saeng to compromise in difficult situations

• J. By allowing Saeng to make the discovery despite her doubts

from The Winter Hibiscus by Minfong Ho

What is the best summary of the excerpt?

• Saeng enters a flower shop carrying a leaf.

  The florist says that the leaf comes from a rose of Sharon and leads Saeng to it.

  But Saeng is looking for a plant with a darker flower, which helps the florist identify the plant at last.

• At a flower shop, Saeng holds a mysterious, jagged leaf.

  She wants to know what plant it comes from, so she asks the florist to help her.

  They look first in the nursery and then in the greenhouse before they find that the plant is a hibiscus.

• Saeng brings a leaf to a flower shop and asks the florist to identify its plant.

  After showing her a similar but incorrect plant, the florist leads her to a greenhouse.

  There Saeng finds the plant she seeks along with others that remind her of home

• While at a flower shop, Saeng asks a florist to find a certain plant.

  After studying the clue of a heart-shaped leaf, the florist realizes that it may be a tropical plant, so she leads Saeng to the greenhouse.

  There Saeng recognizes the hibiscus plant.

What genre is the story; from The Winter Hibiscus by Minfong Ho?

• Fiction

• Nonfiction

• Peotry

• Drama

What subgenre for Fiction is the story from The Winter Hibiscus by Minfong Ho?

• Fantasy

• Fairy Tale

• Myth

• Realistic Fiction