7th Grade Writing STAAR Review

(1) A gust of wind whooshes through the trees, and footsteps crunch across leaves on the ground. (2) These are just a few of the sounds filmgoers hear when watching a movie. (3) Most people assume all of the sounds they hear during movies were recorded during filming, but that isn’t always the case. (4) They are usually made after filming by special artists.

Which of the following should replace sentence 4 to effectively state the controlling idea of this paper?

• There are professionals known as Foley artists, and they got their name from Jack Foley, who was the first Foley artist.

• Many of the sound effects that movie audiences hear are made by Foley artists, film industry professionals whose work is done after the filming of a movie is complete.

• The sounds that you and I hear when we go to see a movie were not always made when the movie was being recorded.

• Professionals create the things that are in the background in movies, including galloping horses, pelting rain, and chirping crickets.

(5) The microphones used during the filming of a movie focus primarily on the actor’s voices. (6) Background noises and sound effects cannot be adequately recorded during filming. (7) These include such things as roaring cars, galloping horses, or the gentle tapping of pencils on desks.

What is the most effective way to combine sentences 6 and 7?

• Background noises and sound effects cannot be adequately recorded during filming these, including such things as roaring cars, galloping horses, or the gentle tapping of pencils on desks.

• Background noises and sound effects cannot be adequately recorded during filming when they include such things as roaring cars, galloping horses, or the gentle tapping of pencils on desks.

• Background noises and sound effects, such as roaring cars, galloping horses, or the gentle tapping of pencils on desks, cannot be adequately recorded during filming.

• Background noises and sound effects cannot be adequately recorded because such things as these roaring cars, galloping horses, or the gentle tapping of pencils on desks are included during filming.

(12) At that time sounds in movies consisted primarily of the music and the voices of the actors. (13) Foley believed that if viewers could hear other sounds, the on-screen story would feel more genuine. (14) He met with some film producers and proposed his ideas to them.

wants to add support for the idea she has presented in sentence 13.

Which sentence should replace sentence 13 to help accomplish this goal?

• Foley believed that if viewers, people who were watching the movie, could hear other sounds, the on-screen story, or the movie itself, the movie would feel more genuine and real.

• Foley believed that if viewers could hear other sounds, the on-screen story of the movie would feel more genuine and more real to them.

• Foley believed something and that is if viewers could hear other sounds, the story being told by the movie would feel more genuine.

• Foley believed that if viewers could hear other sounds, such as heels clicking, dresses rustling, or water sloshing, the story of the movie would feel more genuine.

(13) Foley believed that if viewers could hear

other sounds, the on-screen story would feel more genuine. (14) He met with some film producers and proposed his ideas to them. (15) Soon Foley was working to make films more realistic and by improving the background sounds with

moviemakers.

What is the most effective revision to make in sentence 15?

• Soon Foley was working to make films more realistic as he was improving the background sound with moviemakers.

• Soon Foley was working with moviemakers to make more realistic films by improving the background sounds.

• Soon Foley was working to improve the background sound with moviemakers and to make films more realistic.

• Soon Foley was working to make more realistic films by improving the moviemakers and background sounds.

(18) A Foley artist might have a person walk over cornstarch covered in cornflakes to create the sound of a person walking on crunchy snow. (19) Foley artists might smack empty coconut shells against a dirt pile to create the sound of a galloping horse. (20) Foley artists continually have to find creative ways to make sounds that match actions in a film.

What is the most effective transition to put at the beginning of sentence 19?

• Fortunately

• Finally

• As a result

• In addition

(24) Only a few hundred people have ever become Foley artists. (25) Foley artists must always be thinking of new ways to make noises that sound real on film. (26) They must carefully listen to the sounds around them and try to think about the materials that can best repeat those sounds.

Akina has not used the most effective word in sentence 26. Which change should she make to improve this sentence?

• Change carefully to slowly

• Change listen to to understand

• Change think about to study

• Change repeat to imitate

(24) Only a few hundred people have ever become Foley artists. (25) Foley artists must always be thinking of new ways to make noises that sound real on film. (26) They must carefully listen to the sounds around them and try to think about the materials that can best repeat those sounds. (27) They have to ask themselves questions like, “What will sound most like the rustle of that breeze? (28) What could I do to recreate the screech of a braking train? (29) How can I make a sound that is like the pitter patter of rain?” (30) The work is hard, but most Foley artists say it is quite enjoyable. (31) When watching movies, think about the sounds, and remember that a Foley artist most likely created them.

Akina would like to add the following sentence to the last paragraph (sentences 24–31).

Perhaps that is because of the creativity and

attention to detail that the job requires.

Where should this sentence be inserted?

• After sentence 24

• After sentence 25

• After sentence 28

• After sentence 29

(1) Goosebumps rose on Jayden’s skin in the cool morning breeze. (2) He couldn’t believe this day was finally here. (3) For several years Jayden’s family had attended the annual hot-air balloon launch. (4) Jayden had always enjoyed watching the balloons rise into the sky, but this year would be even more exciting than usual. (5) His parents had arranged a special gift in honor of his 13th birthday.

Nora would like to close the first paragraph (sentences 1–5) with a sentence that tells what the story is about. Which of the following should Nora add after sentence 5?

• For Jayden’s birthday they had wanted to do something special.

• The balloons would fly effortlessly across the sky.

• Today Jayden and his dad would be passengers on one of the balloons!

• It was time for a birthday celebration!

(9) Before long, the balloon was fully inflated. (10) Then a balloonist warned everyone to stand back. (11) He ignited the propane burner attached to the basket. (12) Huge flames shot out of the burner. (13) The flames heated the air inside the balloon. (14) Slowly, the balloon began to move into an upright position. (15) Soon only strong ropes held by the crew kept the balloon from taking off.

What is the most effective way to combine sentences 12 and 13?

• Huge flames shot out of the burner inside the balloon, which was heating the air.

• Huge flames shot out of the burner because the air inside the balloon was heated.

• Huge flames shot out of the burner, the flames heated the air inside the balloon.

• Huge flames shot out of the burner, heating the air inside the balloon.

(9) Before long, the balloon was fully inflated. (10) Then a balloonist warned everyone to stand back. (11) He ignited the propane burner attached to the basket. (12) Huge flames shot out of the burner. (13) The flames heated the air inside the balloon. (14) Slowly, the balloon began to move into an upright position. (15) Soon only strong ropes held by the crew kept the balloon from taking off.

(16) It was time. (17) With a grin, Jayden and his dad waved to the rest of the family and jumped in next to the balloonist and several other passengers. (18) As Jayden counted down, crew members released the ropes, and the hot-air balloon lifted off!

The transition from the third paragraph (sentences 9–15) to the fourth paragraph (sentences 16–18) is weak. Read both paragraphs again. Which sentence could BEST replace sentence 16 and improve the transition between these two paragraphs?

• Finally, it was time for the riders to climb inside the basket attached to the balloon.

• Even though it was time, the strong ropes kept the balloon from taking off

• When it was finally time, Jayden and his father smiled.

• The time had come, but Jayden began to feel a slight twinge of fear that he hadn’t expected.