STAAR ELAR - from Millicent Man, Genius Girl

Read this sentence from paragraph 23.

Which characteristic of realistic fiction is most evident in this sentence?

• The setting is in a real or true-to-life location.

• The story occurs in a contemporary or near-present time period.

• The events raise questions that a reader could possibly face in everyday life.

• The narrative structure is presented with a definite beginning, middle, and end.

Emily’s willingness to talk to Millie affects the falling action because Millie —

• understands that she needs to be more physically active

• becomes certain that she and Emily will be best friends

• decides that making friends is more important than academic achievements

• realizes that a new friendship depends on a decision she must make

How are the events that occur at the volleyball game an example of irony?

• Getting the ball across the net should have been a success for Millie, but instead, it is a failure because she kicks it.

• Hearing people laugh at her should have made Millie upset, but instead, it makes her more determined to succeed.

• Avoiding eye contact should have caused Millie’s teammates to feel sorry for her, but instead, it causes them to blame her for the outcome of the game.

• Hearing silence in the gym should have made Millie worried, but instead, it allows Millie to momentarily believe she is a successful player.

Based on the interaction between Emily and Millie, what theme does the author develop?

• True friends may have different interests.

• Anger will ruin a friendship unless friends can forgive one another.

• People can become friends despite age differences.

• Friends offer support and understanding when it is needed.

The first-person point of view of this excerpt helps the reader understand how —

• Millie’s attitude affects her teammates

• Millie behaves in the classroom

• Millie’s thoughts are focused on wanting to fit in

• Millie is viewed by other characters

In paragraph 5, what is the most likely reason the author uses figurative language to describe the girl from the opposing team?

• To emphasize that Millie feels weak and helpless on the court

• To show that Millie is smaller than the other girls on the court

• To suggest that the girl has been planning to embarrass Millie since the game started

• To hint that the girl will make a mistake because she is being overconfident

Which sentence best hints that the volleyball game will not end well for Millie?

• If they are really so concerned about me, then they would get me out of volleyball and out of tutoring Stanford Wong. (paragraph 2)

• The game began auspiciously enough with the ball flying back and forth, unless, of course, it came anywhere in my vicinity. (paragraph 4)

• To everyone’s amazement, I sent the ball flying back to enemy territory. (paragraph 7)

• It landed at the feet of the server and then bounced away. (paragraph 7)

How does Millie’s behavior during the volleyball game influence the development of the plot?

• It convinces Millie’s mother that Millie should avoid playing sports.

• It leads the other players on the team to ignore Millie after the game.

• It inspires Emily to want to teach Millie how to be a better player.

• It causes Emily to notice Millie and recognize her discomfort.

What key idea does the author convey through the details in paragraph 23?

• Emily is suspicious of people who seem smarter than she is.

• Millie understands that she needs to participate more in physical education.

• Millie worries that her intelligence will cause people to dislike her.

• Emily is the first friend Millie has made who is the same age as she is.

  BE

Read this sentence from paragraph 23.

Which characteristic of realistic fiction is most evident in this sentence?

• The setting is in a real or true-to-life location.

• The story occurs in a contemporary or near-present time period.

• The events raise questions that a reader could possibly face in everyday life.

• The narrative structure is presented with a definite beginning, middle, and end.