STAAR Practice: 4.8B & 4.8 C

Read the dialogue below and answer the question that follows.

"Did you get the poster for my project?" Daniel asked. "Yes," Mom replied. "What about the printer ink? I need to print the pictures to glue on my poster," said Daniel. Mom impatiently reminded him, "I know your project is due on Monday, but it is only Thursday. You have plenty of time this weekend to do it." "Mom, but what if the store is out of supplies?" he anxiously replied.

The conversation between Daniel and his mother suggests that Daniel is-

• excited about his project.

• patiently waiting for Mom to get the supplies.

• constantly interrupted when he asked a question.

• concerned about finishing his project on time.

Answer explanation

4.8B

Read the following excerpt from a drama and answer the question that follows.

Narrator: Two friends go to the park to play basketball.

Raul: When we get to the park, let's use the new court.

Aiden: Sounds cool!

Narrator: As the boys approach, they realize a group of boys that had bullied them in the past were already there. The boys begin to pick on Raul and Aiden and push them around.

Raul: We aren't afraid of you guys. Come on!

Aiden: Raul, it isn't worth it. Let's just play on the old court.

How does Aiden contribute to the plot of the play?

• He tries to avoid conflict by telling Raul they should go away.

• He asks Raul to think of a way out of the situation.

• He supports Raul's decision to confront the bullies.

• He tries to convince the boys they are good players.

Answer explanation

4.9C (4.8C)

Read the following excerpt from a drama and answer the question that follows.

Mia: I wonder what the surprise is that Mom and Dad are getting for me. I bet it's a brand-new baby doll. They said if I made good grades on my report card, I would get a new one.

Leah: Yeah, I bet that's it! Your mom was looking at them online.

Mia: I can't wait for Mom to get home.

Narrator: The door swings open and Mom, Dad, and another small figure enter.

Mom: Mia, I have a surprise for you.

Narrator: Mia realizes that it is her best friend that had moved, and she hadn't seen her in over a year.

Mia: [with tears in her eyes and a shriek in her voice]

Sammy, I am so excited you are here! This is better than any dolly, any day!

The playwright creates a surprise by-

• letting Sammy bring Mia a baby doll.

• bringing home a baby doll for Mia.

• allowing Mia to let Leah come over.

• revealing that Mom and Dad had brought Mia's good friend home for a visit.

Answer explanation

4.9C

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows.

Liz and Jay were riding bikes through the wooded bike trail. Her mother had warned her not to go. "That trail is dangerous, and if you get hurt, no one will hear you cry for help," her mother said. As she approached the deep gully, she began to pick up speed. Jay was right behind her. As she soared through the air, she could hear the rushing river below her. The honeysuckle blossoms filled the air with a sweet aroma. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a cry from Jay behind her. He had landed just short of the bank, and his arm was twisted in the spokes of the bicycle. Her mother's warning rang in her ears. She knew she shouldn't have been there.

Which of the following sentences helps the reader determine that Liz feels she has made a bad decision?

• Her mother had warned her not to go.

• As she soared through the air, she could hear the rushing river below her.

• Liz and Jay were riding bikes through the wooded bike trail.

• Her mother's warning rang in her ears.

Answer explanation

Character changes

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows:

Mrs. Martinez looked at Jasmin with a questioning look and a frown. Jasmin had told her lies in the past, and Mrs. Martinez wasn't sure if she could trust what she was saying this time. Sam overheard the discussion and came over. "Mrs. Martinez, I was in the library with Jasmin when it happened. I know she couldn't have been involved," said Sam. Mrs. Martinez looked relieved and gave Jasmin a smile and a hug.

When Mrs. Martinez first speaks to Jasmin, the reader can tell that Mrs. Martinez-

• believes what Jasmin is telling her.

• questions what Sam is saying.

• believes that Jasmin may be dishonest.

• is going to send Jasmin to the Principal's office.

Answer explanation

4.8B

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows.

Landon's mom warned he better come straight home from baseball practice today. Landon had been late several times, and his mother wasn't too happy about it. On his way home, Landon saw an elderly lady that had fallen and dropped her groceries. The older lady was shaken up and bruised. He knew he should get home, but he decided to help her. As he made his way up the sidewalk, Mom was standing with her arms crossed and a stern look on her face. Once Landon told his mom what happened, she hugged him and told him she was proud of his reaction.

The problem in the story is solved when Landon's mom-

• hears the story.

• helps the elderly woman.

• goes to baseball practice.

• crosses her arms and frowns.

Answer explanation

4.8C

What is the following paragraph mainly about?

"Dad, Jan is telling me what to do again," said Dan. "He needs to pick up!" exclaimed Jan. Dan had been through this many times before. They were twins, and Jan thought she was the boss because she was born 5 minutes before him. He was frustrated and ran to his room. He didn't like feeling this way, so she decided he would try to talk to Jan tomorrow.

• Dan aggravates Jan.

• Dad gets angry when Dan and Jan fight.

• Dan will talk to Jan tomorrow.

• How frustrated Dan is with Jan.

Answer explanation

4.8C