STAAR Review-Poetry, The Rescue by Laura Sassi

What is the most likely reason the poet includes lines 9 through 14 in the poem The Rescue?

• A. To show that the mother squirrel looks like her babies

• B. To describe why the mother squirrel often changes her mind

• C. To show that the mother squirrel likes to run

• D. To emphasize that the mother squirrel values all of her babies

Read lines 6 and 7. What is the most likely reason the poet includes this imagery?

Line 6: She holds a furry ball with paws--

Line 7: A baby squirrel just half her size

• A. To show that the baby squirrel will grow to look like its mother

• B. To suggest that the baby squirrel is sick

• C. To suggest that the baby squirrel is small and helpess

• D. To show that the baby squirrel likes to play games

What is the most likely reason the poet includes lines 15 and 16?

• A. To show that the baby squirrels are safe at last

• B. To show that the baby squirrels need a larger home

• C. To show that the baby squirrels are tired of climbing

• D. To show that the baby squirrels like one another

How does the windy setting contribute to the poem?

• A. The windy setting causes the mother squirrel to become afraid of storms.

• B. The windy setting makes a squirrel family leave the woods.

• C. The windy setting adds a feeling of mystery to the plot.

• D. The windy setting causes a problem the mother squirrel must solve.

Which line from the poem best shows the mother squirrel is kind?

• A. (Line 2) A gust of wind blew down her nest.

• B. (Line 3) With pulsing tail and twitching nose.

• C. (Line 7) A baby squirrel just half her size

• D. (Line 11) She gently tucks her baby in.