STAAR Reading Practice - 4/14/2023

Use "Do What You Can" to answer the following question.

Which sentence from the story "Do What You Can" supports the idea that the first raindrop inspires the other raindrops?

• "I feel very sorry for him" (paragraph 2)

• "I wilsh I might help him" (paragraph 2)

• "Yes," said the other, "but you are only a little raindrop." (paragraph 3)

• "Well, if you really insist upon going, I think I will go, too." (paragraph 6)

Answer explanation

This sentence from paragraph 6 supports the author’s idea that the first raindrop inspires the others, because it shows how a second raindrop follows the first raindrop’s lead in helping the farmer.

Use "Do What You Can to answer the following question.

What does the word wither mean in paragraph 1 of the story "Do What You Can"?

• Find warmth

• Grow fast

• Stay strong

• Become dry

Answer explanation

In paragraph 1, the word wither means the corn is drying up from lack of water.

Use "Do What You Can" to answer the following question.

In the story "Do What You Can," which key idea about the first raindrop do the details in paragraph 2 support?

• The first raindrop understands the farmer's problem

• The first raindrop wants to be the farmer's friend

• The first raindrop believes the farmer should plant a different crop.

• The first raindrop thinks that hard work has made the farmer ill.

Answer explanation

In “Do What You Can,” the details provided by the author in paragraph 2 reveal the first raindrop’s observations that, without rain, the farmer will have no crop. This supports the key idea that the first raindrop understands the farmer’s problem.

Use "How Six Sons Rescued Anansi" to answer the following question.

Based on the events throughout the story "How Six Sons Rescued Anansi," which sentence best describes how Anansi feels about his sons?

• He is bothered by their unusual behaviors.

• He is eager to teach them new skills.

• He is proud of their accomplishments.

• He is upset by their attitudes.

Answer explanation

Anansi feels proud of his sons’ accomplishments. In paragraph 1, Anansi names each of his sons for his “unique gift” and in paragraph 16 expresses his gratitude by stating, “Thank you, my talented sons.”

Use “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi” to answer the following question.

Look at this illustration from the story “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi.”

What is most likely the reason the author includes this illustration?

• To highlight that Anansi is about to escape from the bubble

• To show that Anansi is floating in the bubble

• To hint that Anansi is worried that the hungry fish may eat him

• To suggest that no one can see where Anansi has gone

Answer explanation

As See Far points out in paragraph 11, “Father and the bubble have drifted into that thundercloud.” This suggests that the bubble has flown high, which the illustration depicts.

9 Use “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi” to answer the following question.

What is the main message of the story “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi”?

• Everyone makes mistakes sometimes.

• Doing your best is more important than succeeding.

• More can be accomplished when working as a team than working alone.

• The world has many wonders that are waiting to be discovered.

Answer explanation

The main message of “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi” is that it is effective to work as a team. Anansi’s rescue supports this message because it involves a coordinated effort from his six sons, as described in paragraphs 4 through 15.

Use “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi” to answer the following question.

Which sentence from the story “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi” best helps the reader understand that Anansi’s problem is resolved?

• Seconds later a huge bubble floated out with Anansi screaming for help inside it! (paragraph 9)

• "I'll rescue him," proclaimed Stone Thrower. (paragraph 12)

• Anansi plunged from the sky back toward earth. (paragraph 12)

• Anansi landed with a gentle bounce on Puffy Pillow's soft, springy back. (paragraph 15)

Answer explanation

Puffy Pillow allowing Anansi to land on him in paragraph 15 is the last action the sons took, which solved the problem because it saved their father Anansi as he was falling from the sky.

Use “Do What You Can” and “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi” to answer the following question.

Which sentence best describes a SIMILARITY between the stories “Do What You Can” and “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi”?

• Both stories include a family who spends time together.

• Both stories include characters who are rewarded for their efforts.

• Both stories have characters who go on dangerous journeys.

• Both stories use humor to send a message.

Answer explanation

Both stories include characters rewarded for their efforts. In “Do What You Can,” in paragraph 1, the farmer works hard on his crop; in paragraphs 4 through 9, many raindrops join to cause a shower to fall on the farmer’s field, allowing the corn to grow. In “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi,” in paragraphs 4 through 15, the sons work together to save their father; in paragraphs 17 and 18, Anansi rewards his sons with the moon in the sky.

Use “Do What You Can” and “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi” to answer the following question.

How do the raindrops in the story “Do What You Can” DIFFER from the sons in the story “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi”?

• The raindrops do not have different abilities, but the sons do.

• The raindrops do not listen to one another, but the sons do.

• The raindrops do not spend time together, but the sons do.

• The raindrops do not like one another, but the sons do.

Answer explanation

The stories differ in that, in “Do What You Can,” the raindrops all share the same ability (to moisten the Earth), but in “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi,” each son has a different talent. These talents are reflected in their names, introduced in paragraph 1: “River Drinker, See Far, Stone Thrower, Road Builder, Bubble Blower, and Puffy Pillow.”

Use “Do What You Can” and “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi” to answer the following question.

What is one way the farmer’s experience in the story “Do What You Can” is DIFFERENT from Anansi’s experience in the story “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi”?

• The farmer changes by the end of the story, but Anansi does not change.

• The farmer learns a lesson, while Anansi teaches a lesson

• The farmer's feelings about his situation stay the same, but Anansi's feelings about his situation improve.

• The farmer's problem is caused by nature, while Anansi's probelm is caused by an accident.

Answer explanation

The experiences of the farmer and Anansi differ because the farmer’s problem is caused by nature and Anansi’s is caused by an accident. In “Do What You Can,” the farmer is described in paragraph 1 as wishing “for the rain to fall” on his thirsty crop; in “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi,” in paragraph 4, See Far notices that his father falls into a lake and is swallowed by a fish.