How does the author organize the section titled “The Ancestral Puebloans” (paragraphs 8–13) to develop the thesis?

By explaining how the Ancestral Puebloans altered the natural landscape in ever more significant ways

By describing the events that forced the Ancestral Puebloans to adapt to changes in their environment

By listing the agricultural skills necessary to master farming the land in the Mesa Verde area

By explaining how the Ancestral Puebloans altered the natural landscape in ever more significant ways

Which idea about society is developed in the excerpt?

People adapt to environmental conditions to help their civilizations thrive.

Communities form in order to satisfy the human desire for new experiences

Civilizations are defined by specific beliefs and economic goals.

People are more likely to survive in communities than on their own.

What is the best summary of the information in paragraphs 1 through 4?

Since President John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps in 1961, American volunteerism has been widespread. Millions of people have volunteered in government programs around the world and throughout the United States. Many people have also volunteered in local programs run by charities and civic organizations. Volunteerism rates today show significant increases since the 1970s.

The Peace Corps served as an inspiration for the AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs, which allow volunteers to serve near their homes. Some volunteers work with senior citizens and hospital patients. Others work with animals or in outdoor areas. Some adult age groups are volunteering more today than in 1974.

The Peace Corps was started by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, and since then volunteerism in the United States has greatly increased. Americans also continue to volunteer around the world in the Peace Corps. The Corporation for National and Community Service has reported that volunteerism for people over age 65 has increased.

When President John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps in 1961, he began an era of volunteerism. Volunteers serve around the world and throughout the United States. Some volunteer programs require a large amount of time. Some programs utilize youth and senior citizens. It is surprising that volunteerism has increased for middle-aged adults.

The information in paragraphs 9 through 11 supports which conclusion?

Multiple occurrences of volunteering most likely are needed to produce health benefits in the volunteer.

People who find that volunteering increases their happiness most likely recruit other volunteers.

Family members who volunteer together regularly most likely share the same motives for volunteering.

Future research studies most likely will focus on how volunteers deal with stress experienced while volunteering.

Which group is most likely the author’s intended audience?

Skeptical people who are unsure about devoting the time to be a volunteer

Generous people who treasure the joy that comes from doing good deeds

Selfless people who believe in doing something virtuous with their lives

Ambitious people who are eager to look good to potential employers

Which statement best expresses the author’s claim about volunteerism?

People should volunteer in order to help themselves as well as others.

Volunteering is a declining American tradition

Volunteering their time is a sacrifice more people should make.

People who volunteer deserve good health.

What is the most likely reason the author includes contrasting ideas about stress in paragraph 7?

To challenge an opposing viewpoint

To restate a key point more vividly

To question conflicting evidence

To emphasize an unusual perspective

Which quotation from the article shows that people who volunteer only to boost their résumés are unlikely to experience increased well-being as a result?

In other words, to get the health benefits of volunteering, the volunteers had to be doing it for the right reasons. (paragraph 11)

For those already stressed out and stretched to the limit, why offer to do extra work? (paragraph 6)

Rodlescia Sneed, who conducted a study in 2013 on volunteering, notes that volunteering appears to lower stress. (paragraph 9)

Like other studies, it found participants who volunteered on a regular basis lived longer. (paragraph 11)

What effect does the shift in tone between paragraphs 6 and 7 have on the author’s argument?

The shift from a dubious tone in paragraph 6 to a reassuring one in paragraph 7 refocuses the direction of the argument.

The shift from a doubtful tone in paragraph 6 to a patronizing one in paragraph 7 undermines the sincerity of the argument.

The shift from a cynical tone in paragraph 6 to an indignant one in paragraph 7 strengthens the force of the argument.

The shift from an analytical tone in paragraph 6 to a self-confident one in paragraph 7 builds a logical foundation for the argument.

Which statement best reflects how the cultural setting influences Sigismondo’s attitude in the excerpt from “The City Lost in the Snow”?

The scarcity of jobs makes Sigismondo appreciate the temporary employment the snow provides.

The competition between snow shovelers makes Sigismondo excited to prove himself to Marcovaldo.

The fast-paced urban environment explains why workers like Sigismondo must keep the city moving.

The industrialization of the city leads Sigismondo to feel ambitious about his future opportunities.

How do the events described in paragraphs 1 and 2 contribute to the plot of the excerpt from “The City Lost in the Snow”?

They establish the snowfall as a rare, almost magical happening.

They introduce the confusion Marcovaldo feels throughout the story.

They provide a sense of approaching danger to Marcovaldo and his neighbors.

They suggest that the storm has created a unique, unfathomable mystery.

How does the setting of “an industrial city of northern Italy” affect the plot in the excerpt from “The City Lost in the Snow”?

The snow-covered city on Marcovaldo’s walk to work inspires him to imagine a life without restrictions.

The shipping department workplace suggests Marcovaldo feels confident that his position at work will improve.

The deserted city streets emphasize the reason Marcovaldo must walk slowly on his way to work.

The hidden Italian streets convey the importance of Marcovaldo’s job to clear the snow from the sidewalks.

The author uses irony in paragraph 8 of the excerpt from “The City Lost in the Snow” most likely to show that —

Sigismondo’s efforts are being erased by the efforts of a fellow worker

Sigismondo’s crew is unable to keep up with the rapidly accumulating snowthe snow continues to pile up as the workers race to gain favor with their boss

the snow continues to pile up as the workers race to gain favor with their boss

the speed at which the workers must shovel is beginning to cause them distress

How does the language the author uses in paragraph 4 contribute to the mood in the excerpt from “The City Lost in the Snow”?

It emphasizes the sense of fantasy that ends abruptly.

It creates empathy for people who walk to work.

It suggests hope that there will be progress for the worker.

It reveals a feeling of warmth that contrasts with the cold outside.

What does the use of alliteration in lines 1 through 9 of the poem “London Snow” convey to the reader?

The soothing lull of the falling snow

The shadowy gloom of the endless snow at night

The dangers hidden by the thick snow

The exciting thrill of watching the snow fall

Read lines 15 and 16 of the poem “London Snow.” The eye marvelled—marvelled at the dazzling whiteness; The ear hearkened to the stillness of the solemn air; How does the figurative language in these lines reveal the speaker’s attitude toward the snow?

By describing how the individual senses are affected by dramatic changes in nature

By suggesting that human productivity is hampered by the unexpected weather

By conveying how the sight of snow is more appealing than the void of sound

By showing that the newly fallen snow conceals the bleakness of everyday life

What is most likely the poet’s purpose for using contrast to present the ideas in lines 31 through 37 of the poem “London Snow”?

To illustrate the tranquility nature brings to the lives of people

To describe the advancements of society despite the dangers of nature

To reveal the freedom people feel when they live close to nature

To show the ability of nature to alter the landscape of society

How does the language in paragraphs 1 and 2 of the excerpt from “The City Lost in the Snow” DIFFER from the language in lines 1 through 9 of the poem “London Snow”?

The language in the excerpt conveys the enthusiasm of a character, while the language in the poem reveals the calmness of the speaker.

The language in the excerpt emphasizes the surprise of a character, while the language in the poem suggests the sadness of the speaker.

The language in the excerpt conveys the fear of a character, while the language in the poem reveals the excitement of the speaker.

The language in the excerpt emphasizes the objectivity of a character, while the language in the poem suggests the bias of the speaker.

Which sentence best expresses a SIMILARITY between the excerpt from “The City Lost in the Snow” and the poem “London Snow”?

Newly fallen snow can bring a welcome change to everyday life.

Forces in nature can be hostile and compel people to work harder.

Nature constantly reminds people that progress is only an illusion.

Heavy snowfall isolates people from one another.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. Part A Read these quotations from the excerpt from “The City Lost in the Snow” and the poem “London Snow.” He opened the window: the city was gone; it had been replaced by a white sheet of paper. (paragraph 1 of “The City Lost in the Snow”) Hiding difference, making unevenness even, (line 8 of “London Snow”) What does the imagery in BOTH quotations suggest?

A heavy snowfall can transform the appearance of a city.

A heavy snowfall affects everyone in a city equally.

A heavy snowfall can be destructive to city landmarks.

A heavy snowfall provides opportunities to everyone in a city.

Part B Which line from the poem “London Snow” supports the answer to Part A?

Silently sifting and veiling road, roof and railing; (line 7)

Deadening, muffling, stifling its murmurs failing; (line 5)

It lay in the depth of its uncompacted lightness, (line 11)

But even for them awhile no cares encumber (line 34)

What is the DIFFERENCE in the way the newly fallen snow affects the working men in the excerpt from “The City Lost in the Snow” and the working men in the poem “London Snow”?

While the laborers in the excerpt appreciate opportunities brought by the snow, the laborers in the poem find the snow a short distraction from the drudgery of their day.

While the laborers in the excerpt compete for scarce jobs shoveling the snow, the laborers in the poem feel that the snow has made their work much harder.

While the laborers in the excerpt feel overwhelmed by the increased workload due to the snow, the laborers in the poem trudge through the snow without noticing it.

While the laborers in the excerpt worry about the monumental task of shoveling the snow, the laborers in the poem think of the snow as a part of their daily struggles.

Which sentences can replace sentences 4 and 5 to create a more effective controlling idea for this paper?

However, one swimmer, Sarah Thomas, has managed to go above and beyond all the rest. She set a new record by swimming the English Channel four times without stopping.

But Sarah Thomas is a swimmer who yearned to do more. She has faced some challenging circumstances in her life and felt confident she was ready to tackle the English Channel.

As a result, Sarah Thomas was able to accomplish something no swimmer had ever accomplished. She swam across the English Channel and set an impressive record.

Yet Sarah Thomas was able to complete a swim that was an incredible feat. She made it across the English Channel with the help of a small team and was proud of her accomplishment.

Heike would like to replace sentence 30 with a more appropriate and relevant quotation. Which of the following can replace sentence 30 to help emphasize a main point of this paper and bring the paper to a more effective conclusion?

As a Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation committee reported, “It was an outstanding feat of endurance and triumph over adversity. It is, quite simply, the English Channel swim of our age.”

“If you want to swim across the English Channel from England to France—you have to leave your doubt on the beach in England,” endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh once said.

“There are so many stories of people swimming in the same spot for hours until the tide turns,” says Colin Hill, a race organizer and member of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.

“She started swimming when she was just a little tyke but didn’t know about open-water swimming until after college,” her stepfather Kent Maxson commented.

What is the most effective way to combine sentences 7 and 8?

Natalia was in awe of O’Keeffe’s paintings of New York and its skyscrapers, but it was the flowers and landscapes of New Mexico that most inspired the teenager.

Natalia, who was in awe of O’Keeffe’s paintings of New York and its skyscrapers, was a teenager most inspired by the flowers and landscapes of New Mexico.

Being in awe of O’Keeffe’s paintings of New York and its skyscrapers, the flowers and landscapes of New Mexico most inspired the teenager Natalia.

Because Natalia was in awe of O’Keeffe’s paintings of New York and its skyscrapers, the teenager was most inspired by the flowers and landscapes of New Mexico.

Which sentence would best follow sentence 21?

According to her watch, they should have already arrived at her aunt’s house in Albuquerque.

This was a long road trip, so no one had been surprised when she had decided to sleep for a good while.

She was unsure about a number of things as she rubbed her eyes and looked out the window.

As usual there was a lot of traffic on the highway to Albuquerque, so her dad had been driving slowly.

What is the most effective way to revise sentence 27?

She moved slowly through room after room of paintings hung neatly on white walls.

Through room after room she moved slowly, paintings hung neatly on white walls.

As she moved slowly through room after room, paintings on white walls hung neatly.

She moved slowly through room after room of paintings on white walls that hung neatly.

Julia would like a more effective closing for the fifth paragraph (sentences 18–25). Which sentence can replace sentence 25 to help Julia accomplish this goal?

When Natalia’s dad turned around and asked her if she would like to go into the museum, she squealed in delight.

When Natalia’s dad opened his car door, he asked everyone to gather their things and quickly follow him inside.

After a great deal of confusion, Natalia put the clues together and deduced that they were not going to go to her aunt’s house yet.

Natalia understood that they had traveled to the museum and would subsequently be late getting to her aunt’s.

What is the correct way to write sentence 7?

The unique event, known as Skyscraper Games by Kids, was the brainchild of Frank Lee.

Known as Skyscraper Games by Kids. It was a unique event and the brainchild of Frank Lee.

The unique event, known as Skyscraper Games by Kids. It was the brainchild of Frank Lee.

Known as Skyscraper Games by Kids, a unique event that was the brainchild of Frank Lee.

What change, if any, should be made in sentence 10?

Change manipulate to mannipulate

Change building’s to buildings’

What change needs to be made in sentence 12?

Change the comma after Tetris to a semicolon

Change involves to will involve

What change should be made in sentence 13?

Change could be seen to had been seen

What change needs to be made in sentence 2?

Change approximatly to approximately

STAAR English 2 Practice Assessment

Authored by Luis Fernandez

English

10th Grade

E2 covered

Used 15+ times

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This comprehensive STAAR English 2 assessment targets 10th-grade students with a sophisticated blend of reading comprehension, literary analysis, and writing revision skills. The quiz systematically evaluates students' ability to analyze multiple text types including informational passages about Ancestral Puebloans and volunteerism, literary excerpts from "The City Lost in the Snow," and poetry with "London Snow." Students must demonstrate mastery of advanced comprehension skills such as identifying thesis statements, analyzing author's purpose and tone, interpreting figurative language, and making cross-textual comparisons. The assessment also requires students to apply knowledge of vocabulary in context, understand cultural influences on character development, and synthesize information across multiple sources. The writing components demand students craft argumentative letters with counterarguments and evidence integration, while the editing sections test command of grammar, sentence structure, pronoun clarity, and effective transitions. Created by Luis Fernandez, an English teacher who teaches grade 10. This assessment serves as comprehensive preparation for the STAAR English 2 examination and can be effectively utilized for multiple instructional purposes throughout the academic year. Teachers can deploy individual sections for targeted skill practice during daily warm-ups or use complete passages for intensive review sessions before state testing. The varied question formats make this assessment ideal for formative evaluation of student progress in reading comprehension and writing mechanics, while the extended response questions provide authentic practice for the argumentative writing demands of the actual STAAR test. This resource aligns with TEKS standards for English Language Arts including 110.37(b)(5) for comprehension skills, 110.37(b)(9) for multiple genre analysis, and 110.37(b)(11) for composition and revision, supporting teachers in building student confidence and competency across all assessed domains.

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53 questions

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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

5 mins • 1 pt

Which statement best expresses the thesis of the excerpt?

Ancestral Puebloans were attracted to the cliffs of Colorado centuries ago.

Ancestral Puebloans left behind the ruins of their communities in the cliffs.

Ancestral Puebloans were innovators who created a flourishing civilization.

Ancestral Puebloans lived in complex communities in southwestern Colorado.

Tags

E2.7D.i

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

5 mins • 1 pt

Which quotation from the excerpt best supports the conclusion that the Ancestral Puebloans made efficient use of limited resources?

The low height of the doorways indicates that people then were shorter than they are today. (paragraph 4)

However, the farmers were expert in dryland farming, creating check dams and channels to direct rainwater to their crops. (paragraph 10)

Now the Ancestral Puebloans no longer lived on top of the mesa. (paragraph 12)

Around 1270, the Ancestral Puebloans left Mesa Verde, although we are not entirely sure why they left. (paragraph 13)

Tags

E2.5C

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

5 mins • 1 pt

In paragraphs 9, 10, and 12, the details support the key idea that the Ancestral Puebloans —

developed new construction skills

frequently faced challenges in surviving

often moved in search of a better home

outgrew the available resources

Tags

E2.4G

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

5 mins • 1 pt

Which detail from the section titled “The Cliff Dwellings at Mesa Verde” (paragraphs 3–7) supports the key idea that social interaction was important to Ancestral Puebloan communities?

The size of the living areas

The location of the kiva

The function of the courtyard

The proximity of the dwellings

Tags

E2.4G

MULTIPLE SELECT QUESTION

5 mins • 1 pt

Why does the author most likely include the illustrations in the excerpt? Select TWO correct answers.

To explain how the Ancestral Puebloans used different resources

To show how the Ancestral Puebloans designed and built structures

To demonstrate the challenges of building dwellings in the cliff

To show how the different parts of the cliff dwellings fit together

To contrast different types of buildings built by the Ancestral Puebloans

Tags

E2.8C

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

5 mins • 1 pt

Read this quotation from paragraph 8.
For about 700 years, Mesa Verde was a thriving community of many thousands of Native American people now referred to as Ancestral Puebloans. These people were master dry land. builders, skilled craftsmen, and adept farmers of a difficult, dry land.
How does the author’s choice of words in this quotation contribute to the tone of the excerpt?

Phrases such as “thriving community” and “skilled craftsmen” create an admiring tone.

Phrases such as “adept farmers” and “difficult, dry land” create a somber tone.

Phrases such as “many thousands” and “Native American people” create a precise tone.

Phrases such as “about 700 years” and “now referred to” create an accessible tone.

Tags

E2.8F

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

5 mins • 1 pt

What is the most likely reason the author wrote this excerpt?

To persuade the reader to visit an important archaeological site to learn about an ancient society

To provide information about how an ancient society managed to prosper in an inhospitable region

To describe the impact of an ancient civilization on the history of a populated region

To share the history of how two cowboys accidentally discovered the ruins of an ancient civilization

Tags

E2.8A

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STAAR English 2 Practice Assessment

Which statement best expresses the thesis of the excerpt?

Which quotation from the excerpt best supports the conclusion that the Ancestral Puebloans made efficient use of limited resources?

In paragraphs 9, 10, and 12, the details support the key idea that the Ancestral Puebloans —

Which detail from the section titled “The Cliff Dwellings at Mesa Verde” (paragraphs 3–7) supports the key idea that social interaction was important to Ancestral Puebloan communities?

Why does the author most likely include the illustrations in the excerpt? Select TWO correct answers.

What is the most likely reason the author wrote this excerpt?

How does the author organize the section titled “The Ancestral Puebloans” (paragraphs 8–13) to develop the thesis?

Which idea about society is developed in the excerpt?

In paragraph 12, what does the word Paradoxically mean?

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