2021 4th Grade STAAR

1. 1. The prefix un- helps the reader know that the word unfamiliar in paragraph 8 means —

• partly known

• known together

• known in the past

• not known

What is the best summary of the selection?

• Loud trumpeting sounds are just one of the sounds elephants make. They also make rumbles, barks, snorts, and cries to communicate with members of the herd.

• Elephants have many more ways of communicating than most people might think. Elephants use touch, smell, noise, and movement to give one another messages.

• An elephant’s trunk lets an elephant share messages such as “Let’s play” or “Danger!” The trunk has a sensitive tip for touching other elephants and picking up smells.

• People and elephants both have a larynx, a body part that lets them make sounds. Elephants “talk” in low sounds, and elephants also use their sense of touch and smell a lot.

Based on information in the selection, what is the most likely reason the author includes the photograph of the baby elephant standing close to its mother?

• To suggest that the baby elephant is warning its mother that there is danger nearby

• To show the reader what the baby elephant does to try to get its mother to play with it

• To show the reader what the baby elephant does when it wants its mother to know it is hungry

• To suggest that the baby elephant feels safe and protected when it is near its mother

How do the subheadings provide an overview of the selection?

• They identify the ways elephants communicate.

• They describe important roles in an elephant herd.

• They tell why elephants need attention.

• They compare ways that elephants find food.

Which sentence from the selection supports the idea that elephant herds try to guard themselves from danger?

• But an elephant’s huge larynx produces very low sounds. (paragraph 3)

• Some gestures—a twitch of an ear, a wag of the head—are so small that most people wouldn’t even notice them. (paragraph 4)

• They think it may help the elephants focus all their attention on the sounds and smells around them. (paragraph 5)

• If you ever wonder what an elephant is paying attention to, don’t watch its eyes. (paragraph 6)

Based on information in paragraph 4, what can the reader infer about elephants?

• An elephant’s ears help the elephant communicate.

• Elephants usually feel either happy or scared.

• A large herd will rarely experience danger.

• Scientists are confused by an elephant’s body language.

The author includes questions at the end of paragraph 6 most likely —

• to show the details scientists want to learn about elephants

• to show that an elephant’s most important sense is the sense of smell

• to show that elephants can identify members in their herd

• to show that elephants gather information from different smells

How does Mom help Bella solve her problem?

• She shows Bella different ways to improve as a speller.

• She reminds Bella that she needs to play with her sister.

• She convinces Bella that her rapping is a special talent.

• She persuades Bella to forgive her classmate Amy.

Which line from the play suggests that Scott disagrees with Amy's opinion of Bella?

• SCOTT: Remember what I told you?

• SCOTT: From what I can see, "shun" words aren't easy for you.

• SCOTT: Besides, you're really good at lots of other stuff.

• SCOTT: You should just keep on rapping.

As it is used in line 28, the word excel means to —

• do many tasks at once

• do better than others

• pretend to know everything

• be afraid of trying new activities