STAAR Grade 5 Reading Practice 1-18

In "Putting the Pieces Together", why does the author present the ideas in paragraphs 2 through 6 in chronological order?

• To tell when people became interested in puzzles

• To explain how puzzles were sold in the past

• To explain how puzzles improved after the first one had been invented

• To tell when puzzles solved the problem of entertainment being costly

Answer explanation

Ideas in paragraphs 2 through 6 are presented in chronological order to explain how puzzles were improved upon after the first was invented in 1760. The author includes details such as “a new type of saw made it easier to cut wood into small pieces.”

In "Putting the Pieces Together", what key idea is supported by the details in paragraphs 3 and 4?

• Changes to making jigsaw puzzles led to faster production

• Puzzles makers had to use a saw to cut the pieces

• Gluing maps onto puzzles could take a long time

• The new wood-cutting tool created smaller puzzle pieces.

Answer explanation

The author uses details in paragraphs 3 and 4, such as descriptions of “a new type of saw” and “new dyes and lower printing costs,” to explain how puzzles were created more quickly.

In "Putting the Pieces Together": Based on the details in paragraph 6, what can the reader infer about Americans in the 1930s?

• Americans were trading jigsaw puzzles faster than ever before.

• Americans started giving children more playtime than before.

• Americans made their own jigsaw puzzles.

• Americans enjoyed family activities.

Answer explanation

The detail in paragraph 6 that “Americans bought about 10 million jigsaw puzzles a week” and the reference to how families could use, reuse, and trade jigsaw puzzles are included to suggest that Americans in the 1930s enjoyed family activities.

In "Putting the Pieces Together", how does the author organize paragraph 9?

• By using order of importance

• By using compare and contrast

• By using chronological order

• By using cause and effect

Answer explanation

In the first sentence of paragraph 9, the author explains a cause: “completing puzzles also helps the right side of the brain.” The details that follow are the effects of this cause, including improved problem-solving, memory, and concentration.

In "Putting the Pieces Together", which sentence from the selection describes one way that puzzles have changed?

• People solve jigsaw puzzles by fitting small pieces together to make a whole. (p 1)

• Jigsaw puzzles soon became a popular form of group entertainment. (p 5)

• These new puzzles had pieces that had to be fitted together to create an image that rose into the air. (p 7)

• Working on puzzles has been linked to better memory and concentration as well. (p 9)

Answer explanation

In this sentence, the author demonstrates one clear way that puzzles have changed, saying that more recent puzzles could “create an image that rose into the air.”

Read these sentences from paragraph 10 of "Putting the Pieces Together".

How do these sentences contribute to the author's voice in the selection?

• By suggesting that the author prefers working on jigsaw puzzles to other activities

• By suggesting that the author developed a love of learning by solving jigsaw puzzles as a child

• By showing that the author believes that jigsaw puzzles offer a sense of mystery

• By showing that the author believes in the value of working on jigsaw puzzles

Answer explanation

The use of the word “exciting” and the reference to puzzles as “entertaining” convey the author’s belief that puzzles are a worthwhile activity.

What is the central idea of the "Putting the Pieces Together"?

• Jigsaw puzzles started as a way to teach children and are appreciated by people of all ages.

• A mapmaker invented jigsaw puzzles to help children use maps to learn about geography.

• Many people like to work together to put a jigsaw together.

• Some jigsaw puzzles are easier to put together than others.

Answer explanation

The author uses this idea to express the central idea of the selection, the history, purpose and impact of jigsaw puzzles.

Look at these photographs from "Putting the Pieces Together".

What is the most likely reason the author included these photographs?

• To show what gave puzzles their name

• To show that there are different types of puzzles

• To show that the first puzzles were made of wood

• To show which type of puzzle best helps the right side of the brain

Answer explanation

The author included these photographs because one shows a puzzle that can be completed by young children and the other shows a more complex vertical puzzle. With these photographs, the author shows that there are different types of puzzles.

Based on the ideas presented in "Putting the Pieces Together", what can the reader conclude about jigsaw puzzles?

• They have been popular since they were first invented.

• They are meant to be completed by a large group of people.

• They have many things in common with maps.

• They are no longer a cheap form of entertainment.

Answer explanation

The author states in paragraph 2 that “Spilsbury’s invention was a success” and then describes the continued rise in popularity of jigsaw puzzles in paragraphs 6 and 7.

Read the dictionary entry:

Which definition best matches the meaning of observation in paragraph 5 of "Alone in Nature"?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Answer explanation

The author describes how Thoreau looked at nature carefully, such as when Thoreau noticed how “he watched the seasons change the land and the pond,” so this definition is best.