The Spelling Test (Drama STAAR Release 2016)

What lesson does Herbie learn in this play?

• Finding humor in a difficult task makes it more enjoyable.

• Depending on help from others is often challenging.

• Performing well all the time is impossible.

• Success is possible through hard work.

Tags

Understanding

Annabelle asks Miss Pinkham about the grades immediately after the test because Annabelle —

• thinks everyone in the class should know she did well on the test

• believes that she made a perfect score on the test

• wants Miss Pinkham to recognize how much she studied for the test

• knows that her address is the most difficult to spell

The word cinch in paragraph 25 refers to something that is —

• easy

• unusual

• similar

• interesting

Tags

Analyzing

The stage directions in paragraphs 42 and 43 are included to help —

​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ (a)  

• make the play humorous
• show a new problem
• introduce a new character
• create suspense

Herbie’s reaction when he learns about Olivia’s study method shows that he is —

• certain that Olivia is making fun of the way he studies

• jealous that Olivia always makes better grades than he does

• surprised to learn that the plan is very simple

• eager to demonstrate some of his own study habits

Tags

Evaluating

Why does the playwright include a narrator in this play?

• To make the main character’s conflict seem more suspenseful

• To help the audience understand what the characters are thinking

• To assist the main characters in figuring out how to solve a problem

• To give the audience details about the characters’ actions in the scene

Which definition best fits the way the word keeping is used in paragraph 31?

• to take care of

• to save

• to hold back

• to control

Tags

Analyzing

The narrator’s lines in paragraph 9 are important to the play because they —

​ ​

• show that Herbie is serious about studying for his spelling test

• describe Herbie’s favorite method of studying for spelling tests

• explain why Olivia is surprised to see Herbie studying for a spelling test

• show that Olivia wants to help Herbie do well on his spelling test