Reading STAAR Test Prep

Kyle and Kristin hauled me up and supported me on each side as I slipped and stumbled. After a while I was able to balance on my own. I figured out howt to push off and glide too. By the end of the day, I was able to make tiny, tentative turns on the ice.

The word tentative comes from the Latin word tentare which means "to feel or try". What does tentative mean in the paragraph?

• cautious

• exciting

• multiple

• enjoyable

Using context clues, select the word that has the same meaning as the bold word. 
I felt a little apprehensive the first time I traveled alone. 

• tired 

• confident 

• worried

• thrilled

Using context clues, select the word that has the same meaning as the bold word. 
I was intrigued by the book and wanted to learn more. 

• interested

• bored

• angered 

• exhausted

Families could carry only those possessions that would fit in a prairie schooner, or covered wagon. Toys, furniture, books, extra linens and clothing—even family heirlooms—were sold to raise money for the trip.

Read the dictionary entry below.

raise \ı ra¯z\ v 1. to move something higher 2. to rear a child 3. to collect 4. to improve

Which definition matches the meaning of raise in the paragraph?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Thinking about it all, I am ready to burst into tears. If the auburn-haired girl wasn’t sitting in my compartment I would be able to close the door and have a nice cry. But instead, I choke back the tears.

Which definition most closely matches the way the word nice is used in paragraph 11?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

If you come across a word you don't know on the STAAR reading test, and it is making it hard to understand the sentence/paragraph, what 2 things should you do?

• look the word up in the dictionary

• ignore it, it's probably not going to be important

• try and use context clues to figure it out

• pray for enlightenment from the heavens.

One step --

firm, familiar,

the next step --

shaky, strange

As used in the stanza, what does the word strange mean?

• out of the ordinary

• not of one's own choice

• previously unknown

• unusual or striking in appearance

What is the main purpose of the STAAR Reading Test?

• To assess students' reading comprehension skills

• To evaluate students' mathematical abilities

• To test students' knowledge of historical events

• To measure students' scientific understanding

Which of the following is a strategy for understanding unfamiliar words in a passage?

• Skip the word and move on

• Use context clues to infer the meaning

• Replace the word with 'thing'

• Ignore the word completely

In the context of reading comprehension, what does the term 'main idea' refer to?

• The most important point or concept in a passage

• A minor detail in the text

• The author's personal opinion

• A list of characters in the story