Nonfiction STAAR Review

In many countries around the world people are unable to find clean water to drink. Clean water is necessary for a healthy life. One program called The Water Project is taking matters into their own hands by digging wells in Africa so that locals can have clean water. They know this will not fix the issue everywhere but it’s a step in the right direction.

What is the organizational pattern?

• compare & contrast

• problem & solution

• description

• cause & effect

The Constitution of the U.S. has been amended several times to allow more citizens the right to vote. The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, extended voting rights to former slaves. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, gave women the right to vote. In 1971, the 26th Amendment granted voting rights to those 18 years and older, changing the requirement that voters must be 21 years old. What is the main idea?

• The Constitution has been amended many times.

• Women didn’t vote until 1920 but men could vote since the founding of the country

• Today, almost anyone can vote.

• The Constitution has been amended several times to grant more citizens the right to vote.

How does the organizational pattern in this paragraph contribute to the selection?

• It compares and contrasts the different ways in which chocolate is made around the world.

• It highlights the consequence that results in not adding sugar and flavoring.

• It explains in sequential order the steps it takes to make chocolate.

• It explains why chocolate is the world's favorite candy.

Floods can cause tremendous damage.  They can ruin houses, roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. It often leaves mud, sand and debris behind.  It can take months to clean up after a flood. 

What is the main idea?

• Floods can cause a lot of damage.

• Floods cause mudslides.

• Floods damage houses and roads. 

A ________________ retells the important ideas in a passage or text.

• minor details

• supporting details

• paraphrase

• summary

Paragraph 7 mainly focuses on - What skill are you being asked to use for this question?

• summary

• main idea

• context clues

• conflict

The author organizes this selection by - 
What skill are you being asked to use in this question?

• main idea

• conflict

• supporting details

• text structure

What is the main purpose of nonfiction texts?

• To entertain the reader with fictional stories

• To provide factual information and educate the reader

• To confuse the reader with complex language

• To persuade the reader to buy a product

Which of the following is a characteristic of nonfiction writing?

• It includes imaginary characters and events

• It is based on facts and real events

• It uses a rhyming scheme

• It is always written in first person

What is the best way to determine the author's purpose in a nonfiction text?

• By analyzing the text's structure and language

• By counting the number of pages

• By looking at the pictures

• By checking the publication date