STAAR Practice

How does the author’s use of language in paragraph 6 of the selection contribute to its tone?

• F. It conveys a sentimental feeling.

• G. It relays an element of sarcasm.

• H. It creates a sense of confidence.

• J. It communicates a disrespectful attitude.

What does the use of flashback in the excerpt help the reader understand?

• A. Danny has been dealing with the issue of his height for many years.

• B. Danny has needed help from his mother to deal with issues regarding his height.

• C. Danny has worked with many different clipboard dads to develop his skills.

• D. Danny has learned basketball tricks that most kids his age cannot do.

What is the best summary of the excerpt?

• F. Because Danny has been the smallest student in his class since first grade, he has been in the front of every line or row in his classroom. During basketball tryouts Danny was asked if he was in the right group because he was small for his age. However, Danny is the best passer his age, and he is faster than everyone at St. Patrick’s School.

• G. Although Danny has always been smaller than others in his class, he works hard at basketball and is an excellent passer for his age. At night he practices on the driveway, where he imagines himself being successful. Danny has read about short professional basketball players and hopes to play with the NBA himself someday.

• H. Danny has learned about DNA in science class and thinks that being small is in his DNA. He has taught himself how to lean into bigger kids who guard him in basketball. Danny’s mom tells him not to let his small size bother him.

• J. Danny has tried out for soccer, Little League, and basketball, but he likes basketball best. He practices in his driveway and is the best passer his age, even better than Ty Ross—the best athlete in every sport. He wants to be like Muggsy Bogues someday.

Based on Danny’s mom’s comment in paragraph 4, the reader can conclude that Danny’s mom —

• A. does not want Danny to concern himself with what other people think

• B. does not have time to listen to how Danny’s tryout went

• C. feels overwhelmed by the many remarks she has heard about Danny’s small size

• D. thinks Danny overreacts when he gets feedback from other people

How does Danny’s early motivation to succeed at basketball influence the events in the excerpt?

• F. By allowing him to be placed on teams with players that are older than he is

• G. By causing him to develop strategies for dealing with larger opponents

• H. By convincing him to prove to his teammates that he is faster than they are

• J. By inspiring him to be more patient when talking with clipboard dads

What is revealed through the author’s use of third-person limited point of view?

• A. Danny’s assessment of his own abilities and limitations

• B. The clipboard dad’s opinion about Danny’s placement on certain teams

• C. Why Danny’s mom waited to question him about his performance

• D. How Danny’s dad knew that kids understand basketball differently than adults