Day 2 STAAR® Blitz Assignment: Characters, Plot, and Theme

What can the reader tell about how the dog feels about the manager?

• The dog thinks the manager is mean.
• The dog thinks the manager is too loud.
• The dog thinks the manager is welcoming him.
• The dog thinks the manager is boring.

The details in paragraph 4 are important to the plot of the story because they help the reader understand that the dog is -

• concerned about the mess he made
• excited about being in the store
• tired from running around
• curious about how the vegetables taste

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. Part A Which sentence best describes the dog’s relationship with the narrator?

• The dog is eager to find the narrator because she is his friend.
• The dog is grateful because the narrator shows him where to find the tomatoes.
• The dog is angry with the narrator because she turns him in to the manager.
• The dog is happy to meet the narrator, so he wags his tail and smiles at her.

Part B Which sentence from the selection best supports the answer in Part A?

• There were just a lot of vegetables rolling around on the floor, tomatoes and onions and green peppers. (paragraph 3)
• And then the dog came running around the corner. (paragraph 4)
• He skidded to a stop and smiled right at me. (paragraph 4)
• The manager screamed, "Somebody grab that dog!" (paragraph 5)

Read the dictionary entry below. Which meaning best fits the way trotting is used in paragraph 13?

• Definition 1
• Definition 2
• Definition 3
• Definition 4

Which highlighted phrase from paragraph 12 best explains why the dog comes to the narrator?

• figured that the dog
• he would want to get called by a name
• didn't know what his name was
• the first thing that came into my head

Throughout the story, the dog can best be described as feeling -

• sad
• confused
• excited
• angry

What change should be made in sentence 3?

(1) The dog smiled at me. (2) He did that thing again where he pulled back his lips and showed me his teeth. (3) He smiling so big that it made him sneeze.

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The author wants to combine the ideas in sentences 1 and 2. In the space provided, write a new sentence that combines these ideas in a clear and effective way.

(1) The dog smiled at me. (2) He did that thing again where he pulled back his lips and showed me his teeth. (3) He smiling so big that it made him sneeze.

A person in a story

• Setting

• Plot

• Theme

• Character