STAAR EOC II Related Questions

A Teen Homelessness in America: A Growing Crisis

Every night in America, thousands of teenagers find themselves without a stable place to call home. Studies show that approximately 4.2 million young people experience homelessness each year, with a significant portion being high school students. These teens often face challenges that extend beyond lacking shelter, including difficulties attending school regularly, maintaining proper nutrition, and accessing basic healthcare services. The causes of teen homelessness vary widely, from family conflicts and poverty to aging out of foster care systems.

Communities across the nation are working to address this crisis through various support programs and initiatives. Local shelters, school districts, and non-profit organizations provide essential services such as temporary housing, educational support, and counseling services. These programs aim to not only provide immediate assistance but also to help break the cycle of homelessness by offering job training, mental health resources, and pathways to stable housing. Despite these efforts, the number of homeless teens continues to rise, highlighting the need for increased awareness and support from society.

What is the clear thesis or the writer's argument of this informational text?

• Teen homelessness is a widespread issue affecting millions of young Americans

• Schools should provide more support for homeless students
  
  

• Homeless shelters need more funding
  
  

• Foster care systems are failing

A Teen Homelessness in America: A Growing Crisis

Every night in America, thousands of teenagers find themselves without a stable place to call home. Studies show that approximately 4.2 million young people experience homelessness each year, with a significant portion being high school students. These teens often face challenges that extend beyond lacking shelter, including difficulties attending school regularly, maintaining proper nutrition, and accessing basic healthcare services. The causes of teen homelessness vary widely, from family conflicts and poverty to aging out of foster care systems.

Communities across the nation are working to address this crisis through various support programs and initiatives. Local shelters, school districts, and non-profit organizations provide essential services such as temporary housing, educational support, and counseling services. These programs aim to not only provide immediate assistance but also to help break the cycle of homelessness by offering job training, mental health resources, and pathways to stable housing. Despite these efforts, the number of homeless teens continues to rise, highlighting the need for increased awareness and support from society.

What is the author's primary purpose in writing this text?

• To entertain readers with stories about teens
  
  

• To inform readers about the crisis of teen homelessness and current solutions
  
  

• To persuade or convince readers to donate to homeless shelters
  
  

• 1.To criticize or judge the current support systems

A Teen Homelessness in America: A Growing Crisis

Every night in America, thousands of teenagers find themselves without a stable place to call home. Studies show that approximately 4.2 million young people experience homelessness each year, with a significant portion being high school students. These teens often face challenges that extend beyond lacking shelter, including difficulties attending school regularly, maintaining proper nutrition, and accessing basic healthcare services. The causes of teen homelessness vary widely, from family conflicts and poverty to aging out of foster care systems.

Communities across the nation are working to address this crisis through various support programs and initiatives. Local shelters, school districts, and non-profit organizations provide essential services such as temporary housing, educational support, and counseling services. These programs aim to not only provide immediate assistance but also to help break the cycle of homelessness by offering job training, mental health resources, and pathways to stable housing. Despite these efforts, the number of homeless teens continues to rise, highlighting the need for increased awareness and support from society.

Which piece of evidence best supports the main argument of the text?

• The statistic that 4.2 million young people experience homelessness yearly
  
  

• The mention of family conflicts
  
  

• The reference to foster care systems
  
  

• The description of local shelters

Short Story: "The Last Bell"
The final bell echoed through the empty halls as Maria gathered her belongings from her locker for the last time. After ten years as the school's beloved custodian, budget cuts had forced her retirement. As she walked past the classrooms where she had quietly worked each evening, memories flooded back - of children's friendly waves, teachers' grateful smiles, and countless small moments that had made this place home. Her footsteps echoed differently now, heavier somehow, as she made her way toward the exit.

Poem: "Evening Rounds"
In shadows of dusk, I sweep and shine,
These halls of learning, yours and mine.
Each classroom holds a day's remains,
Of dreams and hopes and growing pains.
But change arrives on swift dark wings,
As budget cuts slice through simple things.
Tonight I'll lock these doors once more,
Then walk away, like times before.

How do the two texts differ in their approach to conveying or expressing emotion?

• The story uses narrative details while the poem uses figurative language
  

• The story is sad while the poem is happy
  

• The story is in third person (the writer’s point of view) while the poem is in second person(the reader’s point of view)
  

• 1. The poem uses dialogue (two or more people speaking) while the story uses description

Short Story: "The Last Bell"
The final bell echoed through the empty halls as Maria gathered her belongings from her locker for the last time. After ten years as the school's beloved custodian, budget cuts had forced her retirement. As she walked past the classrooms where she had quietly worked each evening, memories flooded back - of children's friendly waves, teachers' grateful smiles, and countless small moments that had made this place home. Her footsteps echoed differently now, heavier somehow, as she made her way toward the exit.

Poem: "Evening Rounds"
In shadows of dusk, I sweep and shine,
These halls of learning, yours and mine.
Each classroom holds a day's remains,
Of dreams and hopes and growing pains.
But change arrives on swift dark wings,
As budget cuts slice through simple things.
Tonight I'll lock these doors once more,
Then walk away, like times before.

What mood is created by the syntax or sentences in the poem's final two lines?

• Hopeful and optimistic
  

•  Angry and bitter
  

• Resigned (unpleasant) and melancholic
  

• 1.  Excited and energetic

Short Story: "The Last Bell"
The final bell echoed through the empty halls as Maria gathered her belongings from her locker for the last time. After ten years as the school's beloved custodian, budget cuts had forced her retirement. As she walked past the classrooms where she had quietly worked each evening, memories flooded back - of children's friendly waves, teachers' grateful smiles, and countless small moments that had made this place home. Her footsteps echoed differently now, heavier somehow, as she made her way toward the exit.

How does the author's diction or words in the story contribute or add to the tone?

•  Short, choppy sentences create urgency or quickness
  

•  Descriptive words like "beloved" and "grateful" create warmth
  

•  Technical language creates distance
  

• 1.  Adds slang or informal words 

Physical activity and organized sports play a crucial role in teenage development, offering benefits that extend far beyond the playing field. Research shows that teens who participate in sports tend to have higher self-esteem, better time management skills, and stronger social connections with their peers. Additionally, student-athletes often demonstrate improved academic performance, as the discipline and focus required in sports frequently translate to better study habits and classroom engagement.

However, the pressure to excel in sports can sometimes lead to challenges for teenage athletes. Many young athletes face the stress of balancing academic responsibilities with rigorous training schedules, while others may experience anxiety about performance expectations from coaches, parents, and teammates. Despite these challenges, sports remain a valuable tool for teaching teenagers important life lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and handling both victory and defeat with grace.

Based on the text, what can be inferred about the relationship between sports participation and academic success?

• Sports always cause grades to improve
  

• Athletic participation tends to develop habits that support academic achievement

• Athletes are naturally better students

• Sports take too much time away from studying

The Impact of Sports on Teen Development

Physical activity and organized sports play a crucial role in teenage development, offering benefits that extend far beyond the playing field. Research shows that teens who participate in sports tend to have higher self-esteem, better time management skills, and stronger social connections with their peers. Additionally, student-athletes often demonstrate improved academic performance, as the discipline and focus required in sports frequently translate to better study habits and classroom engagement.

However, the pressure to excel in sports can sometimes lead to challenges for teenage athletes. Many young athletes face the stress of balancing academic responsibilities with rigorous training schedules, while others may experience anxiety about performance expectations from coaches, parents, and teammates. Despite these challenges, sports remain a valuable tool for teaching teenagers important life lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and handling both victory and defeat with grace.

What is the author's primary purpose in writing this text?

• To persuade teenagers to quit sports

• To criticize the pressure placed on young athletes

• To promote professional sports careers

• To inform readers about both benefits and challenges of teen sports participation

The Impact of Sports on Teen Development

Physical activity and organized sports play a crucial role in teenage development, offering benefits that extend far beyond the playing field. Research shows that teens who participate in sports tend to have higher self-esteem, better time management skills, and stronger social connections with their peers. Additionally, student-athletes often demonstrate improved academic performance, as the discipline and focus required in sports frequently translate to better study habits and classroom engagement.

However, the pressure to excel in sports can sometimes lead to challenges for teenage athletes. Many young athletes face the stress of balancing academic responsibilities with rigorous training schedules, while others may experience anxiety about performance expectations from coaches, parents, and teammates. Despite these challenges, sports remain a valuable tool for teaching teenagers important life lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and handling both victory and defeat with grace.

Which audience would most likely benefit from this text?

• Professional athletes

• Elementary school students

• Teenagers and their parents

• Sports equipment manufacturers