STAAR Review 2025

What kind of passage is this?

• Reading

• Revising

• Editing

Answer explanation

Remember... if the directions at the top just say "Read and choose the best answer", it's a reading passage. You should annotate with SWAG and read carefully for comprehension.

What genre is this text?

• Informational

• Literary Non-Fiction

• Argumentative

• Drama

Answer explanation

This is argumentative because they are trying to persuade the reader. They will ask questions about the controlling idea, supporting evidence, and who the author is appealing to (who is the audience).

If I don't know a word in a question or answer choice I should... (choose all that apply)

• look for it in the paper dictionary.

• look for it in the online dictionary

• try to recognize any words within the word (like "foretold"... I know that fore is like before and told means said)

• use context around the word

• ask the testing teacher

Answer explanation

There are NUMEROUS ways to define a word. It's WORTH your time to investigate any word you don't know.

Summarizing something in different (and often simpler) words is a _____________

Answer explanation

A paraphrase is basically just putting an idea into your own words without changing the meaning of the original idea. The goal is for the paraphrase to make something simpler.

An author might use a rhetorical question (a question that needs no answer) to...

• increase curiosity about upcoming information

• engage the reader and make them consider another viewpoint

• make the reader laugh

• show indecision

What is a belief statement in an argumentative selection (text/passage)?

Answer explanation

A claim is what the author believes, and this is what they are trying to get the reader to agree with.

What kind of question is this?

• Extended Constructed Response

• Short Constructed Response

Answer explanation

Look at how short the directions are. They are expecting a short response. Maybe 2-3 sentences.

Restate the question.

Answer the question.

Cite at least one piece of text evidence.

Explain how that evidence supports your answerl

What is the most points can you earn on a short constructed response?

• 0

• 1

• 2

• 3

Answer explanation

If you answer the question and provide at least one piece of text evidence, you can score a PERFECT 2 on a SCR.

Do NOT skip this question!

This is an example of a....

• poem

• paired passage

• drama

• Literary nonfiction

Answer explanation

Notice that it says "Passage 1". BELOW this passage is "Passage 2". Be SURE that when you answer questions, you are using the correct passage!

What are other ways that the STAAR test might ask for an inference?

• Choose the best answer.

• What conclusion can the reader draw?

• What can you conclude from...?

• What is the most likely reason...

Answer explanation

An inference is based on the TEXT EVIDENCE. If the test asks for a conclusion, they are asking you to look at the text and choose the answer that has the most supporting evidence.