Choose your own adventure (aka review) for STAAR!

Name

Which do you need to work on first?

• Reading Comprehension
• Revising
• Editing
• Writing

Which word from the article means “average or uninspired”?

• jumbled (paragraph 3)
• mediocre (paragraph 4)
• bleary-eyed (paragraph 7)
• pervasive (paragraph 9)

What is the primary purpose of this article?

• To offer practical advice to people who write and give speeches
• To relate personal stories about the author’s high-school experiences
• To describe well-known speeches and the individuals who gave them
• To compare different approaches to making public presentations

In paragraphs 9 through 11, why does the author include information about Arianna Huffington?

• To suggest that the best speeches are written by people with business experience
• To propose several ideas that would make compelling subjects for a speech
• To offer an example of how one writer refined her topic to create an effective speech
• To convince readers that they should get enough sleep before beginning a writing project

How does the author organize the article?

• By presenting topics in chronological order
• By comparing different strategies for giving presentations
• By listing advantages and disadvantages of one approach to writing speeches
• By describing sequential steps toward creating an effective speech

According to the author, when you are deciding on a speech topic —

• it is usually best to choose something you care strongly about
• the subject itself is less important than your speaking style
• you should avoid ideas that have been used too many times
• the issue should reflect concerns you share with other people

What can the reader conclude from paragraph 14?

• The author’s advice has been followed by great speakers in the past.
• A background in sales is helpful when writing an effective speech.
• The author’s suggestions for writing strong speeches apply in many situations.
• Most world leaders rely on professional writers to create speeches for them.

Read this quotation from paragraph 5.“'Anyone who has an idea worth sharing is capable of giving a powerful talk,' Anderson writes in his book...."What is the most likely reason the author includes the quotation?

• To demonstrate that other writers share her views
• To give readers confidence in their own potential
• To present an opinion that differs from her own
• To suggest that writing a good speech requires talent

In paragraph 16, why does the author use the term “heavy mental lifting”?

• To suggest that speeches should have a profound impact on listeners
• To describe the extensive research that must be completed before writing begins
• To indicate that the most difficult part of writing is the preliminary thinking process
• To imply that physical exercise can help clarify a writer’s ideas