Font size
WorksheetsGrade 4 ELAR STAAR Practice Assessment
Total questions: 7
Worksheet time: 44mins
The author includes a map of Texas to —
highlight the area that inspired a tall tale
illustrate the distance between cities
show the route the cowboy was following
identify the major natural landmarks
Based on lines 8 and 10, what can the reader conclude about Cowboy?
He knows a lot about growing turnips.
He works for the husband and wife.
He is familiar with the land around him.
He has long known the husband and wife.
Why are lines 26 and 27 important to the plot of the play?
They explain how the problem is discovered.
They describe the cause of the problem.
They explain why the problem might happen again.
They describe how the problem is solved.
How does the turnip farm setting contribute to the plot of the play?
The main characters love eating turnips.
The turnip farm shows the season of the year.
The main problem happens because turnips need water.
The narrator has long worked on the turnip farm.
This play is divided into three scenes to —
describe the thoughts of three different characters
include dialogue, conflict, and plot
show three different places
tell the beginning, middle, and end of a story
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A Which characteristic of the play best identifies it as a tall tale?
It has a setting that is unrealistic.
It has events that are hard to believe.
It has characters who try to do something.
It has a narrator who tells the story.
Part B
Which line from the play best supports the answer to Part A?
COWBOY: I don’t see any turnips. And I don’t see any water, either. (line 6)
WIFE: Move our farm? What a crazy idea. We like it here! (line 11)
COWBOY: . . . Well, howdy, again. What are you folks doing now? (line 23)
NARRATOR: . . . Okay, maybe it wasn’t the whole truth. (line 29)
What is the theme of the play?
Teamwork can lead to amazing things.
Change can take a long time to accept.
Curiosity can lead to unexpected discoveries.
New skills can be learned at any age.
What is the relationship between Husband and Wife like in the play?
They each want different things.
They enjoy doing things for each other.
They make decisions together.
They like to complain about each other.
The word dreaded in paragraph 13 describes a feeling of —
anger
confusion
jealousy
worry
The details in paragraphs 22 and 23 support the key idea that Nia and Marley —
are skilled at what they like to do
include each other in what they do
think they want to be in the same club together
want each other to make different choices
What is the most likely reason the author includes paragraph 12 in the story?
To explain the reason for Nia’s decision
To explain why Nia’s brother enjoyed being in the Robotics Club
To describe Marley’s reason for disliking the Robotics Club
To describe why Marley’s ideas were usually best
Read this sentence from the story.
I’m disappointed because I want to be with you, but I totally understand if you want to do something else. (paragraph 21)
The sentence supports the theme of the story by showing that —
it is best to have several friends
friends support each other’s interests
spending time with friends is most important
friends usually enjoy each other’s activities
What is the most likely reason the author uses the phrase “whirling like a broken robot” in paragraph 14?
To show that Nia is unsure of how to do her homework
To suggest that Nia is having trouble speaking
To show that Nia has many different thoughts at the same time
To suggest that Nia is thinking about things other than her problem
The use of third-person point of view helps the reader understand —
how Nia feels while she considers a decision
why Marley dislikes some of the clubs
how each character feels about family members
what will happen before the characters do
Read the question carefully. Then record your answer in the box provided.
Why did Nia choose to be in the same clubs with Marley in the past? Support your answer with evidence from the story.
How does Nia and Marley’s friendship change by the end of the story?
They discover that being friends is better than being too busy.
They find out that people are willing to do what their friends want to do.
They know it is important to choose friends who have the same interests.
They realize people can remain friends while having different interests.
Read the dictionary entry.
vision \ˈvi-zhen\ noun
1. something beautiful to look at
2. the action of seeing
3. something seen in a dream
4. a clear idea of the future
Which definition best matches the meaning of vision in paragraph 4 of the article from Powwow Summer?
Definition 1
Definition 2
Definition 3
Definition 4
Which sentence from the article from Powwow Summer shows that the performers help make their own clothing?
At powwows, the Downwind women wear the jingle dress or the fancy-shawl-dance outfit. (paragraph 1)
On her dress are hundreds of metal cones, or jingles. (paragraph 2)
It can take a long time to hand-roll these jingles into the cone shape. (paragraph 2)
The idea for the jingle dress was dreamt by an Ojibwe man many years ago. (paragraph 3)
In paragraph 4 of the article from Powwow Summer, what is the most likely reason the author includes the story about the Ojibwe man’s dream?
To describe the first jingle-dress dance
To describe what life was like for the Ojibwe tribe long ago
To explain how the jingle dress is made
To explain why the jingle dress is special to the Ojibwe tribe
In the article from Powwow Summer, which detail about jingle-dress and fancy-shawl outfits supports the key idea that the outfits require a lot of effort?
The family packs the outfits to take to the next event.
The family works on the outfits during the week between events.
The first man to make a jingle-dress outfit had help from his wife.
The outfits have several different parts, including a shawl.
The author presents the ideas in paragraphs 3 through 5 of the article “Dancing Dragons” using description most likely so that the reader will better understand —
what the dancing dragons look like
why people celebrate with dancing dragons
how newer dragons are different from older dragons
where the dragons are most often used
Read the following paragraph.
In China, dragons are a symbol of good fortune, so dragon dances are performed at the start of a new year. Dragon dances have been performed in China for a very long time. Dragons are built and are made to dance in parades by people who carry them.
Which sentence should be included in the paragraph to complete the summary of the article “Dancing Dragons”?
The bodies of dancing dragons are made from bamboo strips and decorated cloth.
Chinese communities around the world still celebrate spring with dancing dragons.
A dancing dragon can be lit from the inside by lamps so it can be seen at night.
Most dancing dragons are red because that color is a symbol of happiness in China.
Based on information in the article “Dancing Dragons,” which conclusion can the reader make about the dragon dance?
The purpose of the dragon dance has changed over time.
Fewer people watch dragon dances today than in ancient times.
The dragon dance is based on a fairy tale that is well known in China.
Dragon dancers must know a lot about Chinese history.
Which message is presented in BOTH the article from Powwow Summer and the article “Dancing Dragons”?
Dancing helps people stay healthy.
Dancing can bring people together.
Dancing should be thought of as a sport.
Dancing is a good way to tell a story.
Based on ideas in BOTH the article from Powwow Summer and the article “Dancing Dragons,” what is one way that the jingle-dress dance and the dragon dance are ALIKE?
Both dances came from ideas in fairy tales.
Both dances are done by the same group of people.
Both dances began as a way to make life better.
Both dances are easy to perform.
Based on ideas presented throughout BOTH the article from Powwow Summer and the article “Dancing Dragons,” the reader can conclude that dancing —
is often used to heal people who are sick
is important to different groups of people
is a common way for young people to share new ideas
looks the same in different parts of the world
Read the article from Powwow Summer and the article “Dancing Dragons.” Based on the information in both articles, write a response to the following:
Explain how the people in BOTH articles dance for similar reasons.
Write a well-organized informational essay that uses specific evidence from the articles to support your answer.
Remember to — - clearly state your central idea - organize your writing - develop your ideas in detail - use evidence from both selections in your response - use correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar - Manage your time carefully so that you can — - review the selections - plan your response - write your response - revise and edit your response
Record your answer in the box provided.
Martin wants to combine the ideas in sentences 3 and 4. In the box provided, write a new sentence that combines these ideas in a clear and effective way.
Which sentence should replace sentence 7 to better state the central idea of this paper?
People all over the state love and appreciate this very special flower.
Spring is a great time to grow flowers and other plants in Texas.
Flowers are blooming across the state, and people in Texas like flowers.
Bluebonnets grow in this state, but they grow in other places too.
The meaning of sentence 21 is unclear. Which word should replace 'They' in this sentence?
Artists
Bluebonnets
We
Historians
What is the BEST way to revise sentence 27?
The bluebonnet usually appears in March or April but to last through early May.
The bluebonnet usually appears in March or April and lasts through early May.
The bluebonnet usually appears in March or April and through early May.
The bluebonnet usually appears in March or April it lasts through early May.
What is the BEST revision to make in sentence 6?
Noah’s new little pets are what seemed to be mostly eyes and tails on this first day.
On this first day, Noah’s new little pets seemed to be mostly eyes and tails.
The new little pets seemed to be mostly eyes and tails for Noah on this first day.
On this first day, it seemed to be mostly eyes and tails of Noah’s new little pets.
Claire has included a sentence that does not belong in the third paragraph (sentences 8–13). Which sentence should she remove?
Sentence 8
Sentence 9
Sentence 10
Sentence 11
What change, if any, should be made in sentence 21?
Small bulges puffed out but on each tadpole’s head and on the sides.
Small bulges of each tadpole’s head puffed out so on the sides.
Small bulges or the sides they puffed out of each tadpole’s head.
No change is needed.
Claire wants a more effective transition between the sixth paragraph (sentences 26–29) and the last paragraph (sentences 30–33). Select the ONE correct phrase that should replace 'After that' in sentence 30 to improve this transition.
(a) , Noah's eyes drifted to the green plants nearby.
Because of his situation
While he was thinking
What change needs to be made in sentence 2?
Change Man to man
Change had to has
Change big to bigger
Change dream to dreem
What change needs to be made in sentence 5?
Change met to meeted
Change and to or
Change finaly to finally
Change grant to grants
What is the correct way to write sentence 7?
Stephen F. Austin brought 300 settlers to Texas. And founded a small colony.
Stephen F. Austin brought 300 settlers to Texas and founded it. A small colony.
Stephen F. Austin brought 300 settlers to Texas. Founding a small colony.
Stephen F. Austin brought 300 settlers to Texas and founded a small colony.
What change needs to be made in sentence 2?
Change were excited to are excited
Change there to their
Change piece to peice
Change land to Land
What change should be made in sentence 5?
Change Things to Thing’s
Change went to going
Change good to well
Change the period to a comma
What change needs to be made in sentence 8?
Insert a comma after topsoil
Delete and
Change clouds to cloud
Change fill to full
