Mastering STAAR Reading E Sample

Applying the
Readiness and Supporting TEKS

for the STAAR
STAA R
READING
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Focus on Specific Readiness & Supporting TEKS to Build

Reading Comprehension Skills for the STAAR
..
Mastering STAAR Reading
Applying the Readiness & Supporting TEKS for the STAAR
Grade Levels 38
Part 1: Guided Instruction

- Literary and Informational Passages
- Comprehension questions are aligned to the Readiness and Supporting TEKS
- Hints are provided to guide instruction and reinforce skills and strategies
Part 2: Independent Practice
- Literary and Informational Passages
- Comprehension questions are aligned to the Readiness and Supporting TEKS
- Students work independently
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Mastering STAAR Reading Mastering STAAR Reading
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The Texas Education Agency has neither endorsed nor authorized this practice test booklet.
ISBN 978-1-4204-6843-4
R 6843-4
Copyright 2012 RALLY! EDUCATION. All rights reserved. No part of the material protected
by this copyright may be reproduced in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Printed in the U.S.A.
1111.MAQ
RALLY! EDUCATION
22 Railroad Avenue
Glen Head, NY 11545
(888) 99-RALLY
2
R A L LY ! E D U C AT I O N . N O PA R T O F T H I S D O C U M E N T M AY B E R E P R O D U C E D W I T H O U T W R I T T E N P E R M I S S I O N O F T H E P U B L I S H E R .
Contents Mastering STAAR Reading
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Questions with Reporting Category, Content Student Expectation, and
Readiness/Supporting Category. Hints for each question provide instruction.
Passage 1: Literary Texts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Passage 2: Informational Texts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Passage 3: Literary Texts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Passage 4: Informational Texts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
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Practice Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
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Two practice tests, each with individual and paired passages.
Practice Test 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
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Practice Test 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
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3
Introduction Mastering STAAR Reading
Mastering STAAR Reading prepares students to succeed on the STAAR reading test.
The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) reading tests are
used to measure how well students are learning the Texas state curriculum known
as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). This curriculum is designed to
help students develop and sharpen their learning and reading skills.
The TEKS curriculum includes content student expectations (what students are
expected to have learned). These content student expectations are grouped into
three Reporting Categories:
Reporting Category 1: Understanding/Analysis Across Genres

Reporting Category 2: Understanding/Analysis of Literary Texts
Reporting Category 3: Understanding/Analysis of Informational Texts
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Like the STAAR Reading test, Mastering STAAR Reading consists of Informational
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Texts, Literary Texts and multiple-choice questions.
Part 1
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Part 1 of Mastering STAAR Reading is made up of four passages with questions.
Each question is followed by a hint to help you focus on the response. The
STER. or.
Reporting Category, Content Student Expectation, and whether it is a Readiness
being asked. 88 . S NOT

A B
. IT I
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IN
A
IN question
ACKLof
Supporting standard is also included so that you know what type
8 A NY isWAY
G H TE D E RE PROD
B
Part 2 IS C OPYRI S BOOK TO
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M
IS A passages.
Part 2 of MasteringSSTAAR Reading E N
individual andTHpaired IS NOT GIV
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Mastering STAAR Reading prepares students to succeed on the STAAR reading test
with instruction and practice reading the genres and question types that will
appear on the STAAR test.
4
Instruction Mastering STAAR Reading
Read this selection. Then answer the questions that follow it. Use the Hint after
each question to help you choose the right answer.
Passage 1
Saving Salamanders
1 Outside, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the
sound of childrens laughter filled the air. Inside, the curtains were
closed, the television was on, and Emile was sitting on the couch.
It was the first week of summer vacation, and Emile planned to do
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absolutely nothing. He thought it was nice not to have any tests or
P
SAM ATION
homework to worry about.
2 As Emile stared at the television screen, his older brother Alvaro
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walked downstairs and asked him to come outside and join him.
! E
3
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Emile declined, telling Alvaro that he wanted to enjoy his time
off. Alvaro looked at the cartoon on the television screen.
STER. .
4
8 .
Havent you already seen this show? he asked.LACKLIN
8 8 . IT I
A B
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A
A NY WAY
5 Emile ignored him and continued to watch.
HTEDtelevision RE P grabbed
remote control and switched P Y RI
offGthe
K TO BEset.
O
BO O K IS C R THIS BOO
6 Hey!
IS SA MPLE
exclaimed
G IV N FOI was watching that.
Emile.
E
TH T
IS NO fresh air, said Alvaro. Besides, theres something
7 You SS IO
need N some
IP ERMIto
want show you.
8 After a few moments hesitation, Emile got off the couch and
followed Alvaro outside. The two brothers walked a short distance
from their house to a small marsh. The trees shaded them from the
hot summer sun. Alvaro told his younger brother to stay away from
the water. Then he pointed to a small orange creature, which looked
like a lizard, on top of a large mossy rock.
9 Cool, said Emile. What is it?
10 Its a salamander, explained Alvaro as he gently picked it up and

placed it into the palm of his hand. They like cool, moist places.
5
11 Emile said that he had never seen a salamander before, and

Alvaro said that was probably because there arent many left. He
explained that their homes were being destroyed by people cutting
down trees and dumping garbage all over the place. Emile looked
around the marsh. He could see empty soda bottles, pieces of
newspaper, and plastic wrappers scattered around the area.
12 The slimy salamander squirmed around, and Alvaro gently

placed him back on the rock. Emile thought it was terrible that this
interesting little creature might lose its home. Emile imagined what
it would feel like if someone took away his home or left trash
everywhere. He knew he would be very upset. He figured that the
salamanders didnt like it either.
13 As Emile watched the salamander crawl under a rock, he came
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up with a great idea. He asked Alvaro to take him back to the house
SAM ATION
for a few minutes, so he could get some gloves and garbage bags.
Alvaro smiled, pleased at what his little brother wanted to do.
14
! E DU C
The boys returned to the marsh with their gloves on and garbage
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bags in hand. They started picking up the trash that filled the
marsh. It was a dirty job, but the boys felt good about themselves
R.
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15
once they were finished.
8 88 .
When they told their mother what they had NO T done,
. ITinISthe way
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D IN
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excited. I wish more kids wouldHpitch

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PYRI that
she said. There are lotsISofCOanimals H IS BOOKcleaner places to live.
need
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OR day as he ate his lunch. If they
Fthat
Emile thought
MP LEabout
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hadTmore
O N IS NOTcould help many different animals and keep
they
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their neighborhood clean.
6
16 When Alvaro was finished eating, Emile told his brother that he
had a plan, but they would need some help. During the afternoon,
Emile and Alvaro visited some of their friends from school. Emile
told them all about the salamanders and the garbage. He encouraged
them to help clean up some of the areas of their neighborhood.
Come on, he said. Its better than spending your summer
watching television!
17 Throughout the summer, Emile and Alvaro and their friends

looked for places in their neighborhood in need of a clean-upand
they were surprised just how many places were littered. Emile even
wrote a letter to the towns mayor, asking for recycling bins to be
placed in all public places.
18 The week before school started, Alvaro asked Emile if he was
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excited about going back to school. Emile was excited. He was ready
SAM ATION
to return to school, and he couldnt wait to tell his teachers what
he and his friends had accomplished.
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1 Reporting Category: 1
Content Student Expectation: 5.2(B)
8 8
.
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Readiness Standard
P Y RI K TO BE RE
What does the word hesitation
O O IS CO in paragraph
K mean THIS BOO 8?
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A feel sad THIS SA
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B talk
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C pause
D make quiet
HINT
This question asks you to figure out the meaning of a word by using the context of the
story. Using the context means using other words in the story to help you. Read paragraph 8
again. Look at the words that surround hesitation. They can help you figure out the correct
meaning of the word.
7
2 Reporting Category: 1 3 Reporting Category: 2

Content Student Expectation: 5.2(A) Content Student Expectation: 5.6(A)
Readiness Standard Readiness Standard
In paragraph 17, the prefix in the According to the story, why hasnt
word recycling means Emile seen the salamanders before?
A without A Salamanders live underneath rocks.
B again B Emile doesnt like to go outside.
C after C Salamanders are afraid of people.
D between D There arent many salamanders left.
HINT HINT
P LE
SAM ATION
This question is asking you about a This question asks you to think about a
prefix. Remember that a prefix comes detail in the story. To remember the
at the beginning of a word. For detail, you might have to reread some
example, the prefix un means not. By
! E DU C of the story. Look at paragraph 11 if you

adding this prefix to the word happy,
you make the word unhappy, which
means not happy.
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need more help.
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8
Content Student Expectation: 5.14 Fig. 19 (E)
Readiness Standard
Which is the best summary of the story?

A Emile plans to relax during his summer vacation. His older brother Alvaro takes
him to see the salamanders in a nearby marsh. Alvaro explains that the
salamanders homes are being destroyed by garbage. Emile and Alvaro get their
friends to help them clean up the neighborhood that summer.
B Alvaro wants Emile to come to the marsh with him. Emile would rather stay inside
and watch television. Alvaro takes Emile to see the salamanders. When they get
back home, the two brothers tell their mom about the salamanders. Mom is very
proud of the two boys and tells them to keep up the good work.
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C Emile wants Alvaro to leave him alone. Alvaro asks Emile to go to the marsh. Emile
SAM ATION
doesnt want to go. He wants to relax during his summer vacation. Alvaro says that
Emile needs to go outside to get some fresh air. The brothers walk to the marsh
! E DU C
together. Emile is glad that he didnt waste his time inside.
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D Alvaro plans to take his little brother, Emile, with him to the marsh. When they
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arrive, they see that the salamanders homes are being destroyed by trash. Alvaro
decides to ask his brother to help him clean up the marsh. The brothers R. up all
STEpick
8 .
of the trash and the salamanders start to return to the marsh.KLIN
8 8 .
O T A
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D IN ANY
HINT TE D
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A summary is a short retelling Oof IS major parts
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should include the
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N main
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mentions allPof
9

Content Student Expectation: 5.6(A) Content Student Expectation: 5.6(B)
Why does Emile decide to clean up Why is paragraph 16 important to

the salamanders marsh? the story?
A Alvaro tells him that he should A It tells the reader how recycling
spend more time outside in the can help animals.
fresh air.
B It explains what has happened to
B He imagines how he would feel if the salamanders.
someone left trash inside his
C It shows the reader how much
home.
Emile has changed.
C Alvaro thinks it is a good idea to
do something to help their
P LE D It describes Emiles idea to help
SAM HINT
the salamanders.
neighborhood.
D He thinks that it will be more fun
C ATION
than watching television.
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This question asks you to decide what
the main idea of the paragraph is about
HINT and how it is important to the R.resolution
T E
This question asks you to study a
character from the story very closely.
8 88 . T
of the story. Reread
IS N
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decide the
O
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A S
LINparagraph
A N Y
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ofD the
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Sometimes you can figure out how a
RIGHTED. I Carefully
O BE EPRat all of the answer
Rlook
character feels by what he or she saysOor
IS C PY BO O KT
choices before choosing the one that
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does. Consider what made Emile fits best.
M
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to help the salamanders. GIVE N
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ION
more help, reread paragraph
ISS
12.
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10
Passage 2
Batteries: Power from the Past
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SAM ATION
1 Today, batteries can be found in many homes, schools, and stores.
Batteries are tiny metal boxes that are full of power. They can make
E D C
toys, tools, and other machines seem to come to life. Although it
U
seems like a new invention, the battery has had a long history.
!
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Batteries have been in use for more than 200 years. Some scientists
even believe batteries have been around much longer than that.
STER. .
2
8 88 .
The first person to use the word battery was LIBenjamin
Franklin in 1748. His idea of a battery was very
He tried to make a battery out ofEDglass. .
O T A C
different
N mightODbe
IT ISThat R
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BLA than
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ours.
UCEhard to
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imagine today! Our basicOideas
C P YRIGabout O TO BE are similar to his,
batteries
K
IS smallTHbox,
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IS B or cell, that contains special
though. A battery
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THIS SAandISmetals.
chemicals
NO T GIVThis
IONused to make machines move.
that can be
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3 1800, Italian inventor Alessandro Volta
began adding to Franklins ideas about electricity. Volta
found that some kinds of metal, when placed together,
could make a little bit of electricity. Two of these metals
were silver and zinc. Volta set about building what
became the first modern battery. He made many small
plates out of both silver and zinc. Then he stacked
these plates until he had one tall pile of metal. Finally,
he slid pieces of cloth between the plates.
4 When Volta wet the cloth with salt water, a small electrical charge
began moving through the metal. Voltas pile didnt make much
electricity. He had to make several piles in order to build up a good
charge. However, it was a great success. Volta proved that, with just
metal and salt water, a person could make a simple kind of battery. We
remember Volta today in the word volt. A volt is about as much
electricity as his battery could make.
GO ON
11
5 Alessandro Volta made the first modern battery. However, many

people believe that batteries have been made as far back as 2,000 years
ago! The evidence for this claim is a small clay pot. The pot was found
by scientists in an ancient village in the Middle East.
6 This clay pot was about six inches tall and very plain. From the
outside, it looked to be a simple drinking or cooking pot. When
scientists opened it up, however, they found much more. The pot
had been closed on top with tar. Stuck in this tar was a rolled-up
piece of copper. Inside the copper was an iron bar. If a special kind
of juice (like lemon juice) were poured into the pot, these metals
would begin to make electricity. Scientists proved that this could
work. They also could not think of anything else for which the
special pot could have been used. Because of this, many people
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today believe that this pot is the worlds oldest battery!
7
SAM ATION
Like Voltas battery, this ancient battery could not have made
much electricity. You would have needed more than five of them
DU C
just to power a modern clock radio. The ancient people could not
! E
Y
have done much with these batteries. Scientists have decided on a
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few possible uses, however. One possible use was for healing aches
and pains. Ancient people might have thought electricity couldR.
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8
make them feel better.
8 88 .
Other scientists think the ancient Tbattery IS N
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B LA C KL
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beenTHused IS OT G
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SIO N
9 RMISscientists
PEThe other idea about the mysterious battery is that it was
used to trick people. At the time, nobody knew much about electricity.
Some scientists think that these batteries were hidden inside metal
statues. When people touched the statues, they would feel a small
electrical shock in their fingers. For people who didnt know about
electricity, this odd feeling might have seemed like magic.
10 Many people use remote controls, flashlights, or toy cars every

day. Each of these things runs on batteries. Not many people realize,
though, that the idea for batteries may be thousands of years old!
12

Content Student Expectation: 5.10(A) Content Student Expectation: 5.11(C)
Supporting Standard Readiness Standard
Why might ancient people have How was Benjamin Franklins battery
thought electricity was magic? different from batteries used today?
A Electricity needed only metal and A He built his battery from glass.
chemicals.
B He placed metal inside his battery.
B They did not know much about
C He did not use the word battery.
electricity.
D He made his battery very small.
C They had no way of making
electricity.
HINT
D Electricity was made in plain pots.
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SAM ATION
This question asks you to compare ideas
from the article. The author talks about
HINT Benjamin Franklins work with batteries.
This question asks you to look for a
! E DU C Think about what you learned about

reason why ancient people might have
thought electricity was magic. The
article tells you that long ago people
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Franklin in paragraph 2, and then think
about how his battery was different from
the ones we use today. ER.
MAST
viewed electricity differently than people
view it today. Why was this?
8 88 . T IS NOT A BLA
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Content Student Expectation: 5.11(D)
Readiness Standard
Look at the diagram of information from this article.
The Volta Battery The Ancient Battery

Uses silver and zinc Joins metal and Uses copper and iron
Made of metal plates chemicals Made of metal bars
Built around 1800 _____________ Built in ancient times
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Which detail belongs on the blank line? SAM ATION
A Made little electricity
! E DU C
B Hidden inside a clay pot
C Built by a famous inventor
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D Found in the Middle East
8 88 . . IT I
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B OO
IS S A MPLE is a Venn
The picture in this question
GIV E FO
Ndiagram. A Venn diagram lists ideas about two
different thingsTHand showsS how T
I NO these things are similar. Read over the lists included in the
picture above. Read SIO N
IS the answer choices carefully. In which way are the Volta battery and the
PERM
ancient battery similar?
14

Content Student Expectation: 5.10(A) Content Student Expectation: 5.10
Supporting Standard Supporting Standard
Based on information about ancient What is the most likely reason why
people, which of the following the author wrote this article?
represents something they probably
A To show how to make electrical
would not have done?
charges
A Made statues out of metal
B To describe the history of an
B Made juice from lemons invention
C Used batteries in large machines C To tell a story about fascinating
scientists
D Understood how batteries work
P LE D To share information about
SAM HINT
ancient people
HINT
Part of this article talks about people in
C ATION
ancient times. Think about what you
Y ! E DU
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learned about these people and how The question asks you why the author
they lived. Then read the answer wrote this article. Every author has a
choices. Which of these choices reason for writing. Think about
T E R. what you
describes something ancient people
would probably not do?
8 88 . T
information
IS N
I you. Reread
BLA C K LINE M
learned in this article.
OT A the Dauthor
O U C E
A S
Think about
D IwasA N Y WAY.what
N trying to give
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K IS COPY IS BOO KT
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Content Student Expectation: 5.11(E) Content Student Expectation: 5.10(A)
Readiness Standard Supporting Standard
This article would most likely be With which statement would the
found in a book of author probably agree?
A American history A Batteries were more important
long ago than they are today.
B world geography
B Ancient people may have known
C science articles
much more than we realize.
D fictional stories
C Copper and iron work better than
silver and zinc in batteries.
HINT
P LE D Gold-plated jewelry can produce
SAM HINT
Think back on the information in this small electrical charges.
article. Did everything in the article
happen in America? Did the article teach
C ATION
you about other lands? Would the article
Y ! E DU
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fit well in your science book? Or did the When you read an article, you can learn
article tell a made-up story? After you about the author who wrote it. You can
consider these questions, choose the learn from the authors ideas
T E .
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most likely answer.
8 88 . T
knowledge, and the
Think about
IS N
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B L
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A
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orAshe
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16

What can the reader tell about the Which sentence from the article is an
first batteries from this article? example of an opinion?
A The batteries were expensive A Alessandro Volta made the first
to build. modern battery.
B The batteries were not very B Many people use remote controls,
powerful. flashlights, or toy cars every day.
C Few people wanted to use the C Our basic ideas about batteries are
batteries. similar to his, though.
D It took months to make the
P LE D The pot was found by scientists in an
SAM HINT
batteries. ancient village in the Middle East.
HINT
C ATION
Y ! E DU
RALL 99.RALLY
This question asks you to come to a Remember that an opinion is a
conclusionto use what youve just statement that cannot be proven. This
learned about the first batteries to learn article has some opinions inEit.
T R. The rest
something more. Think about the
information you just gained from reading.
8 88 . T
of the statementsLIare
IS N
I over eachRof
BL A C
O A andDUcan
that areTtrue
O
K
C E
A S
M (statements
NE facts
A NY WAY.
DbeINproven). Look
Which of these answer choices makes
TED. EPRthese answer choices
sense, given what youve just learned?OPYRIGH KT O BE
carefully. Which is an opinion, a
O OK IS C R THIS BOOstatement that you cannot show is
B
IS SA MPLE GIVE N FO right or wrong?
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
17

Content Student Expectation: 5.3 Content Student Expectation: 5.3(A)
Which sentence from this article shows A common idea throughout this
that batteries are important now? article is the importance of
A The first person to use the word A finding ways to make and
battery was Benjamin Franklin use electricity
in 1748.
B building machines that can
B They can make toys, tools, and other use batteries
machines seem to come to life.
C digging up the villages of
C Batteries have been in use for more ancient people
than 200 years.
P LE D learning more about
SAM HINT
D The evidence for this claim is a Benjamin Franklin
small clay pot.
C ATION
HINT
Y ! E DU
RALL 99.RALLY
This question asks you to decide what
This question asks you to use what you idea is used throughout the article. Most
already know to answer a question articles have one or more importantER.
STthe
about the article. Read the answer
choices now. Next, use what youve
8 88 . T
ideas. Almost every
will have
IS N
BLA C K
OT Ato do with
O D
LIN
U C
E
part
E
M
that
Aof
A NY W AY.
article
D INimportant idea.
learned from the article, along with the
things you already know, to select theOPYRIGH
TED. I Think
O
about
B E
R article youve just read.
REPthe
IS C BO O KT
Then, decide which of the answer
P LE BOOKshowsFOR THIS
correct answer. Which statement choices best describes the most
M
IS SA are today?
how important batteries GIVE N important idea throughout the article.
TH
N IS NOT
ISSIO
PERM
18
Content Student Expectation: 5.10(A)
Supporting Standard
The author organizes the article by

A explaining each part of a modern
battery
B describing how to build Voltas
battery
C comparing different kinds of
batteries
D tracing the long history of batteries
P LE
HINT
Authors have to organize their articles SAM ATION
carefully. They want to give information
! E DU C
to their readers in the best possible way.
Think about how the author organized
the article you just read. How does the
LY
authors organization of the article help
the reader?
8 88 . . IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
PY RIGHTED TO BE RE
O K
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
GO ON
19
Passage 3
A Neighborhood Treasure
1 It was Friday afternoon, and Rosa and her fellow fifth-graders
were anxiously awaiting the end of the school day. The clock on the
wall above Mrs. Johnsons head seemed to be moving very slowly.
Rosa sighed quietly. On Friday, more than any other day of the
P LE
week, each minute seemed to take forever.
2
SAM ATION
Rosas class had attended a school program earlier that day. Now
! E D C
Mrs. Johnson was trying to teach them about local history.
U
3
LY
Who knows something about the history of this town? she asked.
RAL 99.RALLY
The students didnt seem to hear her. Some yawned. Others stretched
and squirmed in their seats. A few were drawing in their notebooks.TER.
4
8 88 .
Mrs. Johnson frowned. You all know that IAdont
homework over the weekend, she began, .
O T
C K LINE MAS WAY.
ANY
BLA like DtoINgive
IT IS NbutREyoure
RODUCnot E even
TE D
H workTOmay P
YRIGextra
paying attention. I think a little
P K BE be necessary.
C O O O
LE BO OK IS OR THIS B
5
IS SA MP
The students groaned.
GIV E NF
TH O
IS NofT
6 I want
ISS ION
each you to talk to a neighbor about the history of
PERMtown and write a paper about what your neighbor tells you,
your
she said. Your papers are due Monday. The bell rang and her
students miserably shuffled out of the room.
7 That night over dinner, Rosa mentioned the project to her parents.
8 This is terrible, Rosa complained, pushing her food around

with her fork.
9 It must be important, or Mrs. Johnson wouldnt have asked you

to do it, said Rosas father.
20
10 Rosa asked her parents if she could write about her uncle, Roberto,
who was visiting on Sunday. She thought this would be easy. Then
she wouldnt have to talk to a neighbor whom she didnt know.
11 Youre supposed to write about a neighbor, her mother

pointed out. Roberto lives in San Antonio, and hes family.
12 Rosa made a face.
13 Why dont you talk to Mr. Williams? her father suggested. Mr.
Williams lived a few houses away from them. No one knew much
about him because he rarely left his house.
14 He doesnt get many visitors, said her mother. Maybe hed

like the company. You could talk to him tomorrow and then write
LE
your paper on Sunday, before Roberto comes.
P
15
SAM ATION
Rosa swallowed hard. She did not want to visit old Mr. Williams.
She listened as her mother called her neighbor.
16
! E DU C
Mr. Williams can see you tomorrow morning, she told Rosa as
she hung up the phone.
LY
RAL 99.RALLY TER.
17
8 88 .
Rosa slowly got out of bed the next morning. She was grumpy.
barely touched the French toast that her father put inLAfront
NOT
. IT ISSammy
AB
E M
UC
A
E
SShe
CKLINof her. NY WAY.
D
OD to play
IN A
18 Tinas going to the mall today,
G HTE Dand
E RE PRgoing
is
basketball in the park, she
IS C YRI
OPgrumbled.B O O K TO B
P LE BOOK F OR THIS
M N
GIVE but you have a meeting, her father said.
HIS SA IS NOTand
19 Thats fine for them,
GoTget a notebook
O N a pen. Mr. Williams will be waiting for you.
ISS I
RM
PERosa
20 slowly walked to Mr. Williams house. She paused outside
the door. Then she knocked. After a minute, Mr. Williams opened
the door.
21 You must be Rosa, he said.
22 Rosa nodded.
23 Come on in. I have some things you might like to see.
24 Rosa doubted that, but followed him inside the house anyway.
Mr. Williams leaned heavily on his cane as he walked up the steps.
21
25 This way, he said. Rosa followed

him into a room at the end of the
hallway. It was filled with boxes. She
looked into one and was surprised to
see tools from a doctors office.
Another box held old pictures of the
town hospital.
26 Wow, she said, reaching for the
picture. She realized that a younger
Mr. Williams was standing in front of
the hospital. Were you a doctor?
27 Mr. Williams smiled and nodded.
Yes, that was my profession. I was
one of the first doctors to work at our
hospital, he told her. I was also part
of a group that helped start it. Before
that, the people of this town had to drive very far to get good
medical care.
28 Rosa thought for a minute. I had to go to the hospital once,
she said. I fell off of a swing and broke my arm. My parents rushed
P LE
me to the hospital right away. The doctors gave me a cast, and all
SAM ATION
the nurses signed it for me.
29
agree? asked Mr. Williams.
! E D C
Well, its a good thing we had a hospital then. Dont you
U
30
31
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
Rosa smiled shyly. It sure is.
Rosas teacher, Mrs. Johnson, was in a good mood on MondayTER.
32
morning.
8 88 .
Who would like to share something
.
KLINE
O
M
T
A
A
S
BLAC
S N learned?
IT Ithey R
WAY.
D
ODUshe
IN ANY
CE asked
TE D RE P
the class.
C OPYRIGH OOK TO BE
33 Rosas handEshot O IS the air.THIS B
OKinto
B
IS SA MP L
G IV E N FOR
34 TH Rosa?
Yes, IS NOT
ISS ION
35 PEIRMfound out that my neighbor did something very important,
Rosa told her teacher. He helped start our hospital. Now everyone
in our town has a place to go when they get sick or hurt.
36 Mrs. Johnson smiled proudly. Sounds like Rosa uncovered a
neighborhood treasure.
22

Content Student Expectation: 5.2(B) Content Student Expectation: 5.2(A)
In paragraph 27, the word profession In paragraph 36, the word proudly
means means
A teacher A against pride
B job B no pride
C hobby C before pride
D home D with pride
HINT HINT
P LE
SAM ATION
Look at the other words in this sentence Reread the sentence before answering
and the sentences that follow. Look for the question. Look at how the word is
clues that can help you to figure out the used in the sentence and then select the
meaning of the word.
! E DU C best answer.
LY
8 88 . . IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
PY RIGHTED TO BE RE
O K
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
23

Content Student Expectation: Content Student Expectation:
5.14 Fig. 19 (E) 5.14 Fig. 19 (E) Readiness Standard
Readiness Standard
Which is the best summary of this
Paragraphs 17, 18, and 19 are selection?
mostly about
A Rosa wants to find something
A Rosa trying to convince her parents special for show and tell. Her
to let her do something else parents suggest that Rosa talk with
a neighbor who used to be a
B Rosa waking up and getting ready
doctor. Rosas teacher is impressed
to go to school in the morning
with Rosas hard work.
C Rosas parents teaching Rosa how
B During a school meeting, the
to be best prepared for work
P LE students learn about the town
SAM ATION
D Rosas parents talking about why hospital. Rosa knows that one of
her homework is important her neighbors used to work at the
HINT
! E DU C hospital, and she decides to talk
with him to give a report.
Reread these three paragraphs. Think

about what is happening in these
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
C Rosas teacher wants the students
to learn about the history of the
ER. to
STuncle
paragraphs and then select the
best answer.
8 88 . . IT IS
town. Rosa wants
help with
N
parents
B LA
R
C
the
OT A suggest
O DU
N
C
E A
her
M
KLIhomework,
IN A NY
EaDneighbor.
AY. her
Wbut
Rosa
TE D RE P
IGH O BE that person was an
learns
COPYR IS BOOK Timportant
LE BOOK IS OR TH doctor.
IS SA MP GIVE NF D When Rosa breaks her arm, she

TH IS NO T
ISS ION goes to the town hospital for a
PERM cast. The doctors and nurses are
nice to her, and she decides to
learn more about the hospitals
history. Rosa learns a neighbor
founded the hospital.
HINT
Remember, a summary gives you all of
the most important information about
the story in a few sentences. Read each
of the answer choices carefully before
selecting the one that best fits.
24

Content Student Expectation: 5.6(A) Content Student Expectation: 5.6(B)
How does Rosas attitude change from Why are paragraphs 1 through 6
the beginning to the end of the story? important to the story?
A She decides that she wants to be A They show why Rosa must talk to
a doctor. her neighbor.
B She learns that she likes doing B They show that the students had a
homework. school program.
C She realizes that her neighbor C They explain why teachers give
is interesting. students homework.
D She discovers that the hospital is
P LE D They describe a way for students
SAM HINT
well-known. to learn about history.
HINT
C ATION
Y ! E DU
RALL 99.RALLY
Think about what Rosa was like in the Think about why the author included
beginning of the story. What about her the first few paragraphs. What is the
has changed by the time the story author trying to tell the reader
T E R. by
has ended?
8 88 . . IT IS NO PRODUCE
including them? What
TA BLA
that is important
C K to the
A S
LINE Mdo they
A N
D INstory?
Y AY.
Wexplain
PY RIGHTED TO BE RE
O K
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
GO ON
25
Passage 4
The Life of Sandra Day OConnor

1 Sandra Day OConnor was the first
woman to serve as a judge on the Supreme
Court of the United States of America. Sandra
was born on March 26, 1930, in El Paso,
LE
Texas. She lived with her parents on their
P
SAM ATION
ranch near Duncan, Arizona. Ranch life was
often hard, but Sandra loved it. She made
! E DU C
friends with the cowboys who worked on the
ranch. She often pitched in to help with the
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
work. She learned to ride horses and she
loved to read. Sandras parents wanted her to
STER. .
8 88 .
go to school. At that time, not all children
were given the chance to go to school and
learn. Sandra almost didnt get to go IStoNOT
. IT
A B L
ROD
E
UCED
MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
GHTEDthan T20 P
school. The closest school was more
P Y RI K O BE RE
O O IS CO went
miles from the ranch!K Sandra
THIS ElOPaso Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day
toBO
B
PLEgrandmother R she would be OConnor
to live withMher
IS S A GIV E N FOso
closer S NOT
TH to the school.
ISSIONI
2 RM learned quickly and worked hard in school. She finished
PESandra
high school when she was only sixteen. She decided to go to college
after high school. She was accepted at a college in California. She
took business classes there because she thought these classes would
help her learn to run her parents ranch. But, in time, she decided
to do something else. She wanted to learn more about the law.
3 Sandra went to law school after college. People in law school

learn to be lawyers. She finished law school in just two short years.
She graduated at the top of her class. Then, she married John
OConnor, another law student, and changed her name to Sandra
Day OConnor.
26
4 While John finished his last year of law school, Sandra tried to
get a job in a law firm. But no one wanted to give her a chance.
People wouldnt hire her because she was a woman. It was unfair
that she wasnt given the same opportunities as men. Sandra was
determined, however. She kept up her job search and was finally
hired by the government of California.
5 In 1957, the first of Sandras three sons was born. The other two
arrived within the next few years. During this time, Sandra worked
part-time in a private practice with one other lawyer. She also took
some time off to care for her family.
6 Sandra decided to return to work fulltime in 1965. She became

successful very quickly. She was hired as the assistant state attorney
general in Arizona. Four years later, the governor of Arizona chose
P LE
her to fill an empty seat in the state Senate. The people of Arizona
SAM ATION
reelected her to that seat several times. Later, she was elected judge
of an Arizona county court. She then became the judge of a higher
DU C
court in Arizona. Then, in 1981, the name Sandra Day OConnor
! E
7
became a household name.
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
President Ronald Reagan suggested that Sandra fill the open seat
STER. .
8 88 .
in the Supreme Court. This is the highest court in the United M
Sandra made history when the Senate approved
position. She became the first woman toTtake
. I I
A
S NaOseat
B L
T as a judge
ROD
E
IN
A
States.
KLIN for the
ACher
UCED in the
A NY WAY
GHTEDyearsTObefore P
Supreme Court. It would be R
PY twelve
I K BE REanother woman
would reach the same S CO
K Igoal. IS BOO
P LE BOO F OR TH
A M N
E Supreme Court for 24 years. She became
GIVthe
8 THIS S remained
Sandra
IS NOT on
N attention to detail when handling court cases. In
SIOher
knownISfor
R M
PE she fell ill, but Sandra refused to let her illness stop her. She
1988,
quickly returned to the bench.
9 In July of 2005, Sandra announced that she planned to retire.

She wanted to travel and spend time with her family. Judge Samuel
Alito was chosen to fill her seat. He took over in January of 2006.
10 Though Sandra is no longer part of the Supreme Court, her time

there will not be forgotten. Her determined spirit and drive for success
make her a good role model not only for girls, but also for boys.
27

Content Student Expectation: 5.11(C) Content Student Expectation: 5.11(C)
Why did Sandra Day OConnor become How does Sandra change while
so famous after President Reagan chose studying at college?
her for the Supreme Court?
A She starts to run her parents
A She had been in the top of her ranch.
class when she finished law school.
B She stops working as hard as before.
B She had been a judge in Arizona
C She decides that she wants to be
for several years.
a rancher.
C She was known for her attention to
D She chooses to study law instead
detail when handling court cases.
P LE of business.
SAM HINT
D She was the first woman to become
a member of the Supreme Court.
C ATION
HINT
Y ! E DU This question asks you to compare
RALL 99.RALLY
Sandra before and after she studies at
This question asks you to figure out the college. Read the section of the article
cause of Sandras fame. What was it that describes her studying EatR.college in
T
about Sandra that was so special that
the author said she became a household
8 88 . O
IT IS N REPRODUC
E
California. How does
studying B LA C K LINE
T Aat college? D IN
MASchange
she
A NY Y.
WAwhile
name? Read each answer choice
RIGHTED. O BE
OPY
carefully before you make your decision.
C OO K T
LE BOOK IS OR THIS B
IS SA MP GIVE NF
TH IS NO T
ISS ION
PERM
28
Content Student Expectation: 5.11(D)
Readiness Standard
Look at the following web of information from the selection.
Assistant to the
Private lawyer Arizona Attorney
General
P LE
SAM ATION Judge of an Arizona
Senator in Arizona
! E DU C county court
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
Which of the following belongs in the empty oval?
STER. .
A
B 8 88
Jobs that prepared Sandra for the SupremeED
.
Jobs Sandra held after she left the Supreme Court
. I
OT A BL
T IS N REPRODUCE
Court
E
D
MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
PY R IGHT TO BE
C O O O K
C Jobs held by Sandras husband
LE B OOK IS OR THIS B
after law school
D Jobs Sandra was SA MP first woman
the IVE F hold
N to
TH IS T G
S IO N IS NO
IS
HINT PERM
This question asks you to complete the web using details from the selection. Look at the jobs
listed in the web. Who held these jobs? When did he or she hold them? If youre not sure of
the answer, go back and reread the passage.
29

Content Student Expectation: 5.11(C) Content Student Expectation: 5.10
What would most likely have The author probably wrote this
happened if Sandra Day OConnor selection to
had given up on working as a lawyer
A inform the reader about a
when law firms wouldnt hire her?
successful woman in America
A She would have gone back to
B convince the reader to go to
law school.
school to become a lawyer
B She would not have taken time off
C describe how it feels to look up to
to be with her family.
someone special
C She would not have served in the
Supreme Court.
P LE D entertain with a story about a
SAM HINT
young girl on a ranch in Texas
D She would have worked as a
judge instead.
C ATION
Y ! E DU
RALL 99.RALLY
Every author has a reason for writing.
HINT Think about the details given in this
This question asks you to make a selection. Think about the information .
TERyou.
prediction based on what you know
about Sandra Day OConnors life. Think
8 88 . T
the author was trying
IS N O A B
I one that fits
LA
read theT answer
R O
C K
D
LIN E
choices
U C E
M
toA Sgive
A NY WAY.Then,
D INand pick the
about how Sandras early jobs prepared
HTED. EPbest.
R
her for the job she held later in life. Use
S
RIG
COPY IS BOOK TO BE
O K I
these details to help you choose
MP LE BO the
N F OR TH
correct answer. IS SA
TH GIVE
NOT
N IS
ISSIO
PERM
30

Content Student Expectation: 5.11(E) Content Student Expectation: 5.10(A)
This selection would most likely be With which statement would the
found in author probably agree?
A a book of short stories A Sandra should have kept her
position in the Supreme Court.
B a book of poems
B Women should be allowed to do
C a science book
any job they choose.
D a history book
C Sandra was the best judge on the
Supreme Court.
HINT
P LE D Women are better at judging cases
SAM HINT
Think back on the information in this in court than men.
selection. Does this selection tell a
made-up story? Does it describe how
C ATION
the author feels using lines and verses?
Y ! E DU
RALL 99.RALLY
Would this selection fit well in a science When you read a selection, you can
book? Or would this selection fit better learn about the author who wrote it.
in a book about history? Consider these You can learn from the authors
T E R. ideas,
questions before choosing your answer.
8 88 . T
knowledge, and the
uses. Think
IS N
B LA
OT A about
O
C
I about thisREauthor.
K
D
LINEwords
U
what
C E
A S
M he orAshe
A N Y W Y.
D INyou learned
GHTED. E PR Use this knowledge to
RI O B
K IS COPY IS BOO KT
help you choose your answer.
LE BOO OR TH
A MP E N F
THIS S IS NOT GIV
RM ISSION
PE
31

The reader can tell that Sandra Day Which sentence from the selection is
OConnor helped pave the way for an example of an opinion?
women because
A She finished high school when she
A she finished law school at was only sixteen.
Stanford in just two years
B She graduated at the top of her class.
B another woman was later chosen
C It was unfair that she wasnt given
for the Supreme Court
the same opportunities as men.
C she was hired as a lawyer for the
D Sandra decided to return to work
government of California
P LE fulltime in 1965.
SAM HINT
D many people consider her to be a
good role model
C ATION
HINT
Y ! E DU Remember that an opinion is a
RALL 99.RALLY
statement that cannot be proven true or
This question asks you to draw a false. This article has some opinions in
conclusion using information from the it. The rest of the statements
T E . facts
Rare
passage. Think about what Sandra Day
OConnor did that no other woman
8 88 . T
(statements that can
IS N
BLA C K
OT A overDeach
false). Look
O
LINEbe
U C E
A S
M proven true
A N Y WAY. or
DofINthese answer
before her had done. Has any other
RIG HTED. I choices
O B E PR Which is an opinion, a
carefully.
REthat
woman followed in her footsteps?
IS C OPY BO O KT
statement you cannot show is true
BOOK THIS or false?
IS SA MPLE GIVE N FOR
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
32

Content Student Expectation: 5.3 Content Student Expectation: 5.3(A)
Which sentence from the selection What is one idea found throughout
suggests that Sandra was an this selection?
intelligent child?
A Treating others the way one wants
A Ranch life was often hard, but to be treated
Sandra loved it.
B Achieving ones goals no matter
B Sandras parents wanted her to go what they are
to school.
C Helping ones friends in their time
C Sandra learned quickly and worked of need
hard in school.
P LE D Always tell the truth
SAM HINT
D People in law school learn to
be lawyers.
C ATION
HINT
Y ! E DU Authors often include a common idea or
RALL 99.RALLY
theme throughout their work. As a
You must use both the selection and young girl on a ranch, Sandra often
your own experiences to help you took part in activities that boys
T E R. and men
answer this question. How can you tell
that she was a very intelligent child?
8 88 . T
would do. Later, she
before held
IS N
BLA C K LINEtook
OT A by aDwoman.
O
I this tell youEPabout
R her?U C E
A S
M a job never
A N Y WAY.
D IN What does
Read each answer choice carefully. Some
of them might seem like they could beOPYRIGH
TED. R
S C OOK TO BE
O
correct, but only one really showsK I
that HIS B
A M E BO
PLchild. E N FOR T
S
Sandra was an intelligent
IS G IV
TH
N IS NOT
ISSIO
PERM
33
Content Student Expectation: 5.10(A)
Supporting Standard
How does the author organize

this selection?
A By comparing Sandra to other famous judges
B By describing the events in Sandras life in order
C By listing the different jobs that Sandra held
D By asking and answering questions about Sandras life
HINT
P LE
SAM ATION
Look at each paragraph in the selection and determine how its organized. In what order
does the author present the information? Which answer correctly describes how the article is
organized?
! E DU C
LY
8 88 . . IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
PY RIGHTED TO BE RE
O K
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
STOP
34
Practice Test 1 Mastering STAAR Reading
Read this selection. Then answer the questions that follow it.
Chuck Jones: The Love of Laughter

1 How are Bugs Bunny, the Road
Runner, and Elmer Fudd alike? They are
all cartoon characters, and they were all
made by Chuck Jones. Chuck made
more than 300 cartoons throughout his
life.
2 Chuck Jones and his family moved
P LE
SAM ATION
to California when he was very young.
At this time, the movie business was
E D
close to where movies were made. He
! C
just getting started. Chuck liked living
U
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
would peek over the fence to watch the
actors making the movies.
TER.
3
8 88 .
As a boy, Chuck found a stray cat,
Johnson, and kept it as the family pet.
Johnson was very different from other .
OT A BLA
IT IS N REPRODUC
C K LINE MAS
E D IN ANY WAY.
IGH TE D
cats. Most cats hate water,Obut
C P YRJohnson O K TO BE
liked to swim. BHe IS swam
OKoften B O
HISwith
L E O
P brothers F OR T
ChuckISand
TH SAMhis
NO T GIVENand sisters. When Johnson got tired of
swimming,
ISS IONheISwould put his furry paws over the shoulders of one
RM kids. Then he would go for a ride! Sometimes he couldnt
ofPEthe
find Chuck or one of his brothers or sisters. Then he would grab on
to strangers swimming by.
4 Johnson often made the family laugh. One day their mother was
eating breakfast, and Johnson jumped up on the table. She gave
him eggs, bacon, and toast to eat, but Johnson didnt want any of
it. Then she gave him a grapefruit, and he ate it happily. Grapefruit
was Johnsons favorite food. He would eat a whole grapefruit for
breakfast each morning. Then he wore the grapefruit skin on his
head like a space helmet. He was a very funny cat.
35
5 Chuck loved that Johnson was so different from any other cat.
Johnson was an individual. Johnson taught Chuck the lesson that
animals are a lot like people. Each one is different and special in its
own way.
6 The children in Chucks family liked to read and draw. Their

parents wanted them to learn all they could about art. Chucks
parents noticed that Chuck could draw very well. They decided to
send Chuck to an art school.
7 After finishing art school, Chuck got a job at a place that made
cartoons. He started at the bottom. His job was to get supplies ready
for the more experienced artists. He learned a lot from them. They
taught him how to tell stories through cartoons. Eventually, he
moved up to drawing cartoons for a famous movie company. He
P LE
helped make cartoons that starred Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and
SAM ATION
Porky Pig. He made up characters such as Pep Le Pew, the skunk
with a big heart. He also made up the team of Road Runner and
Wile E. Coyote.
! E DU C
8
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
Early in Chucks career, he worked for a man named Leon. He
and the other artists dreamed up a duck that acted just like Leon.
TER.
8 8 .
The duck had a voice like Leons, too. When Leon left the office,
8
artists made a little movie about the duck. When they
the film, the artists were worried they Twould IS N
BLA
O
C
showed
OTbeA in trouble.
DU C
E M
KLIN Leon
A
N
Sthe
ED ILeon
A NY WAY.
thought the film and the duckRwereIGH D. I funny.

TEvery BE REPR Duck became
Daffy
OPY KT O
E BOO K IS C
a famous cartoon character.
R THIS BOO
M P L N F O
9 Chuck A
THIS S loved GIVE people laugh. After he made his first film,
toOTmake
N
IS
R M I SIONthat people would not find it funny. He snuck into a
he worried
S
PE to look at people watching his cartoon. A little girl sitting in
theater
front of Chuck whispered to her mother, Mommy, I knew we
should have come here. This made Chuck feel better.
10 Making cartoons was not easy. Chuck had to do about 400

drawings for each film. Sometimes he would draw the same
picture 40 times. He tried to draw each character perfectly. He
wanted to show that each character was unique, just like his cat
Johnson.
36
1 Why did Chuck go into the theater 4 Based on information in the article,
when his first film was being shown? the reader can conclude that Chuck
A He wanted to see how many A did not like his boss, Leon
people came to see the film.
B was the first person to
B He wanted to make sure that the make cartoons
film started on time.
C became an artist to please
C He wanted to see if adults his parents
understood his film.
D wanted to make people happy
D He wanted to see if people thought with his art
his film was funny.
P LE 5 What is the most likely reason why
SAM ATION
2 According to the article, why did the author wrote this article?
Chucks father send him to art school?
A To persuade kids to grow up to
A He saw that Chuck could draw
very well.
! E DU C be artists
B He wanted Chuck to work as

an artist.
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
B To tell a story about a very
funny cat
E R.
MASTabout
C He wanted Chuck to do better
in school. 8 88 .T IS NOT A
ODU C ED IN
C To share information
an artistBLACK LINE
ANY W
AY.
R IG H TED. I D To
O B REPRhow to draw a
show
E
He knew that Chuck liked to COPY
D
O K IS HIS BOOK Tcartoon animal
PLE BO IVEN FOR T
draw cartoons.
SA M
THIS
N IS NOT G
ISSIO
PERM 6 Which sentence from the article tells
3 Which words from the article help the reader that Chuck was a
the reader know what the word successful artist?
individual means in paragraph 5?
A Chuck liked living close to where
A Chuck loved that movies were made.
B different from B His brothers and sisters liked to draw.
C taught the lesson C They taught him how to tell stories
through cartoons.
D a lot like people
D Daffy Duck became a famous
cartoon character.
37
7 Based on information about Chuck, 10 A common idea throughout this

which of the following represents article is the importance of
something he probably would not
A learning everything about what
have done?
you like to do
A Continue to invent new characters
B finding people to support
B Become a teacher at an art school your dreams
C Give food to animals on the street C trying out many different hobbies
D Sketch a cartoon about real life D working for a person whom
you admire
8 What does the word unique mean in

paragraph 10?
P LE 11 What does the word eventually mean
SAM ATION
in paragraph 7?
A Alike
A Quickly
B Lonely
C Different
! E DU C B Finally
D Likeable LY
C Eagerly
D Timidly
9 Why is paragraph 8 important to 8 88 . . IT I

A B L
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
RI TED
GH12 O BE RE organizes the selection by
this article? O PY The
K T author
A It shows how artists
A E their ideas.
MPLget E N FO A describing how cartoons are made
TH IS S OT GIV
S ON
B It explains how Ibosses IS Nshould act. B explaining how to compare
R M IS
PE reader why Chuck drew.
C It tells the
cartoons
C explaining how an artist got started
D It describes how Chuck got a job.
D describing how a cat became famous
38
The Plant E
SAM Report
P L
ON U C AT I
January 2006
LLY ! E D Volume 1
RA
Does Speech Speed up Plant Growth?
. R A LL Y
by Wendy Wisteria
88 . 99 E M A STER. .
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
1 8
After June Harris wakes up, she has
RIG H ED . IT I
breakfast
Tplants. O B E
A BL
S NOT andPRwalks
OD D
UCEher dog.
RE sound a little
Next, she takes time to talk OPYto her
OOKthat T
This might
strange to some.BO O K IS C June
However, RT HIS B
thinks talking to her plants
MP LE N F O
THIS SA grow.
helps them
IS NO T GIVEmother always talked to the flowers in their
Junes
R M ISS Nwasthat
home. SheIOfelt this kept the plants healthy. At first, June didnt
PE
think there any truth to this. She soon changed her mind after
she bought some ferns for her new apartment. My plants werent
doing well. I watered them and made sure they received a lot of
sunlight. Nothing seemed to help. Thats when I decided to start
talking to them. She says the plants improved once she started
speaking to them.
39
2 Junes morning habits might seem unusual to some people.

However, the idea of talking to plants to help them grow is a fairly
common one. This idea was first introduced by Dr. Gustav Theodor
Fechner in 1848. Dr. Fechner believed that plants had feelings. He
thought that plants that received a lot of attention were healthier
than ones that were left alone.
3 Other plant owners soon showed interest in the idea. Luther

Burbank believed that plants could understand the feeling behind
words. This means that how a person speaks to a plant is more
important than what a person says. June agrees with this idea: Gentle
words calm a plant while mean ones could make it sick. George
Milstein thought that some types of music might also help. He made
a recording of peaceful songs for people to play to their plants.
4
P LE
Some people still think that science can explain why talking to
SAM ATION
plants helps them grow. Tim Thomas is an authority on plants. He
offers an interesting explanation. Just like people need oxygen, all
DU C
plants need carbon dioxide in order to live, he says. Because
! E
Y
humans release this gas when they speak, plants might receive
L
RAL 99.RALLY
more carbon dioxide when they are talked to. Others think that
people who talk to their plants are more likely to spot problems. R.
MASTE AY.
5
8 88 .
It is surprising that there hasnt been more research
subject, because there are so many people
.
O T
IT IS N who
A
L
BLACK on
INE
D IN
UCE have
feelODwords
R
ANY W
this
TE D
GH Ross hopes RE P
some effect on plants. ScientistRIApril
C OP Y O K TO BE to change this. She
is starting a six-month
OK ISexperiment O
HIStoB see if speech helps plants.
P LE B O F OR T
SAMwill N
GIVEplants
6 THISRoss
Dr.
IS
use
NO T pea in her test. Her team members will
plant one N
O in every pot. Then they will put the plants into two
ISSIseed
P E RM
groups. As they grow, all of the plants will get the same amount of
water, soil, and sunlight, says Dr. Ross. This is to make sure that
the only difference between the groups is whether or not they are
talked to.
7 One group of pea plants will be talked to every day by a member

of Dr. Ross team. The other will be the experiments control group.
These plants will be kept in silence. This is so the team can observe
the normal length of time it takes a pea plant to grow.
40
8 The team will take careful measurements during the experiment.

They will see how long it takes for each seed to poke out from
underneath the soil. They will measure the height and color of each
plant every day. They will compare these results at the end of six
months. Dr. Ross is very excited about the test. We hope that any
differences will finally prove whether or not talking to your plants
does them any good, she says.
9 June Harris has decided to continue to talk to her plants even if

Dr. Ross finds that speech has no effect on them. I actually like
talking to them, she says. It seems to keep my plants healthy, so
I feel as if Im doing something good.
P LE
SAM ATION
13 In paragraph 4, what does the word 15 Based on information in this article,
authority mean? the reader can conclude that
A Owner
! E DU C A more study is needed before it can

B Expert
C Teacher
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
be determined the effects of talking
on plants can be determined
STERbe. harmful
D Farmer
8 88 . . IT
B talking to plants might
C
to them Lbecause
IScarbon
B A
NOT A dioxide
E
DUCED
M A
KLIN people
IN A NY WAY.
release
G H TE D E RE PRO
C OB
OPYRI S BOOCK Twatering and care does more for
OOK IS
14 June started talking to her
MP LE Bplants
N F OR THI the health of plants than talking
A E
THIS S IS NOT GIV
when to them
A her mother M IS
told
ON about
SIher D Dr. Rosss pea plants will grow
PE R better when kept in silence
Dr. Fechner
B she read about Mr. Milsteins
record
C she heard about Dr. Ross test
results
D her plants started to become
very sick
41
16 According to the article, why does 18 Which sentence from the article suggests
Tim Thomas think that science can that talking to plants to increase their
explain the connection between growth is a widespread idea?
talking to plants and an increase in
A However, the idea of talking to plants
their growth?
to help them grow is a fairly common
A He thinks that people who talk to one.
their plants are more likely to see
B She says the plants improved once
a problem.
she started speaking to them.
B He believes that plants are able to
C Others think that people who talk to
understand the meaning behind
their plants are more likely to spot
many words.
problems.
C He thinks plants get an extra
D Luther Burbank believed that plants
amount of carbon dioxide when
they are talked to.
P LE could understand the feeling behind
SAM ATION
words.
D He believes that plants are very
much like humans because they
have feelings.
! E DU C
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
19 Which sentence from the article is an
example of a fact?
R.
ASTEhasntY.been
17 What is paragraph 5 mostly about?
A When Dr. Ross will take 8 88 . A It is surprising that
IT ISthere
A L
more research
B
L
NOT are soOmany
R D
INE Mthere
A NY WAbecause
ACK on thisINsubject,
UCEDpeople who feel
measurements IGHTED. E P
O BE Rhave some effect on plants.
S
R
COPY IS BOOK Twords
O K I
B
MP LE BO
How Dr. Ross will conduct
N F OR TH B He thought that plants that received
SA IV E
THIS
the experiment
N IS NOT G a lot of attention were healthier than
ISSIO ones that were left alone.
C
P RM started
Why Dr. ERoss
the experiment C Just like people need oxygen, all
plants need carbon dioxide in order
D What Dr. Ross expects to find
to live.
D It seems to keep my plants healthy, so
I feel as if Im doing something good.
42
20 Based on the explanation of the 21 What is the most likely reason why
experiment in the article, which of the author wrote this article?
the following represents why Dr. Ross
A To persuade readers to start talking
doesnt grow both peas and carrots?
to their plants
A She wants to make sure the only
B To tell a funny story about a
difference in the groups is if they
woman who talks to her plants
are talked to.
C To explain why people think
B She knows that pea plants grow
talking might help plants grow
very quickly and easily most of
the time. D To show people the right way
to water, care for, and talk to
C Pea plants will be easy to measure
their plants
because they poke out from under
the soil.
P LE
SAM ATION
D She knows that pea plants
respond well to the sound of
the human voice.
! E DU C
LY
8 88 . . IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
PY RIGHTED TO BE RE
O K
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
43
A Berry Nice Surprise

1 Everyone in town knew at least two things about the Gesphelt
sisters: all were named after great men in their familys past, and all
were very talented in one way or another. Rarely did a day pass
without one of their names appearing in the paper for some great
success. Seventeen-year-old Casey was a brilliant piano player. She
had actually written the music for this years high school play.
Fifteen-year-old Andy was a rising star on the basketball team. She
P LE
held the school record for most points scored in a single game.
SAM ATION
Thirteen-year-old Gerri was an honors student and a member of the
Science Olympiad team. Last year, she had earned four gold medals
! E DU C
at the competition. Then there was 11 year-old Charlie. Charlies
name didnt appear in the paper as often as her sisters names. She
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
was a B student, a so-so athlete, and an okay singer. She often felt
out of place among her sisters. At family events, aunts, uncles, and
STER. .
8 8 .
cousins would shower Casey, Andy, and Gerri with praise, Mwhile
8
Charlie got polite smiles and nods.
T
BLACK
IS N
LIN
OT A
E
O
A
D U
ANY W
C
AY
ED IN
2 One evening at dinner, Charlies
RIG H TED. Iparents
O BE REPR that their
decided
family should celebrate IS OPY girlsS many
Cthe BOOK Taccomplishments. They
O K HI
began planning
SA M PLE BOa party
IV E N Ffor T following month. As Charlie
OR the
THIS to them
listened
IS OT G about tents, tables, and chairs, she thought
Nchatter
about how N
ISSIOgreat it would be to have a party thrown in her honor.
P E RM
Just once she would love to be the best at something.
3 What about a cake? Charlies mother asked. She tapped a pen

on the table. The girls love strawberries, so maybe we could get a
strawberry cake.
4 I could make a strawberry cake, said Charlie. Charlie had only

ever baked cookies and brownies, but they had always disappeared
as fast as lightning.
5 Mrs. Gesphelt looked at her daughter. I dont know, honey.

Thats a pretty big job. Do you think you could handle it?
44
6 Charlie nodded. I know I can. Ill need your help getting it in

and out of the oven, but Ill do everything else myself.
7 Mrs. Gesphelt agreed to let Charlie bake the cake. However,

when Charlies sisters heard the plan, they didnt seem thrilled.
Charlie overheard them talking. They were worried that she would
mess up the cake for their special day.
P LE
SAM ATION
8 Well, thought Charlie, Ill just have to prove them wrong.
9 The next day, Charlie pored over cookbooks looking for the
! E DU C
perfect recipe for a strawberry cake. None of them seemed quite
Y
right. Finally, Charlie decided to combine a few different cakes to
create the perfect one.
L
10
8 88 .
On the day of the party, Charlie woke up early and got started
on the cake batter. She had decided to make angel
she had also chopped up some fresh strawberries
. IT I
A
S NOT and
BL
RO
E M A
ACKLINcake,INbut
food
UCED them
stirred
D
A NY WAY
TEDbatterOinto P
E pans. While
into the batter. Then she divided
PY RIGHthe
K T BE Rthree
OO IS CO Charlie
the cakes were in theKoven,
THIS BOO making the vanilla icing
started
B
to put on Mthe
IS S A G E N FORthe cakes were done baking, Mrs.
PLE cake. IVWhen
TH removed
Gesphelt T
IS NOthem from the oven, and Charlie allowed them
SIO N
MISAfter that, she started to put
to cool.
PERmasterpiece
her together.
11 She set the first round angel food

cake on a silver tray. She spread a thick
layer of strawberry preserves all over
the top of the cake. She set the second
cake on top of the first cake, and
spread some vanilla icing over the top
of it. Then she set the third cake on
top of the second cake. With all three
cakes in place, Charlie was ready to
add the icing. However, she added
some red food coloring to the vanilla
icing first, which turned it a pretty rose
color. She spread a thick layer of pink
icing all over the top and the sides of
the cake. She swirled the spatula round
and round to make a beautiful pattern
in the icing. Next she took some ripe,
45
red strawberries and cut them in half. Then she placed them in a
circle on top of the cake. Finally she placed the remaining icing in a
cake-decorating bag and squirted it around the edge of the cake. Just
as she was finishing, Charlies sisters arrived in the kitchen.
12 Charlie, this is beautiful! exclaimed Andy. Gerri and Casey

nodded in agreement, their eyes wide.
13 Soon guests began to arrive at the party. When it was time for
cake, Mrs. Gesphelt set the silver tray on the table and removed the
lid. Everyone immediately remarked how beautiful the cake looked.
14 Charlie made it, said Mrs. Gesphelt with a smile.
15 A few people looked surprised by her statement. Some seemed to
LE
eye the cake suspiciously before actually taking a bite. However, one
P
SAM ATION
bite was all it took for people to realize that the cake tasted as good
as it looked.
16
DU C
Charlie, this cake is incredible, raved Aunt Maureen. You
! E
17 LY
could win a baking contest with this cake, no questions asked.
RAL 99.RALLY
Shes right, Charlie, said Uncle Ted. You know, every April .
STER
8 88 .
have a cake-baking contest. This one would be aAsure
T IS N OT
KLIN
. I gettingE so O
M
they have a strawberry festival in Poteet, Texas. Im pretty sure
E
BLACwinner.
D
A
they
N
U C
A NY
ED I
R attention
WAY.
18 Charlie grinned. She wasntIGused
R H TEDto O B REPmuch
from her family, but she IS OPYto admit
Chad S B K T it felt pretty good. Not
OOthat
OK HI
A M E BO have
PLmight
only that, she
E N FOR T upon something that she could
stumbled
S IV
THIS
do best.
N IS NOT G
ISSIO
PERM
46
22 Which sentence from the story best 24 Why does the author say that the
shows that Charlie did not have the desserts Charlie bakes disappear as
amazing talents that her sisters had? fast as lightning?
A On the day of the party, Charlie woke A To show that Charlie bakes things
up early and got started on the cake very quickly
batter.
B To explain why Charlies family
B Charlies name didnt appear in the never eats dessert
paper as often as her sisters names.
C To show that people must really
C Ill need your help getting it in and like Charlies desserts
out of the oven, but Ill do everything
D To emphasize that Charlie enjoys
else myself.
baking for her family
D Finally, Charlie decided to combine a
few different cakes to create the
P LE
SAM ATION
perfect one.
25 Why does Charlie volunteer to bake
! E DU C the cake for her sisters party?

A She feels bad that she has nothing
23 In paragraph 15, what does the suffix
in the word suspiciously mean? LY
RAL 99.RALLY
to celebrate.
B She thinks that it will ER. her
STmake
A In such a way
B Most
8 88 . .
O T A BLA
N knowsOthat
ITCISShe R
D IN ANY
DUCEher sisters like
E M A
CKLINof her.
parents proud WAY.
TE D RE P
C Without
C OPYRIGH OOK Tstrawberry
O BE cake.
D The study of LE B OOK IS OR THIS B D She wants to show that she has
IS SA MP GIVE NF some special talents.
TH IS NO T
RM ISSION
PE
47
26 Why is paragraph 11 important to 28 After talking with her aunt and uncle,
this story? why does Charlie smile?
A It shows the reader how much A She thinks that she can win the
time and effort Charlie put into cake-baking contest.
the cake.
B She realizes that she has
B It emphasizes how quickly Charlie discovered something she is good
can throw together a great cake. at doing.
C It instructs readers how to make a C She knows that she has made the
strawberry-vanilla layer cake. people at the party happy.
D It explains why Charlie wanted to D She believes that she can make the
bake the cake for her sisters best cakes in town.
celebration.
P LE
SAM ATION
27 Which of these shows that Charlie
has a special talent?
! E DU C
A She is a so-so athlete.
B She is an okay singer.
LY
C She asks if she can bake a cake for
the party. 8 88 . . IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
PY RIGHTED TO BE RE
D Her aunt and uncle encourage her O K
B
to enter a baking contest.O OK IS C R THIS BOO
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
48
29 Which is the best summary of 30 The author organizes the selection by

the story?
A describing the strawberry festival
A Charlie believes that her sisters are in Poteet, Texas
more talented than she is. When
B comparing Charlie to her three
her parents decide to throw her
talented sisters
sisters a celebration, Charlie asks if
she can make the cake. The cake is C explaining the steps for baking a
a hit with everyone, and Charlie strawberry cake
thinks that she has found
D describing the celebration for
something she can do well.
Charlies sisters
B Charlie is not as talented as her
sisters, but she can make really good
cookies and brownies. She can also
make great cakes and agrees to make
P LE 31 Why are some people surprised when
SAM ATION
one for her sisters celebration. She they learn that Charlie baked the cake?
bakes a strawberry angel food cake A They didnt think strawberry cake
covered in pink icing.
! E DU C would taste so good.

C Charlies sisters are worried that
Charlie will mess up the cake for
their celebration. Charlie hears
LY B They didnt know that Charlie was
RAL 99.RALLYsuch a good baker.

ER. young to
isSTtoo
them talking and wants to prove
them wrong. Charlie bakes a cake,
8 88 .
T
C They know Charlie
IS NOT A BLA
bake a cake.
O
C KLIN
DU C
E M A
ED IN
A NY WAY.
but it doesnt turn out as well as
she had hoped. Still, everyone at PYRIGHT
ED. I D They
BE EPR that strawberry cakes
Rknow
O
the party OK IS CO
HIS BOOK Tare hard to bake.
LE BO VEN FOR T
enjoys it. SAMP
THIS GI
N IS NOT
D SIO can bake the
Charlie asks ifISshe
RM
P E
cake for her sisters celebration.
However, Charlie soon finds that
the job is more difficult than she
thought. She asks her aunt for
help with the cake. The final cake
is perfect for the party, and
everyone loves it.
49
Read the next two selections. Then answer the questions that follow them.
Moving Day Blues

1 Daniels father stopped the car in front of the large brick house.
The movers had already arrived and were unloading furniture and
boxes from the truck. Daniel sighed. He knew that he should be
happy that his father had found such a great new job. However, he
couldnt help thinking about how hard it would be to start a new
school and make new friends. He missed his old friends already.
2
LE
Daniel stepped out of the car and into the blazing Texas sun. He
P
SAM ATION
wondered what the weather was like back in Michigan. There was
probably a cool breeze blowing off the lake. Wandering into his
E D C
new house, Daniel found his new bedroom. It was much bigger
U
than his old bedroom. He walked to the window and peered
!
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
outside. He could see into the neighbors yard and noticed a soccer
ball and goal at one end of the lawn.
TER.
3
8 88 .
I wonder who lives there, Daniel thought. Just then,
his father calling him from downstairs. Coming,
SNOT ADad!
C K LINhe
BLA he called
UCE D IN
AS
E Mheard
NY
Aas WAY.
he walked down the steps. D. IT I
IGHTE EPROD
BE R
P Y R K TO
4 The movers just
OO IS CO inTHyour
Kbrought IS O
BOsports equipment. I thought
LE B
P to organize F O R
Mwant GIVEN
you might it in the little shed in the back yard,
HIS SA father.
saidTDaniels NO T
ISSIO N IS
5
RM nodded and grabbed the box. Daniel wound his way
PEDaniel
through the maze of people and boxes until he finally reached the
back door. The little shed his father had mentioned was in the far
corner of the yard. Daniel unloaded his baseball bats and mitts,
basketball, soccer balls, and tennis rackets. As he was leaving the
shed, a voice called to him from over the fence.
6 Hey, you, whats your name?
7 Daniel looked toward the voice. It came from a girl about his age
wearing a T-shirt. She balanced her foot on the soccer ball as she
adjusted her ponytail.
50
8 Im Miranda, she said, holding out her hand.
9 Daniel shook Mirandas hand. Im Daniel.
10 You know, my best friend used to live in your house, but his
family had to move away, said Miranda.
11 Daniel told Miranda that his father had just gotten a new job
and thats why they had moved. Then he eyed the soccer ball.
12 Do you play? he asked.
13 Are you kidding? asked Miranda. Soccer is my life.
14 Daniel smiled. Maybe making friends here wont be that

difficult after all, he thought.
P LE
SAM ATION
! E DU C
LY
8 88 . . IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
PY RIGHTED TO BE RE
O K
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
51
A New Friend
1 At first, Miranda thought her alarm clock was beeping, but then
she realized that it was a large moving truck backing into the
driveway of the house next door. Miranda closed her eyes and tried
to fall back to sleep. It didnt work. She couldnt help but think
about how much she missed her best friend.
2 Ever since David had moved away, Miranda had been unbelievably
bored. Today was no different. She and David had done everything
together. Now that he was gone, Miranda felt completely alone. She
knew that new people were moving into Davids house that day,
but she really wasnt looking forward to meeting them. She finally
P LE
rolled out of bed and went downstairs. Her mother had toast and
SAM ATION
eggs waiting for her at the table.
E D C
Theres a new family moving in next door, said Mirandas
U
mother. Their car pulled in after the moving truck. It looks like a
!
4
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
father and son, and the boy is just about your age.
Miranda gave her mother a sleepy nod. When she finished her
STER. .
88 .
breakfast, she returned to her bedroom. She thought about
8
a book, but decided she needed exercise instead.
. IT I T A B
SheL
S NaOponytail.
RO
CKLIN
Achanged
D
E
C ED
UMaybe
M
IN
A
reading
A
intoNY WAY
shorts and a T-shirt and swept herThair
GH ED into
E RE P she
RI O B
OPYaround for
would go kick the soccer Cball OKaTwhile.
BO
B OO K IS T HIS
R the back door when she noticed a
5 MirandaSA PLE aboutIVtoENgoFOout
Mwas
IS
H a baseball T G
O carrying a box of sports equipment to the shed
boyTin N IS Ncap
ISS IO
PERM
next door.
6 Thats where David kept his sports equipment, too, thought

Miranda as she watched the boy disappear into the small, dark
building.
7 Miranda went outside and kicked the soccer ball around for a
while. When the boy finally left the shed, she leaned over the fence
and called to him.
8 Hey, you, whats your name? She paused. Im Miranda.
9 The boy studied her for a moment and then moved closer.
52
10 Im Daniel, he said, shaking her hand.
11 You know, my best friend used to live in your house, but his
family had to move away, said Miranda.
12 My father just got a new job, so we had to move here from

Michigan, said Daniel. It was hard leaving behind all my friends.
He looked at Mirandas soccer ball. Do you play?
13 Miranda laughed. Are you kidding? Soccer is my life.
14 Daniel smiled, and Miranda tossed him the ball.
P LE
SAM ATION
15 David might be gone, she thought, but I think Daniel and I
could be pretty good friends.
! E DU C
LY
8 88 . . IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
PY RIGHTED TO BE RE
O K
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
53
Use Moving Day Blues to answer questions 32-35.
32 What is Daniels problem just after he 34 What is paragraph 2 mainly about?

arrived at his new home?
A What Daniel thinks about his
A He thinks that it will be difficult dads new job
to make new friends.
B Why Daniel is not happy about
B He isnt sure that his new school having to move
will have a soccer team.
C Daniel comparing his new home
C He will have to share a bedroom to his old one
with his younger brother.
D Daniel thinking about joining the
E
D He doesnt like the people that soccer team
live next to his new house.
P L
SAM ATION
! E DU C 35 In paragraph 5, the word equipment
33 Why does Daniel sigh after his father
stops the car?
A Hes very excited to finally see his
LY
means
A cards
B
new house.
He hopes that his new school has 8 88 . . IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
C toys
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
B hats
a soccer team.
PY RIGHTED D Tsupplies
O BE RE
O K
C Hes thinking about Lhow BO O K IS C R THIS BOO
things
IS SA MP E GIV E N FO
have changed.
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
D
P M he were outside
He wishesERthat
playing soccer.
54
Use A New Friend to answer questions 36-38.
36 Why is Miranda unable to fall back 38 What is the best summary of the story?
to sleep?
A Miranda misses her best friend
A She can hear the noises from next David. She thinks about all the
door. things that they used to do together
as she watches people move into
B She is thinking about her next
Davids old house. She decided to
soccer game.
kick the soccer ball around to take
C She is thinking about her friend her mind off of David.
who moved.
B Miranda sees that people are
E
D She can smell the eggs her mother moving into her best friends old
is cooking.
P L
SAM ATION
house. She doesnt really want to
meet them. Mirandas mother
makes her breakfast and tells her
! E DU C about the people moving in next

37 Which sentence from the story tells
the reader that Miranda likes to stay
active?
LY
RAL 99.RALLY ER.sound of a
STthe
door. Miranda stays inside and
reads a book.
A When the boy finally left the shed,

she leaned over the fence and called
8 88 . C Miranda wakes upMto
T IS N
are TA B
Omoving
L
O
C
moving truck.
A
D C
into
U
E A
KLINShe seesA NY
that Y.
WApeople
IN best friends old
EDher
to him.
RIGHTED. I house.
O B E PR tries to go back to sleep,
REShe
Y T
B K
She thought about readingOaObook,IS COP THIS BOOK but she cant. Instead, she thinks
B
A MPLEexercise
but decided she needed
IS S G IV E N FOR about all the good times she had
instead. TH IS NO T with her best friend and how much
S ION
C RMIS had moved away,
PEDavid
Ever since
she misses him.
Miranda had been unbelievably D Miranda notices that a family is

bored. moving into her best friends old
house. Her mother tells her
D She changed into shorts and a T-shirt daughter that they have a boy about
and swept her hair into a ponytail. Mirandas age. Miranda goes outside
to play soccer and meets the boy. He
enjoys soccer as well. Miranda hopes
that they can be friends.
55
Use Moving Day Blues and A New Friend to answer questions 39-42.
39 Look at this diagram of information from both stories.
Daniel Miranda
Just moved to Texas Enjoys playing Has lived in Texas
Misses his home in soccer forever
Michigan ______________ Is curious about the
new neighbor
P LE
Which of these belongs on the blank line?
SAM ATION
A Is ready to start school
! E DU C
B Is in need of a new friend
C Likes hot weather
LY
D Lives with father
8 88 . . IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
PY RIGHTED TO BE RE
IS CO THIS BOO K
B OO K
40 One idea found in both
IS SA G IV E N FORis that change
E these stories
MPLof
TH learn new
A can help you
T
IS NOthings about yourself
ISS ION
RMmake
B can helpPEto the world a better place
C is not easy no matter how old we are
D is not as bad as we often imagine it to be
56
41 One difference between Daniel and 42 Both of these stories describe

Miranda is that
A characters who have stumbled
A Miranda is a better soccer player upon a new friend
than Daniel
B how hard it can be to leave
B Daniel left his old friends and behind old friends
house behind
C people who are ready to move to
C Miranda is a better student than new places
Daniel
D why it is important to be nice
D Daniel thinks it will be easy to to everyone
make friends
P LE
SAM ATION
! E DU C
LY
8 88 . . IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
PY RIGHTED TO BE RE
O K
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
STOP
57
Mastering STAAR Reading Mastering STAAR Reading
P LE
SAM ATION
! E DU C
LY
8 88 . . IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
PY RIGHTED TO BE RE
O K
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
58
Read the next two selections. Then answer the questions that follow them.
The Texas Star News

Monday, November 6
A Wild Time: San Diego Zoo Turns 90

1 SAN DIEGOThe San Diego Zoo
LE
That same year, San Diegos City
P
3
SAM ATION
stretches across a hundred acres of Park was renamed Balboa Park. The
land in Balboa Park in sunny city made plans to get the park
southern California. It is one of the
worlds largest and most popular
! E D C
ready for the Panama-California
U
Exposition. This was a large fair put
zoos. It houses thousands of
animals. It is also home to
hundreds of thousands of plants,
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
together to celebrate the opening
of the Panama Canal. Several new
buildings were raised. Many .
STERof
many of which help to feed the
zoos inhabitants. This year, the
8 88 . these buildings still
and
T IShouse
N
BLA C
OT A museums.
O DU C
E MA
KLINstand Atoday
N
ED IN The
Y WAY.
zoo turned 90 years old.
IG H ED. I
Texposition BE REPR on December
opened
R
COPY IS31, O
K T and ran until 1917. It
2 OK IS H BOO1914,
The zoo began as a twinkle O in
LE BWegeforth.
PM.
the
FOR T became a quick success. Millions of
S
eye of Dr. IHarryA M IV E N
TH S IS TG
NOMaryland people flooded to the park. Among
Wegeforth was Iborn N in
ISS Oof animals began the many things for visitors to see
ERMlove
in 1882.PHis was a collection of live animals,
at a very young age. He often held including lions. After seeing the
stuffed-animal circuses in his lions in their cages, Wegeforth
backyard. Sometimes he caught decided that the city of San Diego
real crabs, snakes, frogs, and turtles was ready for its own zoo. This is
to make his circus more lively and why zoo workers often tell people
interesting. Though Wegeforth that the zoo began with a roar.
loved animals, he studied medicine
in college. By 1910, he and two of
his brothers were all doctors in
San Diego.
u see A Wild Time, page 2
59
u A Wild Time, cont. from page 1 Page 2
4 On October 2, 1916, Wegeforth Since then, the zoo has gone 5

founded the Zoological Society of through many changes. In 1972, it
San Diego. His idea for a zoo opened the Wild Animal Park. The
quickly gained support. Before Wild Animal Park places animals
long, the San Diego Zoological from all over the world in groups.
Garden was born. Today, we know They live together as if they were
it as the San Diego Zoo. still in the wild. Visitors to the park
can see the animals by riding on
the railway that runs through the
park. They can also hop on a
special truck that will take them
P LE even closer to the animals. In 1975,
SAM ATION
the zoo built a place where
scientists can study rare plants and
! E DU C animals and look for new ways to

protect them. Its located at the
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
entrance of the Wild Animal Park.
The San Diego Zoo is still STER. a . 6
8 88 . wonderful place for

ages. The
. IT IS
A BL IN
NOT zoo ODoffers
R
E M
ACKLvisitors
IN
A
UCED many
A WAY
of Yall
N
ED
educational
GHTare RE P
E events. Among these
PY RI K TO Bspeakers
K IS CO IS BOO special and art classes,
BOO H
SA MPLE IV E N FOR T as well as childrens sleepovers
THIS
IS N OT G and camps.
ISS ION
PERM
Founder of the Zoological Society of

San Diego, Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth
60
December 15
Dear Shannon,
1 I am looking forward to your first visit to my familys new

house in San Diego. I cant believe that its only a few weeks
away! There are so many wonderful things that I want to
show you when you arrive. However, by far the best place to
visit is the San Diego Zoo. Its located in Balboa Park near
downtown San Diego, so its only a few minutes from my
house. I already bought tickets for us so that we dont have
to wait in a long line when we get there.
2
LE
The zoo is divided into several different exhibits. My favorite
P
SAM ATION
is called Polar Bear Plunge. In addition to polar bears, this
area of the zoo includes reindeer, ducks, and other birds. I
E D C
like watching the polar bears. Sometimes they lay on the
U
rocks at the edge of a pool of water. Other times they splash
!
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
around in the water. The exhibit also includes a viewing
room where you watch the polar bears swim underwater. The
STER. .
.
first time I was there, one of the polar bears swam right up to
A
M
3 8 88
the glass and looked at me!
Another area of the zoo you would T E D IS N O

LACKLI
T
. IT probably
AB
RE
NE
U
Penjoy
C E
NY WA
D
ROD is the
Y
IN A
G H E
TO Bof the pandas are
section containing the
IS C PYRI pandas.
Ogiant B O O K All
adorable, but
MP LE OOK of them
Bone
N F OR TisHISjust a little over a year old.
A
THIS S youISlook
When VE it makes you want to hug her like a
OTatGIher,
N
RM I SION bear. Many times, you can catch the pandas
big teddy
S
PEsleeping in the shade or climbing in the trees.
4 If youd like to do something a little bit wilder than the zoo,
we can go to the San Diego Zoos Wild Animal Park. The park
is further from my house than the zoo, but its definitely
worth the drive. At the Wild Animal Park, you can see
everything from lions, elephants, and giraffes to cheetahs,
gazelles, and ostriches. Its an incredible experience!
61
5 Anyway, these are just a few ideas to keep in mind for your
trip to San Diego. Im looking forward to your visit so much!
I know its only been a couple of months since my family
moved, but it feels like I havent seen you in years. Let us
know the details of your flight before you leave so we can
meet you at the airport. See you soon!
Your best friend,
Candice
P LE
SAM ATION
! E DU C
LY
8 88 . . IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
PY RIGHTED TO BE RE
O K
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
62
Use the newspaper article to answer questions 14.
1 The Panama-California Exposition 4 Look at the outline below and answer

was held to the question that follows.
A honor the work of Dr. Harry
M. Wegeforth
I. ________________________
B bring interesting animals
to California A. Lets animals live like
they are in the wild
C celebrate the opening of the
Panama Canal B. Has a railway running
through it
E
D attract more people to the
San Diego Zoo
P L C. Opened in 1972
SAM ATION D. Contains animals from

all over the world
! E DU C
2 In paragraph 1, the word
inhabitants means
LY
RAL 99.RALLY Which of the following belongs in
the blank? ER.
MAST
A visitors
B residents
8 88 . A Wild Animal
T IS NOT A BLA
O
C
D
L
U
I
C
E
K Park ANY WAY.
N
ED IN
TED. I O BE REPR
C exhibits B San Diego Zoo
RIGH
D people K IS COPY IS BOOCK TPanama-California Exposition
LE BOO OR TH
A MP E N F
THIS S IS NOT GIV
D Zoological Society of California
RM ISSION
3
PE
Paragraph 6 of A Wild Time is mainly
about
A the people who work at the Wild
Animal Park
B the founder of the San Diego Zoo
C the educational events at the
San Diego Zoo
D the addition of the Wild
Animal Park
63
Use the letter to answer questions 57.
5 Why is paragraph 1 important to 7 The reader can tell that the San Diego
the letter? Zoo is a popular place for people to
visit because
A It tells about common problems at
the zoo. A it is located in Balboa Park
B It describes the animals that are at B there are often long lines to wait in
the zoo.
C it is close to downtown San Diego
C It shows that Candice has never
D there are many interesting animals
been to the zoo.
E
D It explains why Candice is writing
about the zoo.
P L
SAM ATION
! E DU C
6 In paragraph 3, the word
adorable means
A furry
LY
B large
8 88 .
. IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
C cute
PY RIGHTED TO BE RE
O K
D hungry
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
64
Use the newspaper article and the letter to answer questions 811.
8 One idea found in both of these 10 Which detail in Candices letter

selections is that the San Diego Zoo shows that she feels the same way
about animals as Dr. Wegeforth in the
A is a great place to visit when in
newspaper article felt?
San Diego
A Candice thinks that the panda
B was started by Dr. Harry
bears are cute.
M. Wegeforth
B Candice wants her friend to see
C is home to polar bears and
the polar bears.
giant pandas
C Candice believes that the zoo is
E
J has a section where rare plants
are studied
P L the best place to visit.
SAM ATION D Candice lives only a few minutes

from the zoo.
! E DU C
9 How does the reader know that if
Shannon and Candice want to see the
place where scientists study rare
LY
RAL 99.RALLY 11 A similarity between these two
STER. .
plants and animals, they will have to
drive there?
8 88 . . IT I
A BLACKLI IN ANY WA
S NOTfounder
A the
RODof ED zoo
UCthe
NE M
selections is that both A
discuss Y
P
A The Wild Animal Park is farther
from Candices house than IS COPYR
IGHTED BK TtheO RE birthday of the zoo
BE90th
OOK T HIS BOO
the zoo. PLE B FOR C the location of the zoo
SA M IVE N
B
IS
It is on theTHother side
N IS NOT G
of D the polar bears at the zoo
ISS IO
PERM
Balboa Park.
C It is located outside of California.
D It is very close to the airport.
65
The Sounds of Stradivarius

1 Violins are small musical instruments with strings. Musicians
can produce beautiful sounds by rubbing a stretched ribbon of
LE
horse hair over these strings. For hundreds of years, violin players
P
SAM ATION
have been adding their instruments special sounds to musical
works of all sorts. However, no violins sound just like those known
today as Stradivarius violins.
! E DU C
2
LY
Stradivarius violins were made by one man, Antonio Stradivari.
RAL 99.RALLY
Stradivari was born in Italy in 1644. He began studying musical
instruments as a young man. One local violin-maker encouraged
TER.
88 .
own shop, in which he spent his days buildingOTand
.
BLA K INE M
Stradivaris interest in that instrument. In 1680, Stradivari Lopened
8 C
A
A fixing violins.
IT IS N REPRODUC
E D IN
Shis
A NY WAY.
TE D
3 People had been making Yviolins
C OP RIGH inOItalyK T BE almost
O for
K IS
200 years beforeOOStradivari O
HIS B his shop, but
opened
P LE B F OR T
StradivariSAM
THIS quickly
OT IVEN that he was special. He
proved
G
became famous N
N IS for his love of violins and the high
IS SIO
PERM
quality of his work. Even today, Stradivaris violins are
thought to be among the finest musical instruments in
the world.
4 What made Stradivaris violins merit such praise?

Throughout his life, Stradivari was always looking for
new and better ways to improve his work. He soon
developed ideas about violin-making that people still
dont understand today.
5 All we can say for sure was that Stradivari used at

least two different kinds of wood in each violin. Some
of this wood might have been from certain trees that
had grown thick to live in cold weather. The wood also
A violin made by
might have been soaked in sea water. Stradivari coated
Stradivari
the wood with a type of paint that included honey and
eggs. He then held the violin parts together with a
special kind of glue.
66
6 Stradivari also studied every inch of his violins to make sure

they were perfect. He fretted over the size and shape of the violins.
Some people have noticed odd details in his instruments. Every
violin has two S-shaped holes in the front to let the sounds out. On
Stradivaris violins, these holes were not lined up equally. This tiny
detail might have made the wonderful Stradivari sound.
7 The violins made by Antonio Stradivari came to be known as

Stradivariusor Strad for short. There were hundreds of Strads
made, and today there are still around 650 of them. Stradivari also
made other musical instruments. Some people believe that he made
over 1,000 in his life. These included guitars, violas, cellos, and
even a big harp. He certainly was a busy builder.
8 Although there were many Strads, there still werent enough.
P LE
After Stradivaris death in 1737, many people around the world
SAM ATION
wanted their own Strads. Violin-makers worked hard to make violins
that looked and sounded like Stradivaris. They even put labels
DU C
reading Stradivarius on their violins so people would think they
! E
9 Y
were Stradivarius violins and buy them.
L
RAL 99.RALLY
Sometimes it is difficult today to tell if an old violin was made
STtoER. .
8 88 .
by Stradivari himself or by a copycat. Experts at museums have
carefully look at violins to decide if they came from
violin-maker. Those violins that were made
. IT I
A BL
NOTStradivari
S by ROD
E M
IN
A
LIN greatest
ACKthe
CEDprized
Uare
A N Y WAY
by many people today. TheyRIGare D
HTEsome of P
E REmost important
PY K TO Bthe
CO world.IS BOO
musical instruments KinISthe
P LE BOO F OR TH
M
SA well-known E N
10 THIS most
The
IS NOT GIV violins made by Stradivari have been
RM SION by their owners. Some of the names are the last
named,ISusually
PE of the owners, while other names are strange or even silly.
names
These violin names include Soil, Hammer, Ruby, and Hercules.
11 Amazingly, many Strads are still played today! World-class

musicians love playing Strads in concert. Sadly, these Strads cost a
lot of money, and only a few music lovers can afford to buy them.
12 After hundreds of years, the wonderful violins of Antonio

Stradivari are still offering lovely music to the ears of many. The
idea of Stradivarius violins is strong all over the world. In fact, in
America, some people use the word Stradivarius to mean
anything that is of excellent quality.
67
12 At the end of the article, the reader 15 Paragraphs 10 and 11 are

can tell that Stradivaris violins mostly about
A are used by almost all musicians A how Stradivari built his instruments
throughout the world
B where people can go to buy
B cannot be found in any American old violins
museums today
C what happened to Stradivaris violins
C are very special to their owners
D when violin music first
D were never meant to be used for became popular
hundreds of years
16 How does the author organize

13 In paragraph 4, what does the word
P LE this article?
SAM ATION
merit mean?
A By describing each stage of
A Deserve Stradivaris life from childhood
B Discover
! E DU C to old age
C Understand
D Confuse
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
B By comparing violins to several
other kinds of musical instruments
E R.
MAofSTmusic
8 88 . T IS NOT
ODU C ED I
C By listing each kind
C K LINE
BLA Stradivaris
playedA during Y WA
that
Y. was
N AN lifetime
RIGHTED. I D By
O B REPR how Stradivarius
explaining
E
14 What is one idea found throughout
K IS COPY IS BOOK Tviolins were made and why
this article?
LE BOO OR TH they are important
SA MP IV E N F
A Violins areTH IS a popular
not
N IS NOT G
instrument. ISSIO
PERM
B Hard and careful work will 17 The most likely reason Stradivari did
be appreciated. not line up the S-shaped holes on the
fronts of his violins was because he
C All students should learn to
wanted to
play music.
A make the violins more beautiful
D Stradivari made violins, guitars,
and cellos. B change the sound of the violins
C help the violins last longer
D have each violin look different
68
18 Which is the best summary of 19 What is this article mainly about?

this article?
A Why one mans violins were special
A Antonio Stradivari was born in
B What materials are best for violins
Italy in 1644. Starting as a young
man, Stradivari began building his C How to build your own violin
own violins. He used several kinds
D When the violin was first invented
of wood and special glues. He
even used a kind of paint that
mixed honey and eggs.
B People have made violins in Italy 20 Why did other violin-makers put
for hundreds of years. Some Stradivarius labels on their
people also make harps, guitars, instruments?
violas, and cellos. Some of these A To trick buyers into thinking they
musical instrument makers were
P LE were made by Stradivari
SAM ATION
so good that other people tried to
copy their work. B To remind people that Stradivari
C Some of todays finest musicians
! E DU C
C To show buyers that a violin was
made the first violin
love playing concerts using

Stradivarius violins. These
musicians often have to spend a
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
made in Stradivaris style
D To keep people fromSbuying TER.
long time finding real violins, and
may have to pay a lot of money.
8 88 .
T IS NOT A B LA
O
K
D U C
E M A
LIN instruments
StradivarisCmusical
ED IN
A NY WAY.
TED. I O BE REPR
However, the Stradivarius violins
RIGH
are still very popular. PY KT
IS CO THIS BOO
BO OK
D Antonio Stradivari P
IS S A LE great care
M put GIV E N FOR
TH
into the violins he
IS NO
made. TThese
SIO
Stradivarius violinsN made
MIS
PERsounds
wonderful and they
became very popular and were
often copied. Even hundreds of
years later, musicians love
Stradivaris violins.
69
An Italian Tour
by Luciana Rossi
1 My ancestors on both sides of my family are Italian, but I was

born in America and had never left the country. So when my mom
told me that she and my dad were planning to take me to Italy in
June, I was really excited.
2
LE
When we landed at the Venice airport, we got our luggage,
P
SAM ATION
stepped out into the hot air, and took a bus into the city. I knew
that the city was on the water, but it was really strange to see it in
E D C
person. The main water route is called the Canal Grande. It is lined
U
with shops and restaurants. My father suggested we walk around on
!
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
some of the citys small roads, but I wanted to take a bus, which
is actually a large boat. The boat took us past many buildings, some
that looked like the apartment buildings at home but with water STER. .
88 .
out front instead of a sidewalk and private boats docked
8
parked cars. The boat went a little faster than NO T A B L
NE M
ACKLIinstead
IN
A
I thought CitEDwould,
. IT ISandEwaved U
A
ofY WAY
N
D
and the breeze cooled us off a bit.HITEsmiled
G R E PROatD every boat
B
we passed. Many visitors OPYRI back,Ohappy
S Cwaved OK TO to be on vacation.
LE B OOK I OR THIS B
P F
3 Next
TH AMpassed
IS Swe NO GIVENthe Rialto Bridge. It is a very large bridge,
under
T
and it used
ISS IONtoISbe the only way to get from one side of the canal to
M when it was first built in
PERother
the
1588. We got off of the boat here
and walked across the bridge,
which actually has a row of shops
on each side. I bought a souvenir
mask, and my mother bought a
red linen tablecloth.
4 After shopping on the bridge,

we walked around San Marco
Square and saw all of the beautiful
buildings in this area. They dont
look like any of the buildings we The Canal Grande in Venice
70
have at home. I thought it was strange how many pigeons were

walking around the squaresince it was very crowded with people.
We also went to a modern art museum, which I thought was a lot
of fun. Then we were hungry, so we looked for a place to eat dinner.
We found a small, nice restaurant with large windows looking over
the canal. We had to wait in line for about an hour to get into the
restaurant. Then we finally got to order dinner. I ordered a thick
bean soup with pasta in it. At first I wasnt sure Id like it, but it was
delicious. After dinner we were full and tired, so we headed back to
our hotel and went to sleep.
5 The next day we woke up early and boarded a train to visit

Rome. The train ride took four hours, so I was glad I had brought
my new book along. It was also very nice to look out the window
P LE
at the Italian countryside. When we got to Rome, we went straight
SAM ATION
to our new hotel, and then into the city to see the sites. It was very
hot that day, but we had to wear pants in keeping with the Roman
E D C
custom of covering up your legs when entering a museum or
U
church. When we passed Trevi Fountain, I remembered learning
!
6
LY
about it in school, so I stopped to study it.
RAL 99.RALLY
The fountain was built from 1732-1762 and contains statues ofR.
MASTE AY.
8 88 .
figures from Roman history and mythology. My favorite
were the horses. Before we left, I turned my back
tossed a coin over my shoulder, and .
OT A
IS N a wish.
IT made R
L IN E
D
statues
CK fountain,
BtoLAthe I
CE the
ODUThats
N ANY W
H TE D RE P
S PYRIG
tradition for foreign visitors.
CO OOKTO BE
OK I H IS B
7 We spent
A M LE BOrest of
Pthe V E Nthe
T visiting ancient sites. I couldnt
FORday
S
THIShow old I
OT Gwere! The Coliseum was huge, and large parts
believe
N IS Nthey
of itRhave IO
MISScrumbled away over the years. This is where ancient people
P E
used to go to see competitions and other forms of entertainment. We
also went to the Pantheon, an ancient temple that was surprisingly
well-preserved. I liked the ancient sites, but a lot of tourists were
there, and I felt very tired by the time we were done. I wanted to lie
down and take a nap right on the stairs of the Pantheon! But my
mom and dad were tired too, so we went back to the hotel to eat
dinner and go to sleep.
8 Our next stop will be Naples, and well fly home from there. Ive
had a great trip so far, and I love Italy, but it will be nice to be back
at home, too.
71
21 How does Luciana organize what she 23 Look at the following outline of
wrote about her tour of Italy? information from the selection.
A By explaining how she has changed
during the course of her trip I. Venice
B By discussing her tour of Italy A. Streets of water
from start to finish
B. Rialto Bridge
C By listing the details of each place
that she has visited C. San Marco Square
D By describing how the Italian D. _________________

countryside looks from a train II. Rome
A. Trevi Fountain
P LE B. Coliseum
SAM ATION
22 From information in the selection,
the reader can tell that Luciana and C. Pantheon
her parents
A studied Italian customs before
! E DU C
Y
What information belongs on the
arriving in Italy
B often eat Italian food at home
L
blank line?
A Art museum
C
in America
wished they had taken a walking 8 88 .. IT
B Naples
I NOT A B
SRestaurant
L
ROD
E
UCED
MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
GHTED P
BE RE
C
tour of Venice
OPY RI K TO
D are most looking forwardBO OK IS C R THIS BOOD Church
to
seeing Naples
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
72
24 Which is the best summary of 25 Paragraph 7 is mainly about

this selection?
A the crowd at the Pantheon
A Luciana and her parents travel to
B making a wish at Trevi Fountain
Italy where they see many
interesting places. In Venice, they C the ancient sites in Rome
ride on a boat and see the Rialto
D seeing a competition at
Bridge. They also visit San Marco
the Coliseum
Square. After leaving Venice, they
decide to go home early.
B Luciana and her parents take a trip
to Italy to see Rome. They go to 26 From information in the selection,
the Coliseum where ancient the reader can tell that Luciana
Romans watched competitions. A has studied a lot of art in school
They also go to the Pantheon,
P LE
SAM ATION
which is an ancient temple. The B wants to return to Italy soon
next stop on their trip is Naples. C is not afraid to try new things
C Lucianas parents take her on a
! E DU C D did not enjoy visiting Rome

tour of Italy because her family is
from there. They travel to Venice
first, where they tour the city in a
LY
RAL 99.RALLY STER.
boat. Then they take a train ride
to Rome, where they visit several
ancient sites. They will next travel 8 8
27
8 . ITAISANtablecloth
RODU
CE
What does Luciana
BLA C K LIN
T A Rialto Bridge
alongOthe
MA in the Ashops
Ebuy
A NY W Y.
D INin Venice?
to Naples. RIGHTED. O BE R E P
PYC O OO K T
BO K IS
Oon R THIS B B A mask
D Lucianas parents take
P LE her
EN F O
vacation to IS SAM
THItaly. T
They Ntake
O GaIVtour C A coin
SIO
of Venice andISlater
IS to Rome.
Ntravel
In Rome, RM
PELucianas family gets D A book
tired from fighting the crowds to
see the sites. They are looking
forward to a quiet plane ride back
to America.
73
28 Luciana tosses a coin into Trevi 30 Why do Luciana and her parents
Fountain and makes a wish because go back to the hotel after visiting
the Pantheon?
A she learned about the fountain
at school A They have to change before touring
the churches and museums.
B the fountain gives people
good luck B They are tired from the Pantheon
being crowded with tourists.
C she does not want her tour of Italy
to end C They have to catch an early flight
back to America the next day.
D its a tradition for foreign visitors
to do so D They are going to take the train to
Venice that night.
P LE
SAM ATION
29 Why is Luciana excited about going
on a tour of Italy?
A She wants to see the streets of
water in Venice.
! E DU C
B She wants to see all of the ancient
sites in Rome.
LY
C She has never before met any of
her relatives from Italy. 8 88 . . IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
She has never before traveled COPYRI

GHTED TO BE RE
D
BOO K
outside the United States.BO OK IS THIS
IS SA MPLE GIVE N FOR
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
74
A Souvenir from Pony Island

1 When my mom gave me a book called Misty of Chincoteague by
Marguerite Henry, she told me that she had read it as a kid. I love
it when my mother gives me her old books. It reminds me that she
was once an eleven-year-old girl like me, and it makes me realize
how much we are alike.
2 The book is about two kids who fall in love with a horse named
LE
Phantom. Even though the story happened at another time when
P
SAM ATION
everything was quite different, I can connect with the characters
because Ive always wanted a horse of my own. The book talks
E D C
about something called Pony Penning Day, where ponies were
U
led through the ocean from one small island to another. Over
!
LY
RAL 99.RALLY
dinner, I described what I had read, and my fathers reply
astonished me.
STER. .
3
4
8 .
They still do that annually, he said.
8 8
Do what? my little brother Paul asked.
. IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
P Y RIGHTED TO BE RE
O K
O the townspeople of an
5
BO O K C Ronce
I explained to himIShow
THISaBOyear,
IS S M LE
island calledPChincoteague
A GIVE N FOrounded up ponies on a nearby island
H
andTwalked them
IS NO T
through the shallow water to Chincoteague.
ION
6 RMISS would they do that? my brother asked.
PEWhy
7 The people on the island tame the horses and sell them,
I explained.
8 Could we purchase one? my brother asked. I had always

wanted a horse but never bothered to ask. We lived in Houston and
there wasnt much room in our backyard for a horse, especially a
horse that was used to having a whole island to roam.
75
9 My father, who worked on a ranch when he was young, shook

his head. Although he thought horses were striking, he could see
past their beauty. The tales explain riding horses, but they dont
mention the difficult work involved in caring for them.
10 While there was no chance of getting a horse, I had an idea.
11 I sure wish we could visit Chincoteague Island, I said. My

little brother opened his eyes wide, and my mom brightened at
this suggestion.
12 They usually run the ponies in July. We could plan a trip in the
summer. Would that satisfy your urge for horses? my dad asked.
13 Yes! my mom, Paul, and I shouted together.
P LE
SAM ATION
14 In July, we drove to Chincoteague Island where my parents had
rented a house on the beach. After Paul and I chose our bedrooms,
we excitedly ran to the window. The house next to ours had a
DU C
fenced-in area filled with ponies. After we unpacked, my family and
! E
the beautiful animals. LY
I spent over an hour standing at the wooden fence admiring all of
RAL 99.RALLY TE R.
15
8 88 .
The next morning, we awoke so early that it was still dark.
mom made us dress in old play-clothes while Ashe
snacks, and suntan lotion in a backpack.
. IT When
OT
CK LI
BLApacked
R
NE
D
MASMy
ANY
water,
IN
ODUCEdown to
IS N we Pwalked
WAY.
HTE D RE
the restaurant for breakfast,Yso
C OP RIGmany O K O BEhad gathered there
people
T
already, it seemed like S
OK Ieveryone B O
HISChincoteague
in was preparing for
LE BO F OR T
SAMPof the ponies.
the running IVEN
THIS
N IS NOT G
16 After IO
ISSbreakfast we walked to the park where the ponies arrive.
PERM
The sun hadnt risen yet, but the sky was beginning to lighten. A
few single lights danced in the distance, but that was the only
movement; I didnt see horses anywhere.
17 As the sun showed, I grew restless. After looking forward to this

very moment for so long, the excitement of the crowd gave me
chills. It was like the second after I blew out the candles on my
birthday cake and had a whole pile of presents before me waiting to
be discovered.
76
18 Then I spotted
something, a little blur of
movement. The whispering
of the crowd silenced as the
faint faraway splashing
approached. I strained my
neck and squinted for a few
more seconds until I could
make out a horse. It
struggled through the water.
Finally, one white pony
stepped onto Chincoteague
Island, and the crowd
cheered.
P LE
SAM ATION
19 As more horses came on
shore, I felt like begging my
father for a pony and
promising to take on all of
! E DU C
island, big LY
the responsibilities. All over
the
RAL 99.RALLY
signs
announced Chincoteague horses for sale. I turned to my father,
STER. .
8 88 .
reached up, grabbed my hand, and squeezed.NOT A BL
. IT IS
E
ED
R
M
IN
A
AC LIN brother
whose gaze was stuck on the horses that still approached.KMy
ODUC
A NY WA
Y
TE D
H I knew RE P
20 Arent they handsome? P RIGsaid.
Yhe K T BE was no point in
O there
IS C O O O
making a fuss about
LE B OOKbringing OR T HIS Ba pony. My brother would get
home
hopeful, S AMPthen my F
IVEN would have to disappoint him. When
THIS and NO T Gparents
SIO IS you write me a story about a pony? he asked.
we go home,N will
RM IS
21 PEPaul gave me a great idea. I always searched for great books, but
I never thought about writing one. Maybe I could invent a story as
entertaining as the books Id read. I promised to write in my journal
that night, something as beautiful as the sight before me. After the
first few horses scrambled toward us, more followed, and the sun lit
up the ocean. I took a picture of the scene with my memory and
began to write a story in my head.
77
31 At the end of the story, the reader can 34 Why did the narrator read Misty
tell that the narrator of Chincoteague?
A feels that her younger brother is A Her parents said she should
a bother read more.
B is too tired to enjoy the B She only reads stories about horses.
special moment
C Her father used to work on a ranch.
C thinks books are better
D She likes to read her mothers books.
than experience
D was greatly moved by the sight
she saw
35 Which sentence from the story shows
that the narrators father liked horses,
P LE but thought caring for them was a lot
SAM ATION
32 Why does the narrator want to go of work?
to Chincoteague?
A My father, who worked on a ranch
A To buy a horse
! E DU C when he was young, shook his head.

B To see the ponies
C To visit the beach LY
RAL 99.RALLY
B Although he thought horses were
striking, he could see past their beauty.
R.
ASTEurge for
D To help her brother
8 88 . T IS NOT A
O D UC ED IN
C Would that satisfy
horses?Bmy
INE Myour
LACKdad asked.ANY WA
L Y.
RIGHTED. I D All
O BE
R island, big signs announced
REPthe
over
Y
In paragraph 3, the word BOOK I
S COP HIS BOOK TChincoteague horses for sale.
FOR T
33
annually meansISSAMP
LE V E N
I
TH
N IS NOT G
A for fun ISSIO
PERM 36 How does the author organize
B in some places this story?
C every year A By describing events in the order
they occur
D on certain days
B By stating all the reasons for
buying a horse
C By explaining how a girl learns to
like her brother
D By comparing Houston with
Chincoteague Island
78
37 How does the narrators attitude 39 Why is paragraph 2 important to

change at the end of the story? the story?
A She realizes she wants to work A It shows how books used to
with horses. be different.
B She decides to write about B It describes the characters in
her experience. the book.
C She wishes that she had her C It suggests that the narrator
own horse. enjoys stories.
D She thinks that her parents D It explains why she wants to work
understand her. on a ranch.
38 Which sentence from the story best

P LE
SAM ATION
40 The narrators father does not want to
shows that the narrator is protective
get a pet horse because
of her brother?
A My little brother opened his eyes
! E DU C A he thinks horses are too much work

wide, and my mom brightened at this
suggestion. LY
RAL 99.RALLY
B he does not think the kids
want one
E R.
MAofSThorses
B My brother reached up, grabbed my
hand, and squeezed.
8 88 . T IS NOT A
OD UC ED IN
C he has to take care
his job BLA C K LINE
AN Y WA Yat
.
C My brother would get hopeful, and
RIG H TED. I D he
O BE REPRhis wife does not
knows
then my parents would have to COPY OOK Tlike horses
O K IS HIS B
disappoint him.
SA MPLE BO IVEN FOR T
D When we TgoHIShome, will
IS OT Gwrite
Nyou
N
me a storyERMISSIaOpony? he asked.
P about
79
41 The narrator suggests visiting 42 The first-person point of view in the

Chincoteague Island because story helps the reader understand
A she is mad at her brother A the narrators belief that her father
was unfair
B her father wants to travel
B why Paul wanted to buy a horse
C she wants to see the event
and take it home
D her mother asked about it
C why the narrator argued with her
mother
D the narrators feelings while
looking at the ponies
P LE
SAM ATION
! E DU C
LY
8 88 . . IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
PY RIGHTED TO BE RE
O K
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
STOP
80
P LE
SAM ATION
! E DU C
LY
8 88 . . IT I
A BL
S NOT PRODUCED
E MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
PY RIGHTED TO BE RE
O K
TH IS NOT
ISS ION
PERM
Mastering STAAR Reading prepares students to succeed
P LE
on the STAAR reading test.
SAM ATION
Part 1 of Mastering STAAR Reading is made up of four
! E DU C
passages with questions. Each question is followed by
a hint to help you focus on the response.
LY
8 88 .
The Reporting Category, Content Student Expectation,
and whether it is a Readiness or Supporting
. IT I T A B L
S NOstandard
ROD
E
UCED
is
MA
ACKLIN IN ANY WAY
also included so that you knowGHwhat RE P
TED typeOofBEquestion
O PY RI K T
is being asked.
B OO K IS C R THIS BOO
Part 2 ofSA MPLE
Mastering E
STAAR
IV O
N FReading is made of two
THIS NO T G
ISS I N IS each with individual and paired passages.
practice tests,
O
PERM

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Applying the

Readiness and Supporting TEKS

Focus on Specific Readiness & Supporting TEKS to Build

Part 1: Guided Instruction

Passage 1: Literary Texts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Reporting Category 1: Understanding/Analysis Across Genres

being asked. 88 . S NOT

2 As Emile stared at the television screen, his older brother Alvaro

9 Cool, said Emile. What is it?

10 Its a salamander, explained Alvaro as he gently picked it up and

11 Emile said that he had never seen a salamander before, and

12 The slimy salamander squirmed around, and Alvaro gently

13 As Emile watched the salamander crawl under a rock, he came

excited. I wish more kids wouldHpitch

17 Throughout the summer, Emile and Alvaro and their friends

18 The week before school started, Alvaro asked Emile if he was

2 Reporting Category: 1 3 Reporting Category: 2

! E DU C of the story. Look at paragraph 11 if you

Which is the best summary of the story?

5 Reporting Category: 2 6 Reporting Category: 2

Why does Emile decide to clean up Why is paragraph 16 important to

P LE BOOK want FOR THIS

Batteries: Power from the Past

5 Alessandro Volta made the first modern battery. However, many

jewelry. There is a simple way RIG H

10 Many people use remote controls, flashlights, or toy cars every

7 Reporting Category: 3 8 Reporting Category: 3

! E DU C Think about what you learned about

Look at the diagram of information from this article.

The Volta Battery The Ancient Battery

10 Reporting Category: 3 11 Reporting Category: 3

P LE D To share information about

12 Reporting Category: 3 13 Reporting Category: 3

GHTED. E PRwhich of these statements

14 Reporting Category: 3 15 Reporting Category: 3

P LE D The pot was found by scientists in an

16 Reporting Category: 3 17 Reporting Category: 1

P LE D learning more about

The author organizes the article by

8 This is terrible, Rosa complained, pushing her food around

9 It must be important, or Mrs. Johnson wouldnt have asked you

11 Youre supposed to write about a neighbor, her mother

12 Rosa made a face.

14 He doesnt get many visitors, said her mother. Maybe hed

21 You must be Rosa, he said.

23 Come on in. I have some things you might like to see.

25 This way, he said. Rosa followed

19 Reporting Category: 1 20 Reporting Category: 1

21 Reporting Category: 2 22 Reporting Category: 2

P LE students learn about the town

Reread these three paragraphs. Think

IS SA MP GIVE NF D When Rosa breaks her arm, she

23 Reporting Category: 2 24 Reporting Category: 2

P LE D They describe a way for students

The Life of Sandra Day OConnor

3 Sandra went to law school after college. People in law school

6 Sandra decided to return to work fulltime in 1965. She became

9 In July of 2005, Sandra announced that she planned to retire.

10 Though Sandra is no longer part of the Supreme Court, her time

25 Reporting Category: 3 26 Reporting Category: 3

Look at the following web of information from the selection.

28 Reporting Category: 3 29 Reporting Category: 3

30 Reporting Category: 3 31 Reporting Category: 3