2016 STAAR Revision Questions Now or Never

Claire wants to strengthen the focus of her story. Which of the following is the BEST replacement for sentence 10?

(7) All week at camp Jared had eyed the tall cliff. (8) He had seen other campers rappelling down the side of it. (9) It looked so cool-but so scary at the same time! (10) Jared wanted to do it, and it was to rappel. (11) Now Jared was hooked up to the rope by a complicated mass of straps.

• Being at camp had been a wonderful experience for Jared and the other kids.

• Jared was sometimes a little afraid to do things he had never done before.

• Today was Jared's last chance to overcome his fear and give rappelling a try.

• Even though the others had been rappelling down the side of the cliff, Jared didn't want to.

The meaning of sentence 12 in unclear. What change can Claire make to improve the clarity of this sentence?

(11) Now Jared was hooked up to a rope by a complicated mass of straps. (12) He was at the top of the cliff with him, saying something about how strong the rope was. (13) He explained that Jared didn't need to be afraid because the rope and straps would hold an elephant.

• Change He to Another counselor

• Change cliff to spot

• Change him to them

• Change the rope to it

Which of these sentences can BEST follow and support sentence 15?

(11) Now Jared was hooked up to a rope by a complicated mass of straps. (12) He was at the top of the cliff with him, saying something about how strong the rope was. (13) He explained that Jared didn't need to be afraid because the rope and straps would hold an elephant. (14) "Nice to know," Jared said. (15) At the bottom of the cliff, Andrea was also connected to the rope. (16) It was time.

• She would help keep the rope tight and make sure Jared was safe coming down.

• Andrea had been such a good friend, and looking down at her right now made Jared think of all the fun they had had.

• Jared was feeling great and stepped back from the cliff to look around at all the beautiful scenery.

• Andrea was right there, connected to the rope that Jared was connected to at the bottom of the cliff.

Claire forgot to include an important detail in the last paragraph (sentence 16-29). With trembling legs he took his first step. Reread the paragraph carefully. Where is the BEST place to insert this sentence?

(16) It was time. (17) "Now or never," Jared thought. (18) Keeping his eyes on the counselor at the top, he slowly leaned back. (19) He felt the strong, straight rope in his hands. (20) Jared gripped it tightly and leaned out as far as he could stretch. (21) Step, step, step- his feet took turns creeping down the side of the cliff. (22) He was doing it! (23) Jared was actually rappelling! (24) He made his way steadily down. (25) A grin began to spread over his face. (26) He went faster and faster until his last step was more like a jump. (27) Jared suddenly realized that he had made it to the bottom. (28) His legs were still a bit shaky as he gave Andrea a high five. (29) But Jared knew exactly what his first words would be now that he had made it down.

• After sentence 19

• After sentence 20

• After sentence 21

• After sentence 26

Claire's paper ends abruptly and leaves the reader wondering what happens next. Which sentence should Claire add to the end of her paper?

(16) It was time. (17) "Now or never," Jared thought. (18) Keeping his eyes on the counselor at the top, he slowly leaned back. (19) He felt the strong, straight rope in his hands. (20) Jared gripped it tightly and leaned out as far as he could stretch. (21) Step, step, step- his feet took turns creeping down the side of the cliff. (22) He was doing it! (23) Jared was actually rappelling! (24) He made his way steadily down. (25) A grin began to spread over his face. (26) He went faster and faster until his last step was more like a jump. (27) Jared suddenly realized that he had made it to the bottom. (28) His legs were still a bit shaky as he gave Andrea a high five. (29) But Jared knew exactly what his first words would be now that he had made it down.

• He had made it down and had actually rappelled.

• "Where's my snack?" he asked the counselors.

• He didn't have doubt about what wanted to say.

• "Can I do it again?" he shouted with excitement.