STAAR Review "View from Saturday" & "Common Courtesy"

Use “The View from Saturday” to answer questions 1-5.

Based on Noah’s conversation with his mother in paragraphs 3 through 7, the reader can conclude that —

• Noah will not be able to avoid fulfilling his mother’s request

• his mother knows that writing the letter may take a long time

• Noah thinks his grandparents will not appreciate receiving the letter

• his mother believes that Joey’s letter will be more sincere than Noah’s letter

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3

Read this dictionary entry. due \ı dü\ adj 1. expected to occur at a specific time 2. able to meet an obligation 3. accepted as appropriate 4. being a cause of.

Which definition best matches the way the word due is used in paragraph 2?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.8.4B

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Noah’s response to his mother’s demand adds to the conflict by —

• increasing the tension between Noah and his mother

• forcing his mother to take away his privilege of using the computer

• leading his mother to doubt what she has taught him about respect

• causing Noah to have to listen to his mother lecture about letter writing

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

The first-person point of view allows the author to —

• emphasize the mother’s struggle to understand Noah’s feelings

• show the mother’s opinion about B & B letters

• highlight the contrast between the two brothers’ experiences

• share Noah’s feelings about his situation

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.W.8.9A

Which sentence from the excerpt best illustrates Noah’s conflict?

• My mother insisted that I write a B & B letter to my grandparents.

• “Is Joey writing a B & B to Grandma and Grandpa Eberle?”

• She explained—not too patiently—that a B & B letter is a bread and butter letter you write to people to thank them for having you as their houseguest.

• My brother Joey had been sent to my other set of grandparents, who live in a normal suburb in Connecticut.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.W.8.9A

Use “A Little Common Courtesy, Please” for questions 6-11.

By referring to the man in the grocery store as a “novelist,” the author —

• depicts writers as being self-absorbed in their work

• illustrates why grocery stores are interesting places to observe people

• suggests that technology has increased our ability to stay in touch with friends

• emphasizes the man’s rudeness by exaggerating how long he took to write a text message

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.4

In which sentence does the author attempt to stir emotions in the reader?

• They tell their children not to interrupt when others are talking.

• Children are taught to apologize when they’ve been disrespectful to a schoolmate.

• Imagine the confusion children feel when adults refuse to practice the simple courtesies they themselves preach.

• It’s true that we live in a fast-paced world now, and technology has contributed to the “instantness” of our society.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

The examples in paragraphs 3 and 4 reinforce the author’s point that being courteous —

• guarantees that others will show their appreciation by being kind in return

• is not something that should be practiced only at a young age

• requires time and energy but is still worthwhile

• is less important for adults than for children

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RI.8.6

The word justify in paragraph 2 means to —

• provide an opportunity

• give up on a task

• make acceptable

• explain in detail

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.8.4B

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

The author supports the central argument of the article mainly by —

• describing personal observations

• referring to facts on the subject

• sharing quotations from experts on the subject

• comparing rules from the past with rules from the present

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8