STAAR Vocab & Reading Development #1

The latin root tenare means “to try out”.

What does the word tentative mean?

• to test it with caution

• to find the way home

• to decide between two choices

• to find a close friend

Read this dictionary entry.

Accustomed (adjective)

1. in the habit of

2. familiar with

3. adapted or adjusted to

Which definition best fits the sentence below?

The students were accustomed to putting their books in their desks everyday at the beginning of class.

• Definition 1

• Definiton 2

• definition 3

Read this dictionary entry.

Accustomed (adjective)

1. in the habit of

2. familiar with

3. adapted or adjusted to

Which definition best fits the sentence below?

After moving to Alaska, I became accustomed to the cold weather, and it doesn't bother me anymore.

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

What does the word unexpected mean in the sentence below?

I traveled to the edge of the mountain with Lewis, and finding bison there was an unexpected event.

• harsh

• terrifying

• surprising

• darkening

Read the dictionary entry:

Surpassed (verb)

1. to exceed an expectation in a performance.

2. to find a better idea.

3. to outdo another person in a competition.

How is surpassed used in the. sentence below?

The singer left the stage and surpassed the judge's expectations?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

Read the dictionary entry:

Surpassed (verb)

1. to exceed an expectation in a performance.

2. to find a better idea.

3. to outdo another person in a competition.

How is surpassed used in the. sentence below?

He surpassed all of the other athletes on the field.

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

Tamika Catchings is an amazing basketball athlete, but most of her friends didn’t know a secret she kept in school. She had partial hearing loss in both ears.

The author most likely wrote this paragraph to--

• provide background information on Tamika.

• explain why Tamika inspires many people with physical disadvantages.

• provide reasons for why people should play basketball.

Tamika Catchings is an amazing basketball athlete, but most of her friends didn’t know a secret she kept in school. She had partial hearing loss in both ears.

Which detail from the paragraph supports the idea that Tamika didn’t want people to know about her hearing challenges?

• She was an amazing athlete.

• She kept a secret from friends at school.

• She had hearing loss in both ears.

Tamika Catchings is an amazing basketball athlete, but most of her friends didn’t know a secret she kept in school. She had partial hearing loss in both ears.

The reader can conclude that Tamika---

• knows how to overcome challenges.

• has more friends than most students in her school.

• enjoys studying for tests at school.

• lost her hearing when she was a baby.

A Cherry Game

Pit spitting is quite a blast,

Cherry gone, pit is last.

With pursed lips and lungs of wind,

Rocket like, forceful send.

Through the air let the pit take flight,

Winner is how far, not height.

The poet uses the simile in line 4 to - 

• emphasize the heat involved with cherry pits.

• identify another way to launch pits.

• describe the reason for pit spitting.

• express the idea that pits can fly far.