"Why I Write Longhand" & "Paper Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age" - STAAR Double Passage (2022)

20. Which word best describes the overall tone of the selection “Why I Write Longhand"?

• Playful
• Sarcastic
• Regretful
• Reflective

21. In paragraph 4 of the selection “Why I Write Longhand,” the author supports the idea that he —

• usually chooses the simplest way to accomplish tasks
• was proud of his ability to master the use of high-tech tools
• avoided facing the reality of his work habits
• is able to learn new skills and computer programs quickly

22. In paragraph 11 of the selection “Why I Write Longhand,” why does the author describe evolving computer tools as “a multitentacled entity”?

• He embraces the need for writers to multitask.
• His addiction to computer devices has become overwhelming.
• He believes that writers must pay attention to many things at once.
• His experiences designing computer games impact the way he views the world.

23. In the selection “Why I Write Longhand,” which word is closest in meaning to exponentially as it is used in paragraph 1?

• Rapidly
• Silently
• Unexpectedly
• Wonderfully

24. Read this quotation from paragraph 9 of the selection “Why I Write Longhand.” Which is why, after years of making progressively heavier use of more apps and more devices to do things I used to do without any devices at all, I’ve thrown that train into reverse. Why does the author use a metaphor in the quotation?

• To show his fascination with technology
• To highlight the difficulty in changing his habits
• To explain his awareness that he is not alone in his use of technology
• To express the sense of anticipation about his future

25. Based on paragraphs 5 and 6 of the selection “Why I Write Longhand,” what can be inferred about the author’s feelings?

• He is excited about trying new writing techniques.
• He is upset that he has wasted so much time.
• He is relieved that others agree with his beliefs.
• He is confused about which methods to use in planning his writing.

26. Read paragraph 6 from the article “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age.” Jerome Roxton, president of Tru Art Advertising Calendars in Iowa City, Iowa, said traditional calendars remain popular because they combine aesthetics with utility. Paper and digital calendars can readily coexist. In paragraph 6, what does the word coexist mean?

• Have multiple uses
• Have surprising results
• Be present at the same time
• Encourage creative ideas

27. Use “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age” to answer the following question. Read this quotation from paragraph 5 of the article “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age.” “The consumer can customize a planner to fit his or her style with accessories, colors and even color code events and activities,” she wrote. How does this quotation support the main idea of the article?

• It shows that people’s purchasing behaviors are unpredictable.
• It argues that consumers should buy a particular type of planner.
• It provides specific reasons why paper planners remain popular.
• It explains why people confuse planners with calendars.

28. Which of these is the best summary of the article “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age”?

• The number of paper calendars found in homes has decreased slightly over the last few decades, although calendars that promote businesses are still used in advertising. In the last few years, sales of planners have gone up. Most people who own printed calendars display them in their kitchens.
• Just as people worried about the end of the printed book when e-books became available, so too did they think paper calendars would go out of style. Paper calendars and planners are usually purchased at the end of the year. Some types have become more popular, but others have not.
• Digital calendars have many uses, but they can end up being more annoying than helpful. Paper calendars, on the other hand, do not beep or send alerts. Desk pads and wall calendars are now less common than they once were, but consumers still purchase customizable planners.
• When digital calendars became widely available, many people anticipated that paper calendars would disappear. However, while the sales of some types of paper calendars have declined, the use of promotional and personal calendars has increased. Many people today use both digital and printed calendars.

29. In paragraph 13 of the article “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age,” why does the author include a quotation from a Virginia Tech paper?

• To prove that paper calendar use is an appropriate subject of study
• To show that some hypotheses can be wrong
• To suggest that there are problems with the research data
• To demonstrate that his thoughts on the topic of calendar use are biased