STAAR 2022 FICTION PAIRED PASSAGES

14 Use “Do What You Can” to answer the following question. 

Which sentence from the story “Do What You Can” supports the  idea that the first raindrop inspires the other raindrops?

• F “I feel very sorry for him.” (paragraph 2)

• G “I wish I might help him.” (paragraph 2)

• H “Yes,” said the other, “but you are only a little raindrop.” (paragraph 3)

• J “Well, if you really insist upon going, I think I will go, too.” (paragraph 6)

15 Use “Do What You Can” to answer the following question. 

What does the word wither mean in paragraph 1 of the story  “Do What You Can”?

• A Find warmth

• B Grow fast

• C Stay strong

• D Become dry

16 Use “Do What You Can” to answer the following question.

In the story “Do What You Can,” which key idea about the first raindrop do the details in paragraph 2 support?

• F The first raindrop understands the farmer’s problem.

• G The first raindrop wants to be the farmer’s friend.

• H The first raindrop believes the farmer should plant a different  crop.

• J The first raindrop thinks that hard work has made the farmer ill.

17 Use “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi” to answer the following  question. 

Based on the events throughout the story “How Six Sons Rescued  Anansi,” which sentence best describes how Anansi feels about his  sons?

• A He is bothered by their unusual behaviors.

• B He is eager to teach them new skills.

• C He is proud of their accomplishments.

• D He is upset by their attitudes.

18 Use “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi” to answer the following  question. 

Look at this illustration from the story “How Six Sons Rescued  Anansi.”

What is the most likely reason the author includes this illustration.

• F To highlight that Anansi is about to escape from the bubble

• G To show that Anansi is floating high in the bubble

• H To hint that Anansi is worried that the hungry fish may eat him

• J To suggest that no one can see where Anansi has gone

19 Use “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi” to answer the following  question. 

What is the main message of the story “How Six Sons Rescued  Anansi”?

• A Everyone makes mistakes sometimes.

• B Doing your best is more important than succeeding.

• C More can be accomplished when working as a team than  working alone.

• D The world has many wonders that are waiting to be discovered.

20 Use “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi” to answer the following  question. 

Which sentence from the story “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi”  best helps the reader understand that Anansi’s problem is  resolved?

• F Seconds later a huge bubble floated out with Anansi screaming  for help inside it! (paragraph 9)

• G “I’ll rescue him,” proclaimed Stone Thrower. (paragraph 12)

• H Anansi plunged from the sky back toward the earth. (paragraph 12)

• J Anansi landed with a gentle bounce on Puffy Pillow’s soft, springy back. (paragraph 15)

21 Use “Do What You Can” and “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi” to  answer the following question. 

Which sentence best describes a SIMILARITY between the stories  “Do What You Can” and “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi”?

• A Both stories include a family who spends time together.

• B Both stories include characters who are rewarded for their  efforts.

• C Both stories have characters who go on dangerous journeys.

• D Both stories use humor to send a message.

22 Use “Do What You Can” and “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi” to  answer the following question. 

How do the raindrops in the story “Do What You Can” DIFFER from the sons in the story “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi”?

• F The raindrops do not have different abilities, but the sons do.

• G The raindrops do not listen to one another, but the sons do.

• H The raindrops do not spend time together, but the sons do

• J The raindrops do not like one another, but the sons do.

23 Use “Do What You Can” and “How Six Sons Rescued Anansi” to  answer the following question. 

What is one way the farmer’s experience in the story “Do What You  Can” is DIFFERENT from Anansi’s experience in the story “How  Six Sons Rescued Anansi”?

• A The farmer changes by the end of the story, but Anansi does not  change.

• B The farmer learns a lesson, while Anansi teaches a lesson.

• C The farmer’s feelings about his situation stay the same, but  Anansi’s feelings about his situation improve.

• D The farmer’s problem is caused by nature, while Anansi’s  problem is caused by an accident.