2019 STAAR Howdy, Big Tex

Which word in paragraph 9 best helps the reader understand the meaning of carved?

• light

• shape

• face

• layers

Answer explanation

In paragraph 9, the author explains that the material Styrofoam was used because it “could be carved easily into the shape of a face.” When something is carved, it is made into a specific shape, and in this case, the material was carved into the shape of Big Tex’s face.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.4

CCSS.RL.3.4

CCSS.RI.2.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RI.4.4

With which statement about the first Big Tex would the author most likely agree?

• He was too short.

• He talked too much.

• He was not very popular.

• He did not seem real.

Answer explanation

In paragraph 4, the author explains that the first Big Tex’s mouth “moved like a puppet.” Then, in paragraph 7, the author explains that the plan for the new Big Tex was to make his face “look more like a real cowboy” and “be more lifelike” than the old one, which supports the idea that the author thought the first Big Tex did not seem real.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.6

CCSS.RI.3.6

CCSS.RI.2.6

CCSS.RL.4.6

CCSS.RL.5.6

What is the best summary of the selection?

• Big Tex came to the Texas State Fair in 1952. The fair president thought he would be a good symbol for the fair. In 1953 he could smile and speak, and by 2000 he could even wave at fair visitors.

• Big Tex is a very large cowboy that is not real but looks like he is. He can talk, wave, smile, and point the way for people at the fair. A man named Snell decided to build a new Big Tex for the fair.

• Anyone who goes to the Texas State Fair can describe Big Tex. Big Tex first became a symbol of the fair in 1952. He could smile, and his mouth could move so he could talk.

• A giant cowboy named Big Tex stands at the front of the Texas State Fair. He smiles, waves, and greets visitors. After the first Big Tex burned in a fire, a more lifelike Big Tex was built to take his place.

Answer explanation

This is the most complete summary of the selection. The topic of Big Tex is introduced, the features of Big Tex are described, and the reason for having the first Big Tex and the second Big Tex and their differences are explained.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

Which idea from the selection is supported by the photograph?

• Big Tex has a special area where he stands at the fair.

• Big Tex can wink at visitors as he welcomes them.

• Big Tex can move more now than in the past.

• Big Tex has been around for more than 50 years.

Answer explanation

In paragraph 1, the author describes Big Tex as “the giant cowboy who greets people at the front gate.” In the photograph, Big Tex is standing at the entrance to the state fair.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.7

CCSS.RL.3.7

CCSS.RI.2.7

CCSS.RL.2.7

CCSS.RL.4.7

What is the most likely reason the author included paragraphs 7 through 9?

• To explain why Snell thought another Big Tex was needed

• To describe the plan Snell and his workers followed to build a new Big Tex

• To prove that Snell’s new Big Tex is better than the first one

• To compare Snell’s drawings of Big Tex to the real Big Tex

Answer explanation

In paragraph 7, the author describes Snell’s “big ideas for the new cowboy,” and in paragraph 8, the plan the workers followed to keep Big Tex a secret is explained. In paragraph 9, the author describes the process of creating the new Big Tex.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.6

CCSS.RL.3.6

CCSS.RL.4.6

CCSS.RI.2.6

CCSS.RL.5.6

Which text feature in the selection best helps the reader understand where to find details about the first Big Tex?

• The title of the selection

• The caption for the photograph

• The section title “Big Tex in the Beginning”

• The section title “Big Tex Gets Bigger”

Answer explanation

The reader can best understand where to find details about the first Big Tex from the section title “Big Tex in the Beginning.” The words “in the Beginning” provide a hint that the author included details about the “first” Big Tex in this section.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.5

CCSS.RI.1.5

CCSS.RI.K.5

In paragraph 4, what does prerecorded mean?

• Recorded in part

• Recorded next

• Recorded without

• Recorded before

Answer explanation

In paragraph 4, the author explains that words that had been recorded were then “played over speakers” as Big Tex’s mouth moved. This means that the words had to be “Recorded before” they were played over the speakers.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.4

CCSS.RL.3.4

CCSS.RI.2.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RI.4.4

Which sentence best shows that the makers of the new Big Tex hoped to keep a problem from happening again?

• Overall, the new Big Tex would be more lifelike. (paragraph 7)

• In fact, they used a secret code for Big Tex in emails and on the phone. (paragraph 8)

• The workers were careful to use materials that would not burn easily. (paragraph 9)

• His steel-frame body was taken to a clothing factory. (paragraph 10)

Answer explanation

The first Big Tex “was destroyed in a fire” and the workers making the new Big Tex wanted to prevent the chance of him catching fire, so they used “materials that would not burn easily.”

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Read the diagram.

Which sentence completes the diagram?

• Snell’s workers got hungry from working so much.

• Snell’s workers wanted to keep their work secret from others.

• Snell’s workers wanted to surprise Snell.

• Snell’s workers helped to plan new foods for the fair.

Answer explanation

In paragraph 8, the author explains that “Snell’s company wanted the new Big Tex to surprise people,” so “the company worked secretly.” This desire for secrecy led the workers to use “‘fried chicken’” as a code name for the new Big Tex.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.3

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

At BCE, who is the best 3rd. Grade teacher?

• Dang

• Torres

• Vazquez

• Olvera

Answer explanation

😀