Passages STAAR

When describing the penguins, the author mostly focuses on their —

A concern for their baby chicks

B friendly and entertaining behavior

C ability to survive in their environment

D dependence on one another

• A

• B

• C

• D

2 In paragraph 4, what does the word notoriously mean?

F Frequently traveled

G Hard to locate

H Recognized in a negative way

J Viewed from a distance

• F

• G

• H

• J

3 Which sentence from the selection best conveys the author’s main message?

A But as mentally prepared as we were, we also had to be physically aware, as well. (paragraph 6)

B Every night aboard our safe and warm ship, we thought about what it takes to survive in Antarctica, an incredibly harsh place. (paragraph 19)

C Over the course of our visit, we came to respect and even revere the power of that sea. (paragraph 20)

D Both experiences were unforgettable, and one would not have been possible without the other. (paragraph 21)

• A

• B

• C

• D

4 The organizers of the expedition created “penguin etiquette” most likely to —

F limit the interaction between the penguins and the visitors

G minimize possible negative effects of visitors on the penguin habitat

H create awareness among the visitors about the challenges penguins face

J boost visitors’ chances of observing tens of thousands of penguins each day

• F

• G

• H

• J

Based on the selection, what did the author most likely gain from his experience?

A An understanding of how animals survive in cold climates

B An interest in other journeys that involve physical challenges

C An awareness of the types of activities his daughter enjoys

D An increased respect for the power of nature

• A

• B

• C

• D

6 What is the best summary of this selection?

F When the author and his daughter win a trip to Antarctica, they board an icebreaker ship and travel through an area called the Drake Passage. During their time in Antarctica, they observe a penguin colony made up of tens of thousands of penguins. They must adhere to certain rules while they are there.

G Getting to Antarctica requires people to travel by ship through a rough area of the sea. After winning a trip to Antarctica to observe penguins, the author and his daughter make this difficult voyage. Once they arrive, they see thousands of penguins up close and know the trip was worth the suffering.

H The author and his daughter take a trip to Antarctica, where they have an opportunity to observe penguin behavior up close. They take photographs of the large penguin colony. Long after the trip, they still talk about the experience.

J After winning a contest, the author and his daughter travel to Antarctica and see penguins. Since there are no airports in Antarctica, they have to sail there through rough water. Once they arrive, they must take a helicopter from their ship over to the penguin colony.

• F

• G

• H

• J

7 Which sentence from the selection best expresses the author’s enthusiasm during his observation of the penguins?

A Across the crunchy surface, we could see hundreds of penguins in the distance, watching us as we watched them. (paragraph 10)

B Penguins are extremely curious and not fearful of humans. (paragraph 11)

C We began the two-mile hike over the ice to the penguin colony. (paragraph 14)

D And I will never forget the penguin that, when I jokingly asked which way back to the helicopters, pointed a wing in the correct direction. (paragraph 18)

• A

• B

• C

• D

8 Read this sentence from paragraph 8.

For the first time on our journey, we walked out on deck and felt the sweet bite of the cold, clean air on our faces.

The sensory language in this sentence best reveals the author’s —

F sense of relief and accomplishment at having arrived in Antarctica

G understanding of the extreme weather conditions in Antarctica

H frustration at having been kept in his cabin for most of the voyage

J feeling of anticipation to soon be interacting with the penguins

• F

• G

• H

• J