STAAR Released Questions

Which statement explains an advantage (good thing) of a bone in a macaw's tongue that the hornbill does NOT need?

• It helps macaws catch and chew small mammals (like mice) and crustaceans (like shrimp and crabs).

• It helps macaws break open and eat tropical fruits and nuts.

• It helps macaws make large holes in trees to reach insects to eat.

• It helps macaws swallow whole prey (food).

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The tallest trees in a rainforest are removed for lumber. This increases the amount of light on the forest floor. The table shows information about fungi and ferns that grow on the forest floor. Which statement explains why one organism is better adapted to the removal of tall trees? (Which statement says why one of the organisms will do better when tall trees are removed?

• The fungi are better adapted because they have spores that grow better in the dark.

• The ferns are better adapted because they have a strong root system.

• The fungi are better adapted because they can get energy from decaying trees.

• The ferns are better adapted because they can get energy from the sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which statement best describes why butterflies and hummingbirds both have long tongues?

• Butterflies and hummingbirds both migrate.

• Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to brightly colored flowers.

• Butterflies and hummingbirds eat the same food.

• Butterflies and hummingbirds have the same predators.

Tags

NGSS.4-LS1-1

The pictures show two animals that live in Texas. Both animals have structures (body parts) that help them survive. Which sentence best describes the function (job) of the structures (body parts) that these animals have in common (the same)?

• Both animals have small eyes that help them see clearly at night.

• Both animals have tough skin to keep them warm in cold weather.

• Both animals have sharp claws that help them dig in sand.

• Both animals have pointed tails to attract predators.

Unlike humans, otters have special flaps that close off their nostrils and ears. These flaps help otters survive in an environment that is -

• terrestrial (land based)

• snowy

• windy

• aquatic (water based)

After a trip to an aquarium, some students compared the tail fin of sharks with the tail fin of bony fish. The students made a chart listing characteristics of each type of tail fin. Based on this information, what is most likely an advantage (good thing) of the bony fish tail fin over the shark tail fin?

• It is easier for a bony fish to change direction quickly since muscles control the movement of the tail fin.

• The bones in the tail fin help a bony fish sink to lower depths in the water when searching for food.

• The flexible tail fin is fanned by the water, so a bony fish uses less energy to swim.

• The thin spines of the tail fin prevent a bony fish from being seen by larger predator (hunter) fish.

The leaves of two types of plants that live in different environments are shown in the pictures. The leaves of both plants have different structures (forms). What difference in the structure of the leaves of these plants likely helps them survive in their environment?

• The pan-like shape of the water lily leaves helps them catch rainwater. The slim shape of the mesquite leaves helps them avoid sunlight.

• The broad shape of the water lily leaves helps them stay on the water surface. The slim shape of the mesquite leaves helps them prevent water loss.

• The pan-like shape of the water lily leaves helps them attract small fish. The slim shape of the mesquite leaves helps them avoid herbivores (plant eaters).

• The broad shape of the water lily leaves helps them attract aquatic birds. The slim shape of the mesquite leaves helps them attract pollinators.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

The whiskers of a river otter and the antennae of a cockroach are shown below. How do structures (parts) such as whiskers and antennae benefit organisms?

• They help the organism detect (sense) their surroundings (areas)

• They help the organisms eat food quickly

• They help the organisms fight predators

• They help the organisms hear prey

Some animals, such as lions, have pointed teeth, while other animals, such as cattle, have flat teeth. The difference in the shape of these animals' teeth is most closely related to -

• the type of organisms the animals consume (eat)

• the sounds the animals make

• the habitat (home) the animals live in

• the type of predators (hunters) the animals have

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The ocotillo is a desert plant with long, straight branches. Its leaves are small and appear for only a short time after a rain. Most of the time, the branches of the ocotillo do not have leaves. Maple trees grow in areas where water is more abundant (available) than in the desert. Maple leaves can be very large and are present for most months of the year.

Ocotillo plants are better adapted for surviving in the desert than maple trees because the characteristics of ocotillo leaves -

• allow more sunlight to reach the soil

• prevent the plant from producing flowers

• encourage the release of carbon dioxide from the stems

• reduce the amount of water lost through evaporation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5