STAAR Passage

Read this selection from the story.

-He is a sweet man with a honey tongue and he is a teller of lies.

-Why does the author include this description of Bompie?

• To show that Sophie knows only what she has been told about her grandfather.

• To explain why Sophie's grandfather decided to move away.

• To convey why Sophie is eager to see her grandfather.

• To explain that Sophie does not trust what her grandfather says.

The qualities Brian is described as having in paragraph 6 are most closely related to those associated witth the-

• logical side of Sophie's mother

• dreamy side of Sophie's father

• hardheaded side of Sophie

• good side of Uncle Dock

The description of the setting in lines 8 through 19 highlights a contrast between --

• the liveliness of the woods and the steady pace of the river

• the simplicity of nature and the complexity of the speaker's emotions

• the playfulness of nature and the seriousness of the speaker's purpose

• the variety of living organisms around the river and the lack of living organisms in the river

The details in paragraph 5 support the idea that -

• F.

  humans use a lot of sarcasm and humor in everyday speech

• G.

  miscommunication between humans is more likely when they cannot see facial expressions

• H.

  language software is designed for communicating information rather than making jokes

• J.

  human communication involves features that cannot easily be replicated by computers

What is the main idea of paragraphs 7 & 8?

• When people use speech-recognition applications, their privacy may be invaded.

• As people talk more to computers, they may become less able to interact with humans.

• Advances in technology may cause humans to lose their jobs to computers.

• The use of speech-recognition technology poses a variety of potential problems.

Based on the information in the selection, the reader can infer that an "informed customer" will most likely -

• spend a long time in the supermarket

• compare all the brands of a needed item

• stay focused on purchasing only needed items

• purchase only products that are on sale

What is the main purpose of a STAAR Passage in an English exam?

• To test mathematical skills

• To assess reading comprehension and analysis

• To evaluate scientific knowledge

• To measure physical fitness

Which of the following best describes a theme commonly explored in STAAR Passages?

• The impact of technology on society

• The importance of historical events

• The complexity of human emotions

• The process of photosynthesis

In a STAAR Passage, what is the significance of the author's tone?

• It reveals the author's personal biases

• It helps to establish the mood and engage the reader

• It provides factual information

• It distracts from the main idea

How does the use of figurative language in a STAAR Passage enhance the text?

• By confusing the reader

• By adding depth and vivid imagery

• By simplifying complex ideas

• By providing exact definitions