RLA - STAAR paired passages #2

Use "Last Dance" to answer the following question.

What can the reader infer about the narrator based on paragraph 7 of the story "Last Dance"?

• She is angry that Becca has spent the last month busy with friends.

• She wonders if her relationship with Becca will change after the move.

• She thinks Becca is happy about leaving home to go to college.

• She fears that the nightly tradition is no longer important to Becca.

Read this sentence from paragraph 5 of the story "Last Dance":

{ Becca and I both started laughing and continued to dance as our anger crept out of the living room.}

What is the most likely reason the author uses personification in this sentence?

• To suggest that the girls appreciate their dad's suggestion.

• To show that the girls have forgotten about their argument.

• To highlight the bond the girls have with one another.

• To emphasize the girls' willingness to work together.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.9D

Use "Last Dance" to answer the following question.

Which sentence from the story "Last Dance" best conveys the theme?

• We took turns each night picking which song to dance to, and no matter what had gone on that day or how mad we would be at each other, we would dance. (paragraph 1)

• A few minutes in time-out had not been enough for us to stop being angry at each other, so before bedtime our dad took us to the living room and turned on his favorite song. (paragraph 2)

• Some hours passed, and I began to get ready for bed, giving up on the notion that a last dance party would be happening. (paragraph 12)

• I basked in the bittersweet, realizing that these were the moments to cherish. (paragraph 20)

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.7A

Use "The Tree" to answer the following question.

What is a message in the poem "The Tree"?

• Some things in life are not fully appreciated until they are gone.

• The world is sometimes beyond our own understanding.

• Home is where people feel most comfortable to be themselves.

• It is difficult to predict the actions of our neighbors.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.7A

Use The Tree to answer the following question.

Which line from the poem “The Tree” best helps the reader understand that the speaker is experiencing regret?

• Each evening for a full five minutes, (line 1)

• upon my neighbor’s house. (line 4)

• That evening the tree was gone, (line 12)

• an emptiness, along the street: (line 15)

Use The Tree to answer the following question.

Based on lines 10 and 11 of the poem “The Tree,” what can the reader infer about the speaker?

• The speaker pays little attention to the nearby environment.

• The speaker has suddenly become mindful of the tree.

• The speaker prefers to sleep when it is completely silent.

• The speaker fears the tree has accidentally been cut down.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.5F

Use Last Dance and The Tree to answer the following question.

Which idea do BOTH the story “Last Dance” and the poem “The Tree” emphasize?

• A need for help

• A fascination with time

• A noticeable loss

• A longing for something new

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.5E

Use Last Dance and The Tree to answer the following question.

What is a theme that is present in BOTH the story “Last Dance” and the poem “The Tree”?

• Have the courage to live life to its fullest.

• Always be prepared to confide in loved ones.

• Have patience when striving to reach a goal.

• Never take for granted the small wonders of daily life.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.5G

Use Last Dance and The Tree to answer the following question.

One major DIFFERENCE between the story “Last Dance” and the

poem “The Tree” is that only the story ends with a sense of —

• adventure

• fulfillment

• sympathy

• concern

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.5E

Read “Last Dance” and “The Tree.” Based on the information from the texts, write a response to the following:

Write an essay in which you explain the importance of not taking for granted the small wonders of daily life.

Write a well-organized informational essay that responds to this prompt.

Use specific evidence from the selections to support your answer.

Remember to–

clearly state your thesis

organize your writing

develop your ideas in detail

use evidence from both selections to support your response

use correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar

Manage your time carefully so that you can–

review the selections

plan your response

write your response

revise and edit your response

Write your response in the box provided.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.10C