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2021 STAAR Grade 5 Reading

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Last updated about 4 years ago
38 questions
1
5.10.D
1
5.8.C
1
5.10.D
1
5.10.E
1
5.8.C
1
5.10.D
1
5.6.F
1
5.7.C
1
5.7.C
1
5.3.A
1
5.10.A
1
5.6.F
1
5.7.C
1
5.8.C
1
5.6.F
1
5.3.B
1
5.10.D
1
5.8.C
1
5.7.D
1
5.6.F
1
5.6.F
1
5.7.C
1
5.6.F
1
5.6.E
1
5.6.E
1
5.6.E
1
5.6.E
1
5.9.D.iii
1
5.9.D.ii
1
5.10.A
1
5.3.B
1
5.10.A
1
5.6.F
1
5.3.A
1
5.10.A
1
5.7.C
1
5.9.D.iii
1
5.9.D.i
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Question 1
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Question 2
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Question 3
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Question 4
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Question 5
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Question 6
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Question 7
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Question 8
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Question 9
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Question 10
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Question 11
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Question 12
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Question 13
13.

Use “Peace and Quiet” to answer questions 14–19.
Question 14
14.

Question 15
15.

Question 16
16.

Question 17
17.

Question 18
18.

Question 19
19.

Use “Maple Street” to answer questions 20–23
Question 20
20.

Question 21
21.

Question 22
22.

Question 23
23.

Use “Peace and Quiet” and “Maple Street” to answer questions 24–27.
Question 24
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Question 25
25.

Question 26
26.

Question 27
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Question 28
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Question 29
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Question 30
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Question 31
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Question 32
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Question 33
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Question 34
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Question 35
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Question 36
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Question 37
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Question 38
38.

In paragraph 4, why does the author use the figurative phrase “the eyes that peered out into the universe” to describe the telescopes?
To suggest that telescopes are used to locate and watch over distant objects in space
To indicate that telescopes are used for watching certain people
To show that telescopes are delicate objects that need a lot of care and attention
To explain that telescopes should be used only by professional scientists
Which sentence from the story best describes Catalina’s main conflict?
While the visitors were there, Papá could not allow her to help. (paragraph 2)
No one believed she would be a scientist one day. (paragraph 7)
Catalina balanced on the balls of her feet. (paragraph 16)
Catalina’s eyes lifted to the clock drive lit by a blinking yellow light. (paragraph 18)
The author includes the imagery in paragraph 1 most likely to highlight Catalina’s —
loneliness in her mountain home
desire to spend time outside
appreciation of the nighttime
questions about the night sky
The story’s third-person point of view helps the reader —
identify what the astronomer in the dome feels
appreciate why the tourists enjoy visiting the observatory
understand why Catalina wants to spend time at the observatory
relate to the relationship between Catalina and her father
How does Catalina’s observation of the telescope in paragraph 8 advance the plot of the story?
It allows Catalina to express her feelings about scientific discovery.
It leads Catalina to identify a problem that she will resolve.
It hints that Catalina’s actions will cause the main conflict.
It suggests that Catalina is unfamiliar with the observatory
Read these sentences from paragraph 6.

[The sky did not merely consist of white dots of stars against a black background. The sky she saw every night was knotted with patterns,from fuzzy balls of fluff to filaments.]

What is the most likely reason the author includes figurative language in these sentences?
To show that Catalina needs to use the telescope to see the sky clearly
To emphasize that Catalina knows the best time to study the stars
To emphasize that Catalina pays careful attention to the details of the stars
To show that Catalina does not understand what she sees in the night sky
Why is Catalina’s experience with the injured scientist important to the plot?
The experience helps explain why Catalina is only allowed to help her father at certain times.
The experience shows that Catalina thinks she knows more about telescopes than the scientists.
The experience tells details about how Catalina’s father taught her about telescopes.
The experience reveals a trait of Catalina’s that will help her become a successful scientist.
Which sentence best supports the idea that hammocks have been used to help solve a problem?
The Taino made the hammocks by weaving together cotton, plant fibers, and tree bark. (paragraph 2)
Columbus admired how the hanging beds kept sleepers safe from the soggy ground and pesky forest animals. (paragraph 3)
Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés was another explorer who was fascinated by hammocks. (paragraph 4)
Today hammocks are not just for relaxing. (paragraph 7)
Which sentence from the selection shows that Joshua John Ward was successful in choosing the design he used to create hammocks?
Hammocks were soon exposed to the rest of the world. (paragraph 6)
He was interested in creating cool beds for his riverboat. (paragraph 6)
He created hammocks out of cotton rope. (paragraph 6)
His company still makes hammocks using the same materials. (paragraph 6)
Read the dictionary entry for the word spot.

spot \'spät\ verb
1. to locate something correctly
2. to mark with a stain that discolors clothing
3. to place something in a certain position
4. to notice or identify with the eye

Which definition best matches the way the word spotted is used in paragraph 3?
Definition 1
Definition 2
Definition 3
Definition 4
What is the most likely reason the author includes the information in paragraph 7?
To show the reader how to find creative ways to spend time
To provide the reader with a reason that hammocks need to be strong
To inform the reader of a different way that hammocks are used
To tell the reader about the equipment needed for one sport
Based on information from paragraph 7, the reader can conclude that Andy Lewis —
likes going on adventures
does not speak to other athletes on the journey
has not experienced any challenges on his journeys
has only been on one adventure
Which sentence suggests that hammocks were helpful to explorers who traveled by sea?
People have been using hammocks for many years. (paragraph 2)
They were small enough when folded that they could fit in small spaces on ships. (paragraph 3)
He drew a picture of the knitted cotton rugs that natives hung between trees using twine strings. (paragraph 4)
In 1889 a South Carolina riverboat captain named Joshua John Ward crafted a different type of hammock. (paragraph 6)
In the story “Peace and Quiet,” when does the resolution of Desha’s conflict begin?
When Eliza looks at Desha’s journal
When James finds Desha sitting on a rock
When James talks to Desha about how family members support one another
When Desha learns that James used to play the guitar
Read paragraph 8 from the story “Peace and Quiet.”

“Don’t you have a basketball game to watch?” I complained. So much for my perfect hideaway.

Based on the paragraph, what can the reader infer about Desha?
She is annoyed that James found her.
She is ashamed to admit that she is glad James found her.
She is impressed that James knew where to find her
She is surprised that anyone was interested in finding her
Which words from paragraph 12 of the story “Peace and Quiet” help the reader understand what prying means?
looking through my journal
watching the game
went to my room
to be alone for a change
What does the author’s use of simile in paragraph 17 of the story “Peace and Quiet” suggest about how Desha feels about her big family?
Desha thinks no one wants to hear her practice the guitar.
Desha thinks that there are too many people sharing a space.
Desha feels a close bond with her sisters because they share a room.
Desha is uncomfortable with others knowing about her personal life.
In the story “Peace and Quiet,” why is it important to the plot that James knows about the clearing in the forest?
His knowledge reminds him of a place he can go when he needs help from a family member.
His knowledge helps him recognize how quickly his sister is growing up.
His knowledge makes it possible for him to find Desha and talk to her.
His knowledge leads him to a place that reminds him of Daniel.
What is the best summary of the story “Peace and Quiet”?
Desha is a member of a large family. There is nowhere for her to be alone in the house, so she goes to her hiding place in the woods. While there she plays her guitar and her brother tells her that he used to play the guitar before he began learning to play the drums.
Desha is upset because her family decides to watch a basketball game instead of the movie she wants to watch. She leaves the house and goes to an area in the woods. Her brother explains that he used to visit the same spot.
Desha goes to a secret spot in the woods. Her brother finds her there and helps her learn to play chords on her guitar. They discuss some of the memories and experiences they share with their brothers and sisters.
Desha, a member of a large family, leaves the house when she cannot find anywhere to have time to herself. She goes to a quiet place in the woods to play her guitar. While there she has a conversation with her brother that changes her attitude toward her family.
What is the most likely reason the poet refers to the tree as a “tower” in lines 18 and 29 of the poem “Maple Street”?
To suggest the age of the tree that the speaker climbs
To highlight what objects the speaker enjoys sketching
To reveal the location of the tree in the speaker’s neighborhood
To emphasize the height from which the speaker observes the neighborhood
Based on stanza 1 (lines 1–13) of the poem “Maple Street,” the speaker most likely feels —
uncertain about taking the chocolate Jamie Hamlin shares
surprised to learn the street is named for Jamie Hamlin’s tree
thankful to have Jamie Hamlin as a neighbor
jealous of the store Jamie Hamlin’s family owns
Which lines from the poem “Maple Street” support the idea that the speaker does not wish to be seen looking at others?
like I said,
there’s his tree. (lines 12–13)
With my sketchbook
and colored pencils, (lines 14–15)
I can see
the whole neighborhood. (lines 30–31)
hidden by these
green and paper leaves, (lines 33–34)
Read lines 1 through 3 from the poem “Maple Street.”
[There’s no doubt where our street found its name:]

These lines suggest that the speaker thinks —
the maple tree is the most noticeable object on the street
streets should be named after features found near them
the street originally had a different name
people disagree about the meaning of the street’s name

How are Desha in the story “Peace and Quiet” and the speaker in the poem “Maple Street” alike?
Desha and the speaker both find a place to work on something they enjoy.
Desha and the speaker both are bothered by other people.
Desha and the speaker both spend time secretly observing others.
Desha and the speaker both take advice from someone.
Which topic is addressed by the author of the story “Peace and Quiet” that is not addressed by the speaker of the poem “Maple Street”?
The importance of having somewhere to be alone
The impact that sharing something can have on another person
The desire to practice a hobby
The frustration of living with many people
In the story “Peace and Quiet,” what does Desha value in a similar way as the speaker values the tree in the poem “Maple Street”?
A song
A movie
A rock
A guitar
Which statement describes a difference between the story “Peace and Quiet” and
the poem “Maple Street”?
In the story, Desha shares thoughts about people who live in her house. In the poem, the speaker expresses thoughts about people who live in the neighborhood.
In the story, Desha has found a secret location that her brother told her about. In the poem, the speaker is worried about not having a place to spend time alone.
In the story, Desha visits a place for the first time. In the poem, the speaker goes to a place that is very familiar.
In the story, Desha is concerned about an event that is planned for the future. In the poem, the speaker is concerned about an event that happened in the past.
The author uses a compare-and-contrast organizational pattern in the selection to help the reader understand the —
ways in which scientists learn about the platypus
ways in which the platypus takes care of its young compared to other animals
ways in which the male and female platypuses defend themselves
ways in which the platypus is different from other mammals
In which section would the reader find information about the size of a baby platypus?
The introductory paragraph
The Female Platypus
The Male Platypus
A Special Way to Find Food
What is the most likely reason the author wrote this selection?
To inform the reader about an animal that has fascinated people since it was discovered
To explain to the reader how to tell mammals from other groups of animals
To encourage the reader to appreciate animals that are unfamiliar
To tell the reader how scientists observe and study a wild animal
In paragraph 5, what does the word prefers mean?
Spends time
Finds comfort
Likes one thing more than another
Tries to find a better way
What is the main reason the author introduces the selection with the information in paragraph 1?
To show that the platypus is related to the otter and the beaver
To explain that the platypus is a recent scientific discovery
To emphasize that the platypus has an unusual appearance
To suggest that the platypus can survive only in Australia
From the information presented in paragraph 3, what can the reader conclude about the Nordkamp girls?
They found soccer difficult to learn when they started playing.
They lacked the equipment they needed to become successful soccer players.
They asked their coach if they could include boys on their team.
They were eager to play soccer no matter what the conditions were.
Read the dictionary entry for the word arrange.

arrange \ə-'rānj\ verb
1. to put in correct order
2. to make plans for something
3. to come to an agreement
4. to change a musical composition for a performance

Which definition best matches the way arranged is used in paragraph 3?
Definition 1
Definition 2
Definition 3
Definition 4
What is the most likely reason the author wrote this selection?
To describe how an American soccer team helped a soccer team in Katutura become successful
To explain why playing soccer is not common for girls in Katutura
To inform the reader of the accomplishments of the first girls’ soccer team in Katutura
To tell about the different teams that competed in a girls’ soccer tournament in Katutura
Which sentence does the author include to suggest that the girls on the new soccer team most likely appreciated the support they received?
When the bright orange uniforms arrived, the Nordkamp girls danced with delight. (paragraph 4)
With their new name—the Pumpkins—and uniforms, the experienced team was ready to enter tournament play. (paragraph 7)
On December 1, 2006, the Pumpkins gathered and marched in a big orange line to a field near the Nordkamp Center. (paragraph 9)
Sitting on the grass and eating peanut-butter sandwiches, the Pumpkins waited impatiently for the team to show up. (paragraph 12)
The author presents events in chronological order in paragraphs 9 through 15 to help the reader understand —
the process the Pumpkins repeated during each of their games
how the Pumpkins viewed themselves before and after playing in the tournament
that the Pumpkins experienced success and failure while competing in a tournament
the reasons the other teams did not believe the Pumpkins would win
Details in paragraphs 2 and 3 support the idea that Mary Beth Gallagher organized a girls’ soccer team in Katutura because she —
dreamed of having a successful career as a girls’ soccer coach
wanted playing soccer to be a positive experience for girls
knew the team of girls would perform better than a team of boys
believed the girls were too young to participate in any other type of sport