2021 STAAR Grade 6 Reading

Last updated almost 4 years ago

40 Nsɛmmisa

6.7.C

6.9.D

6.9.E

6.2.B

6.9.D

6.7.C

6.6.D

6.2.A

6.5.F

6.8.D.iii

6.5.F

6.6.C

6.9.A

6.6.C

6.5.F

6.9.A

6.2.C

6.5.F

6.6.C

6.5.E

6.8.D.ii

6.2.C

6.9.A

6.5.H

6.5.F

6.8.D.iii

6.6.D

6.7.A

6.5.F

6.9.D

6.5.F

2021 STAAR Grade 6 Reading

Last updated almost 4 years ago

40 Nsɛmmisa

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How does paragraph 28 contribute to the development of the plot?

It shows that Elena feels shy toward Marcos because he has been gone for so long.

It highlights that Elena feels upset about spoiling Marcos’s surprise.

It indicates that Elena’s family enjoys spending time together.

It reveals that Elena is upset with her mother for forgetting to act surprised.

6.7.C

Read this sentence from paragraph 27.
What does the author’s use of personification emphasize?

Marcos realizes Mom has prepared in advance for his visit.

Mom understands what Marcos likes to eat.

Elena wishes that Marcos had not noticed the smell of the cookies.

Marcos feels welcomed by the smell of his favorite cookies.

6.9.D

Because the story is told from the third-person limited point of view, the reader knows —

why Marcos has not visited sooner

why Aunt Laura revealed the secret to Mom

how Elena feels about her actions

what Mom thinks about the upcoming anniversary party

6.9.E

What does the word futile mean in paragraph 8?

Useless

Effortless

Boring

Troubling

6.2.B

Read this sentence from paragraph 20.
What does the author’s use of figurative language in this sentence suggest?

Elena is embarrassed because Mom is not supposed to know about Marcos’s visit.

Elena begins to feel ill as she rests in her room.

Elena is angry with her aunt for telling Mom that Marcos is coming to visit.

Elena panics because she was caught pretending.

6.9.D

In what way do Mom’s actions in paragraph 26 affect the plot?

They cause Marcos to change his plans for visiting the family.

They lead the family to arrange a different date for the anniversary party.

They cause Aunt Laura to realize that she made a mistake by confiding in Mom.

They make it difficult for Elena to enjoy her brother’s arrival.

6.7.C

What is the best summary of the story?

Elena answers the phone and her brother Marcos tells her he is planning a surprise visit home. He is coming for their parents’ anniversary party. Elena tells Gemma who then tells Aunt Laura who then tells Mom. Marcos is upset that Mom knows his surprise.

Marcos plans a surprise visit home and asks his sister Elena to keep his secret. However, Elena tells her cousin, and Mom eventually hears about the plan. Marcos arrives and realizes his visit is not a surprise. Elena feels sorry and apologizes, and she is forgiven.

Elena tries to keep her brother Marcos’s surprise visit to herself. When her cousin Gemma visits, Elena tells her the secret. When Mom finds out, she starts to get the house ready for Marcos. She bakes his favorite cookies, and Marcos eats them when he arrives.

Marcos wants to travel home from California and surprise his parents for their anniversary party. He asks Elena to keep his secret, but she tells her cousin Gemma. Marcos is at first upset that Elena told his secret but then shares some cookies with her that Mom baked.

6.6.D

Read the dictionary entry for the word bolt.
Which definition best matches the way the word bolts is used in line 15?

Definition 1

Definition 2

Definition 3

Definition 4

6.2.A

What is the underlying cause of Owner and Dog’s disagreement?

Owner wishes Dog would stop interrupting his naps.

Owner is angry about Dog destroying his books.

Dog feels that Owner has stopped meeting his needs.

Dog wants praise for being loyal to Owner.

6.5.F

How does the playwright indicate that Owner is surprised by Dog’s ability to speak?

By describing the noises Dog makes in the stage directions in line 10

By having Owner ask questions in line 11

By including Dog’s and Owner’s actions in the stage directions in line 11

By indicating pauses in Owner’s dialogue in line 15

6.5.F

Read these sentences from line 4 and line 8.
Which idea in the play does this dialogue help develop?

Owner does not realize that he has neglected Dog.

Dog is able to speak to Owner.

Owner does not want Dog to act like a human.

Dog believes that the mail carrier is a danger to the house.

6.5.F

How does the conversation between Owner and Dog lead to the play’s resolution?

It shows Owner how protective Dog has been in the past.

It allows Dog to be honest with Owner.

It lets Owner explain to Dog how busy he is.

It shows that Dog does not understand how to treat books.

6.5.F

What can the reader conclude about Owner in scene 1?

He is disapproving of Dog’s laziness.

He is frustrated that he is too tired to finish reading his book.

He is unaware of the way Dog feels about their relationship.

He is annoyed that he has to walk Dog instead of studying.

6.5.F

How does the author organize paragraphs 2 through 5 of the selection “A Massive Mission”?

By detailing the order of events that brought Endeavour to its final destination

By listing the steps that had to be taken before Endeavour could fly to California

By describing the features of Endeavour that made it useful for NASA missions

By comparing the differences between Endeavour and a Boeing 747 airplane

6.8.D.iii

Based on paragraph 2 of the selection “A Massive Mission,” what is the most likely reason Endeavour flew to different places in California before landing at the Los Angeles International Airport?

To allow planners time to prepare the streets for the shuttle

To test whether the shuttle was still working well

To give more people the opportunity to view the shuttle

To remind people how the shuttle was previously used

6.5.F

Read this sentence from paragraph 1 of the selection “A Massive Mission.”
Which statement from the selection best supports the idea in this sentence?

Strapped to the back of a specially adapted Boeing 747 airplane, it was flown across the country to Edwards Air Force Base in California. (paragraph 2)

After soaring past the famous Hollywood sign, Endeavour landed at the Los Angeles International Airport. (paragraph 2)

Huge steel plates were placed atop streets along the route. (paragraph 3)

Dozens of photographers and filmmakers were on hand to capture every minute. (paragraph 3)

6.6.C

What is the most likely reason the author wrote the selection “A Massive Mission”?

To emphasize the importance of Endeavour’s space-travel missions

To highlight the efforts taken to transport Endeavour to a museum

To explain the economic effect of Endeavour’s tour through Los Angeles

To argue that Endeavour is the most important space shuttle used to this day

6.9.A

Which sentence from the selection “A Massive Mission” best shows that people were enthusiastic about Endeavour’s journey?

On October 13, 2012, the space shuttle Endeavour, one of four retired NASA shuttles, began its last mission. (paragraph 1)

On a celebratory flight around its new home state, Endeavour circled over the Capitol in Sacramento. (paragraph 2)

Several police officers were needed to redirect traffic as the shuttle passed. (paragraph 3)

This historic move, which cost approximately 10 million dollars to complete, also became a huge social event. (paragraph 4)

6.6.C

In the selection “DO Look Down!,” the author includes the photographs and their captions most likely to highlight which idea?

It took several years to construct the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is attached to the entrance building.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk brings visitors to Grand Canyon West.

Building the Grand Canyon Skywalk required the agreement of tribal elders.

6.5.F

Why does the author use questions in paragraph 3 of the selection “DO Look Down!”?

To suggest that Hualapai tribe members lacked engineering experience

To highlight that the skywalk would allow people to see a more rugged area of the canyon

To emphasize that creating the skywalk was complicated because nothing like it had ever been built

To show that Hualapai tribe members hoped the project would bring many tourists

6.9.A

The word protrudes has a Latin root, trudere, meaning “to thrust.” What does protrudes mean in paragraph 1 of the selection “DO Look Down!”?

Works differently than intended

Appears separate from a main part

Has a variety of uses

Sticks out from an area

6.2.C

What can the reader conclude about the tribal elders based on paragraph 4 of the selection “DO Look Down!”?

They carefully considered how the skywalk would impact their community.

They requested that the skywalk be built at a slow pace.

They wanted the skywalk to include several interesting features.

They wondered how the number of visitors on the skywalk would be managed.

6.5.F

Which sentence from the selection “DO Look Down!” best explains why the Hualapai wanted to create the Grand Canyon Skywalk?

Nature lovers from around the world come to see the Grand Canyon. (paragraph 1)

They needed an extreme attraction to bring new economic life to their home. (paragraph 2)

Then one day David Jin, a businessman from Las Vegas, suggested this unique project to the Hualapai tribe members. (paragraph 3)

After much discussion tribal elders supported the idea to build the skywalk. (paragraph 4)

6.6.C

How is paragraph 3 of the selection “A Massive Mission” similar to paragraph 4 of the selection “DO Look Down!”?

Both paragraphs emphasize that planning ahead was an essential part of the projects.

Both paragraphs present information about how the projects were approved.

Both paragraphs explain the hopes and expectations that people had for the projects.

Both paragraphs reveal the overall costs associated with the projects.

6.5.E

How is the Grand Canyon Skywalk in the selection “DO Look Down!” unlike the space shuttle Endeavour in the selection “A Massive Mission”?

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is now an attraction for the public to enjoy.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk has served as a model for other projects that followed.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk has been built to withstand extreme conditions.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is constructed with heavy materials.

6.5.E

What is a difference between the people who organized Endeavour’s move in the selection “A Massive Mission” and the builders of the Grand Canyon Skywalk in the selection “DO Look Down!”?

Only the organizers of Endeavour’s move were satisfied with the results of their efforts.

Only the organizers of Endeavour’s move required help from engineers.

Only the builders of the skywalk made decisions based on concerns about public safety.

Only the builders of the skywalk were hoping their project would create jobs.

6.5.E

Read this sentence from paragraph 5 of the selection “A Massive Mission.”
Which sentence from the selection “DO Look Down!” includes a similar idea?

Though it would take a great amount of work, many tribe members liked this idea; they felt the skywalk would provide job opportunities. (paragraph 4)

It is strong enough to hold the weight of 71 airplanes. (paragraph 5)

Since then the $30 million attraction has welcomed millions of visitors. (paragraph 6)

The Hualapai have future plans to add businesses and a museum. (paragraph 6)

6.5.E

Which statement best expresses the main idea of the entire selection?

Studying ancient pages of papyrus is a challenging task that can help scientists learn about how people lived in ancient Egypt.

A box of papyrus scraps from ancient Egypt may have valuable writings mixed in with writings that are considered trash.

Scientists must understand both Greek and Latin to read the writings on papyrus that come from ancient Egypt.

People in ancient Egypt often wrote signs and symbols on a type of paper called papyrus using brushes or reed pens.

6.8.D.ii

The word scribe comes from the Latin word scribere, which means “to write.” What does scribe mean in paragraph 12?

A person who records messages

A book of laws to be followed

A person who lives in a palace

A book of unsolved mysteries

6.2.C

What is the most likely reason the author wrote this selection?

To tell the reader about the way ancient Egyptians communicated using a variety of signs and symbols

To inform the reader about how the work of papyrologists provides knowledge about an ancient culture

To explain the mystery surrounding ancient Egyptian papyri found in a tin box

To highlight the ways civilization has changed throughout history

6.9.A

Which idea about the ancient Egyptians is supported by information in paragraphs 4 and 14?

They studied a variety of writings while in school.

They were primarily concerned with maintaining their health and safety.

They used writing for many different purposes.

They enjoyed writing for entertainment more than practical reasons.

6.5.H

In paragraph 1, why does the author call the papyri in the box a “rare treasure”?

To show that they are worth a lot of money to Dr. Hickey

To suggest that they can provide information about a past time that has many mysteries

To demonstrate that they contain messages that are hard to decode

To explain that they are delicate and need to be handled with extreme care

6.5.F

How does the organizational pattern of paragraphs 7 through 10 help convey information?

It reveals that some papyri scraps are more valuable than others by way of comparison.

It shows that experts must follow steps in a certain order to read papyri from ancient Egypt.

It lists the various materials needed to unroll and preserve pieces of papyri from ancient Egypt.

It indicates that unrolling papyri is the most difficult task a papyrologist does.

6.8.D.iii

What is the best summary of the selection?

Dr. Todd Hickey is a scientist who studies the writings of the ancient Egyptians. He has studied hundreds of papyri from a tin box. It will take years for him to study them all.

Scientists must be careful when they try to read a wad of papyrus from ancient Egypt. First the papyrus must be unrolled. Then it can be read, but there may be missing words.

The ancient Egyptians wrote on papyrus. Many torn bits of papyrus survive today. Scientists like Dr. Todd Hickey try to put the pieces back together and read them to understand ancient Egyptian society.

Pieces of papyrus contain the writing of people from ancient Egypt. Many papyri contain spells, directions, or stories. One example of papyrus described a police report about a missing person.

6.6.D

What is the main message of the poem?

It is good to be honest when sharing your feelings.

Events from history can be relevant today.

Wise people listen more than they speak.

There is a right time and place for imagination.

6.7.A

What do lines 9 and 10 suggest about Gabby?

She cannot hide her frustration from her teacher.

She is calm while listening to her teacher.

She has difficulty expressing herself to her teacher.

She is confident that her teacher will understand her situation.

6.5.F

At the end of the poem, the description “bringing daydreams in for a landing” most likely refers to —

ending daydreaming completely

making daydreams relate to what is important

being able to stop daydreaming for a while

keeping daydreams from being unreachable

6.5.F

In lines 24 and 25, the poet uses personification most likely to emphasize that successful people often —

travel

imagine

create

communicate

6.9.D

Read lines 17 through 19.
What does the simile in these lines suggest about the teacher?

He feels saddened by Gabby’s response.

He thinks that he might offend Gabby.

He wants to be sure to communicate his thoughts well.

He has begun to change his opinion about the subject.

6.9.D

The teacher “keeps an eye on” Gabby because he —

suspects that Gabby is daydreaming again

realizes that Gabby should be allowed to daydream

believes that Gabby has an important idea she wants to share

notices that Gabby has been acting differently

6.5.F

2021 STAAR Grade 6 Reading

2021 STAAR Grade 6 Reading

How does paragraph 28 contribute to the development of the plot?

Read this sentence from paragraph 27.What does the author’s use of personification emphasize?

Because the story is told from the third-person limited point of view, the reader knows —

What does the word futile mean in paragraph 8?

Read this sentence from paragraph 20.What does the author’s use of figurative language in this sentence suggest?

In what way do Mom’s actions in paragraph 26 affect the plot?

What is the best summary of the story?

Read the dictionary entry for the word bolt.Which definition best matches the way the word bolts is used in line 15?

What is the underlying cause of Owner and Dog’s disagreement?

How does the playwright indicate that Owner is surprised by Dog’s ability to speak?

Read these sentences from line 4 and line 8.Which idea in the play does this dialogue help develop?

How does the conversation between Owner and Dog lead to the play’s resolution?

What can the reader conclude about Owner in scene 1?

How does the author organize paragraphs 2 through 5 of the selection “A Massive Mission”?

Based on paragraph 2 of the selection “A Massive Mission,” what is the most likely reason Endeavour flew to different places in California before landing at the Los Angeles International Airport?

Read this sentence from paragraph 1 of the selection “A Massive Mission.”Which statement from the selection best supports the idea in this sentence?

What is the most likely reason the author wrote the selection “A Massive Mission”?

Which sentence from the selection “A Massive Mission” best shows that people were enthusiastic about Endeavour’s journey?

In the selection “DO Look Down!,” the author includes the photographs and their captions most likely to highlight which idea?

Why does the author use questions in paragraph 3 of the selection “DO Look Down!”?

The word protrudes has a Latin root, trudere, meaning “to thrust.” What does protrudes mean in paragraph 1 of the selection “DO Look Down!”?

What can the reader conclude about the tribal elders based on paragraph 4 of the selection “DO Look Down!”?

Which sentence from the selection “DO Look Down!” best explains why the Hualapai wanted to create the Grand Canyon Skywalk?

How is paragraph 3 of the selection “A Massive Mission” similar to paragraph 4 of the selection “DO Look Down!”?

How is the Grand Canyon Skywalk in the selection “DO Look Down!” unlike the space shuttle Endeavour in the selection “A Massive Mission”?

What is a difference between the people who organized Endeavour’s move in the selection “A Massive Mission” and the builders of the Grand Canyon Skywalk in the selection “DO Look Down!”?

Read this sentence from paragraph 5 of the selection “A Massive Mission.”Which sentence from the selection “DO Look Down!” includes a similar idea?

Which statement best expresses the main idea of the entire selection?

The word scribe comes from the Latin word scribere, which means “to write.” What does scribe mean in paragraph 12?

What is the most likely reason the author wrote this selection?

Which idea about the ancient Egyptians is supported by information in paragraphs 4 and 14?

In paragraph 1, why does the author call the papyri in the box a “rare treasure”?

How does the organizational pattern of paragraphs 7 through 10 help convey information?

What is the best summary of the selection?

What is the main message of the poem?

What do lines 9 and 10 suggest about Gabby?

At the end of the poem, the description “bringing daydreams in for a landing” most likely refers to —

In lines 24 and 25, the poet uses personification most likely to emphasize that successful people often —

Read lines 17 through 19.What does the simile in these lines suggest about the teacher?

The teacher “keeps an eye on” Gabby because he —

How does paragraph 28 contribute to the development of the plot?

Read this sentence from paragraph 27.What does the author’s use of personification emphasize?

Because the story is told from the third-person limited point of view, the reader knows —

What does the word futile mean in paragraph 8?

Read this sentence from paragraph 20.What does the author’s use of figurative language in this sentence suggest?

In what way do Mom’s actions in paragraph 26 affect the plot?

What is the best summary of the story?

Read the dictionary entry for the word bolt.Which definition best matches the way the word bolts is used in line 15?

What is the underlying cause of Owner and Dog’s disagreement?

How does the playwright indicate that Owner is surprised by Dog’s ability to speak?

Read these sentences from line 4 and line 8.Which idea in the play does this dialogue help develop?

How does the conversation between Owner and Dog lead to the play’s resolution?

What can the reader conclude about Owner in scene 1?

How does the author organize paragraphs 2 through 5 of the selection “A Massive Mission”?

Based on paragraph 2 of the selection “A Massive Mission,” what is the most likely reason Endeavour flew to different places in California before landing at the Los Angeles International Airport?

Read this sentence from paragraph 1 of the selection “A Massive Mission.”Which statement from the selection best supports the idea in this sentence?

What is the most likely reason the author wrote the selection “A Massive Mission”?

Which sentence from the selection “A Massive Mission” best shows that people were enthusiastic about Endeavour’s journey?

In the selection “DO Look Down!,” the author includes the photographs and their captions most likely to highlight which idea?

Why does the author use questions in paragraph 3 of the selection “DO Look Down!”?

The word protrudes has a Latin root, trudere, meaning “to thrust.” What does protrudes mean in paragraph 1 of the selection “DO Look Down!”?

What can the reader conclude about the tribal elders based on paragraph 4 of the selection “DO Look Down!”?

Which sentence from the selection “DO Look Down!” best explains why the Hualapai wanted to create the Grand Canyon Skywalk?

How is paragraph 3 of the selection “A Massive Mission” similar to paragraph 4 of the selection “DO Look Down!”?

How is the Grand Canyon Skywalk in the selection “DO Look Down!” unlike the space shuttle Endeavour in the selection “A Massive Mission”?

What is a difference between the people who organized Endeavour’s move in the selection “A Massive Mission” and the builders of the Grand Canyon Skywalk in the selection “DO Look Down!”?

Read this sentence from paragraph 5 of the selection “A Massive Mission.”Which sentence from the selection “DO Look Down!” includes a similar idea?

Which statement best expresses the main idea of the entire selection?

The word scribe comes from the Latin word scribere, which means “to write.” What does scribe mean in paragraph 12?

What is the most likely reason the author wrote this selection?

Which idea about the ancient Egyptians is supported by information in paragraphs 4 and 14?

In paragraph 1, why does the author call the papyri in the box a “rare treasure”?

How does the organizational pattern of paragraphs 7 through 10 help convey information?

What is the best summary of the selection?

What is the main message of the poem?

What do lines 9 and 10 suggest about Gabby?

At the end of the poem, the description “bringing daydreams in for a landing” most likely refers to —

In lines 24 and 25, the poet uses personification most likely to emphasize that successful people often —

Read this sentence from paragraph 27.
What does the author’s use of personification emphasize?

Read this sentence from paragraph 20.
What does the author’s use of figurative language in this sentence suggest?

Read the dictionary entry for the word bolt.
Which definition best matches the way the word bolts is used in line 15?

Read these sentences from line 4 and line 8.
Which idea in the play does this dialogue help develop?

Read this sentence from paragraph 1 of the selection “A Massive Mission.”
Which statement from the selection best supports the idea in this sentence?

Read this sentence from paragraph 5 of the selection “A Massive Mission.”
Which sentence from the selection “DO Look Down!” includes a similar idea?

Read lines 17 through 19.
What does the simile in these lines suggest about the teacher?

Read this sentence from paragraph 27.
What does the author’s use of personification emphasize?

Read this sentence from paragraph 20.
What does the author’s use of figurative language in this sentence suggest?

Read the dictionary entry for the word bolt.
Which definition best matches the way the word bolts is used in line 15?

Read these sentences from line 4 and line 8.
Which idea in the play does this dialogue help develop?

Read this sentence from paragraph 1 of the selection “A Massive Mission.”
Which statement from the selection best supports the idea in this sentence?

Read this sentence from paragraph 5 of the selection “A Massive Mission.”
Which sentence from the selection “DO Look Down!” includes a similar idea?

Read lines 17 through 19.
What does the simile in these lines suggest about the teacher?