2021 STAAR Grade 4 Reading

partly known

known together

known in the past

not known

Loud trumpeting sounds are just one of the sounds elephants make. They also make rumbles, barks, snorts, and cries to communicate with members of the herd.

Elephants have many more ways of communicating than most people might think. Elephants use touch, smell, noise, and movement to give one another messages.

An elephant’s trunk lets an elephant share messages such as “Let’s play” or “Danger!” The trunk has a sensitive tip for touching other elephants and picking up smells.

People and elephants both have a larynx, a body part that lets them make sounds. Elephants “talk” in low sounds, and elephants also use their sense of touch and smell a lot.

To suggest that the baby elephant is warning its mother that there is danger nearby

To show the reader what the baby elephant does to try to get its mother to play with it

To show the reader what the baby elephant does when it wants its mother to know it is hungry

To suggest that the baby elephant feels safe and protected when it is near its mother

They identify the ways elephants communicate.

They describe important roles in an elephant herd.

They tell why elephants need attention.

They compare ways that elephants find food.

But an elephant’s huge larynx produces very low sounds. (paragraph 3)

Some gestures—a twitch of an ear, a wag of the head—are so small that most people wouldn’t even notice them. (paragraph 4)

They think it may help the elephants focus all their attention on the sounds and smells around them. (paragraph 5)

If you ever wonder what an elephant is paying attention to, don’t watch its eyes. (paragraph 6)

An elephant’s ears help the elephant communicate.

Elephants usually feel either happy or scared.

A large herd will rarely experience danger.

Scientists are confused by an elephant’s body language.

to show the details scientists want to learn about elephants

to show that an elephant’s most important sense is the sense of smell

to show that elephants can identify members in their herd

to show that elephants gather information from different smells

She shows Bella different ways to improve as a speller.

She reminds Bella that she needs to play with her sister.

She convinces Bella that her rapping is a special talent.

She persuades Bella to forgive her classmate Amy.

SCOTT: Remember what I told you?

SCOTT: From what I can see, “shun” words aren’t easy for you.

SCOTT: Besides, you’re really good at lots of other stuff.

SCOTT: You should just keep on rapping.

do many tasks at once

do better than others

pretend to know everything

be afraid of trying new activities

common theme

list of characters

rhyming pattern

problem that is resolved

realize that her sister admires her raps

discuss her concerns with her mother

understand why studying is so important

determine what has been wrong with her raps

does not like to be told that she’s wrong

wishes that Bella wasn’t such a messy eater

thinks she’s being a good friend to Bella

notices things that other people don’t see

identify the time and place

hint at how a problem will be solved

describe the main character’s problem

explain the characters’ feelings and actions

The article will most likely describe different ways to use crayons.

The article will most likely explain how crayons were invented.

The article will most likely explain an answer to a problem.

The article will most likely offer many uses for objects that are old.

to explain why Cassidy wanted to make her invention

to explain why Cassidy has so many crayons

to explain who helped Cassidy to become an inventor

to explain what color of crayon Cassidy likes best

She noticed that all of her crayons were broken. (paragraph 1)

Cassidy knew that her invention would make many young artists happy. (paragraph 3)

Eventually so many crayon holders were sold that Cassidy was able to pay for most of her college education out of her earnings. (paragraph 3)

Cassidy’s invention encourages others to waste less. (paragraph 4)

And she had an idea. (paragraph 1)

The ends of the tubes fit tightly around the crayons. (paragraph 2)

It could also hold a small broken one. (paragraph 2)

Cassidy’s invention is a brilliant idea. (paragraph 4)

Making improvements

Sharing with others

Wishing for success

Planning for the future

To show that the trampoline was invented many years ago

To show that the trampoline can be used for different purposes

To show that people enjoy watching others use trampolines

To show that people can perform together on a trampoline

The 2000 Olympic Games included a trampoline event for the first time. George Nissen, the inventor of the trampoline, always dreamed that his invention would one day be used in the Olympics.

In high school George Nissen was a diver and gymnast. After watching a trapeze artist, he decided to make a bouncer in his garage. However, it did not work as he expected.

The trampoline was invented by George Nissen, an athlete who wanted a new way to practice his skills. When Nissen began selling trampolines, many people bought them and used them for a variety of purposes.

As a teenager George Nissen invented a bouncer he could use to jump on. He shared the bouncer with swimmers and divers at a swimming camp. They used the bouncer to practice flips and twists.

To compare how different types of athletes use Nissen’s invention

To show that Nissen’s invention is still enjoyable and useful for many people

To describe how Nissen feels about his invention years after he made it

To explain when Nissen’s invention was first used in the Olympics

Only the crayon holders were made while the inventor was in college.

Only the crayon holders help make a common object easier to use.

Only the crayon holders can be used to help improve a skill.

Only the crayon holders can be used by children.

Cassidy found it easy to sell her product, but Nissen found it difficult.

Cassidy was not happy with her invention at first, but Nissen was pleased with his at first.

Cassidy got the idea for her invention at a public event, but Nissen thought of his idea at home.

Cassidy made her product to avoid waste, but Nissen made his for exercise.

“The Broken-Crayon Solution” tells about a short period in Cassidy’s life. “Bouncing Around” describes several years of Nissen’s life.

“The Broken-Crayon Solution” explains many benefits of Cassidy’s product. “Bouncing Around” suggests that there is only one benefit from using Nissen’s product.

“The Broken-Crayon Solution” describes the steps Cassidy used to make her invention. “Bouncing Around” does not tell how Nissen made his invention.

“The Broken-Crayon Solution” shows that Cassidy had many interests as a child. “Bouncing Around” shows Nissen had only one interest.

One day 11-year-old Cassidy Goldstein was trying to work on an art project.

She noticed that all of her crayons were broken.

Then Cassidy found some plastic tubes used to hold single-cut flowers.

She would make her own crayon holders.

Definition 1

Definition 2

Definition 3

Definition 4

She wishes he would listen to her.

She is jealous of him.

She admires him.

She wants to protect him.

To explain the safest time of year to travel by boat on the river

To suggest when the speaker likes to fish in the river

To identify the best time of year to make friends at the river

To highlight when the speaker observes changes in the river

is full of many kinds of fish

makes a wide path through the land

is filled with branches

becomes darker over time

The river creates problems that the speaker wants to avoid.

The river gives the speaker a chance to travel to new places.

The river provides a way for the speaker to be creative.

The river can be a confusing place for the speaker.

He is excited about making the meal for his family.

He likes cooking more than he likes science.

He feels confused by the unusual items in the kitchen.

He has cooked meals for his family before.

He hopes he never has to cook again.

He discovers that cooking is easier than he thought.

He realizes he made some mistakes while cooking.

He decides that pasta is his favorite meal to cook.

Next, I needed a plan. (paragraph 2)

I’m not allowed to use the stove. (paragraph 5)

I felt my face turn red. (paragraph 8)

I couldn’t get the lid off the jar. (paragraph 12)

does not think Phineas is old enough to cook

does not mind helping Phineas in the kitchen

is surprised at how much Phineas wants to cook

wishes Phineas was better at following directions

The stove was a giant Bunsen burner, and the pots and pans were beakers and flasks. (paragraph 1)

Sarah came in from the living room. (paragraph 7)

Then she showed me what I needed to do. (paragraph 10)

Sarah wrapped the lid with one of the yellow rubber gloves by the sink, took a deep breath, and twisted. (paragraph 14)