2019 STAAR Grade 7 Reading

It stands out in its surroundings.

It prefers to grow in the shade.

It is a color that is difficult to describe.

It is growing poorly in the greenhouse.

The relationship between Saeng and the florist

Saeng’s feelings during her experience

The opinion of the florist

The florist’s desire to help Saeng

Height

Color

Abundance

Purpose

The leaves on the shrub were of the same distinct serrated heart shape, but its flower looked—wrong, somehow. (paragraph 6)

A slow smile deepened the wrinkles in her face. (paragraph 8)

As she led the way there, the florist started talking again. (paragraph 10)

Only half listening, Saeng wished that there were a polite way she could excuse herself and leave. (paragraph 11)

It helps Saeng find a plant that causes her to have vivid memories of her childhood.

It was given to Saeng by someone important to Saeng during her childhood.

It leads Saeng to discover a new and beautiful plant.

It is essential in teaching Saeng about her past.

By forcing Saeng to develop a relationship with the elderly woman

By causing Saeng to identify a problem and find a solution to it

By teaching Saeng to compromise in difficult situations

By allowing Saeng to make the discovery despite her doubts

Saeng enters a flower shop carrying a leaf. The florist says that the leaf comes from a rose of Sharon and leads Saeng to it. But Saeng is looking for a plant with a darker flower, which helps the florist identify the plant at last.

At a flower shop, Saeng holds a mysterious, jagged leaf. She wants to know what plant it comes from, so she asks the florist to help her. They look first in the nursery and then in the greenhouse before they find that the plant is a hibiscus.

Saeng brings a leaf to a flower shop and asks the florist to identify its plant. After showing her a similar but incorrect plant, the florist leads her to a greenhouse. There Saeng finds the plant she seeks along with others that remind her of home.

While at a flower shop, Saeng asks a florist to find a certain plant. After studying the clue of a heart-shaped leaf, the florist realizes that it may be a tropical plant, so she leads Saeng to the greenhouse. There Saeng recognizes the hibiscus plant.

Microbes are used to make methane.

Methane is held in containers so it won’t escape.

Farms benefit from the extra food from stores.

Methane is converted into electric power.

Offering shoppers the freshest and most appealing products possible is a good start. (paragraph 3)

Special trucks collect food waste from more than 1,200 grocery stores all over England. (paragraph 5)

Some of the methane trapped during the process fuels the trucks. (paragraph 5)

So far Europe has mainly led the way in biofuel development. (paragraph 7)

An initial step in Sainsbury’s plan is to sell appealing food to its customers.

People like to buy produce that is sold at a reduced price.

Sainsbury’s donates fresh produce to local organizations that help people in need.

Unwanted produce can be a nutritious source of food for farm animals.

Definition 1

Definition 2

Definition 3

Definition 4

To encourage the reader not to waste food

To show the reader that many different types of biofuels are being used

To demonstrate that creativity can help solve environmental problems

To argue the importance of preventing methane from escaping into the atmosphere

To show how the silos use bacteria to change the food waste into methane

To describe how vehicles use the biofuel created by the silos

To emphasize that the silos produce the same amount of methane as landfills

To suggest that the food waste collected in silos comes mainly from leftover meals

To suggest that it is difficult to collect food waste

To argue that food waste is a growing problem

To highlight that food waste is a renewable and useful resource

To reveal that food waste is difficult to control

Lost

Awakened

Warmed

Gathered

To provide information about the best locations for chickadees to live in order to survive

To describe the ways chickadees have adapted to be able to stay alive in cold climates

To communicate the problems chickadees encounter as a result of their small size

To explain how the feathers of chickadees function in different environments

This means that sometimes there is well over a 100-degree difference between a chickadee’s body and the air temperature only an inch away. (paragraph 3)

Without any feathered insulation, heat would quickly be lost and much energy wasted in attempting to keep their toes as warm as the rest of the body. (paragraph 6)

Since they don’t have crops in which they can store food to eat later, they must eat enough each day to survive the long, 18-hour night. (paragraph 9)

They do not roost together in flocks as some birds do but spend the night alone. (paragraph 10)

Chickadees may be small birds, but they are very strong and intelligent. Unlike other birds, chickadees do not migrate in the winter. Instead, they enjoy staying in cold climates such as Alaska, even though the temperature can be much colder than their bodies.

Chickadees are tiny birds that can be found in extremely cold climates. To stay warm, they rely on fluffing their feathers, eating lots of food, and using the nights for sleeping. They have found many ways to protect their bodies from becoming too cold.

When the winters grow colder, chickadees spend time fluffing their feathers. The colder it becomes, the more they fluff, so that sometimes they look like furry balls. By doing this, they are able to stay warm and protect their skin from the icy temperatures an inch away.

Many people have seen the tiny birds known as black-capped chickadees. Although these birds are only the size of a person’s thumb, they have very thick feathers. They also prepare by storing food so that they can survive during long winters.

The speaker feels concerned about how quickly the day passes.

The speaker feels bothered by the dripping water

The speaker feels relieved to see another type of bird.

The speaker feels encouraged by the change in weather conditions.

surprised

hardworking

carefree

greedy

change in tone

vivid imagery

rhythm

alliteration

The speaker’s willingness to join other birds

The speaker’s confidence in surviving a harsh winter

The speaker’s cheerfulness when experiencing an unfamiliar situation

The speaker’s enjoyment of winter

loneliness

affection

acceptance

security

gratefulness

cheerful energy

curiosity

mutual respect

Methods that chickadees use to stay warm

Ways that chickadees help each other survive

What chickadees must do without in harsh conditions

Changes that occur inside the bodies of chickadees

These friendly little birds are often seen at bird feeders throughout the winter. (paragraph 2)

They are plump-looking critters, with black, white, and gray feathers, and they live year-round in the forests of North America, from Alaska through Canada and across the northern states. (paragraph 2)

Chickadees begin preparing for winter while the green leaves of summer are still on the trees. (paragraph 8)

Although fragile in many ways, the tiny black-capped chickadee shows how tough it really is by surviving the bitterly cold winters of northern North America. (paragraph 11)

Storing food in tree bark

Allowing feet to become cold

Drinking water from icicles

Burning fat all night long

realizes that winter is coming

spends time collecting food

tends to become hungrier as it gets colder

becomes aware that winter is finally ending

It is more active in summer than in winter.

It is curious about its surroundings.

It is adapted to its environment.

It is capable of changing its body temperature.

instill citizens with a greater sense of loyalty to England

boost people’s morale during a time of war

encourage people to help fund their country’s war effort by buying products

raise people’s spirits during difficult economic times

By explaining the origin of the Keep Calm motto and its current popularity, the author emphasizes how the motto’s use has changed over time.

By comparing the way the Keep Calm motto was used during World War II with the way it is used today, the author suggests that the motto’s effectiveness has diminished.

By describing in detail each reason the Keep Calm motto has become an important part of popular culture today, the author identifies why the motto’s popularity has increased.

By stating the cause of the development of the original Keep Calm motto, the author shows how the motto has become an answer to many problems.

The Keep Calm slogan has been posted many times on social media sites.

The Keep Calm slogan and its various forms have become a popular part of current culture.

There is discord between people who like the original Keep Calm slogan and those who don’t.

People realized that the Keep Calm phrase was a good slogan for online advertising.

strong ability to encourage people with its optimistic message

historical significance that people appreciate

serious quality that people find comforting

unique ability to unite different generations

explain the origin of the Keep Calm motto

describe how products with the Keep Calm motto are made

express an opinion about the popularity of the Keep Calm motto

offer reasons why the Keep Calm motto has become so widespread

can be used to advertise different businesses

uses so few words to express its message

can be easily altered in humorous ways

can be printed on a variety of products at low cost

The Keep Calm poster that Manley discovered dates back to the start of World War II.

Two of the three posters were displayed in public at the start of the war in order to raise the morale of the British people.

Manley’s copy has become a rarity.

Today, interpretations of the slogan are often lighthearted, but it is important to remember the significance of the motto’s original intent.

Pete is upset that nobody paid attention to his performance.

Pete’s performance did not go as well as he had hoped.

Pete had a difficult time hearing others while he was singing.

Pete’s friends are not supportive of his decision to sing.

She thinks Pete is overreacting to what happened, so she teases him.

She is disappointed in Pete because she thinks he didn’t put forth enough effort.

She thinks Pete’s situation is entertaining and wants to embarrass him further.

She understands Pete’s distress but does not know how to make him feel better.

thinks Pete’s mistakes were funny

was not expecting Pete to make so many mistakes

is concerned that Angie was not able to catch Pete’s mistakes on film

knows that people did not notice Pete’s mistakes

stress that the characters experience as a result of their responsibilities

familiarity the characters have with each other

conflicting viewpoints of the characters

lack of understanding the characters have about their tasks

promising him that he will find great fame on the Internet

explaining to him that she was too busy taping the football game to see his performance

telling him that he will be on a video with others who also sang the national anthem at football games

reminding him that singing the national anthem is something most people are not brave enough to do

A boy is humiliated when he forgets the words to the national anthem while singing at a football game, but his friend helps him understand that many people have made similar mistakes.

A boy is surprised to learn that he was filmed while singing the national anthem, but his friend promises to erase the recording.

A boy is angry when he finishes singing the national anthem at a football game, but his friend persuades him to sing a different song later so that he can feel better.

A boy is upset when he forgets the words to the national anthem, but his friend compliments his voice and makes him feel better.