2019 STAAR Grade 5 Reading

Mom is eager to help the narrator with his request.

Mom tries to consider everyone’s feelings when making decisions.

Mom is angry that she has to give up her office for the narrator.

Mom expects her children to act perfectly at all times.

created by accident

decided without much thought

kept in a special area

done in order to come to an agreement

The narrator helps clean the table because he wants his own room. He is upset to hear that he will have to be the one to change rooms. He suggests that his brother would like a new room with his own decorations. He reminds his mother that Kirk really enjoys trains.

The narrator asks his mother if she and his father talked about moving Kirk into a different room. The mother considers that Kirk might like to decorate a new room. She mentions trains to Kirk. Kirk becomes excited and thinks they are going somewhere with trains.

The narrator thinks of a plan that will make his brother happy and allow them both to have their own rooms. His mother says that Kirk should stay in the room he is currently in. She explains that he has always been in that room and would be more comfortable there.

The narrator tries to be helpful so he can get his own room. He becomes upset when his mother says that he will have to move into the office. He tells his mother that Kirk would enjoy the new room. She talks to Kirk, but Kirk refuses to move out of their current room.

his parents do not understand why he wants his own room

he is unlikely to get the outcome he wants

his brother is too young to understand what is being asked of him

he has the same problem as many of his friend

Kirk decides he would enjoy having trains in his room.

The narrator realizes that sharing a room with Kirk is not all bad.

Kirk becomes excited about moving his bed into the office.

Dad is unhappy that the narrator tried to scare Kirk.

Both are determined to get what they want.

Both enjoy sharing stories about hidden treasures.

Both feel their parents do not understand them.

Both know the best way to trick each other.

proved

compared

observed

suspected

Koalas are furry mammals that can be found in Australia. Over the years scientists have learned a great deal about these tree-dwelling animals. For example, scientists know that koalas eat eucalyptus leaves and hug trees.

Scientists wondered why koalas grasp the lower trunks of eucalyptus trees when the temperature rises. By using technology to study koalas, scientists discovered that doing so allowed the koalas to conserve the water in their bodies.

Scientists used technology to observe koalas that hug trees. The scientists located the animals with radio tags, took photographs of them, and measured their temperatures.

It is difficult for koalas to live in hot environments because they cannot sweat. They can lick themselves or pant, but these methods can cause them to become dehydrated.

Koalas can dehydrate while trying to stay cool.

Studying koalas requires special equipment.

Searching for water is a dangerous activity for koalas.

Changes in temperature affect the behavior of koalas.

To make the koala easier to see

To show it absorbs heat from the koala

To represent its cooler temperature

To illustrate the water inside the tree trunk

The fish swim so quickly the dolphins are unable to catch them.

The fish are not nutritious enough to support the health of the dolphins.

The fish travel to other locations during certain times of the year.

The fish do not have a certain body part that allows the dolphins to locate them.

encourage the reader to visit Australia

describe how dolphins use sponges as tools

explain to the reader where dolphins find food

identify which ocean animals live in Shark Bay

They bury themselves beneath the sand along the sea floor.

They take cover under sharp rocks and pieces of coral.

They swim in a darting pattern in the open water.

They make a ringing noise that tricks dolphins.

Bottom-dwelling fish in Shark Bay may be hard for dolphins to find.

Researchers think dolphins are more intelligent than many other animals.

Dolphins use their rostrums to help them locate food in the ocean.

Shark Bay dolphins fit sponges over their rostrums before searching for fish.

affect an animal’s diet

affect an animal’s die

demonstrate cooperation

are important to an animal’s survival

Studying animals helps researchers learn why animals do what they do.

Animals often act in ways that cannot be explained.

The senses of animals are better developed than those of humans.

Hot weather affects an animal’s food supply and comfort.

Behaving in a way that is out of the ordinary

Teaching a behavior to their young

Avoiding predators by staying close to home

Avoiding predators by staying close to home

concerned for the safety of certain animals

curious about the technology used by certain scientists

impressed by the unique ways certain animals use their surroundings

surprised by extreme conditions certain animals must survive

It shows that the speaker is going to visit a relative.

It shows that the speaker is driving through a familiar area.

It shows that the speaker is traveling out of the city.

It shows that the speaker is tired of looking out the window.

has planned for a variety of activities

prefers to participate in indoor activities

thinks that rain will ruin the trip

is unable to bring along all that is needed for the trip

an important moment during the trip

that there was an unexpected delay in the trip

where the speaker stopped to rest during the trip

that the speaker has a new travel plan for the trip

Traveling with others can be difficult.

Observing activities can be more rewarding than participating in them.

Experiencing a different environment can be refreshing.

Preparing carefully for new experiences is important.

Definition 1

Definition 2

Definition 3

Definition 4

Selecting someone for the position was often a complicated process.

The duties were so demanding that the keeper had no other position.

All of the men in the tribe were considered for the job of keeper.

The person who had the job had to be dedicated to the task.

amazing to watch

viewed for many hours

seen at night

rarely noticed

The Lakota lived on the grassy plains in the western part of the country.

The Lakota used pictures in place of a writing system.

The Lakota had a special way to keep track of important events.

The Lakota measured years from snowfall to snowfall.

were cared for by many different keepers

provided information about a tribe’s members

had unique designs but served the same purpose

were used as calendars and to tell people’s ages

The introductory paragraph

The Keeper’s Role

Ordering the Years

A New Purpose

tell the reader about how one American Indian tribe recorded its history

encourage the reader to visit a museum that displays American Indian artifacts

share important events that happened to a particular American Indian tribe

show how modern calendars are similar to those kept by American Indians

He kept his winter count with his own belongings.

He served an important role within the community.

He made simple drawings without many details.

He chose where the drawings were placed on the winter count.

The first photograph

The subheadings

The caption for the last photograph

The title

People are inspired by others to achieve their goals.

People approach tasks in different ways.

Patience helps people avoid mistakes.

Wisdom is gained through experience.

introduce the main characters

provide background on the main characters

present the main conflict

foreshadow the resolution of the main conflict

There is very little action.

There are only three characters.

Only a few props are needed.

The setting does not change.

She believes it is important to spell difficult words.

She depends on her family to help her practice.

She spells certain words as a way of annoying her brother.

She knows that she is a better speller than her brother.

add to the tension between Sunny and Greg

show that Sunny is proud of her accomplishments

keep Sunny from staying on task

are taken away by Sunny’s father

Sunny has practiced for a spelling bee at school and outside her house, and now she decides to practice at home. She thinks that cheering her words will help her win the spelling bee, but she ends up getting into an argument with Greg.

Sunny is cheering her spelling words and disturbing Greg, who is listening to music. She refuses to stop because she needs to practice for the spelling bee, so Mr. Sandstone suggests several solutions to end the argument.

Two siblings, Sunny and Greg, are arguing about Sunny’s loud cheering. Sunny wants Greg to give her back her pom-poms. Mr. Sandstone tries to discuss the situation, but Sunny begins spelling out the title of a song Greg likes. Greg storms off.

After listening to Sunny and Greg argue, Mr. Sandstone proposes that he and Greg go to dinner and a movie while Sunny practices spelling. Mr. Sandstone asks Sunny what she wants for dinner before he leaves and tells her not to work too hard.

act as peacemaker between Sunny and Greg

investigate how Sunny and Greg feel about their situation

encourage Sunny and Greg to focus on their schoolwork

increase the tension between Sunny and Greg