2021 STAAR English 2

carry

accept

manage

enroll

I think I would like the four-day school week because I would enjoy the extra time to rest on the weekend.

The four-day school week is a great idea for all students and parents, and even the school district would likely benefit.

We spend way too much time during the week in school, and it would be nice to have a three-day weekend for a part-time job or to just relax.

The four-day school week provides benefits that would help the students, teachers, and schools in our district.

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There are so many mysteries about the human body that you would never believe it.

The brain is like the body’s big jigsaw puzzle.

Over the past centuries, many of the mysteries of the human body have been explained by science.

Scientists are determined to find out all the facts that can help them understand our world.

After sentence 4

After sentence 5

After sentence 6

Reese should not insert this idea.

Until recently, scientists could not determine how the brain is able to rid itself of waste because the lymphatic system does not include the brain.

Scientists researched the brain for years before finally making a breakthrough.

No one knew how the brain was able to perform some functions.

The lymphatic system does not include the brain, so everyone always wondered about that.

Running along the brain’s blood vessels, the team determined is a fluid that carries waste away from the brain.

The team determined that fluid running along the brain’s blood vessels carries waste away from the brain.

Waste by a fluid that is running along the brain’s blood vessels is carried away from the brain, the team determined.

Along the side of the brain’s blood vessels is a fluid, the team determined, and this carries away from the brain waste.

It would be a good idea to get rid of these bad proteins.

Another type of protein is important to building strong muscles.

Alzheimer’s is a disease that is heavily researched.

Some of these same proteins appear in the waste products of brain cells.

Insert a comma after NASA

Change idea to ideas

Change becoming to to become

Change incomprehensable to incomprehensible

Change campaigns to campaign’s

Change advertisements to advertizements

Change realized to realizing

Delete the comma after qualifications

Ride was accepted into the astronaut program and began preparing for a space mission; trained both physically and mentally.

Ride was accepted into the astronaut program and began preparing for a space mission by training both physically and mentally.

Ride was accepted into the astronaut program and began preparing for a space mission: trained both physically and mentally.

Ride was accepted into the astronaut program and began preparing for a space mission and she training both physically and mentally.

Change broke free to breaks free

Insert a comma after atmosphere

Change country’s to countries

Insert a comma after ceiling

Change becomes to became

Change fierce to feirce

Change advocate to advocates

No change is needed in sentence 24.

Change signed to signs

Change Metre to metre

Change which to this

Change weights and measures to Weights and Measures

Change use to using

Delete the semicolon

Insert a comma after standard

No change is needed.

Delete the comma after ounces

Change uses to used

Change the comma after units to a colon

Make no change

Best of all, they will be using the same system as 95 percent of the rest of the world, in turn this will contribute to safety, facilitate trade, and improve international communication.

Best of all, they will be using the same system as 95 percent of the rest of the world; in turn contributes to safety, facilitate trade, and improve international communication.

Best of all, they will be using the same system as 95 percent of the rest of the world, which in turn will contribute to safety, facilitate trade, and improve international communication.

Best of all, they will be using the same system as 95 percent of the rest of the world. In turn will contribute to safety, facilitate trade, and improve international communication.

To explain how he is able to remember a piece of music

To show how sharing music increases enjoyment

To suggest that owning a piano can spark enthusiasm

To reveal the depth of his feelings towards the piano

trust his ability to make decisions

reflect on the commitment of buying a piano

be willing to consider other pianos

think about playing different instruments

The power of intuition

An unachieved goal

Impractical choices

The wisdom of experience

The wife believes it is more important to invest in the arts than in other things.

The wife does not believe people should deny themselves things that they want.

The wife views the piano as an attractive addition to their living room.

The wife sees music as a necessary outlet for her husband’s creativity.

He needs Luc to help him build confidence in his musical ability.

He hopes Luc will believe that he is worthy of the Stingl.

He feels oddly comfortable playing in front of Luc.

He enjoys showing Luc that he can play different types of music.

To explain why he feels this particular piano is special

To reveal that he needs a piano that is not too fragile or ornate

To state why he is physically able to play this particular piano

To suggest that he prefers a piano that won’t require much upkeep

To explain where he is shopping for a piano

To highlight his doubts about wanting a piano

To show how he exaggerates when describing events

To reveal the strength of his desire to play the piano again

He lists the benefits of owning a piano by referencing a magazine article about musical instruments.

He supports people learning to play the piano with stories from students who enjoy the instrument.

He argues against getting rid of old pianos by explaining how important they once were.

He discusses trends in piano ownership by describing his experience trying to get rid of an old piano.

How the popularity of the piano has shifted like notes in a song

How piano dealers use musical language when they speak

How piano tones affect the price of the instruments

How piano music will persist despite its decrease in popularity

The song had gone from major to minor, but we pressed on. (paragraph 4)

Then the song shifted to the saddest of blues. (paragraph 4)

But like many a blues song, this piano riff ends with hope. (paragraph 6)

And to be sure, many older pianos have reached their coda. (paragraph 7)

To explain why traditional pianos have greatly declined in value

To describe the differences between old pianos and new ones

To prove that pianos made in the last century are irreplaceable

To inform people about new American trends with musical instruments

Definition 1

Definition 2

Definition 3

Definition 4

To explain why letting go of pianos is acceptable at times

To state the reasons why pianos are still important

To detail the life cycle of pianos

To describe pianos in a historical context

peak (paragraph 1)

substantial (paragraph 3)

roughly (paragraph 4)

treacherous (paragraph 5)

Many families in America once owned acoustic pianos, but there are now fewer families who want them. In fact, if you have an old piano, it can be very hard to sell it or find someone who wants it. That’s why there are companies now offering to pick up old pianos. It is sad these instruments were once prized but have little value today, unless someone is willing to restore them to their original working condition.

Although acoustic pianos were once a popular item in American life, many are now being disposed of or recycled for parts. Changes in American entertainment, as well as the space and upkeep required to own an acoustic piano, have led people to pursue other interests or purchase less expensive digital pianos. However, the number of Americans learning to play the piano has not changed, which shows that the instrument is still appreciated.

Many families in America still own pianos but many of them are now digital pianos. People who own old acoustic pianos still feel sentimental about them and believe they are worth a lot of money. However, the people who make money from pianos are the ones that know how to remove or recycle them.

Today, Americans are learning to play piano as adults, and they often go to piano studios in cities like Los Angeles and New York. Piano playing was popular in the 20th century and still is. Pianos used to be an important part of family entertainment, but other instruments have taken their place. Today, old acoustic pianos are stored in warehouses because they take up too much room in houses.

Old pianos offer a great deal of emotional value to their owners.

Old pianos are constructed from better materials than new pianos.

People can learn a lot about the history of pianos from musicians.

People should learn to play on an acoustic piano before moving to a digital one.

expects to sell an old Steinway for a high price

insists on donating his old piano to a school

gives an old Steinway to someone who wants it

thinks old pianos should be destroyed

The selection from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank explains why someone wants to play piano, while the selection from the article “Those Old Piano Blues” explains why piano lessons are less popular.

The selection from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank describes evaluating and buying an old piano, while the selection from the article “Those Old Piano Blues” describes an abundance of unwanted old pianos.

The selection from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank emphasizes the craftsmanship of a new acoustic piano, while the selection from the article “Those Old Piano Blues” emphasizes today’s preference for digital pianos.

The selection from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank shows how rare it is for someone to appreciate an old piano, while the selection from the article “Those Old Piano Blues” shows how people overvalue all musical instruments.

Amusement

Ambition

Attachment

Awe

Something happened to my exuberance as I approached high school. (paragraph 1)

It takes time to excavate a past, but it is well worth it. (paragraph 5)

You may not be able to change the voices you have believed any more than I can go back and rewrite my journal entries from high school. (paragraph 6)

It was toxic water to my spirit: I drank it in thinking it was life, but later came to find it was slowly killing me. (paragraph 9)

Stepanek wrote poetry for high-school students.

Stepanek encouraged people to publish their writing.

Stepanek inspired others to overcome personal obstacles.

Stepanek helped others deal with physical challenges.

Elegance

Magnificence

Sophistication

Shapeliness

Quotations from well-known individuals

Comparisons to other high-school students

Reflections on personal experiences

Causes that led her to move to a new location

transition

confinement

order

discipline

She finds deep meaning in the beauty of nature.

She wishes she had spent more time in nature in her youth.

She enjoys traveling to faraway places to see natural wonders.

She grew up in an urban area where there was little natural landscape.

concerned about their effects on others

opinionated and outspoken

unafraid of being themselves

willing to accept consequences for their actions

During our visit we commented to each other how the colors, unlike the desert’s browns and dull greens, were an elegant mix of reds, pinks, and yellows.

In high school, I was standing on top of the rocks, but no incisions had been made—no canyon had been formed.

There was a river and it was flowing, but I did not see the layers beneath.

I have faith that in the end that process will reveal magnificent layers that inspire rather than repress and remain buried.

Kevin’s constant desire to improve

Kevin’s irritation regarding his perceived weakness

Kevin’s need to draw the attention of his neighbors

Kevin’s growing frustration with his teammates

Dig up

Blend in

Establish

Conceal

When he was four he was better than the five-year-olds, and when he was five he was better than the seven-year-olds. (paragraph 1)

Year after year they have heard the boy’s body grow—the banging becoming harder and harder, faster and faster. (paragraph 3)

“Kevin? He’s the real deal,” Peter Andersson, general manager of the club, always says, and he ought to know. . . . (paragraph 4)

Kevin knows what it takes; everyone’s been telling him ever since he first stood on a pair of skates. (paragraph 5)

They show Kevin overcoming an emotional experience of his youth.

They reveal that Kevin wants something different than what the town wants.

They introduce the idea of Kevin leaving the community to play elsewhere.

They explain how Kevin’s abilities may help the entire community.

To clarify the setting of the story

To give an early example of Kevin’s determination

To introduce characters who are important to the selection

To highlight the conflict that occurs within the town

Kevin would have an advantage as a hockey player even if he didn’t practice so much.

Many teammates resent Kevin’s superior skills.

Kevin has an unhealthy obsession with hockey.

The townspeople’s expectations of Kevin are unrealistic.

appreciated

trapped

loyal

embarrassed