STAAR Grade 4 RLA - Formative Staff | Library | Formative

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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.

Parks with a Purpose

(1) When you visit a park, you may see a playground. There may be a walking path that stretches for miles. Sweet-smelling flowers, giant green bushes, and a crystal-clear pond might be found by the path. If you are quiet, you might hear a group of birds calling each other above you in the sky. But you also might see people: people crowding the paths, people trampling the flowers, and people talking over the sounds of nature. Parks are suffering from overcrowding and we must be willing to spend money to protect parks for the future.

(2) More and more people are visiting parks each year. For example, Big Bend National Park had 314,102 visitors in 2014. By 2019, the number went up to 463,832 visitors. Sometimes, the government that owns a park might spend money to build things for the people who visit. This can include playgrounds, picnic areas, and gift shops. But crowds at parks can affect the plants and animals that live there. Building things to attract more people can make the problem worse. Instead, governments should spend more money to protect the nature in parks.

(3) Protecting the actual parks would be beneficial for both people and wildlife.
The trees in parks do not just provide shade on a hot summer day. They also help make clean air. In New York City parks, scientists have recorded that trees have helped remove 1,100 tons of pollutants from the air. Trees are also home to many animals, such as squirrels. Squirrels are tiny animals, but they have a big job. They bury nuts that later grow into more trees.

(4) The trees themselves also need our help to stay healthy. Unwanted beetles have spread around some parks. These beetles cut off the water supply and food for trees. This could be avoided if governments paid people to take care of parks instead of using money for other things that are not needed.

(5) Some park rangers say that larger crowds create problems at the parks.
People have been ruining the beautiful nature in the parks. There is more wear on busy trails and trash around the parks. Money could be used to fix these problems. This would be better than spending money on things that only benefit people, like additional parking lots.

(6) Many people argue that things like playgrounds help the community. Kids can play together and get exercise outdoors. However, this is possible without building more things. Children can still run around at parks or make up fun games to play. Others can still relax under trees or in the grass on a nice day. People do not need new construction in order to enjoy parks. We just need the parks to be protected.

(7) Next time you find yourself in a park, take a minute to look around. Think about what you can do to make a difference. One of the easiest ways is to pick up trash and throw it in a trash can. But even more than individuals, the governments that care for the parks have a responsibility to help them grow and thrive.

Read the next two selections. Then choose the best answer to each question.

Passage 1:
Riding Out West

(1)  In the mid-1800s, leaders in Texas realized that railroads were the new and improved way to travel. In 1853, a railroad company opened up the first 20 miles of track for business. Between 1879 and 1889, 6,000 new miles of railroad track were laid in Texas. Railroads crisscrossed the state! Trains gave people access to places that were often difficult to reach.

(2) El Paso, Texas, is a city that saw great change due to railroads. El Paso sits on the far western end of Texas. The city is next to the Rio Grande River. In the mid-1800s, the area was a stop along trade routes between Mexico and the United States.

(3) While El Paso was a key frontier town, the land around it was rough to travel on. Few roads could accommodate wagons. The roads that did exist were tough to travel. The animals that pulled wagons would get tired and have to rest often.
It was also an expensive way to travel.

(4) All that changed in 1881 when railroad tracks arrived in El Paso. Once trains could roll into town, El Paso seemed to grow overnight. By 1890, 10,000 people lived in El Paso. That was more than 10 times the number of people who had lived in the city before the railroads.

(5) El Paso and other Texas cities grew because trains changed the experience of travel. People no longer had to travel through the harsh conditions of the land and the climate. Bumpy wagon roads were replaced with reliable railroad tracks and train cars. Also, train travel was cheaper than other forms of transportation.

(6) From El Paso, railroad companies created a web of lines farther west. People were now able to move more easily between cities across Texas. They could also travel to other states and territories. Railroads extended into New Mexico and beyond. The construction of the railroads gave people the opportunity to build new lives and connect with people all around the country. Railroads also made it easier for people to visit new places and return home.

(7) Railroads were incredibly important. For most of a century, they were the main way of traveling across vast areas of land. They helped bring goods, ideas, and people together.

Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.

Cody and his best friend Mud enjoy playing the video game Soccer Slam. When Cody plays in a game of real soccer for the first time, Cody gets placed on the Red Team and Mud gets placed on the Blue Team.

from Surprise Kick 
by Zach Riley

(1) Cody thought that Mud looked very alone all the way over there. He decided to go easy on him. After all, Mud wasn't the greatest soccer mind at least when it came to video games. Cody couldn't figure out why Mud still liked to play even when he lost so much.

(2) Coach Parks blew his whistle. Mahender kicked the ball far into the Blue end of the field. Cody and the rest of the Red players surged forward. Ryan got the ball and ran with it, dribbling forward while the Blue defenders closed in on him.

(3) Cody marked Mud, sticking close to his friend on the other side of the field.
As a new player, Mud probably wouldn't get much action, so he was the safest place to hide out. Besides, Cody wanted to help his friend in case the team ever charged him.

(4) Ryan passed the ball sideways to Amanda, who was instantly swarmed.

(5) Cody had wondered why Amanda wanted to play on the boys' team. He quickly found out. She eluded one defender by effortlessly rolling the ball underneath her and turning the other way. Then she stood strong and held her back into another defender, keeping him away from the ball.

(6) But pretty soon, it became clear there was no way out. So she passed the ball forward.

(7) To Mud!

(8) Now the entire Red team ran at Mud. Cody felt bad for him. He'd have his pocket picked on the first touch of his first real game.

(9)  The defenders would swarm him. If Mud was lucky, he might avoid being knocked to the ground.

(10) Cody nearly closed his eyes, but he had to watch the oncoming train wreck.

(11) Somehow Mud danced clear of them all.

(12) He squeezed between Mitch and Hans, then broke free of the pack, dodging and weaving down the field.

(13) Cody wondered when Mud had gotten so fast.

(14) Mahender ran at Mud full speed. Mud spun away, twisting out of range just as Mahender kicked for the ball.

(15) Then Mitch came in for a sideways snag, but Mud lined up and kicked the ball as hard as he could.

(16) The ball flew into the net above the goalie's head for the first goal of the game.

(17) Cody had never seen a play like that, not even on Soccer Slam.

(18) The whole Blue team gathered around Mud, hugging and high-fiving him.

(19) Although Cody tried as hard as he could for the next 19 gajillion hours, he got no closer to the ball than if it had been in another state.

From SURPRISE KICK by Zach Riley, ABDO PUBLISHING COMPANY-MAGIC WAGON. © 2013.

Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.

Regan is writing a paper to tell about a cat she found. Read Regan's rough draft and look for the revisions she needs to make. Then answer the questions that follow.

A New Pet
(1) As I was taking out the trash one cold December night, I tripped over a stray cat. (2) He barely seemed to notice. (3) Filthy, muddy, and wet, he was quite a sight. (4) But his eyes caught my attention. (5) As pitiful as he looked on the outside, I just knew there was something special about that cat.

(6) I wrapped him up in an old towel and brought him into the warm kitchen. (7) Mom was less than impressed, but I just had to help him. (8) "We'll give him some warm milk and a cozy spot on the porch for the night," Mom finally said. (9) "Then we'll have to figure out where he belongs. (10) We do not need a cat."

(11) The cat, whom I decided to name Leroy, knew better. (12) From that first night, he claimed us as his family, and he claimed me, in particular, as his "person. (13) Night after night, he just kept coming back. (14) He always showed up right around dinnertime. (15) He'd dart into the house as soon as the door was opened. (16) He acted as if he owned the place. (17) Mom would shoo him back out to the porch every time, but that cat refused to give up.

(18) He just didn't want to give up. (19) He would cuddle up in a corner by the stairs. (20) He was always there to greet me in the morning when I left for school. (21) Mom insisted that I put up signs to see if we could find his family. (22) I never got a single call in response.

(23) After a few weeks of regular meals, Leroy started to look a little better. (24) His fur had begun to thicken up. (25) It was a lovely rusty brown color. (26) I managed to pull on Mom's heartstrings, and she eventually let him come into the house. (27) For better or worse, Leroy had become our cat.

(28) I hadn't realized I even wanted a pet until Leroy showed up. (29) But now that he's part of our family, I can see how much we needed each other. (30) I helped Leroy when he needed a friend. (31) Sometimes I'm lonely, sad, tired, or bored, and he helps me. (32) He is actually a terrific listener!

(33) Everything's been going great with Leroy. (34) He's happy and I'm happy.
(35) But my sister is another story. (36) She studies and looks at the local humane society website every night now. (37) She's convinced that we need to rescue a dog. (38) I just can't help but wonder how Leroy is going to feel about that!

Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.

Cameron wrote this paper to tell about a small town in Texas. Read Cameron's paper and look for revisions he needs to make. Then answer the questions that follow.

Marvelous Marfa
(1) Marfa is a small town in West Texas. (2) It is surrounded by dry, rocky desert.
(3) Fewer live in this tiny Texas town than 2,000 people. (4) And yet the town is well known throughout the state and nation. (5) Marfa is famous for its mysterious lights and for the many artists who have chosen to live and work there.

(6) The Marfa Lights can be seen on clear nights in the sky around town. (7) A cowboy was the first to report seeing them. (8) His name was Robert Ellison. (9) In 1883, Ellison was driving cattle when he noticed some unusual lights twinkling in the darkness. (10) Over the years, other Texas settlers claimed to see these same lights in the desert.

(11) The lights may sound a bit like the Northern Lights that are visible in Alaska and Canada. (12) However, they are not quite the same. (13) The weather is much colder in Alaska and Canada. (14) The Marfa Lights are closer to the land and are single spots of light rather than streaks. (15) They are like the Northern Lights in some ways, though. (16) They dance, change color, and then disappear.

(17) Many people come to Marfa just to see the lights. (18) In 2003, Texas officials even built a viewing area. (19) People who visit enjoy coming up with creative explanations for the lights. (20) But scientists say that the lights are just a mirage. (21) They are a trick on the eyes caused by Marfa's weather conditions. (22) The lights are actually car headlights and campfires being reflected by a mix of very cold and very warm air.

(23) In addition, Marfa is known for its art. (24) In 1971, the modern artist Donald Judd moved from New York City to Marfa. (25) Judd was famous for his large sculptures. (26) He found Marfa's harsh but beautiful landscape inspiring. (27) After working in Marfa for several years, Judd bought a piece of land with some empty buildings on it. (28) He turned the area into a museum where he and others could display their work.

(29) Many artists soon followed Judd to Marfa. (30) Their presence led to more museums and to more galleries and to more festivals. (31) Today, art lovers come to Marfa from all over the world. (32) They are excited to view the interesting art that is found there.

(33) Marfa is one of many unique and interesting towns in Texas. (34) It is tiny, but many people say it offers the perfect blend of culture and mystery.