STAAR Sample Short Answer Questions

Created by Cynthia Blevins, Abilene ISD, October, 2012, updated 2013

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STAAR Sample Short Answer Questions

ENGLISH I, II, and III

Single Selection: Literary

 In this excerpt from Anne of Green Gables, do you think the stage directions enhance your

understanding of the scene? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (2012 Released Questions)

 In “Clasp,” what does the hair clasp symbolize? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (2012 Released Questions)

 How would you describe Paul in the excerpt from “The Custom of the Country?” Support your

answer with evidence from the selection. (EI 2013 Released Test, SA2; RC1, F19B)

 In “___________” how does the writer interweave personal examples to provide the reader with an historical and cultural context? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.2C, 10.2C)  How effective is the author’s use of irony (or diction, imagery, controlling images, figurative language,

understatement, overstatement, paradox) in “__________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.3A)

 How effective is the author’s use of structure or prosody (meter, rhyme scheme) in “__________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.3A)

 How effective is the author’s use of graphic elements (line length, punctuation, word position) in “__________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.3A)

 How do the monologues (soliloquies, dramatic irony) in “_____________” enhance the dramatic text? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.4A)

 How do the archetypes and motifs affect the plot in “_____________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.4A)

 How does the author’s use of non-linear plot development enhance the reader’s understanding in “______________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.5A)  How do paragraphs ___-___ contribute to the success of the plot as a whole? Explain your answer and

support it with evidence from the selection. (10.5A)

 How does the author’s use of figurative language (point of view, etc.) shape his portrayal of the plot and setting in “_________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.5A)  How does the author develop complex yet believable characters in “___________”? Explain your answer and

support it with evidence from the selection. (9.5B)

 How does the author use literary devices to create internal (or external) development of the characters in “_____”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.5B)

 How do the characters in “_________” handle their moral dilemmas? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.5B)

Created by Cynthia Blevins, Abilene ISD, October, 2012, updated 2013

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Single Selection: Literary (con’t)

 How is “__________” shaped by the author’s choice of point of view? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.5C)

 How does the author’s form of narration connect to the tone in “___________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.5C)

 How is the narration impacted when the narrator’s point of view shifts from one character to another in “___________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.5C)

 How does the author develop complex yet believable characters in “___________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.5B)

 How effectively does the author interweave personal examples and ideas with factual information to describe ________ in “___________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.6A)  How effective is the author’s use of syntax (diction, voice, tone, imagery) in “_________________”? Explain

your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.6A)

 How does the author use rhetorical techniques (repetition, parallel structure, understatement, overstatement) to influence the reader in “_________________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.6A)

 How does the author use rhetorical techniques (repetition, parallel structure, understatement, overstatement) to evoke emotions in “_________________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.6A)

 How does the author use rhetorical techniques (repetition, parallel structure, understatement, overstatement) to create meaning in “_________________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.6A)

 How effectively does the author interweave personal examples and ideas with factual information to describe ________ in “____________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.6A)  How effective is the author’s use of syntax (diction, voice, tone, imagery) in “_________________”? Explain

your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.6A)

 How does the author use rhetorical techniques (repetition, parallel structure, understatement, overstatement) to influence the reader in “_________________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.6A)

 How does the author use rhetorical techniques (repetition, parallel structure, understatement, overstatement) to evoke emotions in “______”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.6A)  How does the author use rhetorical techniques (repetition, parallel structure, understatement, overstatement) to create meaning in “_____”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.6A)  What role does irony (sarcasm, or paradox) play in “___________”? Explain your answer and support it with

evidence from the selection. (9.7A)

 What is the function of symbolism (allegory, or allusions) in “___________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.7A)

Created by Cynthia Blevins, Abilene ISD, October, 2012, updated 2013

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Single Selection: Literary (con’t)

 How effective is the author’s use of biblical allusions (classical, or mythological allusions) in “___________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.7A)

 How effectively does the author interweave personal examples and ideas with factual information to describe ________ in “________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.6A)  How effective is the author’s use of syntax (diction, voice, tone, imagery) in “_________________”? Explain

your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.6A)

 How does the author use rhetorical techniques (repetition, parallel structure, understatement, overstatement) to influence the reader in “___”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.6A)  How does the author use rhetorical techniques (repetition, parallel structure, understatement, overstatement) to evoke emotions in “_____”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.6A)  How does the author use rhetorical techniques (repetition, parallel structure, understatement, overstatement)

to create meaning in “_____”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.6A)  Choose one dramatic convention in “______.” How is it used to enhance the text? Explain your answer and

support it with evidence from the selection.

 How is metaphor used to development the meaning of “______”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 How is irony used to develop ___’s character? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 What mood or feeling do you think is created by the diction and imagery in this poem (essay, article, etc.)? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 Do you think the author’s choice of point of view is effective for this selection? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 In “______” what do you think the_____ symbolizes? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 How does ______ appeal to his audience’s sense of _______? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 How does the author use figurative language to convey the narrator’s feelings?

 What is the overall effect of the author’s description of _______? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 Based on this selection, what conclusions can you draw about ____? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 What quality does __ display in the __?” Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

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Created by Cynthia Blevins, Abilene ISD, October, 2012, updated 2013

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Single Selection: Expository

 In “Hungry Bears Prefer Minivans,” how does the writer’s approach to the topic make it more accessible to the reader? Support your answer with evidence from the selection. (2012 Released Questions)

 After reading “Postcard: New Delhi,” do you think Gupta’s modified airplane is a good idea?

Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (EI 2013 Released Test, SA1; RC1, F19B)

 How does the controlling idea and specific purpose of “__________” help the reader better understand this selection? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.8A)

 How does the author’s use of controlling idea and specific purpose of “__________” help the reader better understand this selection? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.8A)  How does the author’s style of writing (tone, or diction) in “__________” help advance the author’s purpose

(perspective or stance)? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.8A)  How well does the author differentiate between opinions that are substantiated and those that are

unsubstantiated in “_______”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.9A)  What kinds of evidence does the author of “_____________” use to support her conclusions and arguments?

Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.9A)

 How well does the author use deductive or inductive reasoning to support his conclusions in “___________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.9A)

 Does the author’s choice of organizational patterns help the reader better understand his ideas in “___________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.9C, 10.9C)  How well does the author’s choice of organizational patterns help the reader better understand the ideas in

“___________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.9C)

 What logical connections can be made between the ideas and details in “___________” and “____________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.9D, 10.9D)

 In “___________,” how relevant (credible) is the evidence given to support/oppose the argument for the intended audience? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.10A)

 Considering the shifts in perspective in argument, how accurate is the evidence used to support the different viewpoints in “___________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.10A)  How does the author’s purpose and stated or perceived audience affect the tone in “__________”? Explain

your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.10A)

 How convincing are the rhetorical structures used in “__________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.10B)

 How effectively does the author clarify the objectives in “__________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.11A)

 How would you rate the clarity of the graphics and the visual appeal used in “_______”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.11A)

Created by Cynthia Blevins, Abilene ISD, October, 2012, updated 2013

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Single Selection: Expository (con’t)

 How logical is the sequence of information presented in “_______”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.11A)

 How meaningful is the information presented in the various graphical sources used in “_______”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.11B)

 What conclusions can you draw about the ideas presented in the graphical sources used in “_____________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.11B)

 Overall, what is the message the author is trying to convey by including the graphics found in “_____________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.11B)

 How well do the media messages in “_____________” reflect social and cultural views? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (10.12A, 11/12A)

 How do the changes in formality and tone affect specific audiences and purposes in “___________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.12D, 10.12D)

 What is the overall effect of the author’s description of ___________? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 “_______” includes an insert that defines the terms endangered and extinct. What is the importance of the insert to the overall message of the article? Explain your answer and support your answer with evidence from the selection.

 How does the author’s organizational pattern of “_________” relate to her purpose? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 How effective are the rhetorical devices used in “__________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 What impression do you form of _______ through the aside in the first paragraph? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 Do you think the author did an effective job of supporting his conclusion? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 Do you think the article did a good job of substantiating the opinion that ___________? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 What is the author’s purpose in this passage? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 How does the author try to convince readers that ____________? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 How would you describe the author’s attitude toward ______? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 How does _______ appeal to his audience’s sense of ___________? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

Created by Cynthia Blevins, Abilene ISD, October, 2012, updated 2013

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Single Selection: Expository (con’t)

 According to this article, what would most likely happen if _________? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 How effective are these instructions in explaining __________? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 How does the tone of this selection relate to the author’s purpose? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 Based on this selection, what conclusions can you draw about ____? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 “_________” includes two inserts. How is the information in the article affected by the inserts? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 What do you think is the purpose of this speech? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 Do you think the author’s evidence is week or strong? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 How would you best describe the author’s style of writing in “__________?”

 In this essay by _____________, do you think the title enhances your understanding of the thesis? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 Why do you think the author included paragraph 9? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 How would you characterize the author’s tone in this essay? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 What can you tell about _________ (the author) based on her essay? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

Created by Cynthia Blevins, Abilene ISD, October, 2012, updated 2013

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CONNECTING TEXTS

 How are the themes of “Those Winter Sundays” and “All My Babies Are Gone Now” similar? Support your answer with evidence from both selections. (2012 Released Questions)

 What message do you think the speaker in “Sunday Morning Early” and the narrator of “I Wish I

Was a Poet” are trying to convey? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from both selections. (EI 2013 Released Test, SA2, RC1, F19B)

 EII, SA1, Do you think Jaime Teevan in “2009 Young Innovators Under 35: Jaime Teevan, 32” and

Barry Bingham, Jr., in “Digital Dad Versus the Dinosaurs” have anything in common? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from both selections. (EII 2013 Released Test, SA1, RC1, F19B)

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What logical connections can be made between the ideas and details in “___________” and “____________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.9D, 10.9D)

 What logical connections can be made between the ideas in “___________” and “____________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.9D)

 How would you compare the visual representation of events in “___________” and “__________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.12A)

 How would you compare the visual communication of information in “___________” and “__________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (9.12A)

 How do the changes in formality and tone affect specific audiences and purposes in “___________” and “__________”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection. (11.12D)

 How do the genres of “__________” and “_______” connect through the theme to shape the meanings of the selections? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

 How is the concept of ______________ important in both “_________” and “________”?  Does the idea of _______________ significant to both “________” and “________”?  How are ____________ and ___________ alike in “___________” and “_____________”?  What is a significant difference between ____________ and ___________ in “___________” and

“_____________”?

 How do the authors in “________” and “________” use text structure to influence the reader’s understanding of the text?

 In what way is ____________ (selection 1) similar to ____________ (selection 2) in “________” and “________”?

 In what way is ____________ (character 1) similar to ____________ (character 2) in “________” and “________”?