STAAR English Grade 8 Sample Questions

Paragraph I

Carolyn opened her eyes and took a deep breath. Suddenly, she sat straight up in bed, her face beaming. There was no mistaking the aroma. Her mother was baking her incredibly wonderful, ever-delectable, super-duper scrumptious banana nut bread. Carolyn threw back the covers and slid her feet into her fluffy purple slippers. If she hurried, she could grab the first slice while it was still warm. She found her mom in the kitchen, reading a magazine. Carolyn ran up and wrapped her arms around her mothers shoulders. “Thank you!”

Her mom smiled and took a sip of her coffee. “Its just a little treat to thank you for babysitting you brother this week.”

Read the paragraph above and answer the questions below

Q1. Which meaning of the word beam is used in the passage?

A. To transmit a signal

B. A long piece of wood

C. A ray of light

D. To smile radiantly

Q2. The word scrumptious MOST LIKELY means

A. Soft

B. Delicious

C. Warm

D. Average

Paragraph II

Allison tried to calm her nerves as she waited for Mr. OBrien to call her name. Most of the other kids had already auditioned for the school play. Allison had watched one student after another speak his or her lines perfectly. They were all so good that Allison began to reconsider her decision to try out.

Suddenly, Mr. OBrian called out her name. Trying to keep her knees from shaking, Allison walked up the steps to the stage. Mr. OBrien nodded his head, and she began to say the lines she had worked all week to memorize. She had just started when Mr. OBrien raised his hand. “Allison, you are barely audible. Try again, and relax.” Allison took a deep breath and started over, this time louder and with more charm and enthusiasm. When she finished, Mr. OBrien smiled. “That was charismatic performance,” he said. “I think I have perfect part for you.”

Read the paragraph above and answer the questions below

Q3. What does Mr. OBrian mean when he tells Allison that she is “barely audible?

A. He cant see her.

B. He cant hear her.

C. He cant believe her.

D. He cant trust her.

Q4. Mr. OBrien calls Allisons performance charismatic because he thinks it

A. Has too many mistakes.

B. Has lot of energy.

C. Has lots of charm.

D. Shows too much nervousness.

Paragraph III

Little Blackbear sat straight and tall, surrounded by his father and his fathers brothers. Today was the day he would play the great drum, the heart of the Kiowa powwow. “You must play it with respect, Little Blackbear, for this drum has seen many years,” his uncle said. “Our people call it the Voice of Thunder, and when we hear its rhythm, we know we are at peace.”

Little Blackbear nodded gravely and took up the drumstick with a sense of awe. As he looked at the drum, two yellowed hides stretched over a large tree trunk, he thought about how well it had worn over the years. In the silence of the forest, he bagan to beat the drum in the simple, mesmerizing rhythm of a heartbeat a command for all to dance.

Q5. This story is set in a culture that values

A. Respect for age and experience

B. Enthusiasm for new things

C. Talent for playing instruments

D. Independence from family.

Q6. Little Blackbear plays with “ a sense of awe” because he

A. Feels like an important person.

B. Values the history of the drum and his people.

C. Likes the way the drum looks.

D. Did not expect to be asked to play the drum.

Paragraph IV

Eli forced himself to take another step. The flat expanse of sagebrush and mesquite stretched endlessly before him. He had been walking for hours, the suns rays harsh on his skin. He stumbled forward.

An image of Jessicas face filled his mind. They had argued that morning. Jessica had been angry. Eli had stormed out of the house without his cell phone and jumped into his car. Hed taken a random exit off I-10 and driven for miles down a dirt road heading out into the desert. And then the steam had begun rising from his car radiator.

Now he was lost in the middle of nowhere, and all he could do was hope for a miracle. Suddenly, he heard a helicopter. Eli whipped off his T-shirt and waved it frantically in the air. As the helicopter changed course and circled in to land, Eli breathed a sigh of relief.

Q7. Which is a part of the rising action in the passage?

A. Eli breathing a sigh of relief

B. The helicopter circling in to land

C. Eli walking through the desert for help

D. The argument between Jessica and Eli

Q8. How is Elis conflict resolved?

A. The helicopter circled to land

B. He had argued with Jessica

C. He left his cell phone at home

D. He hoped for a miracle.

Correct Answers

Answer 1.D.

Answer 2. B.

Answer 3. B.

Answer 4. C.

Answer 5. C.

Answer 6. B.

Answer 7. C.

Answer 8. A.

Review Topics of STAAR Exam

For more questions Study Guide and Preparation- State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)

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