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Reading & Writing Skills Test
Read the next two selections and answer the questions that follow.
Those Winter
Sundays
© 2007 Marshall Ikonography and
World of Stock
by Robert Hayden
5
Sundays too my father got up early
and put his clothes on in the blueblack cold,
then with cracked hands that ached
from labor in the weekday weather made
banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him.
I’d wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking.
When the rooms were warm, he’d call,
and slowly I would rise and dress,
fearing the chronic angers of that house.
10
Speaking indifferently to him,
who had driven out the cold
and polished my good shoes as well.
What did I know, what did I know
of love’s austere and lonely offices?
“Those Winter Sundays” copyright © 1966 by Robert Hayden, from COLLECTED POEMS OF
ROBERT HAYDEN by Robert Hayden, edited by Frederick Glaysher. Used by permission of
Liveright Publishing Corporation.
Use “Those Winter Sundays” to answer the
following questions.
1
Why is the multiple meaning of the word offices in line 14 important to the poem?
A It refers to both a duty and a service done for others.
B
It conveys the father’s mixed emotions.
C
It refers to both a place and an executive position.
D It indicates the size of the speaker’s house.
2
The photograph reinforces the poem’s tone of —
A indifference
B
desperation
C
melancholy
D whimsy
3
The poem’s setting is significant because it helps contrast —
A the family’s physical closeness and emotional distance
B
the opinions of the hardworking father and the lazy child
C
the presence of the father and the absence of the mother
D the different values of the siblings within the family
4
The author begins a new stanza in line 6 most likely to indicate a shift from —
A the distant past to the immediate future
B
literal language to figurative language
C
a focus on the father to a focus on the speaker
D an uncritical attitude to a self-critical attitude
\
All My Babies
Are Gone Now
from Loud and Clear
by Anna Quindlen
1
All my babies are gone now. I say this not in sorrow but in disbelief. I take
great satisfaction in what I have today: three almost-adults, two taller than
me, one closing in fast. Three people who read the same books I do and
have learned not to be afraid of disagreeing with me in their opinion of
them, who sometimes tell vulgar jokes that make me laugh until I choke and
cry, who need razor blades and shower gel and privacy, who want to keep
their doors closed more than I like. Who, miraculously, go to the bathroom,
zip up their jackets, and move food from plate to mouth all by themselves.
Like the trick soap I bought for the bathroom with a rubber ducky at its
center, the baby is buried deep within each, barely discernible except
through the unreliable haze of the past.
2
Everything in all the books I once pored over is finished for me now.
Penelope Leach, T. Berry Brazelton, Dr. Spock. The ones on sibling rivalry
and sleeping through the night and early childhood education, all grown
obsolete. Along with Goodnight Moon and Where the Wild Things Are, they
are battered, spotted, well used. But I suspect that if you flipped the pages,
dust would rise like memories.
3
What those books taught me, finally, and what the women on the
playground taught me, and the well-meaning relations and the older parents
at cocktail parties—what they taught me was that they couldn’t really teach
me very much at all. Raising children is presented at first as a true-false
test, then becomes multiple choice, until finally, far along, you realize that it
is an endless essay. No one knows anything. One child responds well to
positive reinforcement, another can only be managed with a stern voice and
a time-out. One boy is toilet trained at three, his brother at two. When my
first child was born, parents were told to put baby to bed on his belly so that
he would not choke on his own spit-up. By the time my last arrived, babies
were put down on their backs because of research on sudden infant death
syndrome.
4
As a new parent this ever-shifting certainty is terrifying, and then soothing.
Eventually you must learn to trust yourself. Eventually the research will
follow. . . .
5
I remember fifteen years ago poring over one of Dr. Brazelton’s wonderful
books on child development, in which he describes three different sorts of
infants: average, quiet, and active. I was looking for a sub-quiet codicil (see:
slug) for an eighteen-month-old who did not walk. Was there something
wrong with his fat little legs? Was there something wrong with his tiny little
mind? Was he developmentally delayed, physically challenged? Was I
insane? Last year he went to China. Next year he goes to college. He can
walk just fine. He can walk too well. Every part of raising children at some
point comes down to this: Be careful what you wish for.
6
Every part of raising children is humbling, too. Believe me, mistakes were
made. They have all been enshrined in the “Remember When Mom Did” Hall
of Fame. The outbursts, the temper tantrums, the bad language—mine, not
theirs. The times the baby fell off the bed. The times I arrived late for
preschool pickup. The nightmare sleepover. The horrible summer camp. The
day when the youngest came barreling out of the classroom with a 98 on her
geography test, and I responded, “What did you get wrong?” (She insisted I
include that.) The time I ordered food at the McDonald’s drive-through
speaker and then drove away without picking it up from the window. (They
all insisted I include that.) I did not allow them to watch The Simpsons for
the first two seasons. What was I thinking?
7
But the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing
this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that
the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of
the three of them sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing
set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember
what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how
they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry
to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured
the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.
8
Even today I’m not sure what worked and what didn’t, what was me and
what was simply life. How much influence did I really have over the
personality of the former baby who cried only when we gave parties and who
today, as a teenager, still dislikes socializing and crowds? When they were
very small, I suppose I thought someday they would become who they were
because of what I’d done. Now I suspect they simply grew into their true
selves because they demanded in a thousand ways that I back off and let
them be. . . .
9
The books said to be relaxed and I was often tense, matter-of-fact, and I
was sometimes over-the-top. And look how it all turned out. I wound up with
the three people I like best in the world, who have done more than anyone
to excavate my essential humanity. That’s what the books never told me. I
was bound and determined to learn from the experts. It just took me a while
to figure out who the experts were.
Reprinted by permission of International Creative Management, Inc. Copyright © 2004.
Use “All My Babies Are Gone Now” to answer the following questions.
5
Beginning with paragraph 7, the author’s tone shifts from —
A complimentary to condescending
B
optimistic to cynical
C
lighthearted to reflective
D academic to conversational
6
By saying that one of her sons “can walk too well” in paragraph 5, the author implies that —
A her son has become overconfident
B
she is very proud of her son’s accomplishment
C
she is not ready for her son to leave her
D her son is unusually graceful and agile
7
In which line does the author use passive voice to generalize her experience?
A The nightmare sleepover.
B
That’s what the books never told me.
C
I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.
D Believe me, mistakes were made.
8
In the last sentence of paragraph 9, the reader can infer that “the experts” the author refers to
are —
A her own children
B
the authors of parenting books
C
the women on the playground
D her own parents
9
In which line does the author use an analogy to convey her changing philosophy of parenting?
A How much influence did I really have over the personality of the former baby who cried
only when we gave parties and who today, as a teenager, still dislikes socializing and
crowds?
B
Raising children is presented at first as a true-false test, then becomes multiple choice,
until finally, far along, you realize that it is an endless essay.
C
One child responds well to positive reinforcement, another can only be managed with a
stern voice and a time-out.
D I remember fifteen years ago poring over one of Dr. Brazelton’s wonderful books on child
development, in which he describes three different sorts of infants: average, quiet, and
active.
10 The author’s purpose for writing the selection was most likely to —
A imply that new parents should trust their instincts and enjoy raising their children
B
defend herself against the suggestion that she made mistakes when raising her children
C
poke fun at so-called experts who claim to be authorities on child development
D blame herself for the choices she made as a parent
Use “Those Winter Sundays” and “All My Babies Are Gone Now”
to answer the following questions.
11 What is a primary difference between the poem and the essay?
A The events described in the essay took place many years ago, while those in the poem are
current.
B
The essay focuses on fewer people than the poem does.
C
The poem is told from the perspective of a child, while the essay is from that of a parent.
D The issues explored in the essay are more important than those in the poem.
12 Read these quotations.
Those Winter Sundays
All My Babies Are Gone Now
I’d wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking.
When the rooms were warm, he’d call,
and slowly I would rise and dress,
fearing the chronic angers of that house.
There is one picture of the three of
them sitting in the grass on a quilt in
the shadow of the swing set on a
summer day, ages six, four, and one.
Which of these best describes the difference in tone between the two quotations?
A The tone of the first quotation is bright and hopeful, while the tone of the second quotation
is gloomy and depressed.
B
The tone of the first quotation is stark and apprehensive, while the tone of the second
quotation is warm and nostalgic.
C
The tone of the first quotation is angry and resentful, while the tone of the second
quotation is bored and uninspired.
D The tone of the first quotation is sweet and dreamy, while the tone of the second quotation
is matter-of-fact and deliberate.
13 What emotion is expressed in the last two lines of “Those Winter Sundays” and paragraph 7 of “All
My Babies are Gone Now”?
A Regret
B
Fear
C
Confusion
D Joy
Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Bethany wrote this paper about a time she changed her opinion about someone.
Read Bethany’s paper and look for the corrections she needs to make. Then
answer the questions that follow.
March!
(1) For as long as anyone could remember, the marching band at our school
had been a joke. (2) Everyone accepted the fact that we were the worst band in
the state. (3) Most of us had joined the band for an “easy A” and some built-in
friends. (4) But the new band director was determined to change things, his name
was Mr. Parker. (5) A year earlier he had moved from Iowa to our little town in
Texas. (6) In Iowa he had directed an award-winning marching band for 30 years.
(7) When he heard about the opening for a new band director at our school he
couldn’t help investigating. (8) He applied for the position and was hired
immediately.
(9) The first day of Mr. Parker’s reign was the end of band life as we knew it.
(10) Initially we just laughed at his absurd bow tie and his drill-sergeant ways.
(11) But we weren’t laughing for long; Mr. Parker hadn’t took the band director’s
job to be funny. (12) He was there to turn us into a respectable band, and
nothing—not even a bunch of lazy, flippant teenagers—was going to stop them.
(13) I don’t think I’ll ever forget band camp that year. (14) Mr. Parker was
intent on whipping us into shape with the techniques he had been using for years.
(15) Every day we started practice early, ended practice late, and polished our
instruments until they shone. (16) We went through our final program so many
times that by the end of camp, I probably could have performed it in my sleep.
(17) Mr. Parker refused to allow us to settle for anything less than our best. (18) At
first there was a lot of grumbling, and a few students were even tempted to quit,
after a while, though, we found ourselves somehow rising to Mr. Parker’s
expectations.
(19) As we marched onto the field at the first football game, I could almost
hear a collective breathe of amazement from the crowd. (20) What was once a
disjointed crew of halfway-decent musicians had been transformed into a unified,
harmonious team. (21) Everyone could sense the difference, especially those of us
in uniform!
(22) As I look back on that year now, I realize that Mr. Parker is probably the
best teacher I’ve ever had. (23) He combined his thirst for excellence with a
compasionate, caring heart. (24) If a band member couldn’t get a ride to an early
practice, Mr. Parker would find a ride for him. (25) If someone was having a hard
time learning a piece of music, Mr. Parker would spend his lunch hour working with
the student individually. (26) From the beginning it was obvious that he cared
about us, and he had a knack for somehow bringing out the best in everyone.
(27) I know that I am both a better musician and a better person for having
Mr. Parker in my life. (28) I’m looking forward to learning even more from him
next year. (29) I just found out I’ll be the head drum major for our band when the
new school year starts!
Use “March!” to answer the following questions.
14 What is the correct way to write sentence 4?
A
But the new band director who was determined to change things had a name of
Mr. Parker.
B
But the new band director, Mr. Parker, was determined to change things.
C
But the new band director was determined to change things, named Mr. Parker.
D The sentence is written correctly in the paper.
15 What change, if any, should be made in sentence 7?
A
Insert a comma after school
B
Change couldn’t to couldn’t hardly
C
Change investigating to investigatting
D No change should be made in sentence 7.
16 What change needs to be made in sentence 11?
A
Delete the semicolon
B
Change took to taken
C
Change director’s to directors’
D Nothing needs to be changed in sentence 11.
17 What change should be made in sentence 12?
A
Change respectable to respectible
B
Delete the comma after band
C
Change was going to were going
D Change them to him
18 What change needs to be made in sentence 18?
A
Change were even tempted to was even tempted
B
Change the comma after quit to a semicolon
C
Change ourselves to ourselfs
D Change rising to risen
19 What change needs to be made in sentence 19?
A
Change the comma to a semicolon
B
Change almost to allmost
C Change breathe to breath
D No change is needed.
20 What change, if any, should be made in sentence 23?
A
Change He combined to Combining
B
Change excellence to excellent
C
Change compasionate to compassionate
D Make no change
4A Drama – make complex inferences about the structure of drama, including how archetypes and motifs
advance the plot of the play
From 12 Angry Men by Reginald Rose
THREE [loudly]. Well, what are you looking at? [They turn away. He goes back to his seat now. EIGHT
puts his chair back at right end of table. Silently, rest of JURORS, excluding ELEVEN, take their seats.
TWELVE begins to doodle on a piece of paper. ELEVEN moves D L and leans reflectively against wall. TEN
blows his nose but no one speaks. Then, finally.]
FOUR. I don’t see why we have to behave like children here.
ELEVEN. Nor do I. We have a responsibility. This is a remarkable thing about democracy. That we are –
what is the word?... ah, notified! That we are notified by mail to come down to this place, and decide on
the guilt or innocence of a man; of a man we have not known before. We have nothing to gain or lose
by our verdict. This is one of the reasons why we are strong. We should not make it a personal thing…
NINE [slowly]. Thank you, very much.
ELEVEN [slight surprise]. Why do you thank me?
NINE. We forget. It’s good to be reminded. [ELEVEN nods and leans against wall again.]
FOUR. I’m glad that we’re going to be civilized about this.
TWELVE. Well, we’re still nowhere.
EIGHT. No, we’re somewhere, or getting there – maybe.
FOUR. Maybe.
TWELVE. Who’s got an idea?
SIX. I think maybe we should try another vote. [Turns to FOREMAN.] Mr. Foreman?
21 The tone of FOUR can best be described as –
A
Eager
B
Condescending
C
Morose
D Regretful
22 The following line is an example of what sentence type –
“That we are notified by mail to come down to this place, and decide on the guilt or innocence of a man;
a man we have not known before.”
A Simple
B Compound
C Complex
D Compound-Complex
23 Why does the playwright include repeated instructions for TEN to blow his nose throughout the play?
A
In order to give the character some back story.
B
In order to make the character more repugnant.
C
In order to make the character memorable.
D In order to give the character some action.
24 Which of the following stage directions reflects a character’s apathy for the situation?
A
[slowly]
B
[leans reflectively against wall]
C
[begins to doodle on a piece of paper]
D [loudly]
25 What universal theme is best expressed in this excerpt?
A
Hazards of passing judgement
B
Faith versus doubt
C
Love and sacrifice
D Evils of racism
STAAR English II Reading
1 A
2 C
3 A
4 C
5 C
6 C
7 D
8 A
9 B
10 A
11 C
12 B
13 A
14 B
15 A
16 B
17 D
18 B
19 C
20 C
21 C
22 D
23 B
24 C
25 A
Answer Key
2011 Release