English I Administered April 2022 Released

written permission from the Texas Education Agency.

STAAR

State of Texas

Assessments of

Academic Readiness

English I

Administered April 2022

RELEASED

written permission from the Texas Education Agency.

State of Texas

Assessments of

Academic Readiness

STAAR

State of Texas

Assessments of

Academic Readiness

English I

Administered April 2022

RELEASED

written permission from the Texas Education Agency.

STAAR

English I

Administered April 2022

RELEASED

Form 001

REVISINGREVISING

English I

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Form 001

COMMON

Mammoth Fossil at Waco Mammoth

National Monument

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English I - REVISING

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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each

question. Then ll in the answer on your answer document.

Zendaya has written this essay for a class assignment. Read

Zendaya’s essay and look for any revisions she needs to make.

When you nish reading, answer the questions that follow.

What Happened to the

Mammoths of Texas?

(1) Imagine taking a walk in the woods to search for

arrowheads when, all of a sudden, you stumble across an enormous

bone jutting out of the ground! (2) That’s exactly what happened one

day in 1978 when two 19-year-olds discovered a fossilized mammoth

bone in a dusty riverbed.

(3) At rst the teens did not realize they had found the remains

of one of North America’s largest mammoth herds. (4) Baylor

University paleontologists eventually conrmed their discovery of

16 mammoths—10 females and 6 juveniles. (5) The scientists then

began researching how the 16 mammoths in the herd ended up in

this particular location. (6) For many years paleontologists believed

the mammoths were killed by a sudden catastrophe; however, new

discoveries helped researchers determine that the mammoths died

more slowly.

(7) Over the years as scientists studied the mammoths, they

uncovered more information that altered their initial theories.

(8) This happens often due to new discoveries or additional data

that lead to new theories. (9) One initial theory was that the

mammoth herd was trapped in a ravine and drowned in a ash

ood. (10) Because they are so large, the mammoths likely would

have struggled to climb out of the ravine in time. (11) That would

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have made it hard to survive the sudden ooding. (12) However,

as the scientists studied the fossils over several years, researchers

discovered that the growth patterns on the bones appeared stunted,

as though the animals did not have sufcient nutrition.

(13) A 2017 study by Baylor geology professor Steven Driese,

along with doctoral students Don Esker and Logan Wiest, supported

the “lack of nutrition” theory. (14) The researchers suggested

that the mammoths died during a long drought. (15) Therefore,

in addition to water, the mammoths struggled to nd sufcient

vegetation, such as grasses. (16) According to the study the

mammoths died due to a lack of water, not from a ood. (17) “There

was no scientic evidence that they drowned, [that’s] just an idea

perpetuated through the decades,” Wiest says. (18) “Anatomically,

they’re much like elephants, and elephants swim very well.”

(19) Instead, Driese and his students hypothesized that the animals

were likely huddled around a water hole until it nally dried up.

(20) Wiest’s team developed their theory after they carefully

studied the mammoth bones and saw tooth marks made from

rodents and holes created by scavenger beetles. (21) Researchers

believed that the holes and tooth marks on the bones provided

evidence that the bones were not immediately buried by sediment

or by water; rather, they had been exposed to the elements for a

long time. (22) The malnourished condition of the mammoths

seems to support Wiest’s drought theory. (23) Further testing also

suggested the mammoths had died when central Texas was in a cool

period—about seven degrees cooler on average than today.

(24) This leading theory about the fate of the Waco mammoth herd

is not supported by all researchers, but it is one of the most highly

regarded suggestions about what happened to the animals.

(25) Although there are still disagreements about the exact

reason why the mammoths died, many people visit the Waco

excavation site and develop their own theories about what happened.

(26) In the 1990s a climate-controlled shelter was erected over the

paleontology site, and in 2015 the site was named “Woolly Mammoth

National Monument.” (27) Research is still ongoing, and lucky visitors

can see them actively excavating bones and conducting soil tests.

Third party trademarks Baylor University™ and Waco Mammoth National Monument™ were used in these testing

materials.

7548

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1 Which sentence in the third paragraph (sentences 7–12) is extraneous

and should be deleted from the essay?

A Sentence 7

B Sentence 8

C Sentence 9

D Sentence 12

79925

2 What is the most effective way to combine sentences 10 and 11?

F Because they are so large, the mammoths likely would have

struggled climbing out of the ravine in time surviving the sudden

ooding.

G Because they are so large, the mammoths likely would have

struggled to climb out of the ravine in time, surviving the sudden

ooding.

H Because they are so large, the mammoths likely would have

struggled to climb out of the ravine in time, and to survive the

sudden ooding.

J Because they are so large, the mammoths likely would have

struggled to climb out of the ravine in time to survive the sudden

ooding.

79985

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English I - REVISING

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3 Zendaya would like to add another detail in the fth paragraph

(sentences 20–24).

Although the temperatures were only slightly

different, the changes may have greatly affected

rainfall, soil, and plant and animal growth,

ultimately leading to the mammoths’ death.

Where is the best place to insert this sentence?

A After sentence 20

B After sentence 22

C After sentence 23

D After sentence 24

79986

4 The pronoun in sentence 27 is unclear. Which word or phrase should

replace them to create a more effective sentence?

F woolly mammoths

G other tourists

H teenagers

J Baylor students and scientists

79987

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5 Zendaya would like to add a concluding sentence to her essay that

restates her thesis. Which sentence should she add at the end of her

essay to accomplish this goal?

A The mystery of what happened to the woolly mammoths at Waco

remains a total mystery to the researchers and everyone else.

B A complete skeleton of a woolly mammoth was recently discovered

by a farmer in one of his elds in Michigan.

C Though there is no conclusive evidence, with continued research,

scientists hope that one day they will know the specic cause of

why the mammoths perished.

D Waco has many other interesting places to visit such as the campus

of Baylor University, Magnolia Market, and the Cameron Park Zoo.

79988

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English I - REVISING

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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each

question. Then ll in the answer on your answer document.

Luka has written this essay about Abraham Lincoln for his history

class. Read Luka’s essay and look for any revisions that he needs to

make. When you nish reading, answer the questions that follow.

Communicating like Lincoln

(1) Abraham Lincoln is one of America’s best-known and

most-loved presidents. (2) He was an amazing leader who led

our country through the American Civil War. (3) His most famous

speech, the Gettysburg Address, was a call to end slavery and

inspired a divided country. (4) Generations of students have studied

Lincoln’s famous words. (5) Lincoln’s success as a speaker and

politician can be attributed to his incredible ability to communicate

his point of view.

(6) Long before he became president, young Lincoln listened

to adults tell stories. (7) He was fascinated by the entertaining and

humorous tales. (8) He would retell the stories he had heard to his

young friends. (9) He simplied the language and expressions so

they could understand. (10) These early storytelling experiences

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showed Lincoln how to engage an audience. (11) As an adult

Lincoln was inspired by the works of George Washington and

Benjamin Franklin but never forgot his storytelling roots.

(12) To help shape his platform for president, Lincoln utilized

his knowledge of the writings of prominent gures and his developed

storytelling skills as well as. (13) When Lincoln visited new places

and small towns during the presidential campaign of 1860, some

people walked long distances to hear him speak. (14) People would

come for miles to have a chance to see and hear him. (15) Lincoln

regularly presented debates, arguments, and public speeches in

the form of stories. (16) His strategies may have even convinced

his political opponents to end up supporting him or working for

him. (17) What was Abraham Lincoln’s secret? (18) According to

historian and author Doris Kearns Goodwin, “No one could equal”

Lincoln’s “never-ending stream of stories.” (19) Goodwin said that

Lincoln was a “master storyteller” who “won devoted followers”

wherever he went.

(20) In addition to his storytelling gift, Lincoln relied on a

few other effective communication strategies. (21) He believed in

listening rst and speaking second to demonstrate respect for others

and a desire to understand their needs. (22) For Lincoln being a

good listener also involved asking questions. (23) Furthermore,

Lincoln used plain, clear language that was easy to understand.

(24) He combined this straightforward style with stories and jokes

to make his major points and talks memorable. (25) People may

forget facts or statistics, but they rarely forget a good story or a

joke.

(26) Lincoln put the same effort he used during casual

interactions into preparing for his speeches. (27) He dedicated

hours of study and research to his subject matter and practiced

his speeches aloud frequently. (28) When Lincoln wrote a speech,

he would keep perfecting it until it was exactly how he wanted.

(29) He also thought a great deal about the best way to reach his

audience. (30) Which story would best convey his message?

(31) Lincoln genuinely cared about the people who listened to him

speak and believed in inspiring others with hope and good ideas.

(32) Great speakers do not hide their passion. (33) If a

speaker cares deeply about a topic, the audience is more likely to

care too. (34) Lincoln used his communication skills to convince

people to care about what was important to him, helping him

become one of the nation’s greatest leaders.

7549

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Form 001

COMMON

6 What is the most effective way to combine sentences 8 and 9?

F He would retell the stories he had heard to his young friends and

because the language and expressions would be simple they could

understand.

G He would retell the stories he had heard to his young friends, the

language and expressions would be simpler and so they could

understand.

H He would retell the stories he had heard to his young friends,

simplifying the language and expressions so they could understand.

J He would retell the stories he had heard to his young friends as the

language and expressions were simplied by himself so that they

could understand.

80014

7 What is the most effective revision to make in sentence 12?

A As well as his knowledge of the writings of prominent gures,

Lincoln utilized to help shape his platform for president his

developed storytelling skills.

B Lincoln utilized his knowledge of the writings of prominent gures

as well as his developed storytelling skills to help shape his

platform for president.

C To help shape his platform for president, Lincoln as well as

utilized his knowledge of the writings of prominent gures and his

developed storytelling skills.

D Lincoln utilized to help shape his platform his knowledge of the

writings of prominent gures as well as his developed storytelling

skills for president.

80015

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English I - REVISING

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Form 001

COMMON

8 Luka has included a redundant idea in the third paragraph (sentences

12–19). Which sentence should be deleted from the paragraph?

F Sentence 13

G Sentence 14

H Sentence 15

J Sentence 16

80016

9 The word good is not the most effective word to use in sentence 31.

Which word should replace good in the sentence?

A charming

B positive

C necessary

D appropriate

80017

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EDITINGEDITING

Form 001

English I

Page 15

Carsten Peter / Speleoresearch & Films/Getty Images

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English I - EDITING

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Form 001

Read the selection and choose the best answer to each

question. Then ll in the answer on your answer document.

Jazmin has written this essay for her science class. Read Jazmin’s

essay and look for any corrections that she needs to make. When

you nish reading, answer the questions that follow.

Cave of Crystals

(1) Humans are naturally curious beings. (2) We are driven

to search for new places to explore. (3) Given how many natural

wonders have been discovered around the world, isn’t it amazing that

there are still natural wonders to nd? (4) In the year 2000, two

miners in Mexico stumbled upon one such surprise—a cave of crystals

unlike any other.

(5) Nine hundred and eighty feet below the surface of Naica,

Mexico, miners were excavating a new tunnel and found a cave lled

with giant crystals. (6) The cave is a geological wonder because it

contains some of the largest natural crystals ever discovered in the

world. (7) Scientists and explorers studying the cave named it Cave

of Crystals—for the surprises inside. (8) These crystals are Classied

as selenite crystals, meaning they are translucent. (9) Most are

between 20 and 36 feet long and weigh around 55 tons.

(10) At rst, scientists wondered how the crystals grew so large

inside the cave. (11) Naica is on top of an ancient underground fault,

which is a break in the ground where the tektonic plates of Earth

have shifted. (12) Below the cave is a magma chamber lled with

lava. (13) Over time, the cave was ooded with groundwater that

trickled in from the surface. (14) With the water inside the cave and

the heat from the magma chamber, the cave remained a consistent

temperature for 500,000 years, and this created the perfect

environment to grow crystals.

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(15) Scientists don’t know much about the crystals yet; the

extreme conditions inside the Cave of Crystals make it dangerous

to stay inside the cave for more than a few minutes at a time.

(16) Because the magma chamber is right below the cave, the

temperature is between 100°F and 150°F. (17) The relative humidity

inside the cave is between 90% and 100%. (18) The average

humidity in Mexico City is about 50%, making the cave’s humidity

almost double the average of the nation’s capital. (19) In order to

learn more about this impressive minerallogical discovery, scientists

exploring the caves are working to develop strategies and tools that

will help them stay underground longer.

(20) Amazing discoveries like the Cave of Crystals in Mexico

help us learn more about our world and its natural wonders.

(21) If there is a shocking cave like this 980 feet below the surface

of Mexico. (22) Then there could be more discoveries just like it in

other parts of the world. (23) There are still corners of the world that

have not been seen by human eyes, perhaps with surprises just as

dazzeling as the Cave of Crystals.

7550

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English I - EDITING

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Form 001

10 What change, if any, is needed in sentence 8?

F Change Classied to classied

G Delete the comma after crystals

H Change translucent to transluscent

J No change is needed.

80018

11 What change should Jazmin make in sentence 11?

A Delete the comma after fault

B Change break to brake

C Change tektonic to tectonic

D Change have shifted to have shifts

80019

12 What change should be made in sentence 19?

F Change minerallogical to mineralogical

G Delete the comma after discovery

H Change exploring to explore

J Change them to it

80020

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English I - EDITING

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Form 001

13 What is the correct way to write sentences 21 and 22?

A If there is a shocking cave like this: 980 feet below the surface of

Mexico then there could be more discoveries just like it in other

parts of the world.

B If there is a shocking cave like this 980 feet below the surface of

Mexico; then there could be more discoveries just like it in other

parts of the world.

C If there is a shocking cave like this 980 feet below the surface of

Mexico then there could be more discoveries, just like it, in other

parts of the world.

D If there is a shocking cave like this 980 feet below the surface of

Mexico, then there could be more discoveries just like it in other

parts of the world.

80021

14 What change should Jazmin make in sentence 23?

F Change There are to There’s

G Change have to has

H Delete the comma after eyes

J Change dazzeling to dazzling

80022

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English I - EDITING

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Form 001

Read the selection and choose the best answer to each

question. Then ll in the answer on your answer document.

Shannon has written this essay to share an experience with her

classmates. Read Shannon’s essay and look for any corrections that

she needs to make. When you nish reading, answer the questions

that follow.

A Pet like No Other

(1) Adopting a pet can be a great experience. (2) A pet can

teach children responsability and encourage families to spend time

together. (3) Household pets hold a special place in the hearts of

their owners, but there are other types of animals that also need care

and attention from humans—endangered and threatened animals.

(4) Although they may be a continent away, it is possible to “adopt”

these animals.

(5) Adopting a tiger, polar bear, or sea turtle is very different

than visiting an animal shelter to physically adopt and bring home

a pet. (6) When someone adopts an endangered or threatened

animal through the World Animal Foundation (WAF), it is a symbolic

adoption. (7) The WAF is a volunteer organization whose mission is

to provide protection and support for animals all over the world.

(8) Adopting one of their endangered or threatened animals is just

one of the ways that people can show their love and concern.

(9) When I learned about the existence of WAF I asked

my mother and father if I could support my favorite animal—the

elephant. (10) My parents agreed that it was an incredible idea for

an important cause, so we began the formal adoption process.

(11) The volunteers who work at WAF make the process of adopting

animals easy and pleasant. (12) Prospective adoptive parents can

learn about mammals, reptiles, birds, sh, bugs, and even farm

animals as they select which species they want to adopt online.

(13) As he watched me go through the process, my little brother

also became interested in WAF, and he selected a crab—his favorite

animal. (14) We were incredibly proud of our symbolic adoptions.

(15) When people donate to the WAF and adopt an animal, they help

the organization build sanctuaries for injured animals, protect the

habitats of endangered animals, and create educational programs.

(16) We hope that by adopting through the organization, we can help

animals live longer, healthier lives and also preserve endangered

species.

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Form 001

(17) Although our new pets will remain in the wild, we received

packets of information about these amazing creatures. (18) WAF

sends photographs, an Adoption Certicate, cards containing fun

facts, and maps depicting the animals’ habitats. (19) The best part

was that after my brother and I received the package, we showed our

photographs and information cards to our friends and family.

(20) Some of my nieces, nephews, and cousins now plan to adopt

animals of their own.

(21) While any pet can positively affect the life of its owner,

adopting endangered or threatened animals is a unique experience.

(22) Dogs, cats, and other animals that live in shelters certainly make

great pets, but symbolic adoption provides direct help to rare animals

such as an emperor penguin or a rhinoceros. (23) The mission of

the World Animal Foundation is to educate others about animals

around the globe while directly contributing to rescue and protection

programs, I support their efforts.

Third party trademark World Animal Foundation© was used in these testing materials.

7551

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Form 001

15 What change should be made in sentence 2?

A Change can teach to taught

B Insert a colon after children

C Change responsability to responsibility

D Change to spend to spending

79970

16 What change, if any, should be made in sentence 9?

F Insert a comma after WAF

G Change asked to ask

H Insert a comma after father

J No change is needed.

79971

17 How does sentence 18 need to be changed?

A Change sends to sending

B Change Adoption Certicate to adoption certicate

C Change depicting to depicted

D Change animals’ to animals

79972

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BE SURE YOU HAVE RECORDED ALL OF YOUR ANSWERS

ON THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.

English I

Page 23

Form 001

18 What change is needed in sentence 23?

F Change mission to missions

G Change others to them

H Insert a comma after contributing

J Change the comma after programs to a semicolon

79973

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WRITTEN COMPOSITION: Expository

English I

Page 24

WRITTEN COMPOSITION: Expository

Form 001

19 Read the following quotation.

The reason most people never reach their goals is

that they don’t dene them, or ever seriously consider

them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell

you where they are going, what they plan to do along

the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with

them.

—Denis Waitley

Successful people often set clear goals and understand the specic

steps needed to achieve them. Think carefully about this statement.

Write an essay explaining the best way to achieve a goal.

Be sure to —

• clearly state your thesis

• organize and develop your ideas effectively

• choose your words carefully

• edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling

9895

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MAKE SURE THAT YOU WRITE YOUR COMPOSITION ON

THE LINED PAGE IN THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.

USE THIS PREWRITING PAGE TO

PLAN YOUR COMPOSITION.

USE THIS PREWRITING PAGE TO

PLAN YOUR COMPOSITION.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU WRITE YOUR COMPOSITION ON

THE LINED PAGE IN THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.

Form 001

English I

Page 25

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MAKE SURE THAT YOU WRITE YOUR COMPOSITION ON

THE LINED PAGE IN THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.

USE THIS PREWRITING PAGE TO

PLAN YOUR COMPOSITION.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU WRITE YOUR COMPOSITION ON

THE LINED PAGE IN THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.

USE THIS PREWRITING PAGE TO

PLAN YOUR COMPOSITION.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU WRITE YOUR COMPOSITION ON

THE LINED PAGE IN THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.

Form 001

English I

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READING

English I

READING

Form 001

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English I

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Form 001

Read the next two selections and answer the questions that

follow.

Why I Write Longhand

by Jordan Mechner

1 As a writer and game designer, I’ve spent a good chunk of the

past 30 years trying to do various types of creative work while

sitting, standing, or slouching at a computer keyboard (and,

more recently, a touchscreen). The power of those devices has

grown exponentially, enabling me with a tap or a keystroke to

accomplish marvels that would have been inconceivable just a

few years ago. (“Upload PDF to Dropbox”; “Open Scrivener le.”)

2 And yet I’ve been increasingly bemused to realize that by real-

world measures of productivity—words written, problems solved,

good ideas crystallized—my output has not only not multiplied

along with the power of my tools, it hasn’t increased one bit.

3 Not only that: I’ve had for some time the gnawing feeling that

my best ideas—the ones that really make a difference—tend

to come while I’m walking in the park, or showering after a

workout, or talking a problem through with a friend, or writing in

a notebook; i.e., almost anywhere but in front of a screen.

4 For a long time I tried to talk myself out of this. I gured that if

my computer time wasn’t maximally productive, it was because

I didn’t have the right software, or wasn’t using it right. I

tried conguring panels and preferences differently. I created

keyboard shortcuts. I downloaded apps to track time I spent

using other apps, apps to make it easier to switch between

multiple apps. Nothing changed the basic observed fact: There

was an inverse relationship between my screen time and my

productivity on a given day.

5 I started mentioning this to people. Cautiously at rst. For

someone who makes his living by putting stuff on screens, to

question the fundamental symbiotic bond of user and machine

could seem perverse, even a sort of heresy. But to my surprise,

the more I brought it up, the more I discovered I wasn’t alone.

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6 It turns out that some of the most productive and successful

people I know still write longhand.

Screenwriters write on

index cards and big rolls of paper, the way I did in elementary

school. One dictates his rst drafts out loud and has an assistant

transcribe them. Game designers and directors scribble on

whiteboards and in notebooks. And some of these people were

born after 1980.

7 For myself, I’ve found that I spend the vast majority of my

working computer time staring at the screen in a state of mind

that falls somewhere within the gray spectrum from “passive/

reactive” to “sporadically/somewhat productive,” and in which

a few minutes can stretch unnoticed into a quarter-hour, or a

couple of hours, without breaking the seamless self-delusion

that because I am at my desk, at my computer, I am therefore

working.

8 It’s so easy to move words and sentences around in Word or

Scrivener or Final Draft that it feels like writing, even if what I’m

actually doing would rate only a 2 on the scale in which 10 is

“getting an idea and writing it down.” Writing down an idea, an

actual idea, is something I can do as easily with a fty-cent ball-

point pen as with a thousand-dollar MacBook Air. Only with the

ball-point, it’s harder to fool myself. If the page stays blank, I

can see it’s blank.

9 Which is why, after years of making progressively heavier use of

more apps and more devices to do things I used to do without

any devices at all, I’ve thrown that train into reverse. I now

keep my project notes and journals in actual notebooks. I’ve

even switched to paper for my “to-do lists,” and cross off action

items literally, not guratively. It’s simpler and I get more done

this way.

10 As much as I love my tricked-out MacBook Air, I try not to

begin workdays automatically by lifting its lid, as if to say “I

have arrived at work; now tell me what to do”; just as I try not

to reach for my iPhone to ll the silence of a solitary moment.

Ideally, I want my screen sessions to begin with a conscious

choice, a clear intention of why I’m turning to that device at that

moment and what I mean to accomplish.

Longhand is writing done by hand.

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11 It’s easier said than done. The more I try, the more I realize that

what I’m actually doing is ghting an addiction. The Apple II that

rst enchanted me thirty years ago as a tool to make fun games

has evolved, one update and one upgrade at a time, into a

multi-tentacled entity so powerful that it takes an ongoing effort

of will for me not to be enslaved by it.

Used with permission.

Third party trademarks Dropbox®, Scrivener®, Word®, Final Draft®, MacBook Air®, iPhone® and Apple II® were

used in these testing materials.

Paper Calendars Endure

Despite the Digital Age

by Christopher Mele

The New York Times

December 29, 2016

1 With the year’s end comes the ritual of many households and

ofces: getting new appointment books, planners or calendars

to hang on walls or put on desks.

2 In an age of smartphones and the Internet, you might think

the days of paper calendars are numbered, but data suggest

otherwise. Not only have they survived the digital revolution, but

sales of some kinds of print calendars have increased.

3 The sales of appointment books and planners grew 10 percent

from 2014–15 to 2015–16 to $342.7 million, and decorative

and other calendars increased by 8 percent to $65 million in

that time, according to gures from the NPD Group, a consumer

research rm.

4 Personalization has helped make planners and appointment

books popular, Leen Nsouli, an analyst of the ofce supplies

industry at NPD, said in an email.

5 “The consumer can customize a planner to t his or her style

with accessories, colors and even color code events and

activities,” she wrote. “That’s not something you can do on the

standard phone calendar.”

6 Jerome Roxton, president of Tru Art Advertising Calendars

in Iowa City, Iowa, said traditional calendars remain popular

because they combine aesthetics with utility. Paper and digital

calendars can readily coexist.

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7 “What we found is it’s a question of and,” he said. “It’s not a

question of or.”

8 Bertel King Jr., in a blog post last year for Make Use Of, a

technology and productivity site, made the case for paper

calendars, noting that he was “inundated with notications,

beeps, alerts and messages.”

9 “Having to open another tab, re up another piece of software,

or launch another app to access my calendar amounts to

one more onscreen thing vying for my attention,” he wrote.

“Suddenly a paper planner starts to make sense.”

10 It may seem counterintuitive that a print product can thrive

in the digital age. But the continued success of some paper

calendars mirrors that of printed books, an industry that

several years ago was confronting what seemed like the very

real possibility that e-books would outsell the printed variety.

Instead, a Pew survey this fall found that most readers still

preferred their reading material printed on paper.

11 Still, the popularity of some calendars—desk pads and the ones

that hang on your wall—has waned.

12 The average number of printed calendars in households was

3.12 in 2011 compared with 3.98 in 1981, according to the

most recent study sponsored by the Promotional Products

Association International and the Calendar Advertising Council.

The kitchen remained the prime display location, with 75 percent

of respondents saying they had a calendar there. The average

number of printed calendars per business was 2.10, down from

2.56 in 1981, according to the study.

13 A 2008 paper from Virginia Tech, called “An Exploratory Study

of Personal Calendar Use,” predicted the march of electronic

calendars would be swift and inevitable. “With the increased

use of mobile devices, more and more calendaring tasks are

performed off the desktop computer,” it said.

14 A bright spot in the industry remains promotional calendars, like

those distributed by real estate agents, medical professionals,

car repair shops and other businesses. As a percentage of sales

of promotional products, those calendars have held steady or

increased slightly from 2012 to 2015, according to industry

gures.

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627

15 Melissa Ralston, marketing director for BIC Graphic, said in

an email that companies have found paper calendars to be an

effective advertising vehicle with a mass market appeal.

16 She said studies have found that 82 percent of recipients enjoy

getting a calendar as a complimentary gift and 70 percent plan

to do business with the company that provided the calendar.

17 As for Ms. Ralston, she practices what she preaches. She said

she has three calendars: a planner, a wall calendar and one on

her refrigerator.

and protected by the copyright laws of the United States. The printing, copying, redistribution, or retransmission of

this content without express written permission is prohibited.

Third party trademarks Tru Art Advertising Calendars®, Make Use Of® and BIC Graphic® were used in these testing

materials.

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20 Use “Why I Write Longhand” to answer the following question.

Which word best describes the overall tone of the selection “Why I

Write Longhand”?

F Playful

G Sarcastic

H Regretful

J Reective

15977

21 Use “Why I Write Longhand” to answer the following question.

In paragraph 4 of the selection “Why I Write Longhand,” the author

supports the idea that he —

A usually chooses the simplest way to accomplish tasks

B was proud of his ability to master the use of high-tech tools

C avoided facing the reality of his work habits

D is able to learn new skills and computer programs quickly

15978

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22 Use “Why I Write Longhand” to answer the following question.

In paragraph 11 of the selection “Why I Write Longhand,” why

does the author describe evolving computer tools as “a multi-

tentacled entity”?

F He embraces the need for writers to multitask.

G His addiction to computer devices has become overwhelming.

H He believes that writers must pay attention to many things at once.

J His experiences designing computer games impact the way he

views the world.

15981

23 Use “Why I Write Longhand” to answer the following question.

In the selection “Why I Write Longhand,” which word is closest in

meaning to exponentially as it is used in paragraph 1?

A Rapidly

B Silently

C Unexpectedly

D Wonderfully

15970

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24 Use “Why I Write Longhand” to answer the following question.

Read this quotation from paragraph 9 of the selection “Why I Write

Longhand.”

Which is why, after years of making progressively

heavier use of more apps and more devices to do

things I used to do without any devices at all, I’ve

thrown that train into reverse.

Why does the author use a metaphor in the quotation?

F To show his fascination with technology

G To highlight the difculty in changing his habits

H To explain his awareness that he is not alone in his use of

technology

J To express the sense of anticipation about his future

15980

25 Use “Why I Write Longhand” to answer the following question.

Based on paragraphs 5 and 6 of the selection “Why I Write

Longhand,” what can be inferred about the author’s feelings?

A He is excited about trying new writing techniques.

B He is upset that he has wasted so much time.

C He is relieved that others agree with his beliefs.

D He is confused about which methods to use in planning his writing.

15976

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26 Use “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age” to answer the

following question.

Read paragraph 6 from the article “Paper Calendars Endure

Despite the Digital Age.”

Jerome Roxton, president of Tru Art Advertising

Calendars in Iowa City, Iowa, said traditional

calendars remain popular because they combine

aesthetics with utility. Paper and digital calendars

can readily coexist.

In paragraph 6, what does the word coexist mean?

F Have multiple uses

G Have surprising results

H Be present at the same time

J Encourage creative ideas

15983

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27 Use “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age” to answer the

following question.

Read this quotation from paragraph 5 of the article “Paper

Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age.”

“The consumer can customize a planner to t his

or her style with accessories, colors and even

color code events and activities,” she wrote.

How does this quotation support the main idea of the article?

A It shows that people’s purchasing behaviors are unpredictable.

B It argues that consumers should buy a particular type of planner.

C It provides specic reasons why paper planners remain popular.

D It explains why people confuse planners with calendars.

15986

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28 Use “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age” to answer the

following question.

Which of these is the best summary of the article “Paper Calendars

Endure Despite the Digital Age”?

F The number of paper calendars found in homes has decreased

slightly over the last few decades, although calendars that promote

businesses are still used in advertising. In the last few years, sales

of planners have gone up. Most people who own printed calendars

display them in their kitchens.

G Just as people worried about the end of the printed book when

e-books became available, so too did they think paper calendars

would go out of style. Paper calendars and planners are usually

purchased at the end of the year. Some types have become more

popular, but others have not.

H Digital calendars have many uses, but they can end up being

more annoying than helpful. Paper calendars, on the other hand,

do not beep or send alerts. Desk pads and wall calendars are now

less common than they once were, but consumers still purchase

customizable planners.

J When digital calendars became widely available, many people

anticipated that paper calendars would disappear. However, while

the sales of some types of paper calendars have declined, the use

of promotional and personal calendars has increased. Many people

today use both digital and printed calendars.

15988

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29 Use “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age” to answer the

following question.

In paragraph 13 of the article “Paper Calendars Endure Despite

the Digital Age,” why does the author include a quotation from a

Virginia Tech paper?

A To prove that paper calendar use is an appropriate subject of study

B To show that some hypotheses can be wrong

C To suggest that there are problems with the research data

D To demonstrate that his thoughts on the topic of calendar use are

biased

15989

30 Use “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age” to answer the

following question.

Read this quotation from paragraph 10 of the article “Paper

Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age.”

It may seem counterintuitive that a print product

can thrive in the digital age.

Why does the author include the quotation?

F To show that he is qualied to discuss print and digital purchases

G To explain that people cannot draw conclusions about print versus

digital products

H To emphasize that he remains skeptical about the popularity of

calendars

J To indicate that the information he presents may surprise some

readers

15991

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31 Use “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age” to answer the

following question.

What conclusion can be drawn from paragraphs 14 through 16 of

the article “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age”?

A It is more protable for companies to advertise with promotional

calendars than on television.

B Promotional calendars are effective because the company’s name is

on display year round.

C It costs companies more to print and give away promotional

calendars than they gain by doing so.

D Promotional calendars have increased in popularity because other

forms of advertising have declined.

15993

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32 Use “Why I Write Longhand” and “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the

Digital Age” to answer the following question.

Read these quotations from the selection and the article.

Paper Calendars Endure Despite

Why I Write Longhand

the Digital Age

It turns out that some of the

But the continued success of

most productive and successful

some paper calendars mirrors

people I know still write longhand.

that of printed books, an industry

(paragraph 6)

that several years ago was

confronting what seemed like the

very real possibility that e-books

would outsell the printed variety.

(paragraph 10)

Both of these quotations support the idea that —

F the choice of paper over digital products depends on the age of the

consumer

G people give up easily when it is difcult to learn new skills on

electronic devices

H digital devices will likely turn out to be a short-lived fad

J in some situations people still prefer paper products to electronic

devices

15994

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33 Use “Why I Write Longhand” and “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the

Digital Age” to answer the following question.

While the article “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the Digital Age”

emphasizes economic aspects of paper versus digital products, the

selection “Why I Write Longhand” focuses on —

A presenting helpful advice to other writers

B outlining the history of both paper and digital developments

C describing the author’s personal experiences

D explaining the process of designing games using digital media

15997

34 Use “Why I Write Longhand” and “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the

Digital Age” to answer the following question.

Both the notebooks in paragraph 9 of the selection “Why I Write

Longhand” and the planners in the article “Paper Calendars Endure

Despite the Digital Age” are described as —

F simpler to use than digital devices

G useful only to certain jobs

H less expensive than computers

J more difcult to nd now than in the past

15996

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35 Use “Why I Write Longhand” and “Paper Calendars Endure Despite the

Digital Age” to answer the following question.

Read this quotation from paragraph 4 of the selection “Why I Write

Longhand.”

There was an inverse relationship between my

screen time and my productivity on a given day.

Which quotation from the article “Paper Calendars Endure Despite

the Digital Age” expresses a similar idea?

A Jerome Roxton, president of Tru Art Advertising Calendars in Iowa

City, Iowa, said traditional calendars remain popular because they

combine aesthetics with utility. (paragraph 6)

B “Having to open another tab, re up another piece of software, or

launch another app to access my calendar amounts to one more

onscreen thing vying for my attention,” he wrote. (paragraph 9)

C The kitchen remained the prime display location, with 75 percent of

respondents saying they had a calendar there. (paragraph 12)

D A 2008 paper from Virginia Tech, called “An Exploratory Study of

Personal Calendar Use,” predicted the march of electronic calendars

would be swift and inevitable. (paragraph 13)

15995

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Page 44

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Form 001

Read the selection and choose the best answer to each

question. Then ll in the answer on your answer document.

Forest Bathing

by Allison Aubrey

National Public Radio, Inc.

July 17, 2017

1 When my editors asked me to report on forest bathing, I packed

a swimsuit. I assumed it must involve a dip in the water.

2 It turns out, my interpretation was too literal.

3 I met certied Forest Therapy guide Melanie Choukas-Bradley

and several other women who’d come along for the adventure at

the footbridge to Theodore Roosevelt Island, a dense jungle of

an urban forest along the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.

4 Here, I began to get it. Forest bathing isn’t a bath. We sat on

the banks of the river, but we did not get in the water.

5 It’s not a hike, either. We did walk the forest trails, but we

meandered with no particular destination in mind.

6 The aim of forest bathing, Choukas-Bradley explained, is to slow

down and become immersed in the natural environment. She

helped us tune in to the smells, textures, tastes and sights of

the forest. We took in our surroundings by using all our senses.

7 As we passed through a stand of pawpaw trees, we touched

the bark. We smelled the black walnuts, which give off a lovely

citrus fragrance. We got a little shower of ripe mulberries, too.

8 “Close your eyes and just breathe, just breathe,” Choukas-

Bradley intoned. It felt a bit like a meditation retreat.

9 It took me a few minutes to clear out the clutter in my brain,

and tune in to the natural world.

10 “When you open your eyes, imagine you’re seeing the world for

the very rst time,” Choukas-Bradley told us.

11 After I opened my eyes, the green looked a lot greener. And I

began to see things I hadn’t noticed before: the utter of birds,

the ripple of the water, the swaying of trees.

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12 A forest guide “helps you be here, not there,” says Amos

Clifford, a former wilderness guide with a master’s degree in

counseling, and the founder of the Association of Nature &

Forest Therapy, the organization that certies the guides.

13 Clifford’s goal is to encourage health care providers to

incorporate forest therapy as a stress-reduction strategy. There’s

no question that stress takes a terrible toll in the United States;

a 2015 study found work-related stress accounts for up to $190

billion in health care costs each year.

14 “It’s my hope that the health care system will include [forest

therapy] into the range of services they reimburse for,” Clifford

says.

15 The practice began in Japan. Back in the early 1990s the

Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries coined

the term Shinrin-yoku—which translates roughly as forest

bathing.

16 Now, forest bathing is starting to take off in the U.S. The

Association of Nature & Forest Therapy plans to train and certify

about 250 new guides next year. “We’re aiming to have 1,000

trained guides within three years,” Clifford says.

17 There’s a growing body of evidence that the practice can help

boost immunity and mood and help reduce stress. “Medical

researchers in Japan have studied forest bathing and have

demonstrated several benets to our health,” says Philip Barr,

a physician who specializes in integrative medicine at Duke

University.

18 One study published in 2011 compared the effects of walking in

the city to taking a forest walk. Both activities required the same

amount of physical activity, but researchers found that the forest

environment led to more signicant reductions in blood pressure

and certain stress hormones.

19 On average, the forest walkers—who ranged in age from 36 to

77—saw a reduction in their systolic blood pressure from

141 mmHg down to 134 mmHg after four hours in the forest.

20 This might not sound like a big difference, but it can be clinically

signicant. Most doctors these days agree that people younger

than 60 should aim to keep their blood pressure under 140.

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21 “I’m very impressed with the primary research done in Japan,”

Barr says. He thinks many patients could benet from forest

bathing, especially those who are under stress.

22 “Forest bathing could be considered a form of medicine,” Barr

says. “And the benets of nature can be accessed so simply.”

23 It’s not a big surprise that researchers were able to document

a decrease in blood pressure among forest bathers. As people

begin to relax, parasympathetic nerve activity increases—which

can lead to a drop in blood pressure.

24 There’s another factor that might help explain the decline in

blood pressure: Trees release compounds into the forest air

that some researchers think could be benecial for people.

Some of the compounds are very distinctive, such as the scent

of cedar. Back in 2009, Japanese scientists published a small

study that found inhaling these tree-derived compounds—known

as phytoncides—reduced concentrations of stress hormones in

men and women and enhanced the activity of white-blood cells

known as natural killer cells.

25 Another study found inhalation of cedar wood oils led to a small

reduction in blood pressure. These are preliminary studies, but

scientists speculate that the exposure to these tree compounds

might enhance the other benets of the forest.

26 The idea that spending time in nature is good for our health

is not new. Most of human evolutionary history was spent in

environments that lack buildings and walls. Our bodies have

adapted to living in the natural world.

27 But today most of us spend much of our life indoors, or at least

tethered to devices. Perhaps the new forest bathing trend is a

recognition that many of us need a little nudge to get back out

there.

Mood” by Allison Aubrey as originally published on npr.org on July 17, 2017, and is used with the permission of NPR.

Any unauthorized duplication is strictly prohibited.

511

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36 In paragraph 5, what does the word meandered mean?

F Gathered occasionally

G Roamed aimlessly

H Traveled frequently

J Stopped abruptly

15135

37 In paragraphs 8 through 12, what key idea is supported by the details

of a forest bathing experience?

A Forest guides support and assist with this process.

B It is necessary to breathe deeply to achieve a state of relaxation.

C The process of forest bathing is more effective than meditating.

D The colors and sights of the forest change when forest bathing.

15138

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38 Which quotation from the article shows that forest bathing could have

valuable effects?

F It took me a few minutes to clear out the clutter in my brain, and

tune in to the natural world. (paragraph 9)

G The Association of Nature & Forest Therapy plans to train and

certify about 250 new guides next year. (paragraph 16)

H There’s a growing body of evidence that the practice can help boost

immunity and mood and help reduce stress. (paragraph 17)

J Most doctors these days agree that people younger than 60 should

aim to keep their blood pressure under 140. (paragraph 20)

15139

39 How is the article “Forest Bathing” organized to develop the thesis?

A By presenting a personal experience with forest bathing and

reporting on studies that support the reasons for the effectiveness

of that experience

B By explaining why people, from participants to practice providers,

support further research to conrm the importance of forest

bathing

C By providing the reader with step-by-step instructions on how to

achieve the objectives of forest bathing

D By describing how the practice of forest bathing began and has

expanded to new areas in hopes that its results can be repeated

and conrmed

15143

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40 Which quotation best supports the thesis of the article?

F “When you open your eyes, imagine you’re seeing the world for the

very rst time,” Choukas-Bradley told us. (paragraph 10)

G “It’s my hope that the health care system will include [forest

therapy] into the range of services they reimburse for,” Clifford

says. (paragraph 14)

H “Medical researchers in Japan have studied forest bathing and have

demonstrated several benets to our health,” says Philip Barr. . . .

(paragraph 17)

J “I’m very impressed with the primary research done in Japan,” Barr

says. (paragraph 21)

15142

41 What is the most likely reason the author presents paragraphs 6

through 11 chronologically?

A To elaborate on the skills that are developed through the

experience of forest bathing

B To explain the ways forest bathing can be useful

C To provide reasons that forest bathing is essential

D To illustrate the process of forest bathing and how the author’s view

of it evolves

15146

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42 What is the most likely reason the author wrote this article?

F To emphasize the need for frequent forest bathing

G To describe the positive effects of forest bathing

H To explain the history of forest bathing

J To persuade people to try forest bathing

15144

43 Who is most likely the intended audience for this article?

A People seeking stress-relieving practices

B Physicians who treat high blood pressure

C Outdoor athletes who enjoy nature

D Wilderness guides with degrees in counseling

15145

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44 What is the best summary of paragraphs 18 through 23?

F Many doctors agree that young people should keep their blood

pressure lower than 140. A study showed that people who walk in

the forest are healthier than those who walk in the city.

G Research shows that there are health benets associated with

forest bathing. Walking in a forest can help reduce blood pressure

and stress hormones. People who have signicant stress in their

lives may especially benet from forest bathing.

H Philip Barr, a doctor at Duke University, notes that research

conducted in Japan shows that forest bathing can improve one’s

health. One study that focused on ways forest bathing is benecial

looked at walking in the forest compared to walking in a city.

J Research suggests that forest bathing can lower blood pressure,

reduce stress hormones, and help people relax more. Medical

researchers in Japan have conducted these studies.

15141

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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each

question. Then ll in the answer on your answer document.

Shoe Store

by Raymond Souster

A good thirty years since I stood in this store,

shy boy of fteen become forty-ve.

Nothing’s changed much, except the front

is a shoe store complete with fancy mirrors,

5 theatre folding seats, usual boxes piled

rack after rack to the ceiling.

The shoe repair’s well to the rear,

separately walled off: in the old days

it was all shoe-making—whirling belts,

10 gleaming stitchers.

One thing that hasn’t changed

is the shoemaker, no more bald

than he was then, stooped a little more

in the shoulders perhaps as he bends

15 over a buffer, working a pair of pumps

back and forth with complete absorption,

all the long years of skill centred

at the ends of his ngers, while I stand here quietly

(not wanting to break the spell I’ve somehow started)

20 for minutes before he notices me and nods.

Polish immigrant before the War, hardly able

to mouth an English word, he felt alien and lost

among us. All the strength in his body,

all his cunning, put to the service of his child,

25 beautiful girl I can scarcely remember,

early a piano virtuoso

Well, he’s prospered,

no longer lives above the store. I wonder

if his wife’s still alive, if all goes well

30 with his daughter.

But he wouldn’t remember me,

so why bother? Why not leave it all

mercifully unknown?

I asked him simply,

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509

35 “Can you stitch this up for tomorrow?”

and he answers, “Sure.”

I don’t ask for a ticket

and he doesn’t offer one. I walk out slowly

between his mirrors, his shoe boxes,

40 close the door on thirty years gone forever.

“Shoe Store” is reproduced from Collected Poems of Raymond Souster by permission of Oberon Press

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45 What is the meaning of virtuoso in line 26?

A A popular student

B A good person

C A skilled performer

D A young teacher

15104

46 How does the poet’s use of sensory language in lines 4 through 6 help

develop the idea of change over time?

F By indicating that the shoe store is no longer as simple as it once

was

G By emphasizing that the shoe store cannot keep up with modern

trends

H By suggesting that the shoe store is visited by several customers

J By showing that the shoe store is too cluttered for business

15116

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47 What do the parentheses in line 19 help the reader understand?

A The speaker’s relationship to the shoemaker

B The speaker’s internal monologue

C The speaker’s feelings about the shoemaker

D The speaker’s main conict

15114

48 Which event in the poem most directly contributes to the theme that

the past cannot be revisited?

F The changes to the shoe-repair section

G The shoemaker’s success

H The speaker’s memory of the shoemaker’s daughter

J The closing of the door

15110

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49 What do the indentations throughout the poem help to convey?

A The speaker’s current thoughts and interactions with the

shoemaker

B The speaker’s desire to know more about the shoemaker’s life

C The speaker’s reason for hesitating to interrupt the shoemaker

D The speaker’s opinion about the shoemaker’s additions to the store

15113

50 Which lines from the poem best show the effects of the shoemaker’s

efforts over time?

F Nothing’s changed much, except the front/is a shoe store complete

with fancy mirrors, (lines 3–4)

G no more bald/than he was then, (lines 12–13)

H working a pair of pumps/back and forth with complete absorption,

(lines 15–16)

J Well, he’s prospered,/no longer lives above the store. (lines 27–28)

15107

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51 How does the poet’s word choice in lines 1 and 2 contribute to the

mood of the poem?

A By suggesting a sense of regret

B By creating a feeling of gloom

C By establishing a sense of reection

D By highlighting an indifferent attitude

15118

52 How does the setting of the shoe store contribute to a main theme of

the poem?

F By establishing a mood of condence

G By emphasizing the insecurities of the speaker

H By showing that change is inevitable

J By causing the speaker to eventually leave

15112

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Form 001

53 Read this excerpt from lines 37 and 38 from the poem.

I don’t ask for a ticket

and he doesn’t offer one.

What can the reader infer about the speaker based on the excerpt

from these lines?

A The speaker trusts the shoemaker to repair his shoe.

B The speaker is confused why the shoemaker does not offer him a

ticket.

C The speaker thinks it would be insulting to ask for a ticket.

D The speaker understands that his shoe is not difcult to repair.

15105

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BE SURE YOU HAVE RECORDED ALL OF YOUR ANSWERS

ON THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.

Form 001

STAAR

English I

April 2022

STAAR

English I

April 2022