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STAAR - G4 2017 Test Read F

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
587 views36 pages

STAAR - G4 2017 Test Read F

Uploaded by

smadri10
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 36

STAAR

State of Texas
Assessments of
Academic Readiness

GRADE 4
Reading

Administered May 2017

RELEASED

Copyright © 2017, Texas Education Agency. All rights reserved. Reproduction of all or portions of this work is prohibited without express
written permission from the Texas Education Agency.
READING

Reading
Page 1
Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Then fill in the answer on your answer document.

A Caterpillar’s Tale
by Christine Allison

1 A caterpillar had crawled up on a twig. It looked the twig over,


then fastened itself tightly to it by its hind legs and began twisting
itself and moving its head up and down. Every time the caterpillar’s
head moved, it left behind something that looked like a glistening
thread of silk.

2 An ant crawling nearby stopped and looked in wonder. “What in


the world are you doing?”

3 “I’m making a house,” the caterpillar said, as it paused to rest for


a moment.

4 A bee that had lighted close by began to buzz with laughter. “Will
you tell me, if you please, what sort of house that is?” he cried.

Reading
Page 2
5 “The only sort of house I know how to make,” the caterpillar
answered humbly.

6 “I never heard of anything so absurd. Why don’t you hunt about


and find a hollow tree or a good hive and live in that? Then you would
be safe.”

7 “Or you might find a hole under a stone,” said the ant. “That’s a
very good place.”

8 The caterpillar shook its head, then it set to work again.

9 The bee and ant went on their way. “A poor sort of house indeed,”
each one thought.

10 Up and down the caterpillar’s head moved, weaving and weaving.


Now the silk was like a thin, silvery veil. Through the veil you could
still faintly see the caterpillar moving.

11 At last the veil grew so thick that you could only guess that the
caterpillar might still be at work inside. The bee came by that way
again and stopped to look at the little house. Then it flew down to the
anthill. “Miss Ant, come out here,” it buzzed. “I’ve such a joke to tell
you! That caterpillar we were watching has finished its house and has
forgotten to leave any door.”

12 “That’s too bad,” said the ant. “I’m afraid it will starve.”

13 But the caterpillar did not die. It was not even hungry. It was fast
asleep in its little cocoon house, knowing not whether the sun shone
or the rain beat down. It was snug and dark inside.

14 Many days and nights passed, and at last what had once been the
caterpillar began to stir and wake. “How strange I feel!” said the thing
to itself. “I must have light and air!”

15 One end of the cocoon was very soft and loose, and through this
end what was once the caterpillar pushed its way out. How weak it
felt! Fastened to it on each side were two crumpled wet things, which
it began to move feebly up and down. As it moved them it felt its
strength returning and the crumpled things began to spread and dry.
Broader and broader they spread until they were strong, velvety
wings, two on each side. They were a lovely soft brown color, with a
pinkish border along the edges. In the middle of each of the lower
wings was a glistening spot, like the “eye” on a peacock’s feather.

Reading
Page 3
16 This thing was no caterpillar. It was a beautiful winged moth.
Presently it spread its wings and floated softly down to earth. It did
not fly far, for it had not its full strength yet. As it happened, it
alighted on the anthill, where the ant was busy hunting for food. It
stopped its work to stare with awe at the wonderful stranger. “You
beautiful thing,” said the ant, “where did you come from?”

17 “Don’t you remember the caterpillar that made its house on the
twig above?”

18 “Oh, yes, poor thing, it must have died long ago.”

19 “I am that caterpillar,” said the moth gently, as the ant looked at


it in wonder.

20 Just then the bee who had laughed at the caterpillar’s house
buzzed by and heard the news. “Well, well!” it said. “So that was
what you were about—growing wings in your strange house!”

21 The moth stirred itself and said, “Now I must go and find a
shelter under a rock or in some hollow tree until the sun goes down.
But tonight—ah, tonight! I shall come out to fly wherever I like!” And
it waved its great wings and flew softly out of sight.

22 The ant and bee sat looking after it. “And to think,” cried the bee,
“that I didn’t understand what the caterpillar was doing! I suppose
everyone knows his own business best.”

From 365 BEDTIME STORIES: FAIRY TALES, MYTHS, FOLKTALES, FUNNY STORIES, COMFORTING STORIES, HEROIC
STORIES, AND MORE by Christine Allison, drawings by Victoria Roberts, copyright © 1998 by Christine Allison and John
Boswell Management, Inc. Used by permission of Broadway Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Reading
Page 4
1 The caterpillar’s actions while building its cocoon support the idea that it is —

A too impatient to argue with the ant and the bee

B confused by the questions the ant and the bee are asking

C unconcerned about what the ant and the bee think about its house

D afraid to show the ant and the bee the best way to make a house

2 Which sentence does the author use to suggest that the caterpillar has
experienced an important change?

F Up and down the caterpillar’s head moved, weaving and weaving.

G At last the veil grew so thick that you could only guess that the caterpillar
might still be at work inside.

H But the caterpillar did not die.

J Many days and nights passed, and at last what had once been the caterpillar
began to stir and wake.

3 Which of the following is the best summary of paragraphs 1 through 9?

A An ant and a bee see a caterpillar making a house. Both of them talk to the
caterpillar while it works to finish its task the only way it knows how.

B A caterpillar is making a house out of something like silk on a twig. The house
is called a cocoon, and it takes a long time to make.

C A caterpillar is making a house for itself. An ant and a bee suggest better
places for the caterpillar to live, but the caterpillar continues with its task.

D An ant and a bee watch a caterpillar making a house. They think the caterpillar
is having trouble, so they suggest different places for it to live.

Reading
Page 5
4 In paragraph 6, the word absurd means —

F silly

G messy

H difficult

J gloomy

5 Which sentence from the story shows that the caterpillar is successful at building
a good house for itself?

A Every time the caterpillar’s head moved, it left behind something that looked
like a glistening thread of silk.

B Through the veil you could still faintly see the caterpillar moving.

C The bee came by that way again and stopped to look at the little house.

D It was fast asleep in its little cocoon house, knowing not whether the sun
shone or the rain beat down.

6 The author includes sensory language and vivid details in paragraph 15 to


illustrate how —

F quickly moths can move

G beautiful the caterpillar has become

H strong a cocoon can be

J perfectly the caterpillar has built the cocoon

Reading
Page 6
Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Then fill in the answer on your answer document.

Roald Dahl
1 British author Roald Dahl wrote many books. Several have become
classics. Kids still read James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory, The BFG, and Matilda. While Dahl may be best
known as an author of famous children’s books, he also had an
interesting life unrelated to his writing.

2 Adventure wasn’t something Dahl just wrote about in his books. He


loved adventure and looked for it in his own life. Before he started
writing, he traveled to other countries, flew fighter planes, and
worked as a spy.

3 Dahl was born in 1916 in Wales, a country that is part of the United
Kingdom. Dahl’s parents named him after one of their heroes, Roald
Amundsen. Amundsen enjoyed adventure, too. He led a trip to the
South Pole a few years before Roald Dahl was born.

© razorpix/Alamy

Two of Roald Dahl’s Most Popular Children’s Books

4 When Dahl was four years old, his father died. His mother thought of
moving but decided to stay in Wales. She valued education and
wanted Dahl to be a good student. She thought it would be best for
him to attend a boarding school1 in England.

1A boarding school is a school where students live during the school year while taking classes.

Reading
Page 7
5 While attending boarding school, Dahl missed his mother and hated
the endless rules. Although he did not like his new school, he did find
a few things to enjoy. He realized he was great at sports, and he also
developed a love of photography. After graduation Dahl decided to get
a job instead of going to college. He worked at the Shell Oil Company
and learned new skills. Then the company sent him to East Africa.
Dahl soon learned that Africa had many new things to see. Finally, at
the age of 18, he was having an adventure!

6 After World War II began, Dahl joined the Royal Air


Force. He wanted to be a fighter pilot for Great Britain.
There was a problem, though: Dahl was very
tall—six-and-a-half feet tall. The windscreen on the
fighter plane was lower than Dahl’s head. It was difficult
for Dahl to breathe with the wind blowing in his face. He
wore goggles to protect his eyes, but he still had to
bend down to take deep breaths every few seconds.
This did not stop him from doing what he wanted,
though. Dahl tied a thin cotton scarf around his nose
and mouth so that he could breathe. Flying came
naturally to Dahl, so after several months of training
with the Royal Air Force, he was ready to go to battle.

7 In 1940, Dahl received instructions to fly to a spot in


the North African desert. He looked and looked for the

© Bettmann/CORBIS
landing strip but could not find it. With the plane
Roald Dahl
running out of fuel, Dahl made a risky decision to land
in Uniform,
the plane in the desert sand. Although he was terribly 1941
hurt, he managed to crawl away. Dahl’s recovery took
months. Among other things, the crash left him temporarily blind.
However, his sight did return, and his body healed. After Dahl was
once again fit for duty, he flew in many air battles.

8 Later the British government found a new way for Dahl to help his
country. Dahl was asked to work as a spy. In his new role Dahl would
gather information to help the British war effort.

9 While working as a spy, Dahl began to write. Most of his writings were
short stories for adults. He wrote spooky stories that often startled
readers. The mystery stories were quite popular. He began to write
children’s stories when he became a father. The first two novels,
James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,
began as bedtime stories he shared with his daughters. The books
quickly became best sellers. Dahl was able to combine childhood

Reading
Page 8
mischief, suspense, and humor in a way that appealed to children.
Although Dahl died in 1990, his books live on and are enjoyed by
many children and adults today.

Roald Dahl, 1974 (photo)/Private Collection/Photo © Mark Gerson/


The Bridgeman Art Library
Roald Dahl, 1974

Reading
Page 9
7 How was Dahl’s career at the oil company similar to his military career?

A Both careers gave Dahl experience as a spy.

B Both careers put Dahl in dangerous situations.

C Both careers required Dahl to have excellent writing skills.

D Both careers presented Dahl with opportunities to learn new skills.

8 In paragraph 5, the word endless means —

F nearing the end

G able to end

H without end

J after the end

9 The author included the information about Dahl becoming a father to explain —

A what types of stories Dahl most enjoyed writing

B how Dahl’s children helped him improve his stories

C when Dahl decided to become a writer

D why Dahl was inspired to write children’s literature

Reading
Page 10
10 The photographs of two of Dahl’s books after paragraph 3 are included most likely
to —

F suggest that they were the first stories written by Dahl

G encourage the reader to buy the books that Dahl wrote for his daughters

H show which books Dahl wrote while he was a spy

J show examples of Dahl’s books that the reader may recognize

11 The author organizes the selection by —

A listing Dahl’s accomplishments as a writer

B comparing Dahl’s life as a fighter pilot to his life as a writer

C describing Dahl’s life from his childhood through his adulthood

D explaining how Dahl’s job at the Shell Oil Company led to new discoveries

12 Which sentence from the selection best shows that Dahl was a daring person?

F While Dahl may be best known as an author of famous children’s books, he


also had an interesting life unrelated to his writing.

G Before he started writing, he traveled to other countries, flew fighter planes,


and worked as a spy.

H Dahl soon learned that Africa had many new things to see.

J The mystery stories were quite popular.

Reading
Page 11
Read the next two selections. Then choose the best answer to
each question.

Ricochet: The Dog Who Surfs to


Raise Funds
1 A dog on a surfboard is something you might enjoy seeing in a funny
video. But would you believe that a real surfing dog could help raise
money for those in need? A golden retriever named Ricochet is using
her special talents to do just that.

2 Ricochet’s trainer started coaching her to become a service dog when


she was a puppy. Ricochet did well at many tasks during training. She
learned how to turn on lights, tug open doors, and do other jobs.
These skills would help her to assist a person with special needs.
However, Ricochet had a bad habit that caused her to fail service dog
training. She liked to chase birds. While this energetic activity might
seem cute, it made Ricochet unfit to assist a person with special
needs.

Surfing for a Cause

3 Judy Fridono, the dog’s trainer, concentrated on Ricochet’s positive


qualities. Like most retrievers, Ricochet loved water, so Fridono took
her to the beach. Ricochet quickly became good at surfing. Her talent
got people’s attention. Fridono decided that instead of being a service
dog, Ricochet would become a “SURFice” dog. The idea was that
Ricochet could use her surfing talent to raise money to help people.

4 Ricochet’s first fund-raiser was in 2009. She starred at a benefit to


help a teenager named Patrick. Patrick was unable to walk, but he
had always dreamed of surfing. At the benefit, Patrick and Ricochet
were supposed to use their own surfboards. Ricochet decided to hop
on Patrick’s board, however. They surfed together, and thrilled
spectators donated more than $10,000. The money helped pay for
Patrick’s physical therapy and his own service dog.

Reading
Page 12
5 Encouraged by this event, Fridono started the organization Surfin’ for
Paws-abilities. Ricochet now travels to different locations and surfs at
events to raise money for the organization that helps people in need.

© AP Images/Lenny Ignelzi
Ricochet surfs with Patrick at a fund-raising event
in 2009.

A Talented Fund-Raiser

6 Ricochet also raises funds and awareness for many causes that help
both people and animals. She’s surfed to earn money to buy pet
oxygen masks for fire departments. She’s surfed at fund-raisers to
help fight human and animal cancer. She’s even shown off her surfing
skills to raise money to buy teddy bears for children in hospitals and
people in nursing homes. It should not be surprising that she has also
surfed to raise money to supply food for animal shelters.

7 As of 2012, this amazing dog has raised $250,000 to help those in


need.

Reading
Page 13
Confetti, the Helpful Horse
1 Dogs have been used as guides for a long time. They are the most
common type of guide animal. Many people who are blind rely on a
dog to help with daily activities. Cheryl Spencer used to depend on a
guide dog named Delta to help her. When Delta became unable to
work, Spencer learned that some people use miniature horses as
guides. At first, Spencer thought this idea was silly. But after learning
more, she started looking for a guide horse.

2 First Spencer found someone who could train a guide horse. Then she
set about finding just the right horse. In 2002 she e-mailed all the
nearby miniature-horse farms looking for a horse, 26 inches tall at
most, to be trained as her guide. She received an e-mail from a horse
breeder named Barbara McDermott saying that the only horse
McDermott had that might work was her favorite, Confetti, who was
27 inches tall. McDermott wasn’t willing to give Confetti away at first,
but Spencer was persistent. After Spencer explained her situation to
McDermott, she asked to meet Confetti. A few days later Spencer, her
husband, and her horse trainer visited McDermott’s ranch.

3 When Spencer first met Confetti, she immediately knew the horse
would be perfect for her. The trainer also thought Confetti would be a
good guide. Even McDermott could see that Spencer was already
quite fond of the horse. She agreed to allow Confetti to become
Spencer’s full-time guide.
© Courtesy of Cookie Serletic

Confetti

4 Weighing 150 pounds, Confetti is the size of an extremely large dog.


She goes everywhere a guide dog would. She even has a “horsey
door” so she can go in and out of the house when she wants. Confetti

Reading
Page 14
sleeps in Spencer’s closet and eats in the laundry room. When
Spencer and her husband eat at a restaurant, Confetti goes with
them. Confetti has flown to Boston and has even been to Walt Disney
World®!

5 Confetti is only the third horse to be used as a guide animal in the


United States. As guides, miniature horses have some advantages
over dogs. Most guide dogs can work for only 8 to 10 years, but a
horse can work for up to 30 years. These horses have excellent
vision, are quick learners, and are gentle and smart. These qualities
make them good guide animals and great helpers for people like
Spencer.

Third party trademark Walt Disney World® was used in these testing materials.

Reading
Page 15
Use “Ricochet: The Dog Who Surfs to Raise Funds” (pp. 12–13) to answer
questions 13–16. Then fill in the answers on your answer document.

13 What prevented Ricochet from becoming a service animal?

A She was distracted by birds.

B She had to get on a surfboard.

C She had to learn how to open doors.

D She received too much attention from people.

14 The author wrote this article most likely to —

F convince the reader to support the work that dogs do for others

G inform the reader about the special work of an unusual dog

H explain to the reader how a dog becomes a service animal

J teach the reader how to train dogs to surf

Reading
Page 16
15 What information is included in the section titled “A Talented Fund-Raiser”?

A Some of the causes that Ricochet has helped

B A description of how Ricochet learned to surf

C An explanation of why Ricochet could not be a service dog

D A story about the first time Ricochet surfed to raise money

16 What is the best summary of the article?

F Ricochet can surf very well. She helps many people and animals who are in
need. She has helped buy pet oxygen masks for fire departments. She has
also helped raise money for teddy bears for children in hospitals and people in
nursing homes.

G Many people have watched Ricochet surf. The first time the dog surfed for a
cause, she hopped on the back of a boy’s surfboard. People were amazed.
Because of this, they gave money for the boy to get his own service dog.

H Ricochet helps people and animals by participating in fund-raising events. She


helps out by surfing, even though she is a dog. The first person she helped
was a boy named Patrick who had always dreamed of surfing even though he
could not walk.

J Ricochet was training to be a service dog but did not qualify. Instead, she
learned to surf, and her trainer realized that she could help others with this
unusual skill. Today, Ricochet surfs for an organization that raises money for
different causes.

Reading
Page 17
Use “Confetti, the Helpful Horse” (pp. 14–15) to answer questions 17–20.
Then fill in the answers on your answer document.

17 Read the dictionary entry for the word common.

ı
common \ kä-mən\ adjective
1. shared by people or groups
2. regularly seen or used
3. expected actions or behavior
4. not having wealth or privilege

Which definition best matches the way common is used in paragraph 1?

A Definition 1

B Definition 2

C Definition 3

D Definition 4

18 The reader can conclude that McDermott most likely —

F thinks horses are better guide animals than dogs

G enjoys helping others find guide animals to help them

H believed Confetti needed more training to help Spencer

J misses Confetti but is happy that the horse can help Spencer

Reading
Page 18
19 The author included paragraph 4 of the selection to —

A explain what Confetti does when she is not working

B demonstrate that Confetti is a friendly guide horse

C describe what Confetti’s life is like with Spencer

D show that Confetti is able to take care of herself

20 What is the main idea of the selection?

F Spencer spent a long time trying to find a guide horse to help her.

G Confetti is a miniature horse that has become a wonderful guide animal.

H Guide horses must be trained before they can help people with special needs.

J Confetti is a lot like a dog and can go anywhere a guide dog can go.

Reading
Page 19
Use “Ricochet: The Dog Who Surfs to Raise Funds” and “Confetti, the
Helpful Horse” to answer questions 21–24. Then fill in the answers on your
answer document.

21 One difference between Ricochet and Confetti is that Ricochet —

A helps a person with special needs

B has an owner who cares about her

C was unsuccessful at becoming a guide animal

D had to learn to do something before helping others

22 Both selections express the importance of —

F making animals famous

G making new friends

H teaching about animals

J caring for those in need

Reading
Page 20
23 Which sentence best describes a difference between Ricochet and Confetti?

A Ricochet required training, but Confetti did not.

B Ricochet helps many people, but Confetti helps one person.

C Ricochet spends time outdoors, but Confetti works indoors.

D Ricochet does not notice other animals, but Confetti does.

24 What is one difference between the animals featured in the two selections?

F Ricochet was able to stay with her owner, but Confetti had to leave her owner
in order to do her job.

G Ricochet’s duties are typical for a service animal, but Confetti performs tasks
that are not usually done by an animal.

H Ricochet’s owner believed she would make a good guide animal, but Confetti’s
owner worried that she would not make a good guide animal.

J Ricochet must stay at home with her trainer, but Confetti travels as part of her
job.

Reading
Page 21
Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Then fill in the answer on your answer document.

Lengths of Time
by Phyllis McGinley

Time is peculiar
And hardly exact.
Though minutes are minutes,
You’ll find for a fact
5 (As the older you get
And the bigger you grow)
That time can
Hurrylikethis
Or plod, plod, slow.

10 Waiting for your dinner when you’re hungry?


Down with the sniffles in your bed?
Notice how an hour crawls along and crawls along
Like a snail with his house upon his head.

But when you are starting


15 A game in the park,
It’s morning,
It’s noon,
And suddenly it’s dark.
And hours like seconds
20 Rush blurringly by,
Whoosh!
Like a plane in the sky.

Copyright © 1965, 1966 by Phyllis McGinley. Copyright renewed © 1993, 1994 by Patricia Blake. First
appeared in Wonderful Time, published by J. B. Lippincott. Reprinted by permission of Curtis Brown,
Ltd.

Reading
Page 22
25 Read line 8 from the poem.

Hurrylikethis

The lack of spaces between the words creates a sense of —

A mystery

B feeling rushed

C happiness

D feeling surprised

26 What is the message of this poem?

F Time moves at the same pace no matter what is happening.

G Time seems to pass more quickly in the morning than in the evening.

H The passage of time is usually noticed more by older people than by younger
people.

J Time seems to pass at different speeds depending on what we are doing.

27 How is line 21 important to the poem?

A It shows that the speaker is confused.

B It shows that the speaker has to leave.

C It suggests that the speaker is having fun.

D It uses a sound to describe the speaker’s experience.

Reading
Page 23
28 In line 1 of the poem, what does the word peculiar mean?

F Strange

G Certain

H Sensible

J Cautious

29 Read line 12 from the poem.

Notice how an hour crawls along and crawls along

Which of these does the poet use in line 12 to help the reader understand that time
seems to pass slowly?

A Repetition

B Meter

C A line break

D Rhyme

30 The first stanza is important to the poem because it —

F describes an experience the speaker enjoys

G introduces the subject of the poem

H identifies the setting of the poem

J reveals the speaker’s feelings

Reading
Page 24
Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Then fill in the answer on your answer document.

Papel Picado
1 Papel picado is a beautiful and delicate form of paper art. This art
form began in Mexico, possibly as early as the sixteenth century.
However, the thin tissue paper used to make the designs did not
come from Mexico but from China. This paper was first introduced to
Mexico when items shipped from China were wrapped in it to protect
them from breaking. People living in Mexico soon had a lot of this
tissue paper, and they began using it to make decorations. The paper
art continues to be popular to this day.

© iStockphoto.com/Graffizone

Papel Picado Banners

What Does Papel Picado Mean?

2 In Spanish, papel means “paper,” and picado means “punched.” It is


clear that papel picado is a fitting name for this art form. After all, it
is created by cutting, pressing, or punching designs into layers of
tissue paper. The designs reflect the values and traditions of the
Mexican people. They include images of people, animals, flowers,
lettering, and any design that has special meaning to the artist.

Reading
Page 25
How Is Papel Picado Made?

3 To make papel picado, artists first draw the pattern for the art. Next
they stack thin sheets of colorful tissue paper in a pile and lay them
on a hard surface. Depending on the project, as few as five sheets or
as many as 50 or more sheets may be used. Stacking many sheets of
paper allows the artists to create the same pattern on all the sheets
at the same time. Once the paper is stacked, the pattern is placed on
top of the stack of tissue paper to help the artists make the design.

4 The artists then use sharp chisels to cut through the


layers of tissue paper. After they cut the desired
shapes in the paper, the artists carefully remove the
cutout pieces. The punched-out spaces that remain in
the tissue paper create the beautiful designs.

How Is Papel Picado Used Today?

5 People today often string separate sheets of tissue


paper together into long, colorful banners. Then the
art is hung in windows and across doorways or

© Danita Delimont/Alamy
narrow streets. Papel picado banners are used as
decorations at celebrations and during special Special tools
holidays. The banners may be displayed at weddings, are used to cut
designs into the
birthday parties, and other festive events. The colors
paper.
and designs are chosen especially for the occasion.
On a papel picado wedding banner, for example, hearts and the
names of the bride and groom may be part of the design.

6 As with other forms of art, people would like to preserve the delicate
tissue cuttings and enjoy them for years. However, because the tissue
paper is very delicate, it tears easily. If papel picado is displayed
outside, the tissue will fade, crumble, and fall apart. In order to
create art that will last longer, some papel picado artists have started
using thicker paper, coated paper, sheets of metal, or sheets of
plastic. No matter what material is used, people will continue to
appreciate displays of papel picado.

Reading
Page 26
An Easy Way to Make Your Own Papel Picado

1. Gather the materials you will need.


• Several sheets of tissue paper
• Scissors
• String
• White glue

2. Stack a few sheets of paper and fold them in


half vertically. Then fold the stack vertically
two more times.

3. To make the design, cut shapes into three sides of the


folded tissue paper (two long sides and one short side).
Leave some space between each cutout shape.

4. Open the tissue paper carefully and flatten.

5. Place the flattened sheets of tissue paper on a flat surface. The


straight edge of each panel should be at the top.

6. Make a thin line of glue 1 inch from the top. Lay a piece of string
2
on the glue. Leave some extra string at each end so you can hang
1
the banner when it is finished. Fold the top inch of tissue
2
paper over the string. Press firmly and allow the glue to dry.

7. Now your very own papel picado banner is ready to be displayed!

Reading
Page 27
31 The photograph under paragraph 1 suggests that —

A artists who make papel picado need many years of training

B making papel picado is something that a person must do alone

C artists use detailed designs for papel picado

D making papel picado requires only a short amount of time to complete

32 Which sentence from the selection expresses an opinion?

F Papel picado is a beautiful and delicate form of paper art.

G In Spanish, papel means “paper,” and picado means “punched.”

H To make papel picado, artists first draw the pattern for the art.

J The artists then use sharp chisels to cut through the layers of tissue paper.

33 The author includes paragraph 6 most likely to —

A inform the reader of places where papel picado should not be displayed

B describe different reasons that people like papel picado

C tell the reader where to find the materials needed to create papel picado

D explain how a problem with papel picado has been solved

Reading
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34 According to the section titled “An Easy Way to Make Your Own Papel Picado,”
what should a person do just before unfolding the paper?

F Glue the paper

G Hang the string

H Cut the paper

J Draw the design

35 Which sentence from the selection explains why artists first created papel picado?

A People living in Mexico soon had a lot of this tissue paper, and they began
using it to make decorations.

B They include images of people, animals, flowers, lettering, and any design that
has special meaning to the artist.

C Stacking many sheets of paper allows the artists to create the same pattern
on all the sheets at the same time.

D On a papel picado wedding banner, for example, hearts and the names of the
bride and groom may be part of the design.

36 In which section would the reader find information about occasions where papel
picado is often displayed?

F What Does Papel Picado Mean?

G How Is Papel Picado Made?

H How Is Papel Picado Used Today?

J An Easy Way to Make Your Own Papel Picado

BE SURE YOU HAVE RECORDED ALL OF YOUR ANSWERS


Reading
ON THE ANSWER DOCUMENT. STOP
Page 29
STAAR
GRADE 4
Reading
May 2017

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