STAAR Grade 7: Reading 1

Question 1

What is the main purpose of a thesis statement in an essay?

Accepted Answer

To state the main argument or central idea

Answer

A thesis statement presents the main argument or central claim of an essay, guiding the reader on what the writing will address.

Question 2

Which literary device is used in the phrase 'The wind whispered through the trees'?

Accepted Answer

Personification

Answer

Personification gives human qualities to non-human things; here, wind is given the human ability to whisper.

Question 3

What does the word 'meticulous' most likely mean in the sentence: 'She was meticulous about her science lab notes, never missing a single detail'?

Accepted Answer

Very careful and precise

Answer

'Meticulous' means showing great attention to detail and being very careful, as shown by never missing a detail.

Question 4

Which text structure is used when an author explains why something happened and what resulted from it?

Accepted Answer

Cause and effect

Answer

Cause and effect text structure explains why an event occurred (cause) and what happened as a result (effect).

Question 5

In a persuasive text, what is the author's primary purpose?

Accepted Answer

To convince readers to agree with a viewpoint

Answer

The primary purpose of persuasive writing is to convince the reader to agree with the author's position or take a specific action.

STAAR Practice Test