STAR Reading Comprehension Practice — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the passage: "Maya checked the sky again. The clouds were dark and heavy, and the wind was starting to bend the young trees. She grabbed the laundry off the line as fast as she could." Why did Maya take the laundry off the line quickly?
- She was late for school.
- She thought it was about to rain. (Correct answer)
- The laundry was already dry.
- Her mother told her to.
Correct answer: She thought it was about to rain.
Dark, heavy clouds and rising wind signal a coming storm, so Maya hurried to save the laundry.
STAR reading items often ask you to make an inference, meaning the answer is not stated directly. The passage never says the word rain, but dark, heavy clouds and bending trees are details that point to a storm. Combining those clues with Maya hurrying tells you she wanted to get the laundry inside before it got wet.
Question 2: Read the sentence: "The stubborn mule refused to move no matter how hard the farmer pulled the rope." What does the word "stubborn" mean in this sentence?
- Unwilling to change or give in (Correct answer)
- Very tired
- Friendly and gentle
- Fast and strong
Correct answer: Unwilling to change or give in
Context clues show the mule would not move, so stubborn means unwilling to give in.
Vocabulary-in-context items ask you to use the surrounding words to figure out a word's meaning. The sentence tells you the mule refused to move no matter how hard the farmer pulled. That behavior describes an animal that will not change its mind, which is exactly what stubborn means.
Question 3: Read the passage: "Honeybees communicate by dancing. When a bee finds flowers, it returns to the hive and moves in a figure-eight pattern. The direction and speed of the dance tell other bees where the flowers are and how far away they are." What is the main idea of this passage?
- Bees like to live in hives.
- Flowers are far away from most hives.
- Honeybees use a dance to share the location of food. (Correct answer)
- Bees move in circles when they are tired.
Correct answer: Honeybees use a dance to share the location of food.
Every sentence supports the idea that bees use dancing to communicate where flowers are.
The main idea is the point the whole passage is making, not just one detail. The first sentence introduces bee dancing as communication, and the other sentences explain how the dance shares the location and distance of flowers. Choice C captures that overall message, while the other choices are either details or not in the passage.
Question 4: Read the passage: "First, Leo gathered his brushes and paints. Next, he sketched the outline of the mountain. After that, he filled in the sky with soft blue. Finally, he signed his name in the corner." What did Leo do right after sketching the outline?
- He signed his name.
- He gathered his brushes.
- He washed the brushes.
- He painted the sky blue. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: He painted the sky blue.
The signal words "After that" show that painting the sky came right after the sketch.
Sequence questions ask you to track the order of events. The passage uses signal words: first (gathering supplies), next (sketching), after that (painting the sky), and finally (signing). The step that follows sketching is painting the sky blue.
Question 5: Read the passage: "Tomas slammed the door, threw his backpack on the floor, and sat with his arms crossed. He did not answer when his sister asked what was wrong." How does Tomas most likely feel?
- Excited
- Angry (Correct answer)
- Sleepy
- Proud
Correct answer: Angry
Slamming a door, throwing a backpack, and crossing his arms are actions that show anger.
Authors often show feelings through actions instead of naming them. Slamming a door, throwing things, crossing arms, and refusing to talk are all behaviors readers connect with being upset or angry. None of these actions fit excitement, sleepiness, or pride.
Question 6: Which sentence states an opinion rather than a fact?
- The Pacific is the largest ocean on Earth.
- Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius.
- Swimming in the ocean is the best way to spend a summer day. (Correct answer)
- Sharks are fish that live in the ocean.
Correct answer: Swimming in the ocean is the best way to spend a summer day.
Saying something is "the best" is a personal belief that cannot be proven.
A fact can be checked and proven true or false, such as the size of an ocean or the freezing point of water. An opinion expresses a belief or preference. The word "best" in choice C signals a judgment that different people could disagree with, which makes it an opinion.
STAR Reading Comprehension Practice
Read the passage: "Maya checked the sky again.
The clouds were dark and heavy, and the wind was starting to bend the young trees.
She grabbed the laundry off the line as fast as she could." Why did Maya take the laundry off the line quickly?