GRADE 4
Reading
Administered April 2013
RELEASED
Copyright © 2013, 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
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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Then fill in the answer on your answer document.
A Dessert with a Long History
1 When it’s hot outside, there’s nothing better than ice cream to
cool you down. But it hasn’t always been possible to order a scoop
of ice cream at your local ice-cream shop.
2 Hundreds of years before there were electric freezers, people
in China made frozen desserts by mixing milk with snow and
spices. The Roman emperor Nero sent his fastest runners into the
mountains to gather snow. The snow was brought back before it
could melt and was mixed with honey, nuts, or fruit juice.
3 The Chinese and Roman treats were unlike today’s ice cream.
These desserts were made with small pieces of frozen ice and
were similar to snow cones. By the 1600s flavored dishes in which
cream was combined with ice were being produced in several
European countries. These desserts looked and tasted more like
the kind of ice cream served today.
4 When people came
from Europe to America
in the 1700s, they
brought their recipes for
ice cream with them. But
the frozen treat did not
become very popular. It
was difficult to find and
keep the ice needed to
make the dessert. It
took a long time to mix
the ingredients, and then
the mixture had to be
frozen for several hours
before it could be eaten.
1600s
1843
Ice-cream
machine
Flavored
ice
1904 Waffle cone
1920
Ice-cream
bar on a
stick
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5 All that changed thanks to Nancy Johnson of Pennsylvania. In
the 1840s Johnson invented an ice-cream maker that enabled
people to make the dessert faster than they could by mixing it by
hand. The machine, which could easily be used in the home, froze
the ice cream as it was being made. Similar machines are still
used today.
Courtesy of Library of Congress
Nancy Johnson’s invention
allowed people to make ice
cream in their homes.
6 Ice cream wasn’t placed into a cone until 1904. A man selling
crispy waffles at a fair noticed that people would leave his stand
and go to the ice-cream booth. They would then drop their ice
cream onto his waffles. This gave him the idea of rolling a waffle
into a cone shape. The ice-cream cone was born!
7 Years later, in 1920, Harry Burt decided to start making ice-
cream treats. Burt, a candy maker, covered a small block of
vanilla ice cream with thick chocolate. His daughter said that it
was good but too messy. Burt’s son suggested that he put the ice
cream on a stick the same way he would a lollipop. Burt did just
that and made the first ice-cream bar on a stick.
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8 More ice cream is eaten in the United States than in any other
country. Every July U.S. ice-cream companies celebrate National Ice
Cream Month.
The companies
spend lots of time
testing new
flavors such as
chunky chocolate
cherry and berry
blast. Still, the
most popular
flavor is that all-
time favorite:
vanilla.
If you “scream for ice cream,” here is an easy way for you and your
friends to mix up a batch.
Ingredients:
• 6 tablespoons rock salt
• 1/2 gallon ice cubes
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 large (gallon-size) plastic sealable bag
• 1 small (sandwich-size) plastic sealable bag
What to do:
1. Put the ice and the rock salt into the large bag.
2. Pour the heavy cream, the sugar, and the vanilla into the small bag.
Seal the small bag.
3. Place the small bag in the large bag. Seal the large bag.
4. Shake the large bag until the mixture thickens (about five minutes).
5. Remove the small bag from the large bag. Open the small bag
carefully. You’re ready to enjoy your tasty treat!
Top Five Ice-Cream Flavors in the United States
Flavor
Butter
Pecan
Chocolate
Chip
StrawberryChocolateVanilla
Percentage of All Ice Cream Sold
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
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1 Read this dictionary entry.
stand \
ı
stand\ noun
1. a frame that is used to hold
something upright 2. a small structure
from which products are sold 3. a raised
platform from which a person makes a
speech 4. the place where a witness
presents information in a courtroom
Which definition of stand is used in paragraph 6?
A Definition 1
B Definition 2
C Definition 3
D Definition 4
2 What problem did people experience when ice cream was first made in America?
F The right spices were not available.
G The ice cream would melt inside the cone.
H The ice cream froze too quickly when being made.
J The ice needed for making the dessert was difficult to find.
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3 Which of these best supports the title of the article?
A The table next to paragraph 4
B The photograph after paragraph 5
C The bar graph next to paragraph 8
D The recipe after paragraph 8
4 What is the most likely reason that the recipe was included with the article?
F To indicate that most people make ice cream at home
G To explain the process for using an ice-cream machine
H To provide instructions for making ice cream
J To show how people first made ice cream
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5 The photograph of people around the ice-cream maker suggests that —
A it takes several hours to make ice cream with such a machine
B making ice cream can be a family activity
C the process of making ice cream has not changed for hundreds of years
D using such a machine is difficult
6 Harry Burt put his ice-cream treat on a stick —
F to keep the ice cream from melting
G so that less chocolate would be needed
H so that it could be sold as a lollipop
J to make eating the treat easier
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7 The author organizes this article by —
A describing how frozen treats have changed over time
B explaining how the ice-cream maker was invented
C listing the steps for making ice-cream bars
D comparing the different ideas people have about ice cream
8 Which of these is the best summary of the article?
F Americans love ice cream as a treat. National Ice Cream Month is celebrated
during July. The frozen treat is easier to get now than it was hundreds of
years ago.
G Hundreds of years ago people began making different frozen desserts.
Europeans brought the idea of ice cream to America. New ideas about how to
make and serve the frozen treat have led to its wide popularity.
H Hundreds of years ago different ingredients were mixed with snow to make
frozen treats. Some people traveled far to get the snow. Today many different
flavors of ice cream are available.
J At a fair in 1904, people began eating ice cream in waffle cones. In the United
States, National Ice Cream Month is celebrated during July. People also like to
eat chocolate-covered ice-cream bars on sticks.
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9 Which sentence from the article supports the idea that early frozen desserts
required great effort to make?
A The Roman emperor Nero sent his fastest runners into the mountains to
gather snow.
B The Chinese and Roman treats were unlike today’s ice cream.
C These desserts were made with small pieces of frozen ice and were similar to
snow cones.
D When people came from Europe to America in the 1700s, they brought their
recipes for ice cream with them.
10 How were Harry Burt and the man who created the ice-cream cone similar?
F They both got ideas for their inventions from others.
G They both sold their frozen treats at a fair.
H They both used waffles to hold their frozen treats.
J They developed their inventions during the same year.
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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Then fill in the answer on your answer document.
Mystery at Dad’s Office
1 Nathan stood at the vending machine in the break room of his
father’s office building. It was early Saturday evening, and he and
his little brother Alex had come to hang out at the office while
their dad worked. Alex crossed his arms. “I didn’t want mint
gum!”
2 Nathan shrugged his shoulders. “Dad and I both voted for it,
so that makes it fair,” he said.
3 The boys stepped into the dark hall as Alex complained, “Next
time I get to choose. You didn’t even ask—aaaaahhh!”
4 Alex suddenly jumped back into the break room, crashing into
Nathan. “Watch out!” Nathan yelled.
5 Flattened against the wall, Alex asked quietly, “Didn’t Dad say
we were the only people here?”
6 “No one else is here, Alex,” his brother scolded. “Why are you
whispering?”
7 Alex shut his eyes tightly and said, “There was someone
standing at the end of the hall staring at us. I think he’s watching
us!”
8 Nathan sighed. His little brother could be a real pain
sometimes, especially when his imagination ran wild. But Nathan
decided that he would agree with Alex just to try to calm him.
Nathan found a pencil and notepad. “Why don’t you sit down and
tell me what this guy looked like,” he suggested.
9 “He was huge and dressed all in red! And he was really mean
looking, with beady eyes that sort of glowed—like they were on
fire!” Alex exclaimed.
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10 Something Alex said made Nathan a little suspicious. “Let me
take a look,” he said.
11 The brothers tiptoed toward the doorway. Finally Nathan
leaned around the corner just the tiniest bit. When he saw a
movement at the far end of the hall, he didn’t even stop to see
what the person looked like.
12 “Run, Alex!” Nathan yelled, dropping the gum. He grabbed his
brother’s hand and raced down the hallway.
13 The light from Dad’s office was like a nightlight offering
comfort from a bad dream. The brothers tried to get through the
doorway at the same time and ended up in a tangled heap on the
floor.
14 “What’s going on, boys?” Dad demanded to know.
15 Nathan and Alex started talking at the same time. Both boys
were breathless, but they told Dad about the stranger down the
hall. By the time Nathan got to the description of the red shirt,
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Alex was calling it “a scarlet cape.” Dad lifted his chin and arched
his eyebrows.
16 “And you said this stranger was really huge?” Dad asked. Alex
nodded. “Well then, let’s go take a look,” Dad said.
17 Even with their father along, the boys didn’t want to return to
the scary creature. “Come on, boys, it will be fine,” Dad assured
them. “I promise I won’t let anything bad happen to you.” He led
them back to where they had last seen the mysterious stranger.
Just before they got to the hallway that led to the break room,
Dad turned on a light switch. Then he looked around the corner to
the end of the hall. The boys heard him chuckle. “Okay,” he said
to Alex, “your turn.”
18 Slowly Alex leaned around the corner and looked. Then he
leaned a little farther. Finally he stepped all the way into the
hallway. There, down the hall, was his own reflection looking back
at him. It was almost as if his reflection were teasing him. It was
bad enough to have an older brother who sometimes made fun of
him. Now he could see himself doing the same thing.
19 Dad smiled. “I guess neither of you noticed the new mirror at
the end of the hall.”
20 Nathan’s mouth formed a grin, and then Alex started to laugh.
Their mysterious stranger was no stranger after all! Even Nathan
hadn’t examined the situation closely enough to notice that Alex
was wearing his bright red soccer jersey.
21 “Hey, where’s that gum I wanted?” Dad asked.
22 Nathan’s cheeks began to feel hot. He was thankful that Dad
hadn’t seen the gum on the break-room floor. “I’ll go get it,” he
said quickly.
23 “By the way,” Alex said, “that stranger told me he doesn’t like
mint. So next time, he and I vote for strawberry.”
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11 Which word from paragraph 17 helps the reader understand the meaning of the
word assured?
A return
B looked
C led
D promise
12 When Alex first tells Nathan that someone is watching them, Nathan —
F believes that Alex saw an office worker
G wants Alex to find their father
H thinks Alex is worrying for no reason
J wishes their father would try to calm Alex
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13 What identifies this story as realistic fiction?
A The events that take place could happen.
B The author includes an illustration in the story.
C The author asks a question at the end of the story.
D The characters are people who are well known.
14 In paragraph 13, “a nightlight offering comfort from a bad dream” means that
the light makes the boys feel —
F upset
G safe
H tired
J selfish
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15 Why is it important to the story that Nathan and Alex go to the break room
for gum?
A The boys see something frightening in the hallway.
B The boys are able to sit and talk to each other.
C The boys argue about what flavor they should select.
D The boys are able to let their father finish his work in his office.
16 What is paragraph 18 mainly about?
F Why Alex must lean so far into the hallway
G How Alex’s reflection reminds him of his brother
H What Alex discovers in the hallway
J How Alex feels about his brother’s teasing
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17 What is the best summary of the story?
A One Saturday evening two brothers are at their father’s office building. The
younger brother thinks he sees a stranger. He sits at the table and tells his
older brother what the stranger looks like. Later the brothers share the story
with their father. The three of them go down the hallway to take a look.
B Two brothers come to their father’s office building and go to the break room to
use the vending machine. They become scared when they see a stranger in
the hallway. They run to their father and describe to him what the stranger
looks like.
C Two brothers go with their father to his office building. While in the hallway,
the younger brother becomes scared when he thinks he sees a stranger. At
first the older brother does not believe the story, but when he also becomes
afraid, Dad helps them discover who the stranger really is.
D One Saturday two brothers go to buy some gum in the break room near their
father’s office. When they see a stranger in the hallway, the older brother
drops the gum on the floor. Once they are no longer afraid, the younger
brother tells which flavor of gum he would like.
18 Which sentence shows how the brothers feel when their father explains what
they really saw in the hallway?
F The brothers tried to get through the doorway at the same time and ended up
in a tangled heap on the floor.
G Nathan and Alex started talking at the same time.
H It was bad enough to have an older brother who sometimes made fun of him.
J Nathan’s mouth formed a grin, and then Alex started to laugh.
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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Then fill in the answer on your answer document.
Waiting Room Zoo
by Susan Noyes Anderson
I’m in the doctor’s waiting room.
My mom is counting sheep.
The music they play here could put
an elephant to sleep.
5 They’ve wallpapered with animals.
This place looks like the zoo!
Do they think they can fool kids with
a kangaroo or two?
A doctor is a doctor, right?
10 A shot is still a shot.
And I don’t care how many kinds
of animals they’ve got.
The nurse speaks baby talk to me.
(She thinks I’m half my age.)
15 You’d think I was a lion being
coaxed into my cage.
“Doctor is ready now,” she coos.
“Come in, lamb, you’ll be fine.”
(Yeah, sure. And that’s a needle from
20 a friendly porcupine!)
“Waiting Room Zoo” by Susan Noyes Anderson, copyright © 1993 by Susan Noyes Anderson. Used by permission of
the author.
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19 Which words rhyme in each stanza of the poem?
A The last words in the second and fourth lines
B The last words in the first and fourth lines
C The last words in the first and third lines
D The last words in every line
20 The words in parentheses in line 14 emphasize that the speaker is —
F happy that the nurse is easy to understand
G annoyed by the way the nurse talks to her
H disappointed that the nurse does not know how old she is
J relieved that the nurse is trying to make her feel comfortable
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21 The doctor’s waiting room is decorated with animals most likely to —
A convince children that animals are interesting
B allow children to study animals during their visit
C help children imagine what going to the zoo is like
D create a pleasing environment for children
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22 Read lines 17 and 18.
“Doctor is ready now,” she coos.
“Come in, lamb, you’ll be fine.”
The dialogue used in these lines shows that —
F the nurse thinks that the speaker is acting childish
G the nurse thinks that the speaker is nervous about seeing the doctor
H the speaker is not entertained by the music in the waiting room
J the speaker is not distracted by the appearance of the waiting room
23 What is the message of this poem?
A Music can make a situation less stressful.
B Kind words can be very helpful.
C Children are amused by animals.
D Children are not easily fooled.
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Read the next two selections. Then choose the best answer to
each question.
Squirrels Using Snakeskin?
1 Squirrels are common in many parts of the United States.
Scientists have recently discovered something very strange about
squirrels: they like to chew rattlesnake skin. Rattlesnakes, like
other snakes, outgrow their skin and shed it. Some squirrels not
only search for a piece of rattlesnake skin to chew, they also
smear the chewed-up snakeskin all over themselves. What could
be the reason for this behavior?
A Squirrel Chewing on
a Snakeskin
© John Cancalosi/Alamy
2 Scientists suggested several possible explanations. Some
scientists thought that male squirrels, which are more aggressive
than female squirrels, rub the snakeskin on their bodies to smell
like rattlesnakes. The scent might then scare away other male
squirrels.
3 A second idea was that the squirrels might use the snakeskin
odor to ward off fleas. But when scientists conducted an
experiment to test this explanation, they found that fleas did not
avoid squirrels that had rattlesnake scent on their bodies.
4 Scientists also suggested that squirrels might use the
rattlesnake odor to av
oid being eaten by rattlesnakes. Adult
squirrels have a special protein in their blood that makes a
rattlesnake’s poisonous bite harmless to them. But young
squirrels can die if bitten by a rattlesnake. Female squirrels
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protect their young and share burrows with them. Therefore
scientists suggested that female squirrels and young squirrels
chew on snakeskin and spread its scent on their bodies as
protection from snakes. A snake might be less likely to attack a
squirrel that smells like another snake.
5 One scientist, Barbara Clucas, decided to test these theories
by observing a group of squirrels at a nature preserve. To tell the
squirrels apart, she marked each one with a number by using
black hair dye. Clucas noted the ages of the squirrels and whether
they were male or female. Next she released the squirrels and set
out pieces of shed rattlesnake skin. Then she hid and filmed the
results. She timed how long each squirrel stayed to chew up the
snakeskin. Then she watched as the squirrel rubbed a mixture of
saliva and snakeskin on itself.
6 Clucas found that female squirrels and young squirrels took
the most time performing these activities. Her observations
support the idea that the squirrels have been using the snakeskin
for protection against rattlesnakes. Clucas believes that the scent
of the snakeskin works as a disguise. Snakes typically have a
strong sense of smell. So if a hungry snake detects
the smell of a
rattlesnake in a burrow, the snake will leave that burrow alone—
even if that “snake” is really a sneaky squirrel!
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A Clever Use of Coconuts
1 The octopus, with its eight arms, two big eyes, and a beak, is
an amazing creature. Scientists have long known that octopuses
are intelligent. But until recently, they did not realize just how
smart octopuses really are.
2 Octopuses have different ways to escape their enemies.
Sometimes they squirt ink. The ink clouds the ocean water and
makes the octopuses difficult to locate. Octopuses also have the
ability to change the color of their bodies to match the color of
their surroundings. Enemies swim right by octopuses without
noticing them. Octopuses can also squeeze into very tight places
for protection.
3 While diving in the ocean, scientists were surprised to see
octopuses use another way to protect themselves. They witnessed
some small octopuses moving coconut halves across the ocean
floor. The scientists followed the octopuses and were surprised to
discover that the creatures were stacking the coconut shells in a
pile. When an octopus thought it was in danger, it raced back to
the shells. Then it got two shell halves and hid inside them by
pulling one on top of the other. Because coconut shells are very
hard on the outside, the creature was able to create a safe
armored ball that protected it from danger. Scientists believe that
this behavior demonstrates that octopuses are tool users.
An Octopus Hiding Inside a Coconut Shell
© Frederick R. McConnaughey/Photo Researchers, Inc.
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4 Crabs also use shells for protection. But scientists don’t
consider crabs tool users. These creatures can pick up shells and
hide in them, but octopuses can carry shells to another spot.
Scientists argue that the transportation of the shells indicates that
octopuses can think ahead about how they will use the shells
later.
5 Besides humans, chimpanzees and some birds are the most
common tool users. But now scientists have placed octopuses
with the animals that are intelligent enough to use tools. Clearly,
octopuses are among the smartest animals in the world.
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Use “Squirrels Using Snakeskin?” (pp. 23–24) to answer
questions 24–28. Then fill in the answers on your answer
document.
24 The author wrote this selection most likely to —
F inform readers of the differences between squirrels and snakes
G explain efforts to understand an unusual squirrel behavior
H encourage readers to investigate the activities of squirrels
J tell readers about a special squirrel and its diet
25 Paragraphs 2 through 4 are mainly about —
A a special protein that adult squirrels have in their bodies
B how female squirrels use snakeskin to protect themselves
C how fleas can be avoided by using the skin shed by rattlesnakes
D possible reasons that squirrels spread chewed snakeskin on their bodies
26 Clucas’s observations contribute to the understanding of why squirrels use
snakeskin by —
F providing support for one of the theories presented by scientists
G proving that male squirrels are more aggressive than female squirrels
H suggesting that young squirrels do not know how to apply chewed snakeskin
to themselves
J explaining why adult squirrels have a special protein in their blood
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27 In paragraph 6, the word detects means —
A dislikes
B expects
C discovers
D ignores
28 Which of these is the best summary of the selection?
F Scientists have discovered that some squirrels chew rattlesnake skin and
apply it to themselves. There are several possible explanations for this
behavior. Barbara Clucas conducted a study using a group of squirrels and
discovered that it is likely that female squirrels and young squirrels use the
snakeskin as protection against rattlesnakes.
G Some squirrels have an unusual habit of chewing rattlesnake skin and
applying it to their fur for protection. Scientists have discovered that adult
squirrels do not need protection from rattlesnake venom. However, female
and young squirrels chew and apply rattlesnake skin to their bodies.
H Scientists developed a few theories to explain why squirrels chew rattlesnake
skin and apply it to their fur. Barbara Clucas studied squirrels to find the
answer. She numbered each squirrel in the study by using black hair dye.
J Some squirrels are known to look for the skin that rattlesnakes leave behind
when they shed. Once the squirrels find the skin, they chew it up, spit it out,
and put it on their fur. Scientists wonder about this behavior and have some
possible explanations for it.
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Use “A Clever Use of Coconuts” (pp. 25–26) to answer
questions 29–32. Then fill in the answers on your answer
document.
29 In paragraph 4, the word indicates means —
A suggests
B depends
C helps
D decides
30 The fact that octopuses sometimes move coconut shells from one place to
another is important because it suggests that octopuses —
F are more intelligent than some birds
G are able to plan for future needs
H relocate to new homes often
J may find other types of shells to use in the future
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31 The purpose of this selection is to —
A compare octopuses with other animals that are also tool users
B describe an octopus that was hiding in a coconut shell
C provide readers with facts about the intelligence of octopuses
D encourage readers to learn more about interesting sea creatures
32 The photograph is included with the selection most likely to —
F show how many arms an octopus has
G demonstrate how an octopus puts shell halves together
H show why octopuses need to hide from enemies
J illustrate how an octopus can fit inside a coconut shell
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Use “Squirrels Using Snakeskin?” and “A Clever Use of Coconuts”
to answer questions 33–36. Then fill in the answers on your
answer document.
33 What is one difference between the types of animal behavior described in the two
selections?
A Many animals use snakeskin for protection, but only octopuses are known to
use shells to protect themselves.
B Squirrels have several ways of protecting themselves, but octopuses have
only one way.
C Scientists understand why squirrels use snakeskin, but research is needed to
understand why octopuses use coconut shells.
D Squirrels disguise themselves with scent, but octopuses hide from the view of
their enemies.
34 One similarity between the two selections is that both discuss animals that —
F use things found in nature to remain safe
G need help from humans to survive
H protect their young
J are not aware of dangers in their environment
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35 Which of these ideas is found in both selections?
A Animals have difficulty finding places to hide.
B Scientists have many ways of studying animals in their environment.
C Scientists are continuing to discover unique ways in which animals protect
themselves.
D Tool users are the most intelligent animals.
36 Both selections suggest that scientists —
F are interested in studying only small animals
G do not completely understand some animal behavior
H have to use cameras to study animals
J do not spend much time observing animals in the wild
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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Then fill in the answer on your answer document.
The Rocking Chair
CHARACTERS
CARA: A 12-year-old girl
GRANDPA: Cara’s grandfather
GRANDMA: Cara’s grandmother
SCENE 1
1 [The curtain opens, showing the back of a house. An old rocking
chair sits on the back porch. Grandpa and Cara walk out the back
door of the house and onto the porch.]
2 GRANDPA: All right, Cara. Now that our bellies are full of
pancakes, it’s time to work!
3 CARA: Work? I thought you said we were going to be doing
something fun, Grandpa.
4 GRANDPA: It is going to be fun.
5 CARA: Well, what are we going to do?
6 GRANDPA: See whether you can guess. [Pointing toward the
rocking chair.] What’s wrong with this picture?
7 CARA: I don’t know.
8 GRANDPA: See that? This is what happens when you ignore
something.
9 [Grandpa nods his head and looks at the rocking chair, giving
Cara a hint.]
10 CARA: Grandma’s rocking chair?
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11 GRANDPA: Correct! The paint has been chipping for years—
this chair was yellow, but you’d never know it. The wood is
splintering. . . . And what about this? [Showing Cara.] This piece
is cracked and about to break. Imagine your grandmother sitting
down and having the seat collapse!
12 CARA: So let’s go buy her a new one to replace this old piece of
junk.
13 GRANDPA: Now, now. The chair may be old, but it’s no piece of
junk. We’re not going to buy a new one. You and I are going to fix
this old rocker.
14 CARA: Fix it?
15 GRANDPA: That’s right. With our own two hands—well, our own
four hands. It’ll be a great surprise for your grandmother. I have
all the supplies we need in the garage.
16 CARA: Seriously? No offense, Grandpa, but that thing belongs in
the garbage. And I think Grandma would love one of those nice
rocking chairs they sell at Deedee’s Designs.
17 GRANDPA: [Shaking his head.] There’s no reason to purchase a
new one when we can fix the one we have. Besides, this is your
grandmother’s favorite chair, so it’ll be better than a new chair.
18 CARA: [Doubtful.] If you say so.
19 GRANDPA: Come on. [Lifting up one side of the chair.] Help me
carry it into the garage.
20 [Cara picks up the other side of the chair. The two carry it stage
left as the curtain closes.]
SCENE 2
21 [The curtain opens. Cara and Grandpa are working on the chair
inside the garage. Cara sands the wood, and Grandpa hums
happily as he works on replacing the cracked piece.]
22 CARA: Is this good enough, Grandpa?
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23 GRANDPA: [Feeling the wood.] Almost. We want it to be smooth,
and we don’t want to see a speck of paint. [Goes back to work.]
24 CARA: [Sighs.] My hands hurt. This is taking forever.
25 GRANDPA: More sanding, less whining.
26 CARA: We should just buy a new chair. That’s what most people
do when things get old—they replace them.
27 GRANDPA: I’m not most people.
28 CARA: Very funny, Grandpa.
29 GRANDPA: I think you’ll find we’ll end up with a better chair this
way—one that will make your grandmother very happy. . . . Aha!
Look at this.
30 [Grandpa places the new piece of wood securely in the chair. He
proudly shows off his work.]
31 CARA: It’s a perfect fit.
32 GRANDPA: Yes, it is. Let’s finish sanding. [Grabs a piece of
sandpaper and helps Cara.] When your dad was a boy, this chair
needed some attention, too. He and I worked on it for your
grandmother.
33 CARA: Wow! I didn’t know this thing was that old.
34 GRANDPA: Yes. And see how long it’s lasted?
35 CARA: I guess you and Dad did a good job.
36 GRANDPA: [Nodding.] And your dad picked out the yellow color.
Now it will be your turn to choose the color for Grandma’s chair.
37 CARA: [Feeling the chair.] It’s nice to know we fixed it ourselves.
Is it ready to be painted?
38 GRANDPA: Yep. The chair looks great! It’s time for you to pick
the color.
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GO ONGO ON
39 CARA: Let’s paint it blue and make the back rails yellow—to
remind Grandma of the way it was before.
40 GRANDPA: Great idea.
41 [Curtain closes.]
SCENE 3
42 [The curtain opens. Grandpa is admiring the rocking chair on the
porch. Cara enters the porch from the back door of the house.]
43 CARA: Grandma’s coming!
44 GRANDPA: All right. Let’s surprise her. [Grandpa leans up against
one of the porch posts, hiding the chair from view. He gestures
for Cara to stand by him.]
45 GRANDMA: [From inside.] Hello? Where is everyone?
46 CARA: We’re out here, Grandma!
47 [Cara and Grandpa exchange a smile as Grandma walks out onto
the porch.]
48 GRANDMA: Well, what are you two doing?
49 GRANDPA: Oh, nothing much.
50 CARA: Yeah, nothing much.
51 GRANDMA: Nothing much? I don’t believe that.
52 [Grandpa and Cara exchange a look. The two separate, revealing
the rocking chair. Grandma stares at it.]
53 GRANDMA: Oh, my! It’s beautiful!
54 CARA: We did it for you, Grandma. We did it with our own four
hands.
55 [Curtain closes.]
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37 Which words in paragraph 11 help the reader understand the meaning of the
word collapse?
A chipping for years
B about to break
C sitting down
D wood is splintering
38 Read these lines from the play.
CARA: Seriously? No offense, Grandpa,
but that thing belongs in the garbage.
These lines suggest that Cara believes the chair —
F has no value
G is not used often enough
H will take too long to repair
J is uncomfortable
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39 The stage directions at the beginning of Scene 1 help the reader by —
A establishing the setting
B introducing the main problem
C explaining the plot
D describing the characters
40 Which line from the play supports the idea that Cara is proud of the work she has
done with Grandpa?
F CARA: Is this good enough, Grandpa?
G CARA: Grandma’s coming!
H CARA: We’re out here, Grandma!
J CARA: We did it with our own four hands.
41 What lesson does Cara learn from Grandpa?
A Surprises can sometimes bring great joy to people.
B Spending time with a grandparent is fun no matter what you do together.
C Repairing old things to make them useful again can be rewarding.
D Old things lose their meaning when they are made to look new again.
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42 In paragraph 52, the word revealing means —
F studying
G offering
H moving
J showing
43 Which quotation from the play best explains Grandpa’s reason for suggesting that
he and Cara work on a surprise for Grandma?
A GRANDPA: This is what happens when you ignore something.
B GRANDPA: I have all the supplies we need in the garage.
C GRANDPA: Besides, this is your grandmother’s favorite chair, so it’ll be better
than a new chair.
D GRANDPA: Now it will be your turn to choose the color for Grandma’s chair.
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44 Read this stage direction from the play.
[Cara sands the wood, and Grandpa
hums happily as he works on
replacing the cracked piece.]
What does this stage direction suggest about Grandpa?
F He is good at repairing rocking chairs.
G He is enjoying his task.
H
He has the tools needed to make repairs to the chair.
J He is glad that someone is helping him repair the chair.
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ON THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.
1 2 3 4 5 A B C D E Printed in the USA
Form XX
Admin and Year
Subject
STAAR
GRADE X
545586 ISD47171 2 3 4 5 A B C D E Printed in the USA
April 2013
Reading
STAAR
GRADE 4
