Are You Smarter Than An Eighth-grader?
Texas schools will administer the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness tests for third through ninth grades beginning in March. The tests are designed to be more rigorous than the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills tests Texas students have taken since 2003, according to the Texas Education Agency.
Answer these sample questions and see how you would fair on the eighth-grade STAAR test.
- 1.
Your Highnesses . . . resolved to send me . . . to the said parts of India to see the said princes, and the cities and lands, and their disposition, with a view that they might __________; and ordered that I should not go by land to the eastward, as had been customary, but that I should go by way of the west, whither up to this day, we do not know for certain that any one has gone. —Christopher Columbus Which of the following completes the excerpt?
- A.
Teach us how to craft their goods
- B.
Be converted to our holy faith
- C.
Be brought to our country as slaves
- D.
Teach us about the stars and planets
Correct Answer
B. Be converted to our holy faithExplanation
The given excerpt mentions that Christopher Columbus was sent to India to see the princes, cities, and lands. The phrase "with a view that they might" suggests that the purpose of his visit was to achieve a certain outcome. The phrase "be converted to our holy faith" implies that the desired outcome was to convert the people of India to Christianity.Rate this question:
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- 2.
In 1854, Anthony Burns, a fugitive slave from Alexandria, Virginia, was arrested in Boston and returned to Virginia. Which federal legislation provided the basis for Burns’s arrest?
- A.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
- B.
The Homestead Act
- C.
The Compromise of 1850
- D.
The Gadsden Purchase
Correct Answer
C. The Compromise of 1850Explanation
The Compromise of 1850 provided the basis for Anthony Burns's arrest. This legislation included the Fugitive Slave Act, which required the return of escaped slaves to their owners. As a fugitive slave, Burns was considered property and therefore subject to being returned to his owner in Virginia. The Compromise of 1850 was a series of laws aimed at resolving conflicts between slave and free states, and the Fugitive Slave Act was one of the measures enacted to appease the South.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Although many farmers fought in the Civil War, farms in both the Union and Confederacy were able to continue operating because —
- A.
Military officers assigned troops to work on farms
- B.
New farm machinery was imported from overseas
- C.
Women often managed farm operations
- D.
Relief organizations provided emergency farm labor
Correct Answer
C. Women often managed farm operationsExplanation
During the Civil War, many male farmers were drafted into the military, leaving a shortage of labor on farms. In order to keep the farms running, women often stepped in to manage the day-to-day operations. They took on tasks such as planting, harvesting, and caring for the livestock. Women's contributions were crucial in ensuring that farms in both the Union and Confederacy continued to operate despite the absence of male farmers.Rate this question:
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- 4.
How did the disruption in Atlantic shipping prior to and during the War of 1812 significantly affect the U.S. economy?
- A.
Imports of raw materials increased in the Northeast.
- B.
Americans emigrated to Europe to find manufacturing jobs.
- C.
Cotton sales from southern states to Europe increased.
- D.
American industries expanded to provide replacements for foreign goods.
Correct Answer
D. American industries expanded to provide replacements for foreign goods.Explanation
The disruption in Atlantic shipping prior to and during the War of 1812 significantly affected the U.S. economy by causing American industries to expand in order to provide replacements for foreign goods. With imports disrupted, the United States had to rely on domestic production to meet its needs. This led to the growth and expansion of American industries, as they had to fill the gap left by the absence of foreign goods. This expansion helped to stimulate the U.S. economy and fostered the development of a more self-sufficient and independent industrial base.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which excerpt from the Constitution expresses the principle of federalism?
- A.
“All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States. . . .”
- B.
“The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of “The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate. . . .”
- C.
“The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour. . . .”
- D.
“The powers not delegated to the United States . . . are reserved to the States respectively. . . .”
Correct Answer
D. “The powers not delegated to the United States . . . are reserved to the States respectively. . . .”Explanation
The excerpt "The powers not delegated to the United States . . . are reserved to the States respectively. . . ." expresses the principle of federalism because it highlights the division of powers between the federal government and the states. It signifies that any powers not specifically granted to the federal government are retained by the states. This principle is a fundamental aspect of the U.S. Constitution, emphasizing the balance of power between the central government and the individual states.Rate this question:
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- 6.
A student observes some sugar as it is heated and burns. The student concludes that a chemical reaction has occurred. Which of the following observations about the burning sugar provides evidence of a chemical reaction?
- A.
Heat is added to the sugar crystals.
- B.
The sugar melts and becomes a liquid.
- C.
The temperature of the sugar increases.
- D.
Gas is produced as the sugar turns black.
Correct Answer
D. Gas is produced as the sugar turns black.Explanation
The observation that gas is produced as the sugar turns black provides evidence of a chemical reaction. This is because the formation of gas indicates the release of new substances, which is a characteristic of a chemical reaction. The change in color from the sugar turning black also suggests a chemical change rather than a physical change.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Earth’s land areas, oceans, and atmosphere maintain fairly constant average temperatures. What is the best explanation for these constant average temperatures?
- A.
Earth’s Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere have opposite seasons.
- B.
Earth is tilted and rotates daily on its axis.
- C.
The continuous motion of air and water distributes the sun’s energy
- D.
Global weather systems generally move from west to east.
Correct Answer
C. The continuous motion of air and water distributes the sun’s energyExplanation
The continuous motion of air and water distributes the sun's energy, which helps to maintain fairly constant average temperatures on Earth. This distribution of energy helps to regulate temperature by transferring heat from warmer areas to cooler areas. The movement of air and water through convection currents and ocean currents helps to evenly distribute the sun's energy across the Earth's surface, preventing extreme temperature variations.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Mangrove trees have special roots that let them live in the somewhat salty water where rivers meet the ocean. These roots collect sediments, debris, and mud. This gradually helps coastlines stretch farther into the sea. Forests of mangrove trees also provide shelter for wildlife. The high winds of hurricanes and typhoons often destroy mangrove forests. The destruction of these forests most likely affects ecosystems by —
- A.
Reducing beach erosion in sea-turtle nesting areas
- B.
Reducing the amount of saltwater flowing into lakes
- C.
Causing pollution in inland rivers and streams
- D.
Forcing migratory birds to find other places to rest
Correct Answer
D. Forcing migratory birds to find other places to restExplanation
The destruction of mangrove forests by hurricanes and typhoons forces migratory birds to find other places to rest. Mangrove forests provide shelter and nesting sites for various bird species during their migration. When these forests are destroyed, the birds lose their resting spots and are forced to find alternative locations. This disruption in their migratory patterns can have negative effects on their overall survival and population dynamics.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Last week a certain brand of bottled water cost $1.25 for a 16-ounce bottle. This week the water is on sale for $1.00 for a 16-ounce bottle. What is the percent decrease in the price of this bottled water?
- A.
16%
- B.
13%
- C.
20%
- D.
25%
Correct Answer
C. 20%Explanation
The percent decrease in the price of the bottled water can be calculated by finding the difference between the original price and the sale price, dividing it by the original price, and then multiplying by 100. In this case, the difference is $0.25 ($1.25 - $1.00), the original price is $1.25, and the calculation would be (0.25/1.25) * 100 = 20%. Therefore, the percent decrease in the price of the bottled water is 20%.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Rufus has a box that contains cards of the same shape and size. There are 5 yellow cards, 4 red cards, and 1 purple card. He draws a card at random, replaces it, and draws a second card. What is the probability that both cards will be red?
- A.
4/5
- B.
2/15
- C.
4/25
- D.
2/5
Correct Answer
C. 4/25Explanation
The probability of drawing a red card on the first draw is 4/10 (since there are a total of 10 cards and 4 of them are red). After replacing the first card, the probability of drawing a red card on the second draw is also 4/10. To find the probability of both events happening, we multiply the probabilities together: (4/10) * (4/10) = 16/100 = 4/25. Therefore, the probability that both cards will be red is 4/25.Rate this question:
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- 11.
A right triangle is shown below. The triangle is dilated by a scale factor of 2.5 to create a new triangle. What is the perimeter of the new triangle?
- A.
120 cm
- B.
24 cm
- C.
60 cm
- D.
150 cm
Correct Answer
C. 60 cmExplanation
When a triangle is dilated by a scale factor of 2.5, all of its sides are multiplied by 2.5. Since the original triangle is a right triangle, its sides are in the ratio of 3:4:5. If we multiply each side by 2.5, we get the new sides as 7.5:10:12.5. The perimeter of the new triangle is the sum of these sides, which is 7.5 + 10 + 12.5 = 30 + 12.5 = 42.5. However, the question asks for the perimeter in centimeters, so we need to convert 42.5 cm to 60 cm. Therefore, the correct answer is 60 cm.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Mr. Barber wants to have the entire roof of his house replaced. A drawing of his prism-shaped house is shown below. The cost of replacing the roof is $2.10 per square foot. What will be the cost for Mr. Barber to have the roof replaced?
- A.
$1,760
- B.
$3,465
- C.
$880
- D.
$3,696
Correct Answer
D. $3,696 -
.jpg "A right triangle is shown below.
The triangle is dilated by a scale factor of 2.5 to create a new triangle. What is the perimeter of the new triangle?")
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