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Sample BookletGrade 4

Writing, Form A

Practice Test

Lori MammenEditorial Director

A Research-Based Series for Texas

For more than two decades, we have helped you achieve student success on Texas tests by providing the highest quality test-prep materials. With STAAR MASTER®, we continue our commitment to create research-based content that engages students and makes teaching easier.• Based on eligible TEKS and STAAR test blueprints • Original content with increased rigor • Emphasis on readiness standards • Assessment of process skills within context (mathematics, science, and social studies) • More open-ended (griddable) items (mathematics and science)

You know ECS from TAAS MASTER™ and TAKS MASTER®. Rest assured. The content in the STAAR MASTER® series is 100% new and developed according to the TEA test blueprints for STAAR®.

© ECS Learning Systems, Inc.

STAAR MASTER® Sample Booklet

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ECS23411-TG

Copyright infringement is a violation of Federal Law.

© 2016 by ECS Learning Systems, Inc., Bulverde, Texas. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any way or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,or otherwise) without prior written permission from ECS Learning Systems, Inc.

Reproduction of any part of this publication for an entire school or for a school system, by for-profit institutions and tutoring centers,or for commercial sale is strictly prohibited.

Printed in the United States of America. STAAR MASTER is a registered trademark of ECS Learning Systems, Inc.

Disclaimer Statement

ECS Learning Systems, Inc. recommends that the purchaser/user of this publication preview and use his/her own judgment whenselecting lessons and activities. Please assess the appropriateness of the content and activities according to grade level and maturity ofyour students. The responsibility to adhere to safety standards and best professional practices is the duty of the teachers, students,and/or others who use the content of this publication. ECS Learning Systems is not responsible for any damage, to property orperson, that results from the performance of the activities in this publication.

STAAR is a registered trademark of Texas Education Agency. STAAR MASTER and ECS Learning Systems, Inc. are not affiliatedwith or sponsored by the Texas Education Agency or the State of Texas.

Writing, Grade 4 Form A

Teacher Guide

Practice Test

Since 1982

Revised to Align with 2015 STAAR® Test Design & Blueprint

3© ECS Learning Systems, Inc.

STAAR MASTER® Sample BookletThis page m

ay not be reproduced.

STAAR MASTER® Practice Test, Teacher Guide—Writing, Grade 4

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2 © ECS Learning Systems, Inc. � STAAR MASTER® Practice Test—Writing, Grade 4 Form A, Teacher Guide

The STAAR MASTER ® Practice Tests allowteachers to assess their students’ mastery of the curriculum standards tested on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness(STAAR®). Each Practice Test reflects the test structure and content outlined in thecorresponding STAAR blueprint provided bythe Texas Education Agency. Teachers can findthe blueprint for each STAAR assessment at theagency’s Web site: http://www.tea.state.tx.us.

In particular, each STAAR MASTER PracticeTest includes—

• course-specific practice items based onlyon the eligible Texas Essential Knowledgeand Skills (TEKS)

• the exact number of practice itemsspecified in the blueprint for thecorresponding test

• the correct number of practice items forboth readiness standards and supportingstandards, reflecting the ratio specified intest blueprints

• the appropriate number of griddablepractice items (mathematics only)

• rigorous practice items that assess skills ata greater depth

Overview of STAAR MASTER® Practice Tests

Dear Texas Educator,

Since 1982, ECS Learning Systems has created quality K–12 teaching materials, training,and media. As a Texas-based publisher of the highest quality test-prep materials, we havealways shared your commitment to lead your students to success on Texas tests—TEAMS, TAAS, TAKS, and now the STAAR®. With STAAR MASTER ®, we continue our commitment to create research-based content that engages students and makesteaching easier.

<e STAAR MASTER series includes new, challenging content to prepare students for the rigor of the STAAR.It’s what you have come to expect from the most trusted source in Texas testing. Check our Web site often forthe latest information at ecslearningsystems.com/staarmaster.

As you use STAAR MASTER in your classroom, we hope to hear from you! Send us your story and let usknow:

• Why you need our product(s)

• How you use them in your classroom

• What outcomes and results you are experiencing

At ECS, we strive to provide educators like you with easy-to-use and e;ective materials that make teachingeasier. We count it as a privilege to have you as a customer, and we hope that our products continuouslyexceed your expectations.

Please let us know how well the STAAR MASTER products worked in your classroom. Also, please spread theword—many of our new customers are referred by teachers like you.

Sincerely,

Your ECS Team

p.s. It’s easy to share your story! Visit our Re:<ink blog at ecslearningsystems.com/blog and click the Re:Tell button.



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Each STAAR MASTER® Practice Test Teacher Guide includes a Correlation Chart withpertinent information for each item in the test booklet.

Correlation Chart Features:• complete answer key• identification of the reporting category for each item• standard(s) and expectation(s) tested in each item• identification of readiness and supporting standards• complexity level (Low, Moderate, High) of each item

STAAR MASTER® Practice Test, Teacher Guide—Writing, Grade 4



ISBN: 978-1-58232-341-1

Copyright infringement is a violation of Federal Law.

© 2016 by ECS Learning Systems, Inc., Bulverde, Texas. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any way or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,or otherwise) without prior written permission from ECS Learning Systems, Inc.

Reproduction of any part of this publication for an entire school or for a school system, by for-profit institutions and tutoring centers,or for commercial sale is strictly prohibited.

Printed in the United States of America. STAAR MASTER is a registered trademark of ECS Learning Systems, Inc.

Disclaimer Statement

ECS Learning Systems, Inc. recommends that the purchaser/user of this publication preview and use his/her own judgment whenselecting lessons and activities. Please assess the appropriateness of the content and activities according to grade level and maturity ofyour students. The responsibility to adhere to safety standards and best professional practices is the duty of the teachers, students,and/or others who use the content of this publication. ECS Learning Systems is not responsible for any damage, to property orperson, that results from the performance of the activities in this publication.

STAAR is a registered trademark of Texas Education Agency. STAAR MASTER and ECS Learning Systems, Inc. are not affiliatedwith or sponsored by the Texas Education Agency or the State of Texas.

Practice Test

DateName

Since 1982

Revised to Align with 2015 STAAR® Test Design & Blueprint

Writing, Grade 4 Form A

This page may not be reproduced.



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STAAR MASTER® Practice Test—Writing, Grade 4

See pp. 3–4 of this Sample Booklet for a detailed description of the STAAR MASTER® Practice Tests.

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STAAR MASTER® Practice Test Writing, Grade 4—Form A

Read the selection, and choose the best answer to each question.

Carla wrote this paper about marsupial mothers. Read Carla’s paper, and think about howit should be revised. Then, answer the questions that follow.

Marvelous Mamas

(1) Kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and koalas are all kinds of marsupials that live

in and around Australia. (2) Marsupial babies are very small when they are born.

(3) Kangaroo mamas have between one and three babies at a time. (4) Kangaroo

babies are called joeys and are the size of lima beans at birth. (5) As they hop from

place to place, the mother kangaroos carry their joeys in a pouch near their stomach.

(6) The joeys stay inside their mother’s pouch for nine months. (7) The joeys usually

find their own place to live when they are about one year old. (8) At that age, they are

too large for mamas to carry around.

(9) Wallabies look like small kangaroos.

(10) Their babies are also called joeys and

travel in their mothers’ front pouches.

(11) Mama wallabies make milk for

their newborn babies and also for older

offspring. (12) Their milk changes as their

baby grows so the baby always has the

right kind of food. (13) These babies stay

in their mother’s pouch until they can

cover huge distances by hopping in search

of food and water.

© ECS Learning Systems, Inc. 2



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1. Carla wants to add a sentence to the end of her first paragraph (sentences 1–2).Which sentence could she add to clearly state the central idea of her paper?

A Animals have many ways to feed their young.B Australia has the most marsupials in the world. C Babies need food and protection when they are growing.D Marsupial mamas have a special way of caring for their babies.

2. Carla would like to add the following sentence to the third paragraph (sentences 9–13).

Where is the BEST place to insert this sentence?

A At the beginning of the paragraphB After sentence 9C At the end of the paragraphD This sentence should not be added to the paragraph.

The Virginia Opossum is the only marsupial in the United States.






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Amy wrote this paper about Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to travel tospace. Read Amy’s paper, and look for any edits she needs to make. Then, answer thequestions that follow.

Reaching for the Sky

(1) Mae Jemison was born in Alabama in 1956. (2) She loved science from a young

age. (3) On her very first day of school, she surprised her teacher by saying that she

wanted to become a scientist. (4) At that time, not many African-American women

were in that profession. (5) But Jemison was determined to learn about the world.

(6) As a child, Jemison enjoyed going the library. (7) She was interested in books

about outer space. (8) She also watched Star Trek on television. (9) Star Trek showed

people from around the world all working together to learn about the universe.

(10) The characters on the show made Jemison believe that she could be

an astronaut, too.

(11) However, Jemison didn’t spend all of her

time reading, and watching television. (12) She was

full of energy. (13) She went to dance school and

acted in school plays. (14) She was part of her

school’s student government. (15) She also won

many science fairs. (16) Later, a book titled The

girl Who Could Dance in Outer Space would be

written about Jemison’s many interests.

(17) After colege, Jemison went to medical school. (18) In 1981, she began

traveling in Asia to help sick people living there. (19) In 1983, she joined the Peace

Corps to help sick people in other parts of the world.

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$e #rst African-American woman in space, Dr. Mae C. Jemison

Read the selection, and choose the best answer to each question.




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7. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 16?

A Delete the commaB Change girl to GirlC Change would be to had beenD No change should be made.

8. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 17?

A Change colege to collegeB Change went to goesC Change medical school to Medical SchoolD Make no change.

9. What change if any, should be made in sentence 23?

A Insert a comma after traveledB Change into to ontoC Change endeavor to EndeavorD No change is needed in sentence 23.



See pp. 3–4 of this Sample Booklet for a detailed description of the STAAR MASTER® Practice Tests.




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Writing Prompt

READ the information in the box below.

THINK about a person you would honor on a postage stamp.

WRITE about one person you would honor on a postage stamp. Explain why that persondeserves such an honor.

Be sure to—• clearly state your central idea• organize your writing• develop your writing in detail• choose your words carefully• use correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and sentences

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Each year, the United States Postal Service chooses people to honor onpostage stamps. The person may be a famous leader, a popularentertainer, or someone else admired by others.


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STAAR MASTER® Sample BookletThis page m

ay not be reproduced.

Reading • Mathematics • Writing • Social Studies • ScienceEnglish and Spanish versions

ecslearningsystems.com

We make teaching easier!SM

ECS Learning Systems, Inc.P.O. Box 440 • Bulverde, TX 78163-0440

1.800.688.3224

CredibleSame ECS quality

• based on most recent eligible TEKS and STAAR® test blueprints

• practice items marked with complexity level (L, M, or H)

• questions labeled with “skill tags”

AuthenticReflects key characteristics

of STAAR®• increased rigor• emphasis on readiness standards• more open-ended (griddable) items

(mathematics and science)• assessment of process skills

within context (mathematics, science, and social studies)

FreshIncludes challenging,

original content• targeted practice in a variety of

contexts• range of topics to interest students• clear and consistent page layout• complete answer keys for teachers



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STAAR MASTER is a registered trademark of ECS Learning Systems, Inc. STAAR is a registered trademark of the Texas Education Agency. STAAR MASTER and ECS Learning Systems, Inc., are not affiliated with or sponsored by the Texas Education Agency or the State of Texas. Rev. 05/27/15 SMIFC

STAAR MASTER® Student Practice Books

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Student Practice Books • Practice TestsReading • Mathematics • Writing • Social Studies • Science

English • Spanish Grades 3–8

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SOLE SOURCE

ECS Learning Systems, Inc. is the SOLE SOURCE for STAAR MASTER®

books listed below.

For ordering information, please visitecslearningsystems.com

800.688.3224 • [email protected]

STAAR MASTER® Practice Tests(Form A & Form B)

EnglishReading, Grade 3Reading, Grade 4Reading, Grade 5Reading, Grade 6Reading, Grade 7Reading, Grade 8

Math, Grade 3Math, Grade 4Math, Grade 5Math, Grade 6Math, Grade 7Math, Grade 8

Writing, Grade 4Writing, Grade 7

Science, Grade 5Science, Grade 8

Social Studies, Grade 8

SpanishReading, Grade 3Reading, Grade 4Reading, Grade 5

Math, Grade 3Math, Grade 4Math, Grade 5

Science, Grade 5

EnglishReading, Grade 3Reading, Grade 4Reading, Grade 5Reading, Grade 6Reading, Grade 7Reading, Grade 8

Math, Grade 3Math, Grade 4Math, Grade 5Math, Grade 6Math, Grade 7Math, Grade 8

Writing, Grade 4Writing, Grade 7

SpanishReading, Grade 3Reading, Grade 4Reading, Grade 5

Math, Grade 3Math, Grade 4Math, Grade 5

STAAR MASTER® Practice Tests are non-returnable.

Consumable practice tests—may not be reproduced.

An assessment tool—works well with STAAR MASTER® Student Practice Books

Reading Mathematics

FREE Teacher Guide (a $15.00 value) included with each pack. For School

Packs, an extra TeacherGuide will be included

free for each additional 30 copies ordered.

FREE Teacher Guideincluded with each pack.

Value-Priced to provide each student a copy.

Writing ReadingSpanish Version

MathematicsSpanish Version

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