STAAR English II Practice Test Questions

Questions 1 – 3 pertain to the following passage:

(1) In the early 1760s, Paul Revere, ran a busy metalworking shop. (2) People from all over Boston came to buy the silver and gold cups, medals, and cutlery he made. (3) Everything changed in 1765. (4) Many colonists ran low on money and stopped shopping at Paul’s shop.

(5) Things got worse when the british passed the Stamp Act. (6) The Stamp Act created a tax to help the British earn money. (7) Colonists like Paul Revere hated the Stamp Act because it would make things more expensive.

(8) Under the Stamp Act, colonists needed to pay for everything that was printed, such as newspapers, magazines, and business contracts. (9) After a colonist paid the tax, the tax collector put a stamp on the paper to show that the tax had been paid. (10) The Stamp Act made it very expensive for Paul to run his business. (11) For example, if he wanted a new apprentice for his silver shop, he needed to buy a Stamp for the signed contract.

(12) Paul wasn’t just angry about buying stamps. (13) He also felt that the British shouldn’t be allowed to tax the colonies. (14) There was no American colonists in the British parliament, which passed the tax. (15) Paul and the other colonists didn’t want taxation without representation. (16) They wanted to be able to choose their own taxes.

(17) The colonists refused to buy stamps. (18) They were determined to get the Stamp Act repealed.

(19) Paul joined a group called the Sons of Liberty. (20) They wore silver medals on their coats that said “Sons of Liberty.” (21) Paul may have helped make the medals in his silver shop.

(22) The Sons of Liberty staged demonstrations at the Liberty Tree, a huge elm tree, that stood in Boston. (23) Paul drew cartoons and wrote poems about liberty. (24) He published them in the local newspaper, The Boston Gazette. 
(25) After a year of hard work fighting the Stamp Act Paul and the Sons of Liberty received the happy news. (26) The Stamp Act had been repealed!

(27) People celebrated all over Boston; they lit bonfires, set off fireworks, and decorated houses and ships with flags and streamers. (28) Paul attended the biggest celebration, which took place at the Liberty Tree. (29) The people hung 280 lanterns on the tree’s branches lighting up the night sky.

(30) Some members of the Sons of Liberty constructed a paper obelisk. (31) An obelisk is the same shape as the Washington Monument. (32) They decorated the obelisk with pictures and verses about the struggle to repeal the Stamp Act and hung it from the Liberty Tree.

(33) Paul may have helped construct the obelisk, even if he wasn’t involved in the direct construction, he probably knew about and supported it. (34) After the celebration, he made a copper engraving showing the pictures and verses on the obelisk’s four sides. (35) His engraving records the celebration under the Liberty Tree. (36) Even though Paul Revere may be better known for his silver work and famous ride, his engravings, like the engraving of the obelisk, help us see the American Revolution through his eyes.

1. What is the most effective way to combine sentences 17 and 18?
  1. The colonists refused to buy stamps and they were determined to get the Stamp Act repealed.
  2. The colonists refused to buy stamps, and they were determined to get the Stamp Act repealed.
  3. The colonists refused to buy stamps, and were determined to get the Stamp Act repealed.
  4. The colonists refused to buy stamps, were determined to get the Stamp Act repealed.
2. What is the most effective way to combine sentences 30 and 31?
  1. Some members of the Sons of Liberty constructed a paper obelisk, which is the same shape as the Washington Monument.
  2. Some members of the Sons of Liberty constructed a paper obelisk which is the same shape as the Washington Monument.
  3. Some members of the Sons of Liberty constructed a paper obelisk, that is the same shape as the Washington Monument.
  4. Some members of the Sons of Liberty constructed a paper obelisk; which is the same shape as the Washington Monument.
3. What change should be made to sentence 29?
  1. Change 280 to two-hundred-eighty
  2. Change tree’s to trees
  3. Add a comma after branches
  4. Change night to nightly

Questions 4 – 7 pertain to the following passage:

Pride and Prejudice
By Jane Austen

1. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. 
2. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters. 
3. “My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?” 
4. Mr. Bennet replied that he had not. 
5. “But it is,” returned she; “for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.” 
6. Mr. Bennet made no answer. 
7. “Do you not want to know who has taken it?” cried his wife impatiently. 
8. “You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.” 
9. This was invitation enough. 
10. “Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it, that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.” 
11. “What is his name?” 
12. “Bingley.” 
13. “Is he married or single?” 
14. “Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!” 
15. “How so? How can it affect them?”
16. “My dear Mr. Bennet,” replied his wife, “how can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.” 
17. “Is that his design in settling here?” 
18. “Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.” 
19. “I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better, for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley may like you the best of the party.” 
20. “My dear, you flatter me. I certainly have had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now. When a woman has five grown-up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty.” 
21. “In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of.” 
22. “But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley when he comes into the neighbourhood.” 
23. “It is more than I engage for, I assure you.” 
24. “But consider your daughters. Only think what an establishment it would be for one of them. Sir William and Lady Lucas are determined to go, merely on that account, for in general, you know, they visit no newcomers. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit him if you do not.” 
25. “You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever he chooses of the girls; though I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy.” 
26. “I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit better than the others; and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane, nor half so good-humoured as Lydia. But you are always giving her the preference.” 
27. “They have none of them much to recommend them,” replied he; “they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters.” 
28. “Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves.” 
29. “You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these last twenty years at least.” 
30. “Ah, you do not know what I suffer.” 
31. “But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood.” 
32. “It will be no use to us, if twenty such should come, since you will not visit them.” 
33. “Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them all.” 
34. Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three-and-twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character. Her mind was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news. 
35. Chapter 2
36. Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. Bingley. He had always intended to visit him, though to the last always assuring his wife that he should not go; and till the evening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of it. It was then disclosed in the following manner. Observing his second daughter employed in trimming a hat, he suddenly addressed her with: 
37. “I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy.” 
38. “We are not in a way to know what Mr. Bingley likes,” said her mother resentfully, “since we are not to visit.” 
39. “But you forget, mamma,” said Elizabeth, “that we shall meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long promised to introduce him.” 
40. “I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. She has two nieces of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I have no opinion of her.” 
41. “No more have I,” said Mr. Bennet; “and I am glad to find that you do not depend on her serving you.” 
42. Mrs. Bennet deigned not to make any reply, but, unable to contain herself, began scolding one of her daughters. 
43. “Don’t keep coughing so, Kitty, for Heaven’s sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces.” 
44. “Kitty has no discretion in her coughs,” said her father; “she times them ill.” 
45. “I do not cough for my own amusement,” replied Kitty fretfully. “When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?” 
46. “To-morrow fortnight.” 
47. “Aye, so it is,” cried her mother, “and Mrs. Long does not come back till the day before; so it will be impossible for her to introduce him, for she will not know him herself.” 
48. “Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce Mr. Bingley to her.” 
49. “Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am not acquainted with him myself; how can you be so teasing?” 
50. “I honour your circumspection. A fortnight’s acquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight. But if we do not venture somebody else will; and after all, Mrs. Long and her daughters must stand their chance; and, therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness, if you decline the office, I will take it on myself.” 
51. The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Bennet said only, “Nonsense, nonsense!” 
52. “What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?” cried he. “Do you consider the forms of introduction, and the stress that is laid on them, as nonsense? I cannot quite agree with you there. What say you, Mary? For you are a young lady of deep reflection, I know, and read great books and make extracts.” 
53. Mary wished to say something sensible, but knew not how. 
54. “While Mary is adjusting her ideas,” he continued, “let us return to Mr. Bingley.” 
55. “I am sick of Mr. Bingley,” cried his wife. 
56. “I am sorry to hear that; but why did not you tell me that before? If I had known as much this morning I certainly would not have called on him. It is very unlucky; but as I have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance now.” 
57. The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished; that of Mrs. Bennet perhaps surpassing the rest; though, when the first tumult of joy was over, she began to declare that it was what she had expected all the while. 
58. “How good it was in you, my dear Mr. Bennet! But I knew I should persuade you at last. I was sure you loved your girls too well to neglect such an acquaintance. Well, how pleased I am! and it is such a good joke, too, that you should have gone this morning and never said a word about it till now.” 
59. “Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose,” said Mr. Bennet; and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with the raptures of his wife. 
60. “What an excellent father you have, girls!” said she, when the door was shut. “I do not know how you will ever make him amends for his kindness; or me, either, for that matter. At our time of life it is not so pleasant, I can tell you, to be making new acquaintances every day; but for your sakes, we would do anything. Lydia, my love, though you are the youngest, I dare say Mr. Bingley will dance with you at the next ball.” 
61. “Oh!” said Lydia stoutly, “I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest, I’m the tallest.” 
62. The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how soon he would return Mr. Bennet’s visit, and determining when they should ask him to dinner.

4. Paragraphs 22-24 are mainly about…
  1. Introducing the Bennet girls to Mr. Bingley
  2. Recent wedding engagements in the neighborhood
  3. Sir William and Lady Lucas
  4. Convincing Mr. Bennet to visit Mr. Bingley
5. Read the following dictionary entry:

Design [dih-zahyn] noun 1) a sketch or a plan of a work of art or structure 2) a goal, purpose, or intention 3) a treacherous plot 4) the organization of a work of art

Which definition best matches the use of the word design in paragraphs 17 and 18?
  1. Definition 1
  2. Definition 2
  3. Definition 3
  4. Definition 4
6. The author’s purpose in paragraph 34 is to…
  1. Show why Mrs. Bennet wants her husband to visit Mr. Bingley and why Mr. Bennet refuses to do so.
  2. Explain Mr. and Mrs. Bennets’ personalities.
  3. Show Mr. and Mrs. Bennets’ personalities through dialogue.
  4. Explain the reason why Mrs. Bennet wants one of her daughters to marry Mr. Bingley.
7. From the reactions of Mrs. Bennet in paragraphs 55-58, the reader can conclude that…
  1. Mrs. Bennet does not want to hear about Mr. Bingley any more.
  2. Mrs. Bennet did not want to hear about Mr. Bingley but changed her mind after she found out that Mr. Bennet had visited him.
  3. Mrs. Bennet is starting to feel ill when she talks about Mr. Bingley.
  4. Mrs. Bennet is angry with Mr. Bennet for refusing to visit Mr. Bingley.

Questions 8 -10 pertain to the following passage:

(1) Mrs. Conwer, the Jackson High principal, announced last week that Jackson High is considering a student dress code. (2) She is saying that some of the students are wearing to school is being distracting and inappropriate. (3) For example, she says that some of the boys like to wear their pants too low and that some of the girls like to wear very short skirts. (4) I don’t agree that there is a problem. (5) Furthermore, I think there are several reasons why it is important that Jackson High does not have a dress code.

(6) When people are in high school, they are teenagers. (7) Being a teenager means that your at a time in life when you are exploring new things and learning about yourself. (8) Many teens also like to express themselves. (9) For example, some people I know keep a blog where they write about things that are important to them. (10) Other people play in a band and can express themselves through music. (11) A lot of teens express themselves through fashion. (12) Since many teens start earning their own money, they can buy their own clothes and choose the fashions that they want. (13) If Jackson High adopts a dress code the students won’t be able to express themselves. (14) Self expression is important and are often taught at Jackson High. (15) Ms. Riley, my dance teacher, tells me to express myself through dance. (16) Mr. Hunter, my English teacher, tells me to express myself through writing. (17) Taking away expression through fashion is hypocritical because it goes against what is taught in many classes.

(18) A dress code at Jackson High will never please everyone. (19) Who gets to decide what is appropriate and what is not? (20) What happens if the students disagree with the code? (21) In school, we learn about respecting different opinions and making compromises. (22) However, if Mrs. Conwer or just a couple of teacher’s choose the dress code, they will be ignoring the students. (23) Jackson High should stop ignoring the lessons that we learn in our classes every day.

(24) How can Jackson High make sure that students dress appropriately if it doesn’t have a dress code? (25) That’s what some teachers have said to me. (26) I think the answer is obvious. (27) Teach us, the students, how people are suppossed to dress in the real world when they have jobs. (28) Explain why certain choices might be inappropriate. (29) Than let us make our own decisions. (30) That’s what we learn in all our classes, and that’s how it should be for the dress code.

8. What change should be made to sentence 13?
  1. Change if to because 
  2. Add a comma after code
  3. Change students to students’
  4. Change themselves to theirselves
9. What is the most effective way to rewrite sentence 2?
  1. Some of the outfits students wear to school, she is saying, are distracting and not appropriate.
  2. The outfits are distracting and inappropriate, she says, that students wear to school.
  3. She says that some of the outfits that students wear to school are distracting and inappropriate. 
  4. She says that it is distracting and inappropriate that students wear outfits to school.
10. What transition should be added to the beginning of sentence 18?
  1. However
  2. Furthermore
  3. First of all
  4. Therefore

English II Answer Key


1. Answer: B 
B is correct because a comma and conjunction are correctly used to separate two independent clauses. Although choice A has the conjunction and, it is missing the required comma. Choice C is incorrect because no comma is required to separate an independent clause from a dependent clause. Choice D is incorrect because the comma creates a run-on sentence.

2.Answer: A 
A is the right choice because a comma should be used to separate the independent clause beginning with some members from the non-essential phrase beginning with which is. Choice B is incorrect because it is missing the comma. Choice C is incorrect because it incorrectly uses that instead of which. Choice D is incorrect because it uses a semicolon instead of a comma.

3. Answer: C 
C is correct because the phrase lighting up the sky is non-essential and should be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. While the number 280 could be written out, choice A is incorrect because it should be written as two hundred and eighty. Choice C is incorrect because tree’s is possessive and requires the apostrophe. Choice D is incorrect because nightly is an adverb, which should modify a verb. However, the word is modifying a noun and must be written as an adjective.

4. Answer: D 
In paragraph 22, Mrs. Bennet insists that Mr. Bennet must go and see Mr. Bingley once he moves into the neighborhood, but Mr. Bennet refuses in paragraph 23. In paragraph 24, Mrs. Bennet explains why she wants Mr. Bennet to go visit Mr. Bingley. Choice A is not correct because even though Mrs. Bennet is hoping her daughters will meet Mr. Bingley, she first wants Mr. Bennet to make a visit. Although Mr. Bennet uses the word ‘engage,’ choice B is incorrect because the word ‘engage’ in this sentence is referring to what Mr. Bingley is hoping for, not wedding engagements. Mrs. Bennet mentions Sir William and Lady Lucas in paragraph 24, but choice C is incorrect because, although she mentions them as a way to convince Mr. Bennet to visit Mr. Bingley, the paragraphs are not chiefly about Sir William and Lady Lucas.

5. Answer: B 
The correct answer choice is B, a goal, purpose, or intention. In paragraph 17, Mr. Bennet asks Mrs. Bennet if Mr. Bingley’s design, or plan, in moving to Netherfield Park is to marry one of the Bennets’ daughters. Design does not mean a treacherous plot because Mr. Bingley’s designs are not seen as dangerous. In fact, Mrs. Bennet uses design when she tells Mr. Bennet that she doesn’t think Mr. Bingley plans to marry one of their daughters but that she certainly hopes he will. While design often refers to a sketch or organization of a work of art, it is used here to indicate Mr. Bingley’s intentions.

6.Answer: B 
B is correct because paragraph 34 consists entirely of a description of Mr. and Mrs. Bennets’ personalities. Choice A is incorrect because the paragraph only describes Mrs. Bennet’s goals and not her deeper motivations. Choice C is incorrect because the paragraph does not have any dialogue. Choice D is incorrect because the paragraph simply says that she wants her daughters married without explaining why.

7. Answer: B 
B is the correct answer because Mrs. Bennet complains in paragraph 55 that she is sick of Mr. Bingley. In paragraph 58, she changes her mind and is ecstatic that Mr. Bennet visited Mr. Bingley. Choice A is incorrect because it only shows Mrs. Bennet’s first reaction. Choice C is incorrect because the word sick in paragraph 55 refers to Mrs. Bennet’s frustration rather than an illness. Choice D is incorrect because it only addresses Mrs. Bennet’s initial frustration and not her later excitement.

8. Answer: B 
B is correct because the phrase If Jackson high adopts a dress code is a dependent clause that is followed by an independent clause. Because there is no conjunction, these two clauses must be separated by a comma. Choice A is incorrect because the word because would only be used if the dress code had already been adopted. Choice C is incorrect because students’ would require the word to be a possessive, even though the sentence does not show the students possessing anything. Choice D is incorrect because theirselves is not a real word.

9. Answer: C 
C is correct because this version begins with a subject and verb and is followed by a clause. Choice A is incorrect because the words are out of order and don’t logically follow the previous sentence. Sentence 2 should begin with ‘She says’ because it is the school principal’s opinion being expressed. This choice is also incorrect because it uses the words not appropriate instead of inappropriate. Choice B is incorrect because the clause “that students wear to schools” should come after the word outfits. Choice D is incorrect because the word order changes the meaning of the sentence by stating that any outfits are distracting and inappropriate.

10. Answer: B 
B is correct because the word furthermore shows that the sentence will present additional support for the writer’s argument. Choice A is incorrect because however indicates that the following sentence will contradict what came before. Choice C is incorrect because the sentence is not presenting the first point in the writer’s argument. Choice D is incorrect because the sentence is not presenting a conclusion, but an additional point.