®
STAAR
State of Texas
Assessments of
Academic Readiness
English II
Administered April 2022
RELEASED
Copyright © 2022, 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.
®
STAAR
State of Texas
Assessments of
Academic Readiness
English II
Administered April 2022
RELEASED
Copyright © 2022, 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.
Form 001
REVISINGREVISING
English II
Page 3
Form 001
English II - REVISING
Page 4
Form 001
Read the selection and choose the best answer to each
question. Then ll in the answer on your answer document.
Larry wrote this essay for a history assignment. Read Larry’s essay
and look for any revisions he needs to make. When you nish
reading, answer the questions that follow.
How Military Rations
Changed the Way We Eat
(1) Walk down the aisles of a grocery store and you will
nd various cans, boxes, bags, and pouches of food available.
(2) Specialized packaging allows food to be purchased and kept for
long periods of time. (3) Packaged food is a convenient staple in
many households and allows for easy transportation and storage.
(4) The origin of food storage and preservation is the result of many
military advancements in providing provisions for troops far away
from home.
(5) Food spoils if it cannot be preserved. (6) The mixing of
moisture, bacteria, and air makes food deteriorate quickly. (7) This
rotting of food proves to be a huge challenge for troops who
are many miles away from villages, towns, and cities. (8) Early
attempts to provide provisions to troops left them weakened.
(9) Troops were also left malnourished and susceptible to disease,
which could be fatal. (10) It was obvious that something needed
to be done.
(11) The process of canning helped provide quality food
for troops. (12) Canning owes its discovery to Napoleon’s need
to provide adequate nutrition to French troops. (13) To solve
the problem, the French government offered a reward for the
development of a way to preserve food. (14) The solution was to
preserve food in glass jars. (15) Before food was placed into the
glass jars, it was heated to kill any existing bacteria. (16) Then,
the contents of the jars were secured with a lid. (17) When the
food inside the jar cooled, the lid would be vacuumed sealed,
keeping air or new bacteria from entering. (18) This invention
provided troops with edible food that could be transported over
long distances and consumed without worry. (19) However, there
was one problem with this method: glass jars break, leading to the
military-based invention of utilizing metal cans. (20) Now canned
food is common in almost any grocery-store aisle.
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(21) Other innovations relied on the basic idea of canning:
removing moisture from food. (22) One such method is dehydrating
food. (23) Beyond meat, fruit, and vegetables, dehydration was
used for dairy, especially cheese. (24) Dehydrated cheese is
found in almost anything cheese avored, from chips to pasta.
(25) Freeze drying was another dehydration method employed.
(26) In preserving coffee and making it “instant,” freeze drying is
frequently used. (27) It is also used in other “add water” food such
as instant breakfasts and soups, providing the bits of fruits and
vegetables that are present. (28) As military innovators continued
to experiment, they realized that the addition of salt and sugar
could prevent the water molecules in food from interacting with
other ingredients, thus extending the freshness, or shelf life, of
food.
(29) Using heat to remove moisture helps to preserve foods,
but military researchers also wanted to address the problem of
bacteria. (30) They developed a method of using pressure to
eliminate bacteria. (31) The force used to generate the pressure is
so great that it destroys any bacteria, thereby sterilizing the food.
(32) The sterilization creates food that can be consumed safely
without the need for preservatives. (33) Salsas, guacamole, and
deli meats all benet from this process.
(34) The need for quick, easy, convenient, long-lasting food
that can be transported and stored and consumed days, months,
or years later is due to military innovations. (35) These military
innovations have made their way into grocery stores and ultimately
the pantries and kitchens of all. (36) Without a doubt, military
rations have dramatically changed the way people eat.
7552
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1 The word mixing is not the most effective word to use in sentence 6.
Which word best replaces mixing in the sentence?
A merger
B mingling
C connection
D combination
80026
2 What is the most effective way to combine sentences 8 and 9?
F Early attempts to provide provisions to troops left them weakened
and troops were also left malnourished and susceptible to disease,
which could be fatal.
G Early attempts to provide provisions to troops left them weakened,
malnourished, and susceptible to disease, which could be fatal.
H Early attempts to provide provisions to troops left them weakened;
troops were also left malnourished and susceptible to disease,
which could be fatal.
J Early attempts to provide provisions to troops left them weakened,
and were also malnourished and susceptible to disease, which could
be fatal.
80027
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3 Larry wants to add this sentence to the third paragraph (sentences
11–20).
Meat, fruits, and vegetables could now
be safely stored for weeks or months.
Where should he insert this sentence?
A After sentence 14
B After sentence 15
C After sentence 16
D After sentence 17
80028
4 What is the correct way to write sentence 26?
F Freeze drying is frequently used in preserving coffee and making
it “instant.”
G Making it “instant,” freeze drying is frequently used in preserving
coffee.
H Frequently used in preserving coffee is freeze drying and it makes
it “instant.”
J Preserving coffee and making it “instant,” freeze drying is
frequently used.
80029
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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each
question. Then ll in the answer on your answer document.
April wrote this essay about the history of a hobby she enjoys. Read
April’s essay and look for revisions she needs to make. Then answer
the questions that follow.
The History of Skateboarding
(1) In 2020 at the 32nd Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo,
Japan, skateboarding will appear. (2) An activity once seen as
fringe and rebellious will be legitimized as a global sport.
(3) Skateboarding began as a hobby. (4) It was an alternative
way for surfers to continue what they enjoyed when the ocean was
not producing rideable waves. (5) Despite this humble beginning,
skateboarding has transformed through the years from a pastime to
an inuential, cultural mainstay.
(6) Skateboarding began with the idea of taking roller skate
wheels and afxing those wheels to a strip of wood. (7) It was
initially referred to as “sidewalk surng.” (8) While these crude
“skateboards” allowed surfers to ride when the waves were down,
the boards lacked maneuverability and rattled and vibrated on
the concrete sidewalks and asphalt streets. (9) Although the
early boards were homemade, commercial manufacturers began
producing skateboards. (10) While the commercial manufacturers
promoted skateboarding through sanctioned competitions, they
did little to improve upon the original design, and by the mid-’60s,
safety concerns stymied the rise of skateboarding.
(11) While the sport failed to grab the general public’s
attention, there were still those who continued skateboarding
despite the safety concerns. (12) They saw opportunities
to improve the original design and create safer and more
maneuverable boards. (13) One of those people was inventor
Richard Stevenson. (14) He also replaced the common steel
wheels with clay ones. (15) Stevenson, however, did not stop
there. (16) He also transformed skateboarding with his addition
of the kicktail. (17) A kicktail is the curved section on the back
of the board, which allows skateboards to y. (18) With these
improvements, they now had more control and could perform
aerial stunts.
(19) Not satised with Stevenson’s use of clay wheels,
Frank Nasworthy stumbled upon the idea to use urethane wheels.
(20) Urethane is commonly found in the midsoles of athletic
English II - REVISING
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shoes. (21) Nasworthy’s wheels allowed the skateboards to
better grip surfaces and provided the additional benet of more
control. (22) Both Stevenson’s and Nasworthy’s contributions in
the ’70s revolutionized skateboarding. (23) Their contributions
saved it from the brink of extinction and placed it in the
mainstream as municipalities became dotted with skate parks.
(24) Skateboarding’s popularity, however, would fall again due to
safety concerns as many skate parks could not afford the insurance
premiums needed to protect themselves and the skaters who used
their parks.
(25) Despite this setback, skateboarding did not disappear;
it just went underground. (26) Skateboarding soon became a
subculture of the youth, gaining popularity as documentary-style,
straight-to-video lms launched the careers of many who are
now household names. (27) These videos paved the way for the
emergence of large competitions. (28) ESPN, as a sports network,
saw a way to introduce the world to the relatively new phenomena
of action sports. (29) In 1995, ESPN would create the X-Games,
which showcased nine sports with 27 events over a week.
(30) The X-Games placed the subculture of skateboarding
on the main stage. (31) Utilizing the formula that made ESPN
connect with a younger audience, the Olympics’ governing body
decided to include skateboarding in the 2020 Games. (32) They
are hoping that skateboarding will rejuvenate the Olympics while
at the same time showcasing the Olympic spirit of sportsmanship.
(33) Skateboarders have always embodied the Olympic values.
(34) Skateboarding has always been more about appreciation of
others’ abilities and talents than strictly about the competition.
Third party trademark ESPN® was used in these testing materials.
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5 April wants to add a supporting sentence to the third paragraph
(sentences 11–18). Which sentence should be added after sentence 13?
A Stevenson saw a way to improve skateboards.
B Stevenson, however, was not the only inventor who signicantly
improved the design of skateboards.
C Stevenson used his knowledge of shaping surfboards and applied it
to shaping skateboards.
D Stevenson witnessed surfers riding skateboards.
80030
6 The pronoun in sentence 18 is unclear. Which word should replace
they to create a more effective sentence?
F skateboarders
G kicktails
H inventors
J surfboards
80031
7 Which sentence is extraneous and should be deleted from the fourth
paragraph (sentences 19–24)?
A Sentence 19
B Sentence 20
C Sentence 21
D Sentence 22
80032
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8 April does not think a way is the best phrase to use in sentence 28.
Which phrase is the best replacement for a way in the sentence?
F an opening
G a break
H an opportunity
J a room
80033
9 April would like to add the following detail to the sixth paragraph
(sentences 30–34).
It provided skateboarding with unprecedented coverage and led
to the general public’s viewing of skateboarders as professional
athletes.
Where should this sentence be placed?
A Before sentence 30
B After sentence 30
C After sentence 31
D After sentence 32
80034
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EDITINGEDITING
English II
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Form 001
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Form 001
Read the selection and choose the best answer to each
question. Then ll in the answer on your answer document.
Mordecai has written this essay to explain an invention that will
benet areas of the world that lack clean drinking water. Read
Mordecai’s essay and look for any corrections that he needs to
make. When you nish reading, answer the questions that follow.
Using Solar Power to
Clean Drinking Water
(1) What happens when you combine three universities,
a worldwide need, and an ancient technology? (2) The result
is an innovative and modern machine based on an old idea.
(3) Engineers from the University at Buffalo, Fudan University in
China, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have come together
with funding from the National Science Foundation to produce an
efcient and cost-effective device that lters drinking water using
the world’s most abundant power source—the sun.
(4) The need for clean drinking water has been present since
humans have been on Earth. (5) More than 2,300 years ago, the
philosopher Aristotle described the water cycle in his writing titled
Meteorology. (6) He explained that water is heated by the sun,
evaporates up into the air, condenses into drops, and then fell back
to the ground, pure and free of contaminants. (7) The evaporative
stage is what puries the water. (8) Devices known as solar stills
replicate this natural water purication process. (9) The earliest
solar stills were used by sailors to convert seawater to fresh water.
(10) Despite this knowledge about how to generate clean
water using evaporation, pure drinking water is not available
everywhere. (11) It is estimated that over one billion people
worldwide lack clean drinking water. (12) University at Buffalo
Professor Qiaoqiang Gan and the other engineers funded by
the National Science Foundation recognized this need. (13) In
response, they created a method of purifying water that builds
upon Aristotle’s ancient observations.
(14) Gan’s team invented a solar water purier that is a
modern version of an evaporative solar still. (15) This device
resembles the roof of a tent, with a strip of carbon-coated paper
draped over the top so that the paper strip hangs down on the sides
in a slight slope. (16) The ends of the paper strip dip into a water
container at the bottom. (17) Gradually, the water in the container
English II - EDITING
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is absorbed by the paper. (18) When the black carbon coating
on the paper is heated by the sun, the wet paper begins to dry.
(19) During evaporation, salt, dirt, bacteria, and other contaminants
are trapped in the paper. (20) As the temperature cools, water
droplets begin to condense on the surface of the paper. (21) The
puried water is collected in a clean container and is ready to drink.
(22) There are a few key advantages of the solar water
purier. (23) First, the device is quick and efcient. (24) The
solar still can generate up to 5 gallons of clean water daily,
which is enough to provide sufcient drinking water for a family.
(25) Furthermore, this solar water purier is cheaper than other
water-purication devices because they are made with inexpensive
and widely available materials. (26) However, there are also
disadvantages of using the solar water purier. (27) The diversity
of environments’ on Earth presents design challenges that have
put Gan and the other engineers to the test. (28) One challenge
is tweaking the device to accommodate different water types.
(29) The solar water purier can lter salt water to make it drinkable,
however, the salt left behind quickly builds up and hinders the
process. (30) Humid environments also create a challenge, since
little water can evaporate into moist air. (31) Gan and his team,
who are funded by a special grant, continue to adjust their device to
correct these issues.
(32) Currently, the engineers are working to make their
purier available worldwide. (33) Soon, drinkable water will be
puried and assessible where it is needed. (34) The future of solar
water purication looks bright.
7554
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10 What change is needed in sentence 6?
F Change explained to has explained
G Change then to than
H Change fell to falls
J Delete the comma after ground
80036
11 What change should be made in sentence 25?
A Delete the comma after Furthermore
B Change than to then
C Change they are to it is
D Change widely to wildly
80037
12 What change should be made in sentence 27?
F Change diversity to divercity
G Delete the apostrophe after environments
H Change presents to presenting
J Change have to has
80038
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13 What change is needed in sentence 29?
A Change can to could
B Change the comma after drinkable to a semicolon
C Change quickly to quick
D Change process to prosess
80039
14 What change needs to be made in sentence 33?
F Delete the comma after Soon
G Change will be to will have been
H Change puried to purifying
J Change assessible to accessible
80040
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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each
question. Then ll in the answer on your answer document.
Lucia has written this essay for her history class. Read Lucia’s essay
and look for any corrections that she needs to make. When you
nish reading, answer the questions that follow.
Teens and Politics
(1) News and social media expose people to current issues
every day, and this information can inuence the decisions adults
make when they enter the voting booth. (2) Teenagers are exposed
to the same news information; some may feel that their voices are
stied because they are not yet old enough to vote. (3) However,
there are other ways for young people to express their views and to
become involved in politics.
(4) Most students are introduced to politics through student
government or student-council programs at school. (5) Students
can run for class president, vice president, treasurer, and other
positions. (6) Teens elected to ofce can have an impact regarding
issues that affect their schools. (7) But teens don’t need to stop
at school elections. (8) In some states, teens can actually run for
political ofce, and in Kansas and Vermont, teenagers are doing just
that.
(9) Ethan Sonneborn, a 14-year-old student at Mt. Abraham
Union middle school in Bristol, Vermont, became interested in
politics when he was in elementary school. (10) He was at a yard
sale when an encyclopedia with a photo of Senator Robert Kennedy
caught his eye. (11) After reading the entry about the former
senator and presidential candidate, Ethan continued to research
Kennedy and developed a strong admiration for the man’s political
prowess. (12) Eventually, that political interest led Ethan to run for
governor. (13) That’s right—a 14-year-old student decided to run
for governor of Vermont! (14) As if that weren’t surprising enough
Ethan is not the only teenage gubernatorial candidate this year.
(15) Tyler Ruzich is a junior at Shawnee Mission High School
in Overland Park, Kansas. (16) He is a candidate for governor of
Kansas. (17) Tyler is the captain of his school’s debate team and
keeps a poster-size version of the U.S. Constitution plastered on
his bedroom wall. (18) To show her support, his 11-year-old sister
wears a pale blue T-shirt with the slogan “Ruzich for Governor.”
(19) When it is time to attend political events or interviews, Tyler,
English II - EDITING
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who bags groceries at the local grocery store, asks coworkers to
cover his shifts. (20) Since this job allows those to interact with
people of all ages and from all walks of life, Tyler feels that working
there actually has helped his political aspirations.
(21) Tyler is running against 16-year-old Jack Bergeson, an
honor student and defensive end on his high school’s football team.
(22) Jack convinced Tyler to get into politics because Jack believes
running for ofce can help teens impact their home states.
(23) Along with Tyler and Jack, there are four other teenagers
running for the governor’s ofce in Kansas. (24) Kansas also does
not have an age requirement for candidates wishing to hold the
state’s highest ofce. (25) That could change in the future because
there is a proposed law that would limit elections to candidates
over 18. (26) But for now, the teenagers hold debates, conduct
interviews, and encourage other teens to get involved in local and
state politics.
(27) Of course, not every teen wants to run for political
ofce. (28) Some may nd it overwhelming when they’re not old
enough to vote, and it’s a lot of work. (29) But, as Tyler says, “If
the opportunity is there, and you’re our age, then you’ve got to do
it. (30) It’s the only way we’re going to be able to help address this
crisis of political apathy among the members of our generation.”
(31) Teens are the next generation of leaders, and those who
learn about important issues and become commited might make a
difference in the future.
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15 What change, if any, is needed in sentence 9?
A Delete the comma after Sonneborn
B Change middle school to Middle School
C Change he was to they were
D No change is needed.
80041
16 What change should be made in sentence 14?
F Change that to these
G Change surprising to surprises
H Insert a comma after enough
J Delete not
80042
17 What change needs to be made in sentence 20?
A Change those to him
B Insert a comma after ages
C Change there to their
D Change aspirations to asperations
80043
BE SURE YOU HAVE RECORDED ALL OF YOUR ANSWERS
ON THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.
English II
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18 What change needs to be made in sentence 31?
F Delete the comma after leaders
G Change those to these
H Insert a comma after issues
J Change commited to committed
80044
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WRITTEN COMPOSITION: Persuasive
19 Read the following information.
In today’s world, many people are choosing to
communicate through texting rather than conversing
with others in person or by phone. Texting is quick
and convenient, but it may lack the emotional
elements of more personal communication styles.
Can text messages be misinterpreted or misunderstood because they
are typed? Carefully consider this question.
Write an essay stating your position on whether texting is an effective
method of communication.
Be sure to —
• state your position clearly
• use appropriate organization
• provide specic support for your argument
• choose your words carefully
• edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling
9951
USE THIS PREWRITING PAGE TO
PLAN YOUR COMPOSITION.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU WRITE YOUR COMPOSITION ON
THE LINED PAGE IN THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.
USE THIS PREWRITING PAGE TO
PLAN YOUR COMPOSITION.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU WRITE YOUR COMPOSITION ON
THE LINED PAGE IN THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.
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USE THIS PREWRITING PAGE TO
PLAN YOUR COMPOSITION.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU WRITE YOUR COMPOSITION ON
THE LINED PAGE IN THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.
English II
USE THIS PREWRITING PAGE TO
PLAN YOUR COMPOSITION.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU WRITE YOUR COMPOSITION ON
THE LINED PAGE IN THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.
English II
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READING
English II
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READING
Form 001
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Read the next two selections and answer the questions that
follow.
from
Millennials. . . So Happy Together
by Neil Howe
Forbes
August 31, 2017
1 WeWork, an upstart that leases shared workspaces, is
now worth more than $20 billion after a multibillion-dollar
investment from SoftBank. In recent years, the co-working
movement—along with its newer cousin, co-living—has turned
into a frenzy. What’s behind this trend? Generational change is
the primary driver. These community-oriented, structured, and
shared concepts appeal to Millennials
1
—and will likely be around
for the long haul.
2 Over the past decade, co-working spaces have gone from Silicon
Valley “hacker mansions” to full-edged business enterprises.
There were more than 11,000 co-working spaces worldwide in
2016—up from just 14 in 2007. WeWork itself opened nearly
10,000 desks across eight countries in December 2016 alone.
Co-living has also surged: Companies like Common, Ollie, and
Outsite explicitly organize housing options around the idea of
group living. Last year, WeWork even launched its own dedicated
co-living arm, WeLive.
3 Both co-working and co-living represent a profound shift from
the traditional work and home setup. Co-working startups
lease ofce buildings and sublet the space to teleworking
professionals, independent contractors, and small companies.
These individuals or groups rent or pay a membership fee
(monthly or daily) to work in a shared space with others.
These spaces are explicitly designed for interaction. (WeWork
co-founder Adam Neumann calls it “the physical social network.”)
Whether it’s networking events or monthly pancake breakfasts,
co-working companies ensure that no one remains anonymous
in the workplace.
4 Co-living is an extension of this trend. Co-living startups
lease apartment buildings and rent out bedrooms to
1
Millennials have birth years starting from the early 1980s and ending in the mid-1990s to
early 2000s.
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individuals—often at a much lower cost than a one-bedroom
apartment. What’s the catch? Residents must share bathrooms,
kitchens, and common areas. (Think “dorms for adults.”)
Like their co-working counterparts, co-living companies offer
a wide range of conveniences, including laundry services,
housecleaning, and scheduled events.
5 What is fueling the rise of these arrangements? The answer is
simple: These spaces tap into the Millennial mindset.
6 Most importantly, the co-working/co-living movement reects
Millennials’ desire for community. Unlike young Boomers, whose
life goal was to be master of one’s own home and solo alpha
professional in the corner ofce, Millennials would rather do
most of their living and working with others. Before co-working
spaces, work-at-home contractors would have to formally meet
in order to collaborate and start-up employees would only have
each other to talk to. Today’s co-working spaces give everyone
the daily opportunity to socialize and collaborate.
7 Co-living spaces have a similar mission. These arrangements are
crafted to cure the isolation often felt in big cities. Ajay Yadav,
founder and CEO of Roomi, says that “more residents are opting
to co-live to not only save money but to have a shared city living
experience with a roommate.” And loneliness is a huge problem
for Millennials, many of whom are putting off the relationships
that would normally ll their need for companionship. (This
tension explains the expansive online literature on lonely young
people—as well as the proliferation of apps like MeetUp and
Ameego designed to stave off loneliness.)
8 Millennials like the structure and safety these offerings provide.
In many ways, co-living and co-working environments operate
in loco parentis.
2
Co-working startups are responsible for making
sure the printer works and the ofce stays tidy while workers
concentrate on the task at hand. For Gen Xers
3
and Boomers,
4
the thrill of startup life was tied to the risk of going it alone.
Millennials, however, want a safety net to catch them if all goes
wrong. Plus, these apartments have a hierarchy of authority
gures who operate as residential advisors—intervening when
conict arises.
2
In loco parentis is acting in the capacity of a parent.
3
Generation Xers have birth years starting in the early-to-mid 1960s and ending in the
early 1980s.
4
Baby Boomers have birth years starting from the early-to-mid 1940s and ending in the
early 1960s.
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9 Millennials don’t mind sharing space with or being dependent
on others. Why own a car when there’s Uber? Or buy a dress
for a work gala when there’s Rent the Runway? The same
mentality applies here. Why pay for my own kitchen when it’s
less expensive to share? And Millennials are willing to trust these
setups. Millennials have been the recipients of special care since
birth—and trust others to look out for their best interests. This
runs completely against Gen-X instinct: These grownup latchkey
kids didn’t have anyone looking out for them and have always
dened adulthood in terms of personal ownership and look-out-
for-yourself independence.
10 Millennials also have a more blended denition of work-life
balance. Millennials want to prove themselves in the ofce,
which often means going above and beyond the call of
duty—even outside the 9-to-5 workday. This is particularly
true for those in the startup world, where sparks of inspiration
may hit at 3 AM. Co-living and co-working spaces promise that
someone will always be around to help brainstorm for new ideas.
It also means that when every coffee shop is closed, there will
be complimentary caffeine within walking distance.
11 To be sure, there can be such a thing as too much
co-everything—even for Millennials. There are times both at
work and at home when privacy is needed. Although co-working
startup Alley offers private phone booths, open ofces have
been known to raise generational tensions. Additionally, these
environments require strict rules to keep the peace. For
rule-abiding Millennials, “community policing” often is seen as
being for the best of the group. For older generations who don’t
want to be told what to do, that might not y over so well.
From Forbes.com, August 31, 2017. © 2017 Forbes. All rights reserved. Used by permission and protected by the
copyright laws of the United States. The printing, copying, redistribution, or retransmission of this content without
express written permission is prohibited.
Third party trademarks WeWork®, SoftBank®, Common®, Ollie®, Outsite®, WeLive®, Roomi®,
MeetUp®, Ameego®, Uber®, Rent the Runway®, and Alley® were used in these testing materials.
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Philip Desmond, a writer from Canada, is visiting Ireland with his
wife and children. After weeks of travelling, he is planning to start
work on a novel.
from
The Leper’s Squint
by Jack Hodgins
1 Mrs. O’Sullivan is in the next room, Desmond knows, in her
own room listening. If he coughs she will hear. If he sings. She
will know exactly the moment he sets down his next word on
that top sheet of paper. Mrs. O’Sullivan is the owner of this
house, which Desmond rented from home through the Borde
Failte people before he discovered that she would live in it with
them, in the centre of the house, in her two rooms, and silently
listen to the life of his family going on around her. She is a tall
dry-skinned old woman with grey nger-waves caged in blue
hair net, whose thick ngers dig into the sides of her face in an
agony of desire to sympathize with everything that is said to
her. “Oh I know I know I know,” she groans. Last night when
Desmond’s wife mentioned how tired she was after the long
drive down from Dublin, her ngers plucked at her face, her dull
eyes rolled up to search for help along the ceiling: “Oh I know I
know I know.” There is no end to her sympathy, there is nothing
she doesn’t already know. But she will be quiet as a mouse, she
promised, they won’t know she is here.
2 “Maybe she’s a writer,” Desmond’s wife whispered to him, later
in bed. “Maybe she’s making notes on us. Maybe she’s writing a
book called North Americans I Have Eaves-Dropped On.”
3 “I can’t live with someone listening to me breathe,” Desmond
said. “And I can’t write with someone sitting waiting.”
4 “Adjust,” his wife said, and icked at his nose. She who could
adjust to anything, or absorb it.
5 On this rst day of his novel Desmond has been abandoned by
his wife, Carrie, who early this morning drove the car in to Cork.
There are still, apparently, a few Seamus Murphy Statues she
hasn’t seen, or touched. “Keep half an eye on the kids,” she
said before she left. Then she came back and kissed him and
whispered, “Though if you get busy it won’t matter. I’m sure
Mrs. O’Sullivan won’t miss anything.” To be fair, to be really fair,
English II
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he knows that his annoyance is unjustied. He didn’t tell her he
intended to work today, the rst day in this house. She probably
thinks that after travelling for six weeks through the country
he’ll rest a few more days before beginning; she may even
believe that he is glad to be rid of her for the day, after all those
weeks of unavoidable closeness. She certainly knows that with
Mrs. O’Sullivan in the house no emergency will be overlooked,
no crisis ignored.
6 Desmond now that his hands have warmed a little lifts one of
the pens to write, though silently as possible, as if what he is
about to do is a secret perversion from which the ears of Mrs.
O’Sullivan must be protected. But he cannot, now, put down
any new words. Because if the novel, which has been roaring
around his head all summer and much longer looking for a
chance to get out, should not recognize in the opening words
the crack through which it is to spring forth, transformed into
a string of words like a whirring sh line, then he will be left
with all that paper to stare at, and an unmoving pen, and he is
not ready to face that. Of course he knows the story, has seen
it all in his mind a hundred times as if someone else had gone
to the trouble of writing it and producing it as a movie just for
him. But he has never been one for plunging into things, oceans
or stories, and prefers to work his way in gently. That opening
paragraph, though, is only a paragraph after all and has no
magic, only a few black lifeless lines at the top of the paper.
So he writes it out again, beneath the rst time, and again
under that, and again, hoping that the pen will go on by itself
to write the next words and surprise him. But it does not
happen, not now.
“The Leper’s Squint” rst published in the collection Damage Done by the Storm. McClelland & Stewart Ltd, Toronto,
Canada, 2004.
1160
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Form 001
20 Use “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” to answer the following
question.
What is the author’s primary purpose for writing the excerpt from
the article “Millennials. . . So Happy Together”?
F To discuss how the actions of young people impact older generations
G To inform how a new business model is inuenced by the behavior
of one generation
H To explain how individuals can participate in co-working and co-
living situations
J To explore how the socializing behaviors of people are different
between generations
20334
21 Use “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” to answer the following
question.
Which sentence from the excerpt from the article “Millennials. . . So
Happy Together” best supports the idea that co-working spaces result
in positive interactions?
A In recent years, the co-working movement—along with its newer
cousin, co-living—has turned into a frenzy. (paragraph 1)
B These individuals or groups rent or pay a membership fee (monthly
or daily) to work in a shared space with others. (paragraph 3)
C Today’s co-working spaces give everyone the daily opportunity to
socialize and collaborate. (paragraph 6)
D In many ways, co-living and co-working environments operate in
loco parentis. (paragraph 8)
20336
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22 Use “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” to answer the following
question.
Why does the author of the excerpt from the article “Millennials. . . So
Happy Together” include a question and an answer in paragraph 5?
F To demonstrate that he will solve a difcult problem throughout the
rest of the selection
G To prove that co-working and co-living arrangements only attract
members of the Millennial generation
H To reveal how various types of businesses can capitalize on a single
generation to increase prots
J To introduce a discussion of Millennial traits and why they
contribute to the rise of co-working and co-living arrangements
20341
23 Use “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” to answer the following
question.
How does the author organize the excerpt from the article
“Millennials. . . So Happy Together”?
A The author describes a current business phenomenon and then
explains how it hinges on Millennial traits.
B The author explains why co-working and co-living spaces
only appeal to Millennials and then describes how companies
are involved.
C The author outlines characteristics of the Millennial generation and
then demonstrates how Millennials apply them to their work lives.
D The author offers statistics about some of the most successful
startups marketed at Millennials and then explains how they
succeed.
20339
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24 Use “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” to answer the following
question.
Based on the selection from the article “Millennials. . . So Happy
Together,” with which statement would the author most likely agree?
F The movement toward co-living spaces began with generations
prior to the Millennials.
G Millennials want numerous opportunities to socialize in their work
and everyday lives.
H The most successful companies focus primarily on meeting
Millennials’ needs.
J Millennials seek out community but are mostly living and working in
isolated situations.
20340
25 Use “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” to answer the following
question.
In paragraph 9 of the excerpt from the article “Millennials. . . So
Happy Together,” why does the author point out the difference in
how Gen-X and Millennial children were parented?
A To explain why Millennials want the convenience of working any
time of day or night
B To examine why Millennials seek more dependent and supervised
work and living spaces
C To question why Millennials do not mind community policing in
either work or living spaces
D To understand why Millennials prefer a safety net in case they
cannot achieve their goals
20342
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26 Use “The Leper’s Squint” to answer the following question.
Which quotation foreshadows the end of the excerpt from “The
Leper’s Squint”?
F She will know exactly the moment he sets down his next word on
that top sheet of paper. (paragraph 1)
G “Maybe she’s a writer,” Desmond’s wife whispered to him. . . .
(paragraph 2)
H “And I can’t write with someone sitting waiting.” (paragraph 3)
J “Adjust,” his wife said, and icked at his nose. (paragraph 4)
20347
27 Use “The Leper’s Squint” to answer the following question.
Read this dictionary entry.
pluck \ˈplək\ v
1. to remove something 2. to separate
forcibly or abruptly 3. to pick, pull, or
grasp at 4. to play by sounding strings
Which denition best matches the use of the word plucked in
paragraph 1 of the excerpt from “The Leper’s Squint”?
A Denition 1
B Denition 2
C Denition 3
D Denition 4
20343
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28 Use “The Leper’s Squint” to answer the following question.
Which quotation from the excerpt from “The Leper’s Squint” best
supports the idea that Desmond’s wife is more easygoing than he is?
F “Maybe she’s making notes on us. Maybe she’s writing a book. . . .”
(paragraph 2)
G “I can’t live with someone listening to me breathe,” Desmond said.
(paragraph 3)
H She who could adjust to anything, or absorb it. (paragraph 4)
J she may even believe that he is glad to be rid of her for the day,
after all those weeks of unavoidable closeness. (paragraph 5)
20352
29 Use “The Leper’s Squint” to answer the following question.
In the excerpt from “The Leper’s Squint,” which archetype does
Desmond most resemble?
A Creator
B Hero
C Rebel
D Caregiver
20344
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30 Use “The Leper’s Squint” to answer the following question.
In paragraph 1 of the excerpt from “The Leper’s Squint,” what can
the reader infer based on the description of Mrs. O’Sullivan?
F Mrs. O’Sullivan reminds Desmond of a relative he doesn’t like.
G Desmond feels overwhelmed by Mrs. O’Sullivan’s presence.
H Desmond is quick to judge people by their appearances.
J Desmond is prejudiced against elderly people.
20350
31 Use “The Leper’s Squint” to answer the following question.
Which phrase from paragraph 6 of the excerpt from “The Leper’s
Squint” best supports the idea that Desmond is struggling with
his writing?
A has seen it all in his mind a hundred times
B he has never been one for plunging into things
C prefers to work his way in gently
D hoping that the pen will go on by itself to write the next words
20353
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32 Use “The Leper’s Squint” to answer the following question.
What is a major theme of the excerpt from “The Leper’s Squint”?
F Acceptance of others leads to understanding.
G Real life can turn out just like a story does.
H Creative thoughts must be discussed to nd expression.
J External factors can hinder one’s creativity.
20345
33 Use “The Leper’s Squint” to answer the following question.
In the excerpt from “The Leper’s Squint,” how does the tone of
the wife’s dialogue inuence the way the character of Desmond
is perceived?
A Her focus on the factual creates a strong contrast to Desmond’s
artistic sense.
B Her light-hearted attitude only emphasizes Desmond’s internal
struggle.
C Her repeated criticism makes the reader sympathetic towards
Desmond.
D Her ease at coping makes Desmond appear lazy in comparison.
20348
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34 Use “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” and “The Leper’s Squint” to
answer the following question.
What is one difference between the two excerpts?
F “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” explains why Millennials prefer
to live and work in shared spaces, while “The Leper’s Squint”
describes a man who prefers to work alone.
G “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” argues that Millennials nd
it easier to share living and work situations, while “The Leper’s
Squint” proves that writers must work alone.
H “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” reveals why Millennials trust all
new situations and people, while “The Leper’s Squint” presents the
views of a skeptical character.
J “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” describes the places where
Millennials prefer to work, while “The Leper’s Squint” explains why
a man has left his country to work.
20361
35 Use “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” and “The Leper’s Squint” to
answer the following question.
In both of the excerpts from the article “Millennials. . . So Happy
Together” and “The Leper’s Squint,” how is privacy described?
A As a precious commodity to people of any generation
B As the source of problems in most relationships
C As something everyone needs at certain times
D As a concept younger generations fail to experience
20360
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36 Use “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” and “The Leper’s Squint” to
answer the following question.
In the excerpt from “The Leper’s Squint,” how is Desmond’s opinion
about his current situation different from how Millennials feel
about co-living in the excerpt from the article “Millennials. . . So
Happy Together”?
F Desmond is irritated that his family is sharing his workspace.
G Desmond is bothered by sharing a home with a stranger.
H Desmond is curious to experience co-living in another country.
J Desmond is relieved to be co-living in a home for a short time.
20358
37 Use “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” and “The Leper’s Squint” to
answer the following question.
With which statement would both the author of the excerpt from
the article “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” and the author of
the excerpt from “The Leper’s Squint” most likely agree?
A People can save a great deal of money through co-living
and co-working.
B People can still feel isolated when co-living or co-working in
shared spaces.
C Co-living and co-working is an idea from the past on to which
new groups have latched.
D Co-living and co-working can be stressful in the wrong
circumstances.
20359
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38 Use “Millennials. . . So Happy Together” and “The Leper’s Squint” to
answer the following question.
What is one similarity between the excerpt from “Millennials. . . So
Happy Together” and the excerpt from “The Leper’s Squint”?
F Both excerpts include different generations questioning the idea
of co-living.
G Both excerpts discuss how much money can be saved by sharing
living and working spaces.
H Both excerpts indicate that co-living situations require the ability to
adapt to the environment.
J Both excerpts declare shared living and working spaces as
benecial to all.
20362
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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each
question. Then ll in the answer on your answer document.
from Prodigy
by Mary Hall Surface
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) was considered a musical
genius. He played multiple instruments and was an extremely
talented performer and composer. He began performing publicly at
the age of six and continued to perform for the rest of his childhood
and adolescence. Mozart’s father eventually quit his job so that he
could oversee his son’s and daughter’s musical careers. The play
Prodigy, written in 1988, examines some of the family dynamics
that provided a backdrop for Mozart’s rise to fame.
1 WOLFGANG: Poppa!
2 LEOPOLD: Not now, Wolfgang. I need to nalize everything for
your concert. There are so many details—
3 ANNA MARIA: But shouldn’t you rest, dear? You were running
about town all morning, receiving guests all afternoon. It’s not
so important.
4 LEOPOLD: Are you so unaware of how crucial this concert is to
us? We stand to earn more money in a single evening than all
the evenings spent bowing before the aristocracy combined.
5 ANNA MARIA: But we have done very well in London, Leopold.
Why is this one night keeping you in such a fuss?
6 WOLFGANG: Poppa—
7 LEOPOLD: Because every noble in London is clamoring for
tickets. Wolfgang is the biggest attraction of London’s social
season. They are coming to us now. And we must astound them.
And take them for every pence they are worth.
8 ANNA MARIA: Honestly, Leopold. I should think you would be
more concerned over all the dreadful rumors about Wolferl’s
abilities. What about his feelings? To think that some people
believe that he is only a puppet.
9 WOLFGANG: [Bursting in.] Poppa! I have written a symphony.
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10 LEOPOLD: What?
11 WOLFGANG: A symphony. Have I pleased you?
12 LEOPOLD: Son. A complete symphony—
13 [A visitor arrives. Leopold puts aside the music that Wolfgang
has handed him.]
14 BARRINGTON: Herr Mozart.
15 LEOPOLD: Your servant, sir.
16 BARRINGTON: I realize that the visitations to the child prodigy
are scheduled to conclude at two but I imagine you might spare
a few moments for me.
17 ANNA MARIA: [Clicking into role.] It is our pleasure to
welcome all into our home who desire to see our talented son.
18 BARRINGTON: So this is the wonder boy.
19 WOLFGANG: [Returning to his manuscript.] Hello.
20 BARRINGTON: It is an honor, young man.
21 LEOPOLD: Indeed, I think it is our honor, is it not, sir? Are you
not Daines Barrington?
22 BARRINGTON: I am.
23 LEOPOLD: Your scholarly writings on music are most
impressive, sir.
24 BARRINGTON: And inuential, which is why I am here.
25 LEOPOLD: Sir?
26 BARRINGTON: My colleagues at the Royal Academy of Music
enjoy a bit of sport. So they have challenged me to administer a
test to your son.
27 ANNA MARIA: A test?
28 BARRINGTON: To determine scientically the exact level of his
musical skill.
29 LEOPOLD: For what purpose, sir?
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30 BARRINGTON: The musical establishment requires veriable
proof regarding the child’s abilities. How else can we respond to
the rumors about town? Some say he is your mechanical toy.
Others say that he will write an opera before he is twelve.
[He picks up the music Wolfgang has been working on.] Did
you write this, little man?
31 [Wolfgang nods.]
32 LEOPOLD: And how would the results of the test be made
known?
33 BARRINGTON: I plan to address the Royal Society of Musicians.
With my reputation as a musical scholar, my word can hardly
be refuted.
34 LEOPOLD: How perfect.
35 ANNA MARIA: Mr. Barrington, how would such a test be given?
36 BARRINGTON: [Looking at the music, he is astounded.] I had
no idea . . . Your son would be conned to a room for a full
afternoon of performance exercises.
37 LEOPOLD: Why not extend the examination, sir, to test his skills
of composition as well?
38 BARRINGTON: That would be a rigorous examination, Herr
Mozart, lasting three days I should think.
39 ANNA MARIA: Three days? He is only a child, sir.
40 LEOPOLD: But three days well spent, proving once and for all
that Wolfgang is indeed a child and a musical genius.
41 BARRINGTON: I welcome the challenge, sir.
42 LEOPOLD: I will make sure that my son is fully prepared to
excel in your examination.
43 ANNA MARIA: Why are you doing this?
44 BARRINGTON: Because, Madam, I believe your son may have
a brilliant future. Possibly more brilliant than any of us can
imagine. Unfounded rumors will only stand in his way. Herr
Mozart, I will contact you tomorrow to arrange the details.
45 LEOPOLD: I shall eagerly await them, sir.
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46 BARRINGTON: [Exiting.] Farewell.
47 LEOPOLD: What a perfect opportunity! The nal blow to all who
are set against the success of my Gala concert. This test will
silence them, won’t it, son?
48 ANNA MARIA: Leopold! Are you mad? Why must Wolfgang be
subjected to such a test?
49 LEOPOLD: You just heard why. Don’t you understand, or must
I explain it to you?
50 ANNA MARIA: I understand. I understand that Wolfgang no
longer matters to you.
51 LEOPOLD: What?
52 ANNA MARIA: He has become a puppet to you.
53 LEOPOLD: Don’t be absurd.
54 ANNA MARIA: No. You are the one who is absurd. And wrong!
“A test to see if Wolfgang is a child?” You have never let him be
a child—always pushing him to live up to your dreams.
55 LEOPOLD: Of course they are my dreams, just as they are his.
Wolfgang’s only desire is to be a great musician.
56 ANNA MARIA: It is your desire! Admit to that at least.
57 LEOPOLD: I have always made decisions in his best interest—
58 ANNA MARIA: Your interest! To win a place in a society where
we don’t belong.
59 LEOPOLD: What’s this? You are the one who was always so
impressed by the glitter of the court.
60 ANNA MARIA: Of course I was. But I was content to dream
of dressing like an Empress someday. You are using our child
to prove something—something to a group of people whom
you despise.
61 LEOPOLD: I haven’t used him. I gave Wolfgang choices all
along the way.
62 ANNA MARIA: Choices? Wolfgang doesn’t know what the word
means, do you?
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63 [Wolfgang remains silent.]
64 ANNA MARIA: You have made every decision of his life for him.
A child? He’ll probably remain a child all his life because of the
way you have treated him. He’s helpless.
65 LEOPOLD: He will always be in my care!
66 ANNA MARIA: I am sure he will. Playing out your ambitions at
his expense. Do you ever consider if Wolfgang is happy?
67 LEOPOLD: Happy? He is brilliant!
68 ANNA MARIA: And that is all that matters?
69 LEOPOLD: His music is what matters! Wolfgang is his music!
70 ANNA MARIA: Oh Leopold, no. He is so much more. You don’t
see it anymore. I’ve watched it happen. Every day he slips
further away from you. He needs you . . . just to be his Poppa.
71 LEOPOLD: He is undisciplined, impulsive. His music will be lost
if I am not in control of him.
72 ANNA MARIA: So you would rather lose your son?
73 LEOPOLD: He is devoted to me!
74 ANNA MARIA: What choice does he have?
75 LEOPOLD: I must choose for him. He’s not like other children.
76 ANNA MARIA: Of course he is.
77 LEOPOLD: He is a genius.
78 ANNA MARIA: He is your son!
Reprinted with permission of Dramatic Publishing Co., 311 Washington St. Woodstock, IL 60098,
Phone: 1-800-448-7469 Fax: 1-800-334-5302
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39 What do lines 9 through 11 reveal about Wolfgang?
A He desires his father’s approval.
B He is frightened by his father’s attitude.
C He is arrogant from his father’s praise.
D He worries about his father’s abilities.
54363
40 Which quotation from the play best reveals Anna Maria’s reason for
becoming angry with Leopold?
F ANNA MARIA: But we have done very well in London, Leopold.
Why is this one night keeping you in such a fuss? (line 5)
G ANNA MARIA: Honestly, Leopold. I should think you would be
more concerned over all the dreadful rumors about Wolferl’s
abilities. (line 8)
H ANNA MARIA: Mr. Barrington, how would such a test be given?
(line 35)
J ANNA MARIA: You have never let him be a child—always pushing
him to live up to your dreams. (line 54)
54368
41 What is the meaning of refuted as it is used in line 33?
A Proven false
B Agreed on
C Judged unfairly
D Thought predictable
54359
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42 Which line from the play exhibits the archetype of the hero having a
special quality?
F BARRINGTON: I realize that the visitations to the child prodigy
are scheduled to conclude at two but I imagine you might spare a
few moments for me. (line 16)
G BARRINGTON: Because, Madam, I believe your son may have a
brilliant future. Possibly more brilliant than any of us can imagine.
(line 44)
H ANNA MARIA: I understand. I understand that Wolfgang no longer
matters to you. (line 50)
J LEOPOLD: What’s this? You are the one who was always so
impressed by the glitter of the court. (line 59)
54369
43 Read line 60.
ANNA MARIA: You are using our child
to prove something—something to a
group of people whom you despise.
What does Anna Maria’s reaction in line 60 of the play suggest
about how she feels concerning Leopold’s insistence?
A Leopold is discouraged.
B Leopold is ambitious.
C Leopold is protective.
D Leopold is confused.
54365
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44 Read the following dictionary entry.
exercise \ˈek-sər-ˌsīz\ n
1. an act of employing or putting into play;
use 2. the discharge of a duty, function,
or ofce 3. activity that requires physical
exertion, especially when performed to
develop or maintain tness 4. a task, problem,
or other effort performed to increase skill
Which denition best matches the use of the word exercises in line 36?
F Denition 1
G Denition 2
H Denition 3
J Denition 4
54360
45 Read line 17.
ANNA MARIA: [Clicking into role.] It
is our pleasure to welcome all into our
home who desire to see our talented son.
What does the line suggest about Anna Maria?
A She is solely responsible for exploiting Wolfgang’s musical talent.
B She is untrusting of those who come to visit Wolfgang.
C She is cordial in order to promote Wolfgang’s success.
D She is hopeful Wolfgang will help the family win a place in society.
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46 In the play, how does the motif of the concert contribute to the plot?
F It introduces the characters.
G It suggests the resolution.
H It propels the action.
J It establishes the conict.
54362
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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each
question. Then ll in the answer on your answer document.
Teen Studies Better
Cleaning through Chemistry
by Bethany Brookshire
Science News for Students
November 11, 2016
1 Inspiration for science projects can be found almost anywhere,
even in the most common of tasks. Nathan Deng, 14, found
his doing the dishes. The teen wondered why hot water worked
better than cold water when washing, and what made soap a
good cleaner. The simple experiments he devised to investigate
these matters earned him the Lemelson Award for Invention
here at the Broadcom MASTERS.
2 MASTERS stands for Math, Applied Science, Technology and
Engineering for Rising Stars. Every year, this event brings
together 30 middle-school students from around the country to
share their award-winning science fair projects. The competition
was created by Society for Science & the Public—which publishes
Science News for Students. It’s sponsored by the Broadcom
Foundation.
3 Nathan—now a freshman at San Marino High School in
California—doesn’t like his household chores any more than
anybody else. But he said doing them made him curious about
why we use hot water and soap to clean. The teen was further
inspired by something he read about the Deepwater Horizon oil
spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. To clean up the mess, planes
sprayed the water with a chemical mix called Corexit. It was
supposed to help disperse the oil, preventing it from clumping
on the surface and coating the wildlife, though it didn’t work well.
4 “I decided that I wanted to nd a method for cleaning that is
both efcient and environmentally friendly,” he says.
5 But this is a big goal, so the teen started small. He decided to
look at surface tension—an effect that occurs when molecules
bond to each other on the surface of a liquid. Surface tension is
why, when you ll a glass just a little too much, the water forms
a tiny lump at the top. This is great for keeping water in your
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glass but bad for cleaning, Nathan explains. Dishes are riddled
with tiny cracks and pores—places where dirt and germs can
hide. Surface tension holds water together, keeping it out of
these itty bitty spots. Instead of going into the pores where it
can reach the dirt, the water bridges over these places, Nathan
explains. And that “can make it difcult to clean the stuff stuck
in the crevices,” he says.
6 The teen wanted to see how he might reduce the surface tension
of water. That would break up the bridging over the pores, he
explains. Then, the water could ush through and rinse out the
dirty substances.
Weighty Water
7 Nathan didn’t have a lot of fancy equipment to work with. That
didn’t stop him. To measure surface tension, he gathered a large
plastic syringe, some tubing, a kitchen scale—and of course
some water. If a water droplet has a high surface tension, it
holds together longer—and gets bigger—before a drop breaks
apart. Nathan lled his syringe with water and slowly pushed
it out over the scale. Bigger drops have more surface tension.
So by weighing his drops, the teen could nd out if changes he
made to the water increased or decreased the surface tension.
8 Nathan started with drops of water that had different
temperatures. As water gets hotter, the molecules in it move
faster. The teen hypothesized that this would make it harder for
the water to form a lm on the surface and its surface tension
would decrease. He tested water at 5°, 15°, 20°, 35° and
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50° Celsius (41°, 59°, 68°, 95° and 122° Fahrenheit). Nathan
avoided water at 0 °C (32 °F) since ice doesn’t drip well. He
also avoided boiling water, which could get dangerous. The teen
dripped water at each temperature and weighed it to determine
the size of his drops, running each temperature test three times.
9 As the temperature of the water increased, the size of the
drops decreased, which suggested the surface tension was also
decreasing. Nathan concluded that cleaning a dish with hot
water is probably more efcient than cold.
10 Next, he tested soap—or rather a main ingredient in it, sodium
lauryl sulfoacetate (or SLSA). This chemical is a surfactant—a
chemical that decreases the attraction between water molecules,
which lowers surface tension. Nathan tested pure water, water
with 0.01375 percent, 0.01275 percent, 0.055 percent,
0.1 percent, 0.2 percent and 0.5 percent SLSA. (All were held
at the same temperature of 20 °C.) He dripped and weighed his
mixtures again.
11 The addition of the surfactant decreased surface tension more
than simply heating water, Nathan found. After reading more
about the chemical, the teen discovered that SLSA is a chemical
with two ends. One is hydrophobic—it is repelled by water. The
other is hydrophilic, or attracted to water. When SLSA with its
two ends is placed in water, the molecules of the chemical line
up at the water’s surface. Their hydrophobic heads stick out into
the air while their hydrophilic tails stay comfortably in the water.
This lm of molecules means water can’t form its usual bonds at
the surface. The whole mixture has lower surface tension.
12 At high concentrations of SLSA, something else happens. The
surface of the water is lled with the chemical, and the rest
of the molecules are stuck under the water. There they form
clumps called micelles. These clumps are very good for cleaning
up oil, Nathan notes. Oil is also hydrophobic, and a micelle
isolates the oil from the water.
13 Finally, Nathan wanted to see what would happen if he added
regular old table salt. He thought that salt might decrease
surface tension, because adding the tiny molecules to the water
would stop the water bonding to itself at the surface. But he
found that salt made very little difference.
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14 The teen ended up with an answer to why we use hot water and
soap to clean dishes instead of cold water alone. Both reduce
surface tension. And this helps water get into the nooks and
crannies of our dirty dishes. If you have no soap, he says, use
hot water. But adding soap is usually a good idea.
15 Nathan found that his apparatus—a syringe and tube with
a scale—was great for measuring surface tension. He wants
to sell his setup as a surface tension kit for classrooms, so
other teens can do his experiments. Then they, too, can learn
that invention and research don’t require fancy materials or
expensive equipment.
Bethany Brookshire, Science News for Students, November 11, 2016. Used with permission.
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47 What is the most likely reason the author wrote this article?
A To provide an example of how easy it is to win a science award
B To explain some surprising uses of household products
C To promote an award-winning science fair attended by a
young scientist
D To describe an experiment designed and completed by a
young scientist
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48 What key idea about experimentation do the details in paragraph 7
support?
F Experimentation requires careful timing to ensure accuracy.
G Experimentation needs to be conducted in a scientic laboratory.
H Experimentation does not necessarily require expensive
lab materials.
J Experimentation cannot be completed in multiple steps.
54420
49 What is the most likely reason the author presents paragraphs 8
through 14 chronologically?
A To suggest that the course of an experiment can change over time
B To emphasize the methodical nature of scientic experiments
C To indicate the difculty in documenting research results
D To show that planning requires a signicant amount of time
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50 What is the most likely reason the author includes the photograph in
the article?
F To show why Nathan focused his experiment on surface tension
G To show a step in the process Nathan followed
H To illustrate why surface tension is commonly misunderstood
J To provide a visual reference of an unfamiliar term
54430
51 Read this quotation from paragraph 13.
He thought that salt might decrease surface
tension, because adding the tiny molecules
to the water would stop the water bonding
to itself at the surface. But he found that salt
made very little difference.
What can the reader infer from the quotation?
A Altering factors in an experiment may not change the outcome.
B Common substances could have benecial uses.
C Expected results can still provide valuable information.
D Making errors is common when working alone.
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52 What is the best summary of the article?
F Every year Broadcom MASTERS awards the Lemelson Award for
Invention to a middle school student. MASTERS, which stands
for Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising
Stars, is an event that recognizes middle school students for their
scientic achievements. Nathan Deng won the award by creating an
experiment that tests how well hot water and soap clean dishes. He
wants other teams to conduct the same experiment.
G Nathan Deng was able to construct an experiment that determined
why hot water and soap are used to clean dishes. He kept the
experiment simple by only testing the surface tension of water. The
surface tension of water is the effect that results when molecules
bond to each other on the surface of the liquid. Nathan found that
hot water and soap reduce surface tension.
H Nathan Deng’s use of simple experimentation to answer basic
questions about dish washing won him the Lemelson Award for
Invention. Curious about why hot water and soap were needed to
clean dishes, Nathan set up an experiment to test surface tension.
Nathan tested drops of water at different temperatures as well as
the use of a soap ingredient to determine their effects on surface
tension. He found that soap and hot water are most effective.
J Inspiration for science projects can come from everyday life. For
this reason, anyone can complete a science project. Nathan Deng
investigated the way soap and hot water affect the cleanliness of
dishes. There are often tiny cracks in dishes that are difcult to
reach when washing dishes. Surface tension keeps water out of
these spaces. Nathan’s experiment showed that using soap and hot
water would be effective.
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BE SURE YOU HAVE RECORDED ALL OF YOUR ANSWERS
ON THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.
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STOP
53 What is the most likely reason the author included paragraphs 1
through 6?
A To highlight the topic of a science experiment
B To emphasize the value of winning an award for a science experiment
C To introduce background information about a science experiment
D To promote the scientic goals of an experiment
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STAAR
English II
April 2022
