STAAR Test
Short Answer Questions
Name:___________________
On the English II STAAR test there are 2 short-answer questions
These count for 20% of the overall score (SO, you need to do well on these to pass the test!)
 FIRST---you can use a dictionary!
 Some questions are about one selection, and others will ask you to compare
selections.
 Did I mention that you can use a dictionary? You can also use a thesaurus.
 Short answers are scored 0-3 (see rubric). YOU NEED AT LEAST A 2!!
 You will get a 0 or a 1 if your answer needs more explanation or specificity
 You will get a 0 or a 1 if your answer is only a summary of the text
 To score a 2 or 3, your answer must be reasonable, specific, and go beyond a literal
reading of the text, or be perceptive, coherent, and discerning. You must really get
at the heart of the piece! This is why you need to read it carefully the first time.
 You must include TEXT EVIDENCE to get a 2 or a 3
 Text evidence is flawed (and will not get you that score) when it is
o Only a general reference to the text
o Too partial to support the idea (answer)
o Weakly linked to the idea
o Used inappropriately because it changes the meaning of the text
 And don’t forget, you can use a dictionary!
Answering these questions is EASY! Just follow three easy steps:
Step one: READ THE QUESTION CLOSELY. Do this BEFORE you even read the passage! Be sure you understand
what the question is asking. Look up any words in the directions that you don’t understand.
Step two: REFER TO THE TEXT! Find the answer and your evidence in the text before you start writing. If the
question asks about two texts, find evidence from both selections.
Step three: FOLLOW A-P-E:

A-ANSWER: Answer the question. Use words from the question in your answer. If the question is about
two texts, answer the question for BOTH selections.

P-PROVE: back up your answer with TEXT EVIDENCE. A quote is the best form of evidence—be sure to
put quotes in context (explain what is going on) and punctuate correctly. If the question is about two
selections, you must have a quote from BOTH selections. (Line numbers do NOT work as text evidence.)

E—EXPLAIN: Connect the evidence to your answer, and add some more insight. Really explain what
you mean.
STAAR Short answer scoring rubrics
Idea/ Answer
Short Answer Rubric: Single Selection
0—Insuficient
--The idea is not an answer
to the question asked
--The idea is too general,
vague, or unclear to
determine whether it is
reasonable
Explanation
Text
Evidence
--Idea is incorrect because
it’s not based on the text.
--No idea is present.
Sometimes the response
contains only text evidence.
At other times there appears
to be an idea; however, this
idea cannot be considered an
answer to the question
because it merely repeats
verbatim the text evidence.
1—partially sufficient
--The idea is reasonable, but
the response contains no text
evidence
--The idea is reasonable, but
the text evidence is flawed and
does not adequately support
the idea. Text evidence may
be
--only a general reference to
the text
--too partial
--weakly linked to the idea
-- changes meaning of the text
--the idea needs more
explanation or specificity even
though it is supported with
text evidence.
--The idea represents only a
literal reading of the text, with
or without evidence.
2—Sufficient
--The idea is reasonable
and goes beyond a literal
reading of the text. It is
explained specifically
enough to show the
student can make
connects and draw
conclusions.
--Text evidence used to
support the idea is
accurate and relevant.
--The idea and text
evidence are clearly
linked.
--The combination of the
idea and the text evidence
demonstrates a good
understanding of the text.
3-Exemplary
The idea is perceptive and
reflects an awareness of the
complexities of the text. The
student is able to develop a
coherent explanation of the
idea by making discerning
connections across the text.
--The Text evidence used to
support the idea is specific
and well chosen. Overall,
the evidence strongly
supports the validity of the
idea.
--The combination of the
idea and the text evidence
demonstrates a deep
understanding of the text.
Explanation
Text Evidence
Idea/ Answer
STAAR Short Answer--Connecting Selections Rubric
0—Insuficient
--For one or both selections,
the idea is not an answer to
the question asked
--Idea is incorrect because
it’s not based on the text.
--For one or both selections,
the idea is too general, vague,
or unclear to determine
whether it is reasonable
--No idea is present.
Sometimes the response
contains only text evidence.
At other times there appears
to be an idea; however, this
idea cannot be considered an
answer to the question
because it merely repeats
verbatim the text evidence.
1—partially sufficient
--The idea is reasonable, but the
response contains no text
evidence
--The idea is reasonable from
both selections, but the text
evidence is flawed and does not
support the idea. Text evidence
is inadequate when it is
--only a general reference to the
text
--too partial
--weakly linked to the idea
--used inappropriately because
it changes the meaning of the
text
--For one or both selections, the
idea needs more explanation or
specificity even though it is
supported with text evidence.
--The idea represents only a
literal reading of the text, with
or without evidence.
--Relevant text evidence from
both, but only reasonable
answer for one selection.
--Reasonable answer for both
selections, but text evidence
from only one
2—Sufficient
--For both selections, the idea
is reasonable and goes
beyond a literal reading of
the text. It is explained
specifically enough to show
the student can make
connects and draw
conclusions.
--For both selections, text
evidence used to support the
idea is accurate and relevant.
3-Exemplary
For both selections, the idea
is perceptive and reflects an
awareness of the
complexities of the text. The
student is able to develop a
coherent explanation of the
idea by making discerning
connections across the text.
-- For both selections, the
Text evidence used to
support the idea is specific
and well chosen. Overall, the
evidence strongly supports
the validity of the idea.
--For both selections, the idea
and text evidence are clearly
linked.
--In both selections, the
combination of the idea and
the text evidence
demonstrates a good
understanding of the text.
-- For both selections, the
combination of the idea and
the text evidence
demonstrates a deep
understanding of the text.
Sample Short Answers—Single Selection
English I short answer question for single selection: drama
In this excerpt from Anne of Green Gables, do you think the stage directions enhance your
understanding of the scene? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.
Example #1 of SP 1 (partially sufficient): idea is specific but text evidence is only a general
reference.
In “Anne of Green Gables” I believe the stage directions enhance the understanding of the scene. Some
evidence to prove it is all of the first paragraph. It enhances the understanding of the scene by
introducing the main character, setting the scene, and setting the mood. Without the stage directions it’s
all confusing. Some more text evidence is all of paragraph 8. It enhances the scene by introducing a man
who is to adopt Anne and what his character is like. In conclusion I believe the stage directions enhance
the scene because without them it’s very confusing. (Response is 7 lines handwritten.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Example #2 of SP 1 (partially sufficient): idea is specific but text evidence is only weakly linked to
the idea
Yes it does enhance my understanding, it describes Anne to me. It lets me know that she’s waiting
for something or someone and that she might be unfortunate. “The child wears a too-large
overcoat.”(Response is 5 lines handwritten.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Example of SP 2 (sufficient): idea is specific and text evidence is relevant and accurate
The stage directions help a lot because you can create better pictures in your head about what is
going on. When the story says “[Anne clutches her bag. She is terrified]” shows Anne is scared without
Anne having to say it. (Response is 5 lines handwritten.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Example of SP 3 (exemplary): idea is perceptive and text evidence is specific and well chosen.
The stage directions most definitely help to get an image of the scene in the play. In a short story
or novel, authors use words to describe the setting that the characters are in, which helps to paint a visual
image in the reader’s mind. Descriptions like “a small figure, a child, sits on a battered suitcase” and
directions as to who a character is turned talking to like “to Anne” help the reader see what is happening,
just like descriptions in a novel or short story. The reader can definitely see the play being acted out in
their minds, which helps them to understand the scenes better and connect with the characters just by
reading. (Response is 9 lines handwritten.)
Sample Short Answers –Connecting Selections
English II short answer question for paired selections: poetry and literary nonfiction
How are the themes of “Those Winter Sundays” and “All My Babies are Gone Now” similar?
Support your answer with evidence from both selections.
Example #1 of score point 1 (partially sufficient): idea needs more specificity and explanation
The themes from “Those Winter Sundays” and “All My Babies Are Gone” are similar in that they are both
looking into past moments in their lives. “What did I know of love’s austere and lonely offices?” “I wish I
had treasured the doing a little more…” (Response is 6 lines handwritten.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Example #2 of SP 1 (partially sufficient): idea is specific but text evidence for one selection is too
partial and for the other selection is only a general reference
Both themes suggest the authors regret not spending time with their loved ones. In the poem, the
author spoke to his father “indifferently” which shows lack of feeling. And in “All My Babies Are Gone,”
the author mentions her regret of not living in the moment with her kids.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Example of SP 2 (sufficient): idea is specific and text evidence is relevant and accurate
Both authors show regret about their earlier life. In “Those Winter Sundays,” the author realizes
that “No one ever thanked” his father for taking care of the family. In “My Babies Are Gone Now,” the
author says, “I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Example of SP 3 (exemplary): idea is perceptive and text evidence is specific and well chosen.
Both themes are similar in the sense that both the child and mother in the selections have a
feeling of remorse of not being able to appreciate who they have in front of them and not being able to
take advantage of time. “No one ever thanked him.” The child acknowledges the fact that his father “with
cracked hands that ached from labor” would wake up “in the blueblack cold” to provide warmth for his
family, yet no one seems to be grateful for it. Time flew by for this mother; she didn’t get to cherish her
three treasures as she wanted because in the blink of an eye they turned into “three almost adults”.
(Response is 8 lines handwritten.)
STAAR Reading Test
Understanding the Test
Name: _________________
Directions: Answer the following questions about the English I STAAR reading short answer question
section on the lines provided.
1. How many short answer questions will there be on the test? ___________
2. What score do you need to shoot for on the short answers to get credit ? ______________
3. What does your answer need if you get a 0 or a 1?
4. What must your answer be to get a 2 or a 3?
5. What MUST you include to get a 2 or a 3? __________________________________________
Finish the back!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. What does FLAWED text evidence look like?
a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
c. _______________________________________________________
d. ________________________________________________________
7. What is the first step for answering these questions?
8. What is the second step for answering short answer questions?
9. What is APE?
10. What do you need to remember about the questions that ask about two texts?