STUDENT NAME _______________________________________ DATE ___________ ID _____________
TEACHER NAME ______________________________________
CLASSROOM PERIOD ___________
TAKS-M
BENCHMARK
Grade 8
Reading
Students,
This test will measure your
progress in the material you
have covered in your class
and readiness for upcoming
material.
The information we get from
the test results helps
determine which subject
matter we must focus on to
improve your performance.
Please try your best!
Curriculum & Instruction Department
Administered December 2009
San Antonio Independent School District
TAKS Release Test 2009
© Texas Education Agency
Out of the Darkness
This is a story about a woman named Mrs. Kolsti. She was interviewed by a
cave explorer named Mr. Potemkin. He wanted to learn about her life.
Mrs. Kolsti grew up during the Holocaust of World War II. During this time,
German Nazis put Jewish people in prison camps, and millions lost their lives.
When Mrs. Kolsti was a child, she and her family left their village in the
Ukraine. They hid in a cave for nearly a year so that the Nazis would not
capture them. This story is based on actual events. Read the story to find out
how Mrs. Kolsti and her family survived by hiding in the cave. Then answer the
questions that follow.
Page 1
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Out of the Darkness
1
When Mrs. Kolsti opened the door, I was surprised by how this 70-yearold woman looked. I thought that someone who had spent nearly a year in
a cold, dark cave would look tough. But Mrs. Kolsti looked like my
grandmother.
2
“Hello,” Mrs. Kolsti said with a smile. “You must be Mr. Potemkin. My
son tells me you are a cave explorer and want to hear my story. Come in.”
She led me through her bright and airy home to a dark room.
3
I stood still for a minute. As soon as my eyes got used to the dark, I
walked forward and sat in a chair.
4
“I hope you don’t mind sitting in the dark,” she said. “Some days when
I feel bad, I have to sit in the darkness. You see, the darkness is a comfort
to me. Do you know the feeling?”
5
I said, “Mrs. Kolsti, I do know the feeling. All my life I’ve felt
comfortable in the dark. When I was a kid, my mother would wish my
brother and me good night. I loved it when she would turn out the light
and close our bedroom door. My brother would start to cry and want a
night-light, but I would crawl deep under my covers. I felt best in dark,
small places.”
6
Then Mrs. Kolsti said, “So that’s why you explore caves.”
1 What is paragraph 5 mainly about?
A
How Mr. Potemkin feels about darkness
B
How Mr. Potemkin’s brother acted
C
Why Mr. Potemkin hid under the covers
Page 2
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7
“I’ve spent a lot of time in caves, but not as much as your family did.
According to my information, you and your family survived in a cave for
almost a year,” I said.
8
“We had no choice,” she said quietly. Even in the darkness I could see a
pensive look on her face. I waited quietly for her to think through her
memories. I knew she would begin telling her story when she was ready.
2 What does the word pensive mean in paragraph 8?
F
Becoming angry
G
Sad and thoughtful
H
Feeling confused
Page 3
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9
After a moment Mrs. Kolsti took a deep breath and said, “In 1942 we
were living in a village in the Ukraine. World War II was being fought in
Europe. My family and I were Jews who needed to get away from the
Nazis. Like Anne Frank, we had to find a place to hide. She hid in an attic.
We hid in a cave.”
10
“Will you tell me what it was like living in a cave for all those months?”
I asked softly. I wanted to hear her story, but I didn’t want to upset her.
11
“I was just a child, but I remember living in the cave was very hard,”
she began. “It was cold and dark.” She stopped, and I could see a little
smile on her face. “We slept many hours, huddled next to one another to
stay warm. I remember the men building beds that were raised up off the
damp floor of the cave.”
12
13
“What else do you remember?” I asked, becoming very interested.
“My uncles went out at night and stole or traded for the food we ate.
There was a large pool of fresh water and plenty of fresh air to breathe,”
Mrs. Kolsti answered.
Page 4
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3 Why did Mrs. Kolsti’s uncles wait until night to steal or trade for food?
A
They were busy during the day.
B
They hoped to meet other Jewish families outside the cave.
C
They did not want the German Nazis to catch them.
Page 5
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14
I said, “Mrs. Kolsti, I know your experience must have been horrible.
It’s hard to imagine what it was like for you. When I go into a cave, I have
many supplies, lights, and special clothes to protect me from the
dampness and cold. What did you have?”
15
She replied, “I had my family. We protected each other. We all stayed
together. Other Jewish families separated and were captured by the Nazis.
We hid together and lived.”
16
I stared at Mrs. Kolsti. I was amazed by what she was telling me.
17
She went on. “Mr. Potemkin, the world is sometimes a dark and cold
place. But if you have people you love who take care of you, then you can
be brave. It is why you always come out of your caves, even though you
love to explore them. And it is why all 38 of us came out of our cave to live
again in this world.”
18
As I thought about Mrs. Kolsti’s words, I realized she seemed different
now. She was stronger than when I had arrived. And even in the darkness,
she gave off a light of her own.
tone—when the author chooses words or phrases because he or she feels a
certain way about the subject
4 Which word best describes the tone of paragraph 18?
F
Caution
G
Respect
H
Excitement
Page 6
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5 Why was Mrs. Kolsti able to survive while hiding from the Nazis?
A
She had special clothes to protect her.
B
She had the help of her family.
C
Her family knew a lot about caves.
6 As Mrs. Kolsti looks back at the time during the war, what does she realize?
F
That having love and support helps people get through hard times
G
That people appreciate their families only during hard times
H
That spending time alone helps people become more independent
Page 7
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Use the whole story “Out of the Darkness”
on pages 2-6 to answer questions 7-10.
7 Based on Mrs. Kolsti’s words, what can the reader tell about her?
A
She does not want to talk about the hard times her family experienced.
B
She has difficulty being in a large group of people.
C
She does not let past experiences give her a bad attitude.
8 Why is the cave important to the story?
F
It shows how wild animals live.
G
It shows what Mr. Potemkin and Mrs. Kolsti have in common.
H
It shows what the land was like in the Ukraine.
Page 8
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9 Which of these best describes Mr. Potemkin’s attitude toward Mrs. Kolsti?
A
He is jealous of her experience.
B
He admires her.
C
He does not understand her.
10 What is an important idea found throughout this story?
F
Struggling to survive
G
Overcoming childhood fears
H
Doing something you enjoy
Page 9
“Wrong-Way” Corrigan
This selection is about a man named Douglas Corrigan. He worked hard to
become an airplane pilot and learned how to repair airplanes. Corrigan helped
build the airplane that Charles Lindbergh used to make a famous flight across
the Atlantic Ocean. Corrigan wanted to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, too. But
he could not get permission from the government because his airplane was too
old. Read the selection and find out how Corrigan made his dream come true.
Then answer the questions that follow.
Page 10
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“Wrong-Way” Corrigan
1
Douglas Corrigan started the engine of his airplane. He was getting
ready to make a nonstop flight from New York to California. Long flights
like this one were dangerous at the time. However, Corrigan had already
flown safely from California to New York. When he was sure his plane was
running well, he climbed in and took off into the heavy fog. What
happened next made “Wrong-Way” Corrigan a well-known name in
America for many years.
Birth of the Dream
2
Corrigan’s love for flying had begun in 1925 when he was 18 years old.
After a ride in an airplane, Corrigan knew he belonged in the air. He took
flying lessons for two years until he got his pilot’s license. The mechanics
at the airfield showed him how to fix airplanes. Corrigan also met Claude
Ryan and B. F. Mahoney, who ran an airplane factory. They gave him a job
as a mechanic. Corrigan did not know that the job would change his life.
3
While working at the factory, Corrigan met Charles Lindbergh, a man
who would become a hero. Lindbergh had asked Ryan and Mahoney to
build him a special plane that could fly across the Atlantic Ocean. No one
had made this flight alone before. Ryan and Mahoney said that they could
build a plane like this, but it would cost a hefty $10,000. Lindbergh agreed
to the price, and Corrigan and other workers began building the special
plane.
4
In May 1927 Charles Lindbergh successfully flew his plane from New
York to Paris. When Corrigan heard about Lindbergh’s success, he
promised himself that he would fly across the ocean, too.
Page 11
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11 In paragraph 3, the author uses the word hefty to show that the plane was —
A
new
B
expensive
C
unique
Page 12
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The Plan
5
Corrigan was an Irish American and wanted to fly from New York to
Ireland. He saved money from his job and bought a very old plane for
$325. Corrigan knew that his plane would need a lot of work before it
could make the flight across the ocean. Corrigan built extra gas tanks and
replaced the plane’s old engine. Then he believed the plane was ready to
fly across the Atlantic Ocean.
6
Before he could make this flight, Corrigan had to get approval from the
government. Inspectors took one look at his plane and said no. They
thought the plane was too old and not safe for such a flight. Lindbergh’s
flight had been successful, but he had an expensive new plane.
7
Corrigan was still determined to make this flight to Ireland. He had
been given permission to fly across the United States, so he flew from
California to New York and back again. Corrigan even added two more gas
tanks to his plane. Inspectors still would not give him permission to fly
across the Atlantic Ocean.
12 Which sentence shows that Corrigan was determined to make his flight across
the ocean?
F
Before he could make this flight, Corrigan had to get approval from the
government.
G
They thought the plane was too old and not safe for such a flight.
H
Corrigan even added two more gas tanks to his plane.
Page 13
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8
On July 17, 1938, Corrigan took
off from New York into heavy fog.
He had flown from California to New
York a few days before, and he was
supposed to be making his return
flight to California. Twenty-eight
hours later he landed across the
ocean in Ireland. Officials asked him
to explain. Corrigan told them he
had made a mistake. He said that
his compass was broken and the fog had confused him. He had flown east
when he meant to fly west.
9
Few people believed Corrigan’s story, but his flight was very interesting
to people in both Ireland and the United States. He could have been in
trouble for breaking the rules, but officials just took away his pilot’s license
for a short time. Then they made Corrigan return to the United States by
ship. When he got to New York, he was treated like a hero. The parade for
him was even bigger than the one held for Charles Lindbergh.
Corrigan insisted for the rest of his life that he had accidentally flown the
wrong way. Corrigan never made another flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
His dream was not about becoming famous. Corrigan just wanted to reach
his personal goal.
13 How did Corrigan respond to questions after he landed in Ireland?
A
He said he flew there by accident.
B
He promised that he would fly only across the United States.
C
He agreed to give up his pilot’s license.
Page 14
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© Museum of Flight/CORBIS
Fulfilling the Dream
Use the whole story “‘Wrong-Way’ Corrigan”
on pages 11-14 to answer questions 14-20.
14 Why did the author most likely write this selection?
F
To explain how to fly across the ocean
G
To describe how a pilot achieved success
H
To show an example of an ordinary flight during the 1930s
15 Which is the best summary of this selection?
A
Douglas Corrigan wanted to fly across the ocean, just like Charles
Lindbergh had done. Corrigan had helped Lindbergh build his plane. Then
Corrigan saved his money and bought an old plane. He fixed the plane so
it could fly long distances. He flew it from California to New York.
B
Douglas Corrigan asked the government if he could fly across the ocean.
The government did not give him permission. Corrigan fixed his plane so it
would be able to fly across the ocean. Corrigan took off from New York
with a plan to fly to California.
C
Douglas Corrigan loved flying. He became a pilot and an airplane
mechanic. Corrigan wanted to fly across the ocean like Charles Lindbergh.
Corrigan bought and fixed a plane for his flight. He flew from New York to
Ireland even though the government said he could not. He told people he
had flown to Ireland by mistake. He was given the nickname “Wrong-Way”
Corrigan.
Page 15
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16 Look at the diagram below.
Charles
Lindbergh
• Paid $10,000 for
a new plane
Douglas
Corrigan
• Flew across
the ocean
• Had to fix the
plane he bought
for $325
• Made the first
• ____________ • Landed in Ireland
successful flight
after flying across
across the
the ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Which of the following belongs on the blank line?
F
Became famous
G
Planned to fly to other distant places
H
Made the first flight across the ocean
Page 16
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17 Why is paragraph 2 important to the selection?
A
It tells the reader how Corrigan repaired airplanes.
B
It introduces the reader to Claude Ryan and B. F. Mahoney.
C
It explains how Corrigan first became interested in flying airplanes.
18 Which word best describes Corrigan?
F
Cautious
G
Foolish
H
Confident
Page 17
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19 The reader can tell that Corrigan —
A
probably made the flight across the ocean on purpose
B
was good friends with Lindbergh
C
asked Ryan and Mahoney to help fix his plane
20 What is this selection mainly about?
F
How Corrigan met his goal of flying across the ocean
G
Why Corrigan first became interested in flying
H
How Corrigan saved money to buy his plane
Page 18
Room 2B
This is a story about a girl named Emily. She does volunteer work at a
retirement home. Emily reads to an older woman named Mrs. Olsen. Emily and
Mrs. Olsen do not get along very well. But one day something happens that
changes their relationship. Read the story to find out about Emily and Mrs.
Olsen’s relationship. Then answer the questions that follow.
Page 19
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Room 2B
1
Emily slowly walked up the steps of the retirement home. She looked
at the beautiful spring day. Emily wished she could enjoy the day instead
of going inside.
2
3
“Why do I have to come to this place?” she said to herself.
Emily did not want to volunteer at the retirement home, but her
mother had made her. Emily had been getting in trouble at school. So
her mother decided that Emily would volunteer at the retirement home.
Emily’s mother thought this would help keep Emily out of trouble. Plus,
she would be helping someone else. Emily didn’t like this idea. But her
mother had not given her a choice.
21 Why does Emily’s mother want Emily to volunteer at the retirement home?
A
She thinks that Emily will have fun.
B
She hopes Emily will make a friend there.
C
She is trying to keep Emily out of trouble.
Page 20
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4
At the retirement home Emily found the nurse who was in charge of
the volunteers. “You will be working with Mrs. Olsen in room 2B,” the
nurse said. “You will be reading to her until it is time for dinner. I hope
the two of you will be able to sit in the same room for a whole hour.”
The nurse smiled as she gave Emily a book and showed her the way to
room 2B.
5
Emily knocked on the door. “What?” Mrs. Olsen yelled. Emily opened
the door and went inside.
6
A small woman was sitting in a chair by the window. The curtains on
the window were closed. She turned around to face Emily and said in a
mean voice, “What do you want?”
7
“I am going to read a book to you,” Emily said.
8
“I don’t like books,” the woman said. “Go away.”
9
“Well, I have to stay for an hour. Just pretend you are listening while I
read, O.K.?” Emily said, trying not to show her anger.
10
Emily began to read. Mrs. Olsen sat straight up the whole time with
her back to Emily. When it was time for dinner, she left Mrs. Olsen
without saying good-bye.
22 What are paragraphs 6 through 10 mainly about?
F
Emily’s first visit with Mrs. Olsen
G
The book Emily reads to Mrs. Olsen
H
Why Emily is reading to Mrs. Olsen
23 Why doesn’t Emily say good-bye to Mrs. Olsen in paragraph 10?
A
Emily does not care about being polite.
B
Emily knows she will be right back.
C
Emily thinks Mrs. Olsen is asleep.
Page 21
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11
The visits went the same way for a month. Mrs. Olsen kept her back
turned to Emily and did not talk at all.
12
One day Emily was in a bad mood. Her mood was dark, just like the
storm clouds outside. It had been two years since her father died, and
Emily could not stop thinking about him. People had told her that time
would heal her pain, but those words seemed empty to her. Emily
missed her father more than ever. Emily did not realize she was a few
minutes early when she went to room 2B.
13
Mrs. Olsen’s room was very dark because of the storm outside. The
radio was on, and Emily heard someone singing, “I’m so lonesome, I
could cry.” She knew right away it was a Hank Williams song. Emily
stopped, and her eyes filled with tears. Hank Williams had been her
father’s favorite singer. Emily’s father had played Hank Williams’s music
all the time. Emily walked to the window and opened the curtains.
Page 22
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symbolism—when the author uses objects in a
story to stand for ideas
24 What do the storm clouds symbolize in paragraph 12?
F
The depressing song Mrs. Olsen plays on the radio
G
The pouring rain outside
H
The sadness Emily is feeling about her father
25 Why doesn’t Emily believe it when people say that time will heal her pain?
A
She still feels upset about her father’s death.
B
She knows adults sometimes say things that are not true.
C
She has a hard time trusting people she does not know well.
Page 23
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14
15
“What do you think you are doing?” Mrs. Olsen said.
“I am opening the curtains because it is too dark in here,” Emily said.
“And I will not stay if you leave that music on!”
16
17
“Then go!” Mrs. Olsen yelled. “I did not ask you to read to me.”
Emily stared at Mrs. Olsen as the rain hit the window. “Fine,” she
said. She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. Then she turned and
started to walk out.
18
“Why don’t you like Hank Williams?” Mrs. Olsen asked.
19
Emily turned around. She said with tears in her eyes, “My dad died
two years ago. He loved Hank Williams’s songs.”
20
Mrs. Olsen was quiet for a long time. “My husband loved Hank
Williams, too,” she said. “He died last year.” Emily looked at Mrs. Olsen
for a minute. Then she pulled her chair next to Mrs. Olsen. Together they
quietly watched the rain until it was time for dinner.
26 Why does Emily demand that Mrs. Olsen turn off the Hank Williams song?
F
She wants to listen to a different kind of music.
G
She finds that the song brings back sad memories.
H
She hopes Mrs. Olsen will get mad and tell her to leave.
Page 24
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internal conflict—a struggle that takes place inside
a character
27 Where does Emily’s internal conflict mostly come from?
A
Her sadness over the death of her father
B
Her dislike of Hank Williams’s music
C
The volunteer work she does with a woman
Page 25
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Use the whole story “Room 2B”
on pages 20-24 to answer questions 28-30.
28 What can the reader tell about Mrs. Olsen?
F
She enjoys the book Emily reads to her.
G
She tries to keep from getting close to people.
H
She has known many different volunteers.
29 What do the closed curtains in Mrs. Olsen’s room show about Mrs. Olsen and
Emily?
A
They keep their sorrow inside.
B
They cannot agree on anything.
C
They think others do not understand them.
Page 26
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30 Why doesn’t Emily find out about the death of Mrs. Olsen’s husband before
hearing the song on the radio?
F
Mrs. Olsen does not want to upset Emily.
G
Emily had decided not to ask the nurse about Mrs. Olsen.
H
Emily and Mrs. Olsen have never really talked to each other.
Page 27
Facing the Times
Miguel Santos interviews Carol Denton about what her life was like as a child
during the Great Depression. This was a time when many Americans lost their
jobs, their money, and even their homes. Many people had a hard time feeding
their families. Read the interview to find out what Carol Denton’s childhood
was like during this difficult time. Then answer the questions that follow.
Page 28
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Facing the Times
1
SANTOS: You were a child during the Great Depression. How
much did the Depression affect you when you were growing up?
2
DENTON: It was horrible. We had a really nice house in the city. But
after my father lost his job, we moved to the country. We rented a small
farm for $10 a month. Life on the farm was both good and bad.
3
4
SANTOS: What was the good part?
DENTON: We were able to grow our own food, so we never went hungry
like some families did. We had a big vegetable garden where we grew
carrots, lettuce, onions, and peas. We had apple and peach trees, too.
Page 29
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31 Why did Carol Denton and her family move to the country?
A
They had to find a place that they could afford.
B
Her father thought he could be a good farmer.
C
They wanted to be able to have a nice garden.
Page 30
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5
SANTOS: What was the bad part?
6
DENTON: Everyday life was hard. Dad took any job he could find. He
picked crops and dug ditches for 25 cents an hour. That was normal pay in
those days.
7
My mother made butter to sell. She also sold milk from our cow and
vegetables from the garden. She made some of our clothes out of cotton
feed sacks. You might think that recycling is a new idea, but it’s not! I
realized that people had so little.
8
My sister and I had to feed and water the animals and work in the
garden. Sometimes the days were boring because we did the same chores
over and over. We tried to make playtime out of our chores. We made a
game out of gathering wood for the stove.
9
The work wasn’t the hardest part for me. I hated having to wear shoes
full of holes and not getting presents on holidays. Some of my friends had
more money than we did, and they got some gifts. One year I lied and
said we had gotten presents, too.
10
11
SANTOS: Are there any fun moments that you remember?
DENTON: Sure. We went swimming in the summer and made snow
forts in the winter. At night everyone in my family listened to the radio. We
laughed and sang along with our favorite songs.
Page 31
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32 Which sentence shows that Carol Denton and her family tried to avoid thinking
too much about their troubles?
F
Everyday life was hard.
G
I realized that people had so little.
H
We laughed and sang along with our favorite songs.
33 What was one thing Carol Denton did not like?
A
Working in her family’s garden
B
Having to wear shoes that were full of holes
C
Making games out of chores
Page 32
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12
DENTON: It’s strange, but I think the Depression made the people of
the community grow closer together. If a family really needed help, the
neighbors would share what they had. Even business owners helped by not
asking to be paid in cash. I remember our barber would let people pay for
a haircut with eggs or potatoes. We knew our family had more than some
other families.
© CORBIS
13
SANTOS: How was your community affected by the Depression?
Page 33
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34 In paragraph 13, what does Carol Denton mean when she says, “It’s strange”?
F
It is strange that some parts of the country had more difficult times than
other parts.
G
It is strange that it took a terrible event to get people to help one another.
H
It is strange that she can remember as much as she does about
something that happened so long ago.
Page 34
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Use the whole interview “Facing the Times”
on pages 29-33 to answer questions 35-38.
35 From the interview, what can the reader tell about the people who lived
through the Great Depression?
A
They were thankful for what they had.
B
They were angry about why it happened.
C
They enjoyed living in a simple way.
36 What can the reader tell about Carol Denton and her family?
F
They would not accept help from other families.
G
They wished they had never moved to the country.
H
Their lives changed very quickly.
Page 35
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37 What is the purpose of this interview?
A
To tell a person’s story about what it was like to live through the Great
Depression
B
To prove that Carol Denton has painful memories about the Great
Depression
C
To describe each of the causes of the Great Depression
38 Carol Denton would probably agree with which sentence about life during the
Great Depression?
F
People learned not to trust their neighbors.
G
People often lied about what they had in order to protect their families.
H
People did the best they could with what little they had.
BE SURE ALL OF YOUR ANSWERS ARE RECORDED
Page 36
ON THE ANSWER DOCUMENT.