STAAR (Texas) Practice Pack — Grade 8

Answer Key — STAAR (Texas) Grade 8

1. 1. A — The pattern adds 1 book each week. Week 5 = 5 + 1 = 6 books. 💡 Strategy tip: Look for a constant increase or decrease between successive terms.
2. 2. A — V=πr²h=3.14·3²·15=3.14·9·15=3.14·135≈424 cm³. 💡 Strategy tip: Plug the radius and height into V=πr²h.
3. 3. D — In the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action. In this case, 'The dog is chasing the cat' shows the dog as the one performing the action. 💡 Tip: To identify active voice, look for the subject doing the action.
4. 4. A — The passage states that some residents had boarded up their windows and stocked up on supplies, while others had chosen to evacuate. This suggests that the residents are taking the storm seriously and are preparing for its arrival. 💡 Tip: To answer this question, look for clues in the passage that suggest how the residents are feeling or what they are doing. In this case, the passage provides evidence of preparation and caution.
5. 5. C — The passage discusses the town's history of environmental conservation, the annual festival, and the new initiative to reduce plastic waste. While the festival is mentioned, it is not the main focus of the passage. The correct answer, option C, highlights the town's new initiative to reduce plastic waste, which is the central idea of the passage. 💡 Tip: To identify the main idea, look for the topic that is discussed throughout the passage and is supported by the most details.
6. 6. A — The passage discusses the importance of wind power as a renewable energy source and its potential to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. The correct answer, 'The importance of wind power in a sustainable energy future', accurately reflects the main idea of the passage. 💡 Tip: To find the main idea, look for the central argument or claim made in the passage.
7. 7. A — This question requires the reader to recall a specific detail from the passage. The correct answer is supported by the sentence 'Inside, she found a room filled with glittering jewels and ancient artifacts, each one telling a story of its own.' 💡 Tip: Pay close attention to descriptive language in the passage to help you remember key details.
8. 8. A — The word "verbose" comes from the Latin word "verbum", meaning "word", and the suffix "-ose", which means "full of". In this context, "verbose" means using too many words or being talkative. 💡 Tip: Pay attention to the suffixes and roots of words to help you understand their meanings.
9. 9. D — Evaporation is the process by which the sun's energy heats up water in the oceans, lakes, and rivers, and it turns into water vapor. This process is an important part of the water cycle. 💡 Tip: Remember that evaporation occurs when liquid water is heated and turns into gas.
10. 10. D — Defining a problem is the first step in the engineering design process, and it involves identifying the key issue that needs to be solved. This step is crucial in ensuring that the solution addresses the root cause of the problem. 💡 Tip: When defining a problem, consider the who, what, when, where, and why of the issue.
11. 11. A — The roots of a plant are responsible for absorbing water and nutrients from the soil, which are then used by the plant to grow and develop. This is an important function that allows the plant to survive and thrive. 💡 Tip: Remember that roots are like underground straws that suck up water and nutrients for the plant.
12. 12. D — Solids maintain their shape due to the strong bonds between particles, whereas liquids take the shape of their container due to weaker intermolecular forces. 💡 Tip: Remember that the shape of a substance can help determine its state of matter.
13. 13. B — Conducting an experiment allows scientists to test hypotheses, answer questions, and solve problems in a controlled and systematic way. 💡 Tip: Remember that experiments are designed to investigate a specific research question or problem.
14. 14. B — The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States and outlines the framework of the federal government, the relationship between the government and the citizens, and the powers of the different branches of government. 💡 Tip: Remember that the Constitution is often referred to as the 'foundation' of the US government.
15. 15. B — A need is something that is necessary for survival, such as food, water, and shelter. A want, on the other hand, is something that is not necessary for survival, but is desired, such as a new video game or a pair of shoes. 💡 Tip: Think about what you must have to live, versus what you would like to have to make your life more enjoyable.
16. 16. B — A map legend is a key that explains the symbols, colors, and other features used on a map, helping the reader understand the information being presented. 💡 Tip: When reading a map, always look for the legend to understand the symbols and colors used.
17. 17. A — The Pilgrims sailed to North America to escape religious persecution in England, where they were not allowed to practice their faith freely. They sought a new home where they could worship as they pleased. 💡 Tip: Remember that the Pilgrims were Separatists, a group that wanted to separate from the Church of England.
18. 18. B — The sum of central angles around a point is 360°. Divide 360° by 8 slices: 360° ÷ 8 = 45°. Option B is correct. 💡 Strategy tip: Divide 360° by the number of equal slices.
19. 19. C — Plug x = 4 into the equation: y = 2(4) + 3 = 8 + 3 = 11. 💡 Strategy tip: Substitute the given x‑value into the linear equation and simplify.
20. 20. A — Move the decimal four places to the right to get 1.2, and the exponent becomes -4: 1.2×10^-4. 💡 Strategy tip: The coefficient must be between 1 and 10.