2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
1
Option C is correct
Definition 3 is correct because, in paragraph 8, substantial is used to
describe the “amount of time” spent on devices as too much, or
“considerable in quantity.”
Option A is incorrect
There is no question about whether the “amount of time” is real,
although the focus of the article is virtual reality.
Option B is incorrect
The “substantial amount of time” refers to “quantity” and not a solid
structure.
Option D is incorrect
The question of whether the “amount of time” is important or
essential does not relate to how the word substantial is used in
paragraph 8.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
2
Option D is correct
The information in paragraphs 3 and 4 that VR field trips “allow
students to experience places they might otherwise never get to
visit,” such as the deep ocean and the surface of another planet,
support the author’s argument that VR field trips should be an
option in all classrooms because VR technology allows students to
overcome barriers of time and distance.
Option A is incorrect
Although the student’s recollection in paragraph 3 is used to imply
that some schools provide the necessary equipment, the
information in paragraph 4 describes theoretical, not actual, VR
field trips.
Option B is incorrect
Paragraphs 3 and 4 include examples of VR field trips in different
subjects, but the author does not illustrate that some subjects are
better suited for VR than others.
Option C is incorrect
In paragraph 3, a student points out a difference between VR and
videos; however, there is no suggestion in paragraphs 3 and 4 that
VR technology reduces students’ time watching videos.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
3
In paragraph 5, Hoisington is quoted as explaining that the highest
rate of retention occurs when people are immersed in an activity. It
can be inferred that being immersed results in being more fully
involved in an activity.
Although enjoyable reading material might enhance student
learning, this is not what can be inferred from Hoisington’s
quotation in paragraph 5.
In paragraph 5, Hoisington’s quotation implies that being immersed
increases retention; it does not suggest that students would need to
discuss VR field trips.
Even though it might be inferred that VR field trips are popular
among students, Hoisington’s quotation in paragraph 5 does not
imply this.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
4
Option A is correct
In paragraph 7, the author presents an opposing argument that the
“initial cost” to set up VR technology in the classroom “may be
prohibitive,” making it costly technology.
Option B is incorrect
Paragraph 7 includes a reference to VR programs that are
“dependent on students having access to smartphones,” but there is
no reference to students having trouble using VR technology on
their smartphones.
Option C is incorrect
In paragraph 8, the author discusses parents’ concerns about kids
spending too much time using screens; however, the author never
mentions parents’ objections to their children using VR technology.
Option D is incorrect
Although the author includes several opposing arguments in
paragraphs 7 and 8, none of these refer to challenges in
understanding VR technology.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
5
Option A is correct
The author explains how VR technology can improve student
learning. For example, the author refers to the “many opportunities
that this technology offers to enhance learning” in paragraph 2 and
how “VR field trips have the ability to gain students’ attention like
no other experience” in paragraph 5.
Option B is incorrect
Although the author argues in paragraph 6 that VR field trips have
practical advantages over traditional field trips, the author does not
investigate the effectiveness of traditional field trips.
Option C is incorrect
In paragraph 4, the author provides examples of classroom topics
that VR could be used for, but this is presented as a detail, not as
the author’s purpose for writing the selection.
Option D is incorrect
In paragraphs 7 and 8, the author refers to the costs and other
challenges of implementing VR technology in the classroom.
However, these are counterarguments and do not represent the
author’s purpose for writing the selection.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
6
Throughout the selection, the author argues for the use of VR
technology in schools and explains in paragraph 7 that costs are a
particular challenge. The audience who can address that challenge
and introduce VR into classrooms are school leaders who plan
campus budgets.
The author’s focus, as explained in paragraph 9, is on the idea that
“schools need to strongly consider ways to implement and fund” VR
technology, not on the idea that taxpayers should urge schools to do
so.
The author gives no reasons to support the idea that schools need to
invest in VR technology because of parents’ concerns regarding the
education of their children.
Although the author refers to classroom lessons that could be
designed around VR technology, the author’s focus is on why
schools should financially invest in VR technology. Teachers are not
responsible for planning campus budgets.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
7
This is the best summary of the selection. The paragraph provides
key information about the benefits and challenges of implementing
VR field trips in the classroom and an outline of the author’s
argument in favor of implementation.
This summary includes information that should not be in a summary.
The detail about NASA is not relevant to this summary. In addition,
this summary focuses too much on one of the benefits of VR
technology—student interest—and does not mention other benefits
or any challenges, such as the benefit of helping students remember
information or the challenge of costs.
The sentences in this summary include too much of a focus on
students’ experience of VR technology and neglect to include an
overview of benefits, challenges, and the author’s main argument.
This summary includes the claim that, without VR technology, it
would “be impossible” for students to visit certain places through
traditional field trips. This is an overstatement and cannot be
verified.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
8
Option A is correct
In this sentence from paragraph 1, the author uses vivid descriptions
of a person’s experiences while on a VR field trip. The phrase “your
breath catches in your throat” clearly supports the idea that the
experience is engaging.
Option B is incorrect
The author refers to a practical consideration in this sentence from
paragraph 2. This sentence does not support the idea of the VR
experience being engaging.
Option C is incorrect
In this sentence from paragraph 3, the author describes a potential
benefit of VR field trips. However, the author does not convey the
idea that the experience is engaging.
Option D is incorrect
The author simply states in this sentence from paragraph 4 that
“history teachers can use VR to help students understand historic
events,” which is a detail that does not describe the engaging
experience of VR field trips.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
9
Option C is correct
The Latin word for “to turn away,” divertere, includes the Latin root
of “div” (which means “separate”) with diversion. This helps the
reader understand that diversion means distraction, or the turning
away of attention.
Option A is incorrect
“Commotion” does not include the Latin root of “div” (which means
“separate”) with diversion. “Commotion” describes a noisy
disturbance, which is unrelated to the idea of “to turn away.”
Option B is incorrect
“Competition” does not include the Latin root of “div” (which means
“separate”) with diversion. “Competition” refers to an act or
behavior of trying to defeat others, which is not related to the idea
of “to turn away.”
Option D is incorrect
“Recreation” does not include the Latin root of “div” (which means
“separate”) as is found in diversion. “Recreation” refers to an
enjoyable activity and is not related to the idea of “to turn away.”
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
10
Option B is correct
The flashback in paragraphs 2 through 9 is used to remind Jesse of
his childhood fondness for the shop. For example, Jesse recalls the
shop seeming “magical” in paragraph 2 and a “wonderland” in
paragraph 3, and in paragraph 7, he seems amazed by the age of the
hat.
Option A is incorrect
The flashback in paragraphs 2 through 9 is used to show Jesse
recalling his childhood excitement about the shop, which is contrary
to the idea that Jesse wants to spend more time away from the
shop.
Option C is incorrect
Although the author’s use of flashback reveals that Jesse was
captivated by the shop during his childhood, there is no evidence in
paragraphs 2 through 9 that Jesse sees himself as lucky to work in
the shop.
Option D is incorrect
In the flashback, Jesse recalls the excitement of seeing the antiques
for the first time and remembers his father referring to the hat as “a
family heirloom” (paragraph 9). However, there is no evidence in
paragraphs 2 through 9 that Jesse is encouraged to learn about the
value of antiques.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
11
Option D is correct
These sentences provide the best summary of the story by including
an explanation of why Jesse is at the antique shop, details about how
his attitude about the shop has changed since he was a kid, and a
description of the event that helps Jesse once again see the value of
the shop.
Option A is incorrect
The sentences in this summary misplace the mention of the family
heirloom, which is not referred to at the start of the story. They also
leave out Jesse’s newfound appreciation for the shop, which is
detailed at the end of the story.
Option B is incorrect
The sentences in this summary are not effective because they do not
include any details from Jesse’s flashback, nor do they include his
change of perspective about why people come to the shop.
Option C is incorrect
Although these sentences include details about Jesse’s time in the
shop when he was a kid and his happiness with the shop at the end
of the story, they skip the important detail about his dissatisfaction
with the shop at the start of the story.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
12
For SCR items, please refer to the scoring guide.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
13
Option B is correct
In lines 7 through 10, the poet describes the different kinds of books
you can find at the library, including works of fiction and nonfiction,
emphasizing the variety of books at the library.
Option A is incorrect
In lines 7 through 10, the poet uses figurative language to describe
books, depicting novels as having “big eyes” and nonfiction books as
“no-nonsense, all muscle/Greyhounds and Dobermans.” However,
this is not done to suggest anything about the books’ popularity.
Option C is incorrect
Although the poet describes in lines 7 through 10 the different kinds
of books that can be found at the library, there is no
acknowledgment of the difficulty of choosing books.
Option D is incorrect
The poet does describe different kinds of books found at the library,
but there is no evidence that the poet is making any suggestions.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
14
Option A is correct
The author uses italics to help convey that seeking knowledge is
appealing, which is made clear by the comparisons made between
knowledge and “doughnut scent” and the “aroma of coffee” in lines
13 and 14, as well as the idea that when “the first page is turned”
(line 12), there is “something for everyone” (line 15).
Option B is incorrect
Even though gaining knowledge can be challenging, the comparisons
made between knowledge and the scent of doughnuts and the
“aroma of coffee” in lines 13 and 14 do not convey a sense of
challenge.
Option C is incorrect
There is no indication that seeking knowledge, which is compared to
the scent of doughnuts and the “aroma of coffee” in lines 13 and 14,
is conveyed as shocking.
Option D is incorrect
Although in lines 13 and 14 knowledge is compared to the scent of
doughnuts and the “aroma of coffee,” which could be considered
soothing, the italics in line 13 convey a sense of something stronger
than simple comfort.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
15
Option C is correct
The image of “deli offerings” in line 16 is paired with the idea that
there is “something for everyone” at the library in line 15. The
figurative language is intended to convey that there are many
options at the library, as there are at a deli.
Option A is incorrect
Although not all library books, nor deli offerings, are appealing to all
people, the author uses the phrase “something for everyone” in line
15 to make it clear that the figurative language is intended to imply
that people can find at least one book that appeals to them.
Option B is incorrect
The popularity of libraries is not relevant to the poet’s use of
figurative language in line 16, which compares deli offerings to
library offerings.
Option D is incorrect
No connection is made in line 16 or elsewhere in the poem between
the figurative idea of deli offerings and the importance of certain
topics found in the library.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
16
Option A is correct
In the story, Jesse finds joy when his perspective on the antique
shop changes to the understanding that it could be “a place of great
discoveries” (paragraph 21); in the poem, the poet conveys a sense
of joy about the library, such as the idea in lines 5 and 6 that you will
always leave the library “holding something in your arms” and will
discover “knowledge” (line 13) and “answers” (line 22).
Option B is incorrect
Although this statement relates to a theme found in the story, it
does not relate to a theme found in the poem."
Option C is incorrect
This might be a theme explored in the poem if a person did not
expect to find answers at the library; however, there are no difficult
questions presented in the story.
Option D is incorrect
Both the story and the poem include the idea of people learning
something; however, there is no evidence of any necessary action in
either one.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
17
Both the sentence from paragraph 14 of the story and lines 23 and
24 of the poem are used to capture the idea of a person undergoing
positive change as a result of an experience—the experience of
finding an item in the antique shop in the story and the experience
of finding ideas in the library in the poem.
Although the idea of a pet store or bakery could be connected to “a
happy memory,” lines 3 and 4 of the poem are not used to convey
the idea of a person being changed as the sentence from the story
does.
In lines 8 and 9 of the poem, the poet refers to the practicality of
nonfiction books, whereas the author uses the sentence from the
story to capture the idea of a person changing as a result of an
experience.
Lines 11 and 12 of the poem and the sentence from the story are
both used to convey change. However, the sentence from the story
is about a positive change in a person, whereas lines 11 and 12 of
the poem are about a change in the perception of a book.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
18
Option B is correct
In the poem, the poet portrays the library as a setting that provides
wisdom to visitors. Although visitors to the antique shop might gain
some wisdom from the objects they find there, the author focuses
on the memories, not wisdom, the setting provides.
Option A is incorrect
The settings of both the story and the poem are presented as
containing many important objects—antiques, in the story, and
books, in the poem.
Option C is incorrect
The author uses the setting of the story to invite visitors to discover
antiques, and the poet uses the setting to invite visitors to discover
books and ideas, making the settings similar in this way.
Option D is incorrect
In both the story and the poem, the settings are illustrated as
appealing to a range of people, so the settings are not different in
this way.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
19
Option A is correct
In paragraph 8, the author describes the study on horses’ behavior,
including the methods the researchers used; in paragraph 9, the
author refers to an effect of the study, that scientists recognized
purposeful interspecies communication in horses.
Option B is incorrect
Although researchers are described in paragraph 8 as keeping food
out of the reach of horses, this is part of the description of the
methods used in the study. Therefore, it does not explain why the
author uses a cause-and-effect structure.
Option C is incorrect
In paragraph 8, the author refers to a human standing passively near
a horse as part of the study but does not say that horses showed
little interest in humans.
Option D is incorrect
In paragraph 9, the author refers to communication in dogs, but not
to say that people believed that horses communicate better than
dogs do.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale (Need to add HRR in ITS)
20
The detail about horses recognizing and using written symbols, from
paragraph 12, is an example of horses communicating in ways other
than body language.
The description in paragraphs 12 and 13 of how horses indicated
preferences by selecting previously learned symbols demonstrates
how horses can communicate in ways other than body language.
The author refers to disagreement about blankets on horses in
paragraph 11; however, this detail does not support the idea that
horses can communicate using more than body language.
Although it is noted in paragraph 12 that horses learned to do tasks
in this time frame, this detail is not used to support the idea that
horses can communicate using more than body language.
In paragraph 12, the author does refer to positive reinforcement
being used to train horses, but this detail demonstrates how the
horses responded to treats, which is an example of body language.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
21
Option C is correct
The author explains in paragraph 5 that “horses appeared to
accurately read human emotions” and, in paragraph 6, that “horses
are good at reading our moods.” The reader can infer from these
details that horses can tell how people are feeling.
Option A is incorrect
In paragraph 4, the author states that horses have 17 different facial
expressions, which is a comparatively large number of facial
expressions, not a limited number.
Option B is incorrect
There is no suggestion in this section that horses are suspicious
around unfamiliar people.
Option D is incorrect
Although the author portrays horses as highly responsive to human
mood in this section, there is no suggestion that horses use a
special sense to perceive mood. Rather, in paragraph 6, the author
credits this ability to the horse’s very large eyes.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
22
Option A is correct
The article is focused on how horses can alter their actions based on
human behavior, including references to how scientific studies have
revealed that “horses have been watching us more closely than we
imagined” (paragraph 14).
Option B is incorrect
Although the article includes information about horses using more
than body language to communicate, there is no suggestion that
horses recognize and understand spoken language.
Option C is incorrect
The author focuses on studies of communication by horses, but
there is no mention of horses being trained to perform other
difficult tasks.
Option D is incorrect
There is no mention in the article of research indicating that horses’
facial expressions are too subtle for humans to notice.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
23
Option D is correct
In this phrase from paragraph 2, the author captures the idea that
human understanding of horses is changing because scientists are
“taking a fresh look” instead of making assumptions.
Option A is incorrect
This phrase from paragraph 1 is used to refer to human interaction
with horses, but it does not show a change in human understanding
of horses.
Option B is incorrect
In this phrase from paragraph 1, the author refers to the way in
which horses have behaved in the past—as though they understand
humans. The author does not address human understanding in this
phrase.
Option C is incorrect
This phrase from paragraph 2 is used to reveal something
researchers have found in their studies of horses, but it does not
show a change in human understanding of horses.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
24
Option C is correct
Abstract describes something that has a quality apart from an
object. In paragraph 10, it describes symbols that are apart from,
or look different from, the objects they represent. For example, in
paragraph 12, symbols represent whether a horse wants a blanket
or not.
Option A is incorrect
Although the symbols referred to in paragraph 10 may refer to
things indirectly, such as a vertical bar meaning “Take my blanket
off” (paragraph 12), there is no indication that these symbols
reveal any secret codes or messages.
Option B is incorrect
Although the author explains in paragraph 10 that horses use these
symbols to communicate or “read,” these symbols are described in
paragraph 12 as vertical and horizontal bars, which are not
necessarily easy for people to understand.
Option D is incorrect
Since the horses use symbols to communicate, it is not logical to
say that these symbols are unlikely to produce change.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
25
Option D is correct
The rhetorical question in paragraph 7 is followed by a sentence
about the new study described in the next paragraph, making it
likely that this is the reason the author includes the question.
Option A is incorrect
There is no indication in the article of any weakness in the argument
that horses can communicate.
Option B is incorrect
Although it may be true that horse behavior could be studied more,
the rhetorical question in paragraph 7 is included not to point this
out but to introduce the new study mentioned in the following
sentence.
Option C is incorrect
The rhetorical question in paragraph 7 is inquiring whether horses
might communicate with humans, not suggesting that they can.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
26
Option B is correct
In the article, the author classifies, or divides into groups, the
results of different studies—the University of Sussex study in
paragraphs 4 through 5, the School for Ethical Equitation study in
paragraph 8, and the 2016 Norwegian study in paragraphs 10
through 13—that support the idea that horses understand body
language.
Option A is incorrect
Although the author mentions the lack of understanding of how
horses communicate with humans, the article does not contain
information about problems that could result from an inability to
communicate with horses.
Option C is incorrect
The information in paragraphs 5 through 7 about horses
understanding human facial expressions is not presented
chronologically and does not represent an organizational pattern in
the article. It is a detail that helps support the topic of the article.
Option D is incorrect
The comparisons between horses and other animals in paragraph 4
are presented as a detail to introduce the topic of the article. These
comparisons are not representative of the article’s organizational
pattern.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
27
For ECR items, please refer to the scoring guide.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
28
Option B is correct
This sentence more effectively states Gage’s claim that community
celebrations have value, and it logically follows sentence 2, which
states that these events should not be viewed as “expendable.”
Option A is incorrect
Although Gage might agree that community events should occur in
communities of all sizes, this sentence does not effectively state
Gage’s claim about the value of community events and why they
should not be considered expendable.
Option C is incorrect
In his paper, Gage points out different types of community
celebrations; however, sentence 3 should be used to reinforce the
claim introduced in sentence 2, that celebrations should be viewed
as essential community activities.
Option D is incorrect
Even though Gage makes it clear that both children and adults have
fun at community events, this is not the most effective way to state
the claim that community events should not be considered
expendable, as Gage indicates in sentence 2.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
29
For SCR items, please refer to the scoring guide.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
30
Option C is correct
This sentence eliminates the repetition of “large” and “big” and
clearly states the idea.
Option A is incorrect
Although this sentence eliminates the repetition of “large” and
“big,” it changes “a celebration” to “it,” making it unclear what the
pronoun “it” stands for.
Option B is incorrect
This sentence eliminates the repetition of “large” and “big.”
However, it introduces the pronoun “it” in a way that does not
make clear that “it” stands for “a celebration.”
Option D is incorrect
This sentence eliminates the repetition of “large” and “big,” but it
introduces a new repetition error with “start and begin.”
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
31
Option A is correct
This sentence best follows and supports sentence 24 because it
provides a consequence of the difficulty of recruiting people—that
some people will need to take on too many jobs. It also logically
connects to the idea in sentence 25, that, despite some people
needing to take on too much, the event is worthwhile.
Option B is incorrect
This sentence is redundant with sentence 24 in that it focuses on
the idea that it will be difficult to find people to do some of the jobs.
Also, the use of “furthermore” does not logically connect the two
sentences, since this sentence does not introduce a new idea.
Option C is incorrect
The detail in this sentence is unrelated to the idea that sometimes it
will be difficult to find enough people to help (sentence 24) and
that, despite this, the event will be worthwhile (sentence 25).
Option D is incorrect
This sentence introduces a detail that is not related to the ideas in
sentence 24, that it can be hard to recruit enough people to help,
and sentence 25, that the event will be worthwhile no matter the
time and effort it requires from organizers.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
32
Option C is correct
This sentence effectively captures the ideas of Gage’s argument
that community events have value to both individual people and
communities. Connecting the ideas of “community” and “home”
emphasizes this value.
Option A is incorrect
A concluding sentence should not introduce a new idea. The
frequency and projected longevity of community celebrations is a
new idea, so this sentence does not effectively capture the ideas of
Gage’s argument.
Option B is incorrect
This sentence repeats information presented in the fourth
paragraph (sentences 21–26) instead of effectively wrapping up the
argument Gage makes in the paper.
Option D is incorrect
Since the detail about making good friends is a new idea, this
sentence is not an effective conclusion. It does not effectively wrap
up the paper’s overall argument.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
33
Option B is correct
“In exchange” is an effective transition that clarifies what Thomas
will receive for the “long days without pay” described in sentence 5.
Option A is incorrect
“As a result” is not an effective transition at the beginning of
sentence 6, as it would suggest that Mr. Lamb’s teachings are a
direct effect of Thomas working long days without pay. In reality,
Thomas’s work prompts Mr. Lamb to provide him with something in
return but does not necessarily cause Mr. Lamb to do so.
Option C is incorrect
“For instance” is not an effective transition to start sentence 6,
since it implies Mr. Lamb’s teaching is an example of Thomas living
with Mr. Lamb and working “long days without pay.”
Option D is incorrect
“In comparison” is not an effective transition for the beginning of
sentence 6, since there is no comparison being made between
Thomas’s working long days and Mr. Lamb’s teaching.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
34
Option D is correct
This sentence effectively introduces the third paragraph, in which
Thomas’s father continues to encourage Thomas about the new
apprenticeship.
Option A is incorrect
Although this sentence accurately introduces Thomas’s father as
the speaker in sentence 11, this sentence does not effectively
introduce the third paragraph, which is not about the weather
conditions.
Option B is incorrect
This sentence correctly identifies Thomas’s father as the speaker in
sentence 11; however, this detail is irrelevant to the information in
the third paragraph and is therefore not a good introductory
sentence.
Option C is incorrect
This sentence provides a detail about the farm mentioned in
sentence 11, but the detail about the nine other children is
unrelated to the information in the third paragraph and does not
effectively introduce it.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
35
Option B is correct
This sentence fixes the use of passive voice in sentence 23 while
clearly and effectively presenting the events as they occur.
Option A is incorrect
Although this sentence fixes the use of passive voice in sentence
23, it introduces an awkward phrase, implying that Thomas sinks
down in a supper instead of on the mattress.
Option C is incorrect
This sentence fixes the use of passive voice in sentence 23;
however, by making the straw mattress part of the object of the
preposition “after,” it appears to suggest that the mattress is an
event.
Option D is incorrect
Sentence 23 uses passive voice with “a tiny room was shown to
Thomas by Mr. Lamb” and should be revised to use active voice.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
36
Option D is correct
In sentence 31, “assured” is a more effective word than “told”
because it better illustrates Henry’s attempts to make Thomas feel
better about Mr. Lamb’s blustering qualities.
Option A is incorrect
Henry is not trying to get Thomas to do or say anything, making
“prompted” an incorrect choice.
Option B is incorrect
Although the information Henry tells Thomas teaches Thomas
something new about Mr. Lamb, the phrase “educated Thomas
that” does not capture the idea that Henry is trying to make Thomas
feel better.
Option C is incorrect
Even though Henry is notifying Thomas about something, “notified”
does not illustrate Henry’s attempts to make Thomas feel better.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
37
Option A is correct
This sentence correctly combines the two sentences to eliminate
the fragment in sentence 2.
Option B is incorrect
Although this corrects the fragment in the original sentence 2, it
creates a new fragment.
Option C is incorrect
This sentence is not correct because it creates a comma splice by
combining two independent clauses with a comma but no
conjunction.
Option D is incorrect
The second sentence in this option is a fragment because it lacks a
supporting verb. “Asking” should be in the simple past tense,
“asked.”
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
38
This option correctly capitalizes the first word in a quotation.
Changing “opened” to “will open” incorrectly presents the
information in the future tense. The story is written in the past
tense.
Adding a comma after “match” is incorrect, since “by saying” is not a
parenthetical expression that can be removed while keeping a
complete sentence.
In phrases such as this one, “with” usually introduces a noun and
“by” usually introduces an action. “Saying” is an action.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
39
Option B is correct
Inserting a semicolon after “pawn” corrects the run-on sentence by
separating two independent clauses.
Option A is incorrect
Changing “countered” to the present participle “countering” creates
a verb tense error and does not correct the run-on sentence error.
Option C is incorrect
Replacing “hit” with “hits” does not correct the run-on sentence and
incorrectly changes the verb to the present tense.
Option D is incorrect
“Signel” is not the correct spelling of “signal.”
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
40
Option C is correct
The supporting verb “was” correctly places the phrase in the past
tense, matching the rest of the story.
Option A is incorrect
The supporting verb “is” is in the present tense, which does not
match the past tense of the story.
Option B is incorrect
The supporting verb “has been” is in the present perfect tense,
which does not match the past tense of the story.
Option D is incorrect
The supporting verb “would be” is in the future tense, which does
not match the past tense of the story.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
41
The paper is referring to one planet, so changing the plural
possessive noun “planets’ ” to the singular possessive noun
“planet’s” is correct.
“These” is needed because it is a demonstrative pronoun that
identifies the noun “plates.” The pronoun “Them” cannot serve this
purpose, since it is an objective pronoun, which receives the action
of a verb.
“Responce” is not the correct spelling of “response.”
The paragraph is written in the present tense, so changing the
present participle “radiating” to the past tense “radiated” is
incorrect.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
42
“Collide” corrects the misspelling of “colide.”
Inserting a comma after “form” creates an error in sentence
structure.
The paragraph is written in present tense, so changing present tense
“Push” to past tense “pushed” is incorrect.
Changing “Earth’s” to “Earths” eliminates the apostrophe, which is
needed to indicate that the crust is a part of Earth.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
43
Option B is correct
Capitalizing “mountains” is correct because it names a particular
mountain range, “Himalayan Mountains.”
Option A is incorrect
Adding an apostrophe to “years” would put the word in the
possessive form, and there is no possessive relationship between
“years” and “ago.”
Option C is incorrect
Changing “began” to “were beginning” creates an error in verb
tense and does not correct the capitalization error.
Option D is incorrect
Sentence 4 contains a capitalization error, so a change is needed.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
44
Option C is correct
Replacing “continues” with “continue” is correct because it creates
subject-verb agreement.
Option A is incorrect
The paragraph is written in present tense, so changing present tense
“continues” to past tense “has continued” is an incorrect change.
Option B is incorrect
The paragraph of this paper is written in present tense, so changing
present tense “continues” to past tense “continued” is incorrect.
Option D is incorrect
Changing “continues” to “continuing” introduces an incorrect verb
form and creates an error in subject-verb agreement.
2023 STAAR Grade 8 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
45
Option C is correct
Adding a semicolon before the transitional phrase “in fact” and a
comma after the transitional phrase corrects the run-on sentence
error and clearly connects the two independent clauses (groups of
words that can stand as a complete sentence) “Mount Everest is
getting taller” and “it grows about half an inch every year.”
Option A is incorrect
This sentence places the semicolon in the wrong location, assigning
the transitional phrase “in fact” to the wrong independent clause.
Option B is incorrect
This sentence contains a comma splice, which incorrectly combines
two independent clauses using only a comma.
Option D is incorrect
This sentence places the comma in the incorrect position and is
missing a semicolon before the transitional phrase “in fact.” These
errors create a comma splice, which incorrectly combines the two
independent clauses in the sentence.