2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
1
Option B is correct
This information in paragraph 5 illustrates the unique step-by-step
building method. The author uses visual description and compares
the process to the modern technique of using pile drivers to help
today’s reader understand how it worked.
Option A is incorrect
The author never refers to any assumption that early inhabitants of
Venice were unskilled. In fact, this information demonstrates how
skilled they were, given the resources of the time.
Option C is incorrect
This information explains how stakes were “pounded into place”
but does not specifically emphasize their importance in building the
foundations of Venice.
Option D is incorrect
Although this information describes a process that led to the
building of grand palaces, it does not support the idea that Venice
was wealthy or had many palaces.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
2
Option C is correct
This quotation clearly supports the thesis of the article by stating
that humans successfully modified a natural marsh into Venice, “a
masterpiece of urban development.”
Option A is incorrect
In this quotation, the author provides reasons for Venice’s wealth.
The article’s thesis focuses on the unique construction and
preservation of the city, not on the city’s affluence.
Option B is incorrect
Although the article focuses on how Venice was built, it is not
specifically about the significance of the Grand Canal, as this
quotation explains.
Option D is incorrect
The detail in this quotation demonstrates the effectiveness of
Venice’s ancient piling system, but this detail alone is too specific to
be the best support for the thesis of the article.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
3
Option A is correct
The comparisons between Venice’s eras in these sections are
clearly used to emphasize how extraordinary the building and
preservation of Venice has been.
Option B is incorrect
Although the information about how Venice was built is
entertaining, the author does not use comparisons between the
eras of Venice to create an entertaining story.
Option C is incorrect
The comparisons in these sections explain some historical
developments in engineering and urban planning, but that was not
the author’s reason for making them.
Option D is incorrect
In these sections, the author compares Venice over time in order to
demonstrate the success of its construction but rarely compares
the city or its history to anything else.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
4
Option C is correct
The words “marvel” and “magnet” in the phrases clearly convey a
sense of “amazement and enthusiasm” for how well Venice had
developed by the fourteenth century.
Option A is incorrect
Although the author describes aspects of cultural life in Venice with
these phrases, the author does not convey any skepticism.
Option B is incorrect
The author’s academic background is never established, and the
idea that Venice was a “marvel of architecture” is somewhat
subjective rather than strictly factual or objective.
Option D is incorrect
Although the phrase “magnet for Renaissance artists” is figurative,
the author does not use a poetic standpoint throughout the article.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
5
Option D is correct
The author explains in paragraph 11 that the inhabitants of Venice
in the 1920s needed drinking water and drilled under Venice to get
it, providing an example of how they adapted to their environment.
Option A is incorrect
There is no indication in paragraph 11 that the people of Venice in
the 1920s lacked knowledge of the newest technology, only that
they may have lacked easy access to drinking water.
Option B is incorrect
The author never suggests in paragraph 11 that the people of
Venice relied on other cities, just that they needed drinking water,
which they obtained in their own way.
Option C is incorrect
The author states in paragraph 11 that the city began to flood from
the drilling but does not say that the people of Venice did not
understand why. They may have understood why as soon as the
flooding began.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
6
Option B is correct
The fact that the islands that became Venice were once
“inhospitable” suggests that Venice was a good place to hide and
take refuge from invaders.
Option A is incorrect
The idea that people can avoid cars in Venice is supported by this
quotation. The idea that people can take refuge from invaders is
not.
Option C is incorrect
The author includes this sentence to explain that some people who
took refuge in Venice decided to stay but does not explain why they
-relocated to the island in the first place.
Option D is incorrect
Although this quotation refers to “challenges,” the focus of
paragraph 11 is on Venice’s land, not on invaders who came to the
area.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
7
Option C is correct
Throughout the article, the author discusses how Venice’s location
in a marsh was a challenge that forced Venetians to build in unique,
innovative, and successful ways.
Option A is incorrect
The reader would infer the opposite based on the information in
paragraphs 12 through 14: tidal effects on Venice have changed
because of rising sea levels, though humans have innovated ways
to combat those effects.
Option B is incorrect
The fact that the MOSE system is activated when high tides are
predicted does not necessarily mean that the MOSE system does
the predicting itself.
Option D is incorrect
The author includes information that suggests that the shrinking of
Venice’s boundaries has come to a halt for now, thanks to the
MOSE system.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
8
Option D is correct
These sentences provide the reader with the most accurate and
complete summary of the article by including a description of
Venice’s canals, details about how Venice’s buildings are
constructed, and information about how Venice is being preserved.
Option A is incorrect
The sentences in this summary overly focus on the artwork in
Venice and neglect to include any information about how the city
was built.
Option B is incorrect
This summary claims that “the city still floods regularly,” which is
not accurate according to paragraph 13 of the article.
Option C is incorrect
Because this summary does not mention the how flooding
challenges in Venice are being combatted today, it is not complete
or effective as a summary.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
9
Option C is correct
In paragraph 2, the author states that “Austin had not called out
Joey specifically” but had implied that Joey might be replaced for
poor performance, so the word insinuated means “hinted” in this
context.
Option A is incorrect
“Believed” would indicate that Austin is certain that some players
will be replaced on game day; instead, the word insinuated
expresses Austin’s suggestion about what could happen.
Option B is incorrect
The word insinuated does not mean “confided” in this context,
since Austin makes his remarks to the entire team.
Option D is incorrect
The word insinuated indicates a suggestion or an implication, not
an assurance.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
10
Part A
Option D is correct
The author consistently characterizes the man as kind and
friendly, qualities that help Joey feel more positive and upbeat
despite his bad experience that day, conveying the story’s theme.
Option A is incorrect
Although the man needs Joey’s help, the author does not
emphasize the importance of helping others as a theme.
Option B is incorrect
The man seems to struggle to lift a bag of cat food, which does
not indicate that he is strong, nor does he appear strong.
Option C is incorrect
The man is not overly determined to finish his shopping, and the
theme of the story focuses on staying positive when faced with
challenges, not accepting failure.
Part B
Option C is correct
The author’s use of the word “genial” in this quotation refers to
the man’s cheerfulness, clearly supporting the answer to Part A.
Option A is incorrect
The idea in this quotation that the man’s appearance makes the
strength of his voice surprising does not support the story’s
theme.
Option B is incorrect
This quotation demonstrates that the man is needy, not that he is
cheerful and friendly, which is how the author overwhelmingly
characterizes him.
Option D is incorrect
The author includes this quotation to show that Joey and the man
are friendly, not that the man’s cheerfulness helps Joey feel more
positive.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
11
Option A is correct
At the end of the story, the author shows that the man highly
regards Joey. This helps resolve the plot because Joey feels better
about himself and more positive.
Option B is incorrect
There is no indication in the story that Joey feels disconnected from
the other players.
Option C is incorrect
Joey does not necessarily feel that he was treated unfairly. He is
initially insecure about his performance in basketball.
Option D is incorrect
Although the author indicates that Joey is frustrated with himself,
there is no indication that Joey is frustrated with his team captain.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
12
Option C is correct
By including words such as “fiasco” and phrases such as “critical
misstep” in paragraph 1, the author shows Joey’s anxiety about
enabling opposing players to score against his team.
Option A is incorrect
There is no mention of another scrimmage in paragraph 1 of the
story.
Option B is incorrect
Although Joey is replaying the scrimmage in his mind and not
actively in it, the author makes it clear that he had made key
mistakes.
Option D is incorrect
The author indicates that Joey is frustrated that the other team
scored, but this frustration is directed at himself and his own
“critical misstep,” not his teammates’ actions.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
13
Option B is correct
The poet’s use of the term “fault lines” in line 18 refers to the
speaker’s flaws. By “looking above” them, the speaker is trying not
to focus on them.
Option A is incorrect
By “looking above fault lines,” the speaker avoids any negative
opinions she may have about herself; she is not necessarily ignoring
the opinions that others have of her.
Option C is incorrect
In the poem, the speaker never refers to any way she has been
wronged in the past.
Option D is incorrect
The poem is focused on the speaker’s judgment and acceptance of
herself and does not suggest a tendency to judge others.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
14
Option D is correct
In lines 15 through 19 of the poem, the speaker uses phrases such
as “self-love” and “No more earthquakes of criticism & critique” to
express her belief that she should accept herself as she is and not
self-criticize.
Option A is incorrect
The speaker says she will not compare herself to others in line 20,
but she does not mention any unfair treatment from others.
Option B is incorrect
Although the speaker wants to change the way she thinks about
herself, she does not seem concerned about whether others will
notice her new self-acceptance.
Option C is incorrect
In lines 18 and 19, the speaker suggests that she used to criticize
herself. This might be interpreted incorrectly as a “past mistake.”
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
15
Option A is correct
In line 11, the speaker refers to a figurative “blend of fabric” as
being “amazing,” suggesting that it was made “carefully.”
Therefore, the meaning of meticulously in this context is
“carefully.”
Option B is incorrect
Although the word “rigidly” might indicate that the fabric was made
using a strict set of rules, it does not necessarily suggest that the
fabric was well-made, which is the intended meaning of
meticulously in this context.
Option C is incorrect
The speaker wants to indicate that the fabric is well-made and
“amazing.” Therefore, the word meticulously cannot mean
“hurriedly”; that might suggest that the fabric was made poorly.
Option D is incorrect
It is possible (though unlikely) that the fabric was made “easily,”
but the word meticulously in line 12 is meant to express how well
the fabric was made and how nice it is. Therefore, “easily” is
incorrect.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
16
For ECR items, please refer to the scoring guide.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
17
Option A is correct
In “Good Enough,” Joey stops dwelling on his poor basketball
performance and gains a positive attitude about his day after
spending time with a kind elderly man. In “Simply Me,” the speaker
discusses how good she feels when she can “see the good” in
herself in lines 13 and 14. Therefore, both develop the idea that
people tend to be happier when they are kinder to themselves and
avoid thinking about their flaws.
Option B is incorrect
Although Joey from the story has experienced failure and the
speaker from the poem refers to her past tendency to criticize
herself, neither the story nor the poem suggests that Joey or the
speaker should not work hard to succeed in the first place.
Option C is incorrect
Both Joey and the poem’s speaker forgive themselves for failures or
mistakes. There is no evidence that they need to forgive others.
Option D is incorrect
Joey from the story receives some encouragement from the man
and from his friend, but the speaker of the poem never refers to
any encouragement from others—only from herself.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
18
Option A is correct
Joey in “Good Enough” gains a positive attitude about himself after
spending time with a cheerful man, while the speaker of “Simply
Me” learns to ignore self-doubt and listen to her “affirmations.” For
example, in line 6, she says that she possesses “Grace, wisdom &
certainty.”
Option B is incorrect
Joey’s friend reassures him that he will not be benched for poor
performance, but the speaker never mentions any criticism from
others.
Option C is incorrect
The author of the story does not show Joey’s mother being
supportive, and the speaker of the poem seems to learn from
herself and her own affirmations, not her surroundings.
Option D is incorrect
Although Joey may acknowledge his imperfections, he does not use
them to get better at basketball. The speaker of the poem does not
ever seem to compare herself to others. In fact, she vows to herself
that she “Won’t weigh myself against others” in line 20.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
19
Option D is correct
Both Joey from the story and the speaker of the poem develop a
new, positive outlook on who they are as individuals. The way that
they both shift their focus is similar.
Option A is incorrect
There is no indication that either Joey or the speaker is wrongfully
accused in the story or the poem.
Option B is incorrect
Joey is never specifically compared with other people in the story,
making it impossible for this to be a similarity between him and the
speaker.
Option C is incorrect
The speaker of the poem seems to develop an appreciation of
herself but never mentions befriending someone else.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
20
Option A is correct
In paragraph 1 of the story, when Joey thinks about the moment
when the basketball bounced off the rim, he is engaging in the
same type of self-judgement the speaker refers to as “earthquakes
of criticism & critique” in the poem.
Option B is incorrect
Although in paragraph 4 Joey’s mother asks Joey to complete a task
and not forget, she does not apply “criticism” or “critique” him or
his ability to remember to go to the store. She simply reminds him
to go.
Option C is incorrect
The speaker states that her self-criticism can feel like “earthquakes”
in line 19, and earthquakes can be surprising, but it would not be
correct to compare this feeling to the way the old man startles
Joey. “Earthquakes” is used by the poet to emphasize a sense of
magnitude, not shock.
Option D is incorrect
The text that Joey gets from his teammate is reassuring, not critical
in any way. Therefore, it would be incorrect to compare this to
sentiment in line 19 of the poem.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
21
Option C is correct
The labeled cities on the map help the reader see which ones were
connected to the National Road. Information about the “settlement
pattern” along the road is important to the ideas in paragraph 3.
Option A is incorrect
Although this is a map of the historic road, there is no timeline
associated with the map. The road may have been built east to
west, but there is no evidence that the cities along the road were
built in that order.
Option B is incorrect
According to the map key, the road is 600 miles long, but it is still
unclear to the reader how long it would take to travel the length of
the road, especially since in paragraph 2, the author describes
travel before cars existed.
Option D is incorrect
The author includes the map to demonstrate its location in the
United States, which helps the reader better understand the
information in the article. The author mentions in paragraph 7 that
it is nice to travel the National Road but does not necessarily
assume the reader will do so.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
22
Option D is correct
The author uses the phrase “barely touched by the passing of time”
as a metaphor to suggest that some towns have remained
unchanged, or as they have always been.
Option A is incorrect
Although the quotation says that some towns remain as they were
originally built, the author does not suggest the road prevented
progress. In fact, the road supported progress in the United States,
according to the article.
Option B is incorrect
The phrase “barely touched” is included in the quotation to suggest
that the towns have not changed much throughout history. There is
no suggestion that the towns have any kind of protected status.
Option C is incorrect
The author does not refer to the “passing of time” to suggest
anything about the towns’ inhabitants.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
23
Option B is correct
The author uses chronological order in paragraphs 1 and 2 to
explain the process, in order, of how and why the road came to be.
For example, the author states in paragraph 1 that “in 1806
Congress authorized construction of the road,” the first step toward
getting it built.
Option A is incorrect
The author explains in paragraph 2 that each state took
responsibility for its section of the road, but that is not why the
author used chronological order in paragraphs 1 and 2.
Option C is incorrect
Dates are included in paragraphs 1 and 2, but the author never
indicates which year the road opened in each state.
Option D is incorrect
The chronological order of paragraphs 1 and 2 helps the author
explain how the road was developed, not how the government
develops and funds projects in general.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
24
Option C is correct
In this quotation, the author implies that people take photos of the
“old buildings, bridges, and old stone mile markers” along the road,
indicating that the area is scenic.
Option A is incorrect
This quotation provides a completion date and the way that the
road began to be used, but no reference to any scenic details about
the road.
Option B is incorrect
Although the stagecoaches mentioned in this quotation may have
been beautiful, the area along the road is not shown to be scenic.
Option D is incorrect
Although the new steel bridge may have been beautiful, it is only
one feature along the road and is not included to suggest that the
whole area is scenic.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
25
Option A is correct
Paragraph 5 features descriptions of several historic stone bridges
along the road. Paragraph 6 describes what mile markers are and
where they might stand along the road. Therefore, both paragraphs
illustrate, through description, unique features of the road.
Option B is incorrect
An explanation of why the road was initially built is in paragraph 1.
There is no information about why the road was built in paragraphs
5 or 6.
Option C is incorrect
Although the history of the Casselman River Bridge is told in
chronological order in paragraph 5, construction of this bridge is
only one part of the road’s story. These paragraphs do not look at
“each event in the development of the National Road.”
Option D is incorrect
Bridges and mile markers may have served as solutions to some of
the road’s problems, but details about the problems they
addressed are not included in these paragraphs.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
26
Option B is correct
Although the author does not necessarily assume readers will travel
the National Road, he details its little-known history, which would
be of interest to people who like to take road trips to unique
places.
Option A is incorrect
Thomas Jefferson is mentioned only in paragraph 1, so people
researching his accomplishments would not be a good audience for
this article.
Option C is incorrect
The author mentions the history of government involvement in the
road but not to inform today’s legislators, who would need more
detailed information to use the road as a model for crafting
transportation laws.
Option D is incorrect
People who work in transportation may find the article interesting,
but the author’s focus on one road would not be relevant to all who
work in the transportation field in the United States.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
27
Option C is correct
The author explains that multiple people took the time to write
poetry and songs about the road, which indicates that it was
popular.
Option E is correct
The idea that thousands traveled along the road shows that it was
a frequently used, popular route.
Option A is incorrect
Having multiple names is not an indication of popularity.
Option B is incorrect
The idea that the road existed before the railroad may show that
the road was the only means of travel at the time but does not
necessarily indicate that it was popular.
Option D is incorrect
Details about how the road was used do not demonstrate that it
was popular.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
28
Option C is correct
In this context, the author uses the word icon to show that the mile
markers were both a symbol indicating distance and a well-known
feature of the historic National Road.
Option A is incorrect
There is no reference to computer technology in this article, making
this an incorrect definition of icon.
Option B is incorrect
The author does not mention religion in any part of this article, so
this definition of icon is incorrect.
Option D is incorrect
A person who is highly regarded might be an icon, but here, the
author is describing mile markers, not people.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
29
Option A is correct
In paragraph 2, the author explains that the federal government
was responsible for road repairs but that the states operated the
tollgates and tollhouses. Therefore, it is likely that the states built
the tolls to pay the federal government for repairs.
Option B is incorrect
The author explains throughout the article that the road was
popular but never implies that it was overly crowded.
Option C is incorrect
The roads needed maintenance, so the most likely reason the
states built the tollhouses and tollgates was to collect money, not
to employ maintenance workers, who were likely busy repairing the
roads.
Option D is incorrect
Although the states paid the federal government to maintain the
road, they did not technically pay the federal government for the
use of the road.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
30
For ECR items, please refer to the scoring guide.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
31
Option C is correct
“Contemplate” can mean “think about” or “consider,” making this
word an effective, more sophisticated replacement for “think of” in
sentence 2.
Option A is incorrect
“Scrutinize” means “to examine,” and Julian is not examining ideas
for his English essay, because there is no indication that he has
thought of any yet.
Option B is incorrect
The word “divulge” is not an effective replacement for “think of”
because “divulge” means “to share” or “to make something
known,” and at this point in the story, there is no indication that
Julian is with anyone else.
Option D is incorrect
Because “observe” means “to look at” or “to see,” and it is unclear
whether Julian is looking at any topic for his English essay, this word
is an ineffective replacement for “think of.”
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
32
For SCR items, please refer to the scoring guide.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
33
Option A is correct
The use of “staring” and then “struggling” corrects the lack of
parallel structure in sentence 16.
Option B is incorrect
A box cannot struggle to decipher something, making this sentence
illogical.
Option C is incorrect
Because the prepositional phrase “on the side of the box” is placed
at the end of this sentence, the sentence makes it seem as though
Julian is making macaroni on the side of a box.
Option D is incorrect
For sentence 16 to be correct and effective, the verbs “staring” and
“had a struggle” must be parallel.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
34
Option C is correct
This sentence correctly places the subject, “Julian,” directly after
the modifying phrase “Though not fluent in toddler speak,” making
it an effective revision to sentence 20.
Option A is incorrect
“Pedro” is incorrectly placed directly after the modifying phrase
“Though not fluent in toddler speak,” making it seem as though
Pedro does not understand his own words.
Option B is incorrect
The syntax of this sentence expresses that Pedro is “not fluent in
toddler speak,” which is incorrect.
Option D is incorrect
This sentence is awkward and unclear.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
35
Option D is correct
This revision effectively eliminates unnecessary words from
sentence 37, such as the repetition of “wiping” and “off,” while
remaining clear and concise.
Option A is incorrect
This revision would create a confusing sentence. The direct objects,
the noodles and cheese sauce, are far away from the subject and
verb, making the meaning unclear.
Option B is incorrect
The items in the series within this sentence are connected using an
“and,” “and,” “and also” structure, when they would be more
concise if connected with commas and only one “and.”
Option C is incorrect
The passive voice of this sentence changes the meaning of the
original sentence 37. For example, this revision indicates that the
wall is wiping noodles and cheese sauce, which is incorrect.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
36
Option B is correct
In this replacement sentence, the writer refers to the challenge that
is featured in her story with the detail “as he wiped an errant
noodle from the ceiling,” making it a more effective and creative
closing.
Option A is incorrect
Julian’s aunt is not a featured part of the “challenge” he is telling
his mom that he will write about, so this description is confusing
and not effective.
Option C is incorrect
Although Julian’s mother calls him, there is no indication presented
in the story that she can see him.
Option D is incorrect
In sentences 39 and 40, the writer implies that Julian’s experience
with Pedro will be the “challenge” he will write about for his English
essay. He does not seem to have multiple ideas at this stage.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
37
Option A is correct
The information in sentence 2 is overly similar to the information in
sentence 1, so it should be deleted.
Option B is incorrect
Because sentence 4 is an answer to the question posed by
sentence 3, sentence 3 must remain in the paragraph.
Option C is incorrect
Without sentence 4, “that task” referred to in sentence 5 is unclear.
Option D is incorrect
Deleting sentence 5 in the paragraph would make “the case” in
sentence 6 unclear.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
38
Option B is correct
The active voice is employed in this revision to effectively express
the meaning of sentence 11. The writer demonstrates how both
qualities, solving practical problems and having a positive social
impact, are important.
Option A is incorrect
In this revision, it is unclear what would “have a positive social
impact,” Nyakarundi or “something,” which makes this revision
confusing.
Option C is incorrect
The writer uses passive voice to craft this sentence, making it
awkward and inelegant.
Option D is incorrect
The passive construction of this revision makes it awkward and
ineffective.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
39
Option A is correct
“After six years of being his own boss” directly refers to
Nyakarundi’s preference “to make my own decisions,” as he says in
the third paragraph. The “new challenge” sets up the discussion
about ARED that follows in the fourth paragraph.
Option B is incorrect
The word “interestingly” might imply that it was a surprise that
Nyakarundi started a business in technology, which is not the case.
Option C is incorrect
There is no reason why Nyakarundi would necessarily be “bound to
succeed” just because his trucking business did well.
Option D is incorrect
The phrase “do more stuff” is imprecise and does not fit the style
and tone of the essay.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
40
Option B is correct
The information about “down payments” and “ongoing payments”
is what “that initial investment” refers to in sentence 26, making
this sentence good support.
Option A is incorrect
Although the idea in this sentence logically flows from the idea in
sentence 24, it does not provide an adequate transition to sentence
26.
Option C is incorrect
The mention of bicycling is irrelevant and does not support any of
the other information in the tenth paragraph.
Option D is incorrect
This sentence does not explain that people who operate the kiosks
are also the franchise owners. That information is needed here to
support sentence 25.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
41
Option A is correct
By helping women and people with disabilities, who may not be
able to afford an initial investment in ARED, Nyakarundi provides
aid to his community, making this a good idea for a topic sentence.
Option B is incorrect
Although the ideas in the paragraph focus on challenges others
face, they are not necessarily the challenges Nyakarundi has
running the business.
Option C is incorrect
The is no indication in the seventh paragraph that Nyakarundi is
trying to help others enjoy their work. He just wants to help them
do work.
Option D is incorrect
People are likely grateful for the opportunities Nyakarundi has
provided them, but the ideas in the paragraph focus on their
general challenges, not their gratefulness toward Nyakarundi for
helping them overcome those challenges.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
42
Option B is correct
“For this reason” demonstrates the cause-and-effect relationship
between sentences 29 and 30 effectively.
Option A is incorrect
The ideas in sentence 30 are not in contrast with the ideas in
sentence 29, making “However” an incorrect transition.
Option C is incorrect
In sentence 30, there is no alternative to or contrast with the ideas
presented in sentence 29, so “On the other hand” would be a
confusing transition.
Option D is incorrect
The word “Nevertheless,” like the word “still,” would not indicate
the cause-and-effect relationship between sentences 29 and 30.
"Nevertheless” tends to present a contrast, or a continuation,
rather than a result.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
43
In-line
choice
Option D is correct
“Efficient” corrects the spelling of “efficeint” in the sentence.
Option A is incorrect
“Eficient” is not the correct way to spell the word “efficient.”
Option B is incorrect
“Efficent” is an incorrect way of spelling “efficient.”
Option C is incorrect
“Effishent” is not the correct way to spell the word “efficient.”
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
44
Option B is correct
“However” is a conjunctive adverb, not a conjunction. Therefore, it
cannot be used to combine two independent clauses into a
compound sentence with only a comma. It requires a semicolon
instead.
Option A is incorrect
Changing “were sold” to “was sold” would create a subject-verb
agreement error.
Option C is incorrect
The subway cars that were supposed to be preserved or reused did
not get scrapped for metal “instead.” The word “however” better
shows the contrast between “some” subways cars and “most.”
Option D is incorrect
“Scraped” has a different meaning from the word “scrapped.”
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
45
Option C is correct
Inserting a comma after “ecosystem” would clarify that the coral
reefs, and not the ecosystem, provide shelter and food.
Option A is incorrect
“Gradual” would be an adjective form of “gradually” and would not
be correct in this sentence.
Option B is incorrect
Changing “create” to “creates” would introduce a subject-verb
agreement error.
Option D is incorrect
There is no reason for “marine” to be capitalized. It is not a proper
noun.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
46
Option D is correct
Because “coral and barnacles” is a plural subject, it requires the
plural verb “are spread” for agreement.
Option A is incorrect
“Barnacles” is not a proper noun in the context of this sentence.
Option B is incorrect
Replacing “could” with “couldn’t” would create a double negative
that would make the sentence illogical.
Option C is incorrect
A comma after “floor” would be unnecessary in this sentence.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
47
Option C is correct
“Helps” is the present tense form of the verb “to help,” which is
needed for tense consistency in the sentence.
Option A is incorrect
Changing “are benefiting” to “is benefiting” would create a subject-
verb agreement error.
Option B is incorrect
“Which in turn helped the overall economy” is a nonrestrictive
clause, so it must be set off from the rest of the sentence with a
comma for clarity.
Option D is incorrect
“Economy” is not a proper noun in this context.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
48
Option B is correct
A colon after “teenagers” would effectively introduce the quotation
that follows.
Option A is incorrect
If the writer changed “say” to “saying,” then she would also need to
include the helping verb “are.”
Option C is incorrect
“Are” not a misspelling of the word “our,” which would be illogical
in the context of this sentence.
Option D is incorrect
“Are you listening to me?” is a question, so it requires a question
mark.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
49
Option D is correct
The pronoun refers back to the plural subject “people,” so “their”
should be used for agreement.
Option A is incorrect
Although the word “group” refers to multiple people, it refers to a
single group in sentence 8. To properly form the possessive, the
apostrophe needs to come before the “s.”
Option B is incorrect
A comma after “together” would be unnecessary in this sentence.
Option C is incorrect
The infinitive forms of “share” and “preserve” are parallel in this
sentence and should not be changed.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
50
Option A is correct
There are two separate ideas in sentence 16 without any
punctuation between them, which creates a run-on sentence.
Option B is incorrect
The two independent clauses in this sentence would ideally be
separated with a comma before “and,” so this sentence is incorrect.
Option C is incorrect
The second sentence here is a fragment and therefore incorrect.
Option D is incorrect
The conjunction “so” in this sentence does not correctly express the
cause-and effect relationship between the two ideas.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
51
Option D is correct
“Bakery” should not be capitalized because it is not a proper noun.
Option A is incorrect
A semicolon is usually used to separate two independent clauses,
so inserting one after “buns” would introduce an error into this
sentence.
Option B is incorrect
Because Ming-Ha learned how to bake buns in the past, the past
perfect “had learned” is appropriate here.
Option C is incorrect
A comma after “make” would be unnecessary in this sentence.
2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
Item #
Rationale
52
Option B is correct
The context of the sentence calls for the plural of “hour,” which is
“hours.” The apostrophe indicates a possessive.
Option A is incorrect
The dominant tense of this paragraph is the past tense, so
“worked” should not be changed.
Option C is incorrect
Inserting a semicolon before the conjunction “and” would
introduce an error into this sentence, because a semicolon is used
to separate two independent clauses only when a conjunction is
not used.
Option D is incorrect
“Eventuelly” is a misspelling of “eventually.”
