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STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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Name ____________________________________ Date ___________________
7.1
Nina is almost ready to submit this paper to her language arts teacher. Before she turns it in,
she would like to have a peer-editor read her paper and look for any revisions or corrections she
needs to make. When you finish reading, answer the questions that follow.
Fresh Vegetables
(1) “Hey, Barbara, let’s get going,” Mom hollered. (2) “The morning is more than half
over.”
(3) “I’m sorry, Mom,” Barbara replied, she walked slowly into the kitchen. (4) “I stayed
up late working on my science research paper. (5) I weren’t finished with my homework. (6) It’s
due in a week. (7) I’m pretty much ready. (8) What exactly are we going to be doing today?”
(9) “I am going to show you how to grow fresh vegetables in a few containers,” Mom
said. (10) “I are tired of the taste of the vegetables that we have been getting. (11) The ones
available from the grosery store are not fresh. (12) I want and you need fresh veggies.
(13) Besides, we will save money, too.”
(14) “Have you ever done this before, Mom?” Barbara asked, wiping the sleep from her
eyes. (15) A shake of her head followed a shrug of her shoulders.
(16) “Nope,” Mom said with a grin, “but I’ve read up on it. (17) With my brains and your
muscles, we will have those tomatoes, green peppers, and green beans planted in no time.”
(18) Barbara gave her mother a sideways glance and frowned but said nothing.
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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(19) “I know it’s late already,” mom said, “but you need a good, nutritious breakfast in
order to last the day. (20) Sit down, eat what’s on your plate, and we can get started.”
(21) After breakfast, Barbara’s mom took her out to the small patio. (22) Barbara
followed her mothers directions and slowly they put soil, plant food, and organic nutrients in a
bucket as they mixed them all together. (23) Barbara doled out the garden mixture to five
round containers and added young plants. (24) Young plants seem to cost more than seeds.
(25) Finally, Barbara moved the containers to get the most sunlight during the day and ended
the lengthy task by carefully watering each container.
(26) “Looks good,” Mom said.
(27) “It sure does,” Barbara agreed because a smile moved across her lips. (28) “Even
though I’m exhausted, I’m surprised, I feel pretty good. (29) Okay is the word I’m looking for.”
(30) “Yes, me too,” Mom said.
(31) “Can we clean up and get something to cool to drink?” asked Barbara.
Read Nina’s paper and think about how it should be revised.
(Category 2 – 14 C – RS)
1. Which sentence could be added after sentence 2 to strengthen the introduction to this
story?
A
B
C
D
I think the door needs painting.
I am half as old as my brother.
In the meantime, our car needs a car wash and some gas.
At this rate, it will be August before you ever get out the door.
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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(Category 2 – 14 C – RS)
2. Nina would like to add the following sentence to the eighth paragraph (sentences 21-25).
They got right to work.
Where is the BEST place to insert this sentence?
F
G
H
J
After sentence 21
After sentence 22
After sentence 23
After sentence 24
(Category 2 – 14 C – RS)
3. Nina is concerned that there is a sentence in the eighth paragraph (sentences 21-25)
that does not add anything to this paper. Which sentence should Nina delete from this
paragraph?
A
B
C
D
Sentence 22
Sentence 23
Sentence 24
Sentence 25
(Category 2 – 14 C – RS)
4. The word because does not appropriately connect the two clauses in sentence 27. Which
word should replace the word because?
F
G
H
J
if
while
although
where
(Category 2 – 14 C – RS)
5. Nina has used a poor choice of words in sentence 29. She should change Okay to ̶
A
B
C
D
Sure
Neat
Proud
Up
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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(Category 2 – 14 C – RS)
6. Which transition word or phrase could BEST be added to the beginning of sentence 31 to
help conclude this story?
F
G
H
J
Furthermore
Later
In comparison
Now
Read Nina’s paper and think about how it should be edited.
(Category 3 – 19 C – RS)
7. What is the correct way to write sentence 3?
A
B
C
D
“I’m sorry, Mom,” Barbara replied as she walked slowly into the kitchen.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” Barbara replied, walked slowly into the kitchen.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” Barbara replied; walking slowly into the kitchen.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” Barbara replied as she walked, slowly into the kitchen.
(Category 3 – 19 Ai – SS)
8. How should sentence 5 be changed?
F
G
H
J
Change I to you
Change weren’t finished to wasn’t finished
Change my to you
Sentence 5 should not be changed.
(Category 3 – 19 Ai – SS)
9. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 10?
A
B
C
D
Change I to me
Change are tired to am tired
Change from to for
No change should be made in this sentence.
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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(Category 3 – 21 A – RS)
10. What change, if any, needs to be made in sentence 11?
F
G
H
J
Change ones to wons
Change available to availible
Change grosery to grocery
Sentence 11 does not need to be changed.
(Category 3 – 20 A – RS)
11. How should sentence 19 be changed?
A
B
C
D
Change know to no
Change it’s to its
Change mom to Mom
No change needs to be made.
(Category 3 – 20 B – RS)
12. What change needs to be made in sentence 22?
F
G
H
J
Change followed to follows
Change mothers to mother’s
Change slowly to slow
Change mixed to mixt
(Category 3 – 20 Bii – SS)
13. What change, if any, needs to be made in sentence 28?
A
B
C
D
Change though to tho
Change the comma after surprised to a semicolon
Change feel to fill
Sentence 28 does not need to be changed.
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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Name ____________________________________ Date ___________________
7.2
After a recent trip to his grandparent’s home near a prairie, Alberto became interested in the
land. He researched the topic and then wrote this paper. Read Alberto’s paper and think about
how he should revise and edit it. Then answer the questions that follow.
The Prairie
(1) A constant breeze weaves through waves of tall grass stretched for miles in every
direction. (2) A few trees dot the landscape like a quick afterthought. (3) Overhead light
streams across a blanket of blue sky all around the horizon. (4) From the south end of Texas,
threw the middle of parts of the United States, and on up into southern Canada, these prairie
lands spread far and wide. (5) One must see to understand its beauty the prairie.
(6) The rocky mountains a major mountain range in North America border the prairie on
the west. (7) Any precipitation carried by weather systems is usually dropped on the mountains
of the west. (8) The weather systems have to move higher to get over the mountains. (9) This
cools the air, and cool air is not able to carry as much moisture as warmer air while the
moisture falls from the systems on the western side of the mountains. (10) Few trees but lots of
grasses grow on the prairie. (11) Short grass extends from the west with taller grasses taking
over the farther east one travels. (12) A little more precipitation in the eastern reaches of the
prairie lands accounts for the taller plants.
(13) Like a speeding race horse fire often rages across the prairie. (14) The tops of any
plants in the path of the fire are destroyed, but the roots below ground survive. (15) Roots hold
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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plants to the ground. (16) Matter is left behind by the dead parts of the plants. (17) These help
new plants grow from the old roots.
(18) The ever present winds distribute seeds all throughout the prairie. (19) These same
winds drive the grass fires across the flat lands. (20) The fires keep the prairie intact.
(21) Otherwise, trees would slowly creep in or eventually take over.
(22) Many animals live on or under the North American prairie. (23) Insects crawl
around on the grasses and flowers, munching and eating there fill. (24) Small animals feast on
the plants, too. (25) Larger predators hunt and live on the smaller animals. (26) Birds eat the
insects and seeds. (27) These animals has learned to live among the grasses and flowers of the
wide open prairie.
Read Alberto’s paper and think about how it should be revised.
(Category 2 – 14 C – RS)
1. What is the most effective revision to make in sentence 5?
A
B
C
D
The prairie that is beautiful must be seen and be understood.
One must see the prairie to understand its beauty.
One must understand to see the beauty of the prairie.
The prairie must be understood to see its beauty.
(Category 2 – 14 C – RS)
2. What sentence could be added after sentence 9 to strengthen this paragraph?
F
G
H
J
The mountains are very tall in this section of North America.
Warm air is able to hold a lot of moisture.
Once the winds and clouds reach the prairie lands, little moisture is left to fall.
Sometimes the clouds are thick and sometimes they are thin near the mountains.
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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(Category 2 – 17 Aiii – SS)
3. Alberto is concerned that there is a sentence in the third paragraph (sentences 13-17) that
does not add anything to this paper. Which sentence should Alberto delete from this
paragraph?
A
B
C
D
Like a speeding race horse fire often rages across the prairie.
The tops of any plants in the path of the fire are destroyed, but the roots below ground
survive.
Roots hold plants to the ground.
Matter left behind by the dead parts of the plants help new plants grow from the old
roots.
(Category 2 – 17 Aiv – SS)
4. What is the best way to combine sentences 16 and 17?
F
G
H
J
Matter left behind by the dead parts of the plants helps new plants grow from the old
roots.
However, the matter left behind by dead parts of the plants when new plants grow
from the old roots.
Matter left behind by the dead parts of the plants, the matter helps new plants grow
from the old roots.
As the matter is left behind by dead parts of the plants and new plants grow from the
old roots.
(Category 2 – 17Aiii – SS)
5. Alberto would like to add a sentence to support the idea he has presented in sentence 18.
Which of these could BEST follow and support sentence 18?
A
B
C
D
The seeds fall, take root, and grow quickly.
The seeds will grow if they make it to the ground.
The wind is always blowing on the prairie.
The wind helps the prairie become a better place for plants.
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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(Category 2 – 14 C – RS)
6. Which transition word or phrase could BEST be added to the beginning of sentence 27 to
help conclude this story?
F
G
H
J
Furthermore
Overall
In comparison
Later
Read Alberto’s paper and think about how it should be edited.
(Category 3 – 20 Bii – SS)
7. What change, if any, needs to be made in sentence 3?
A
B
C
D
Add a comma after Overhead
Change horizon to horizen
Change streams to stream’s
Sentence 3 does not need to be changed.
(Category 3 – 21 A – RS)
8. How should sentence 4 be changed?
F
G
H
J
Change south to South
Change threw to through
Change middle to middel
Sentence 4 should not be changed.
(Category 3 – 20 A – RS)
9. What change, if any, needs to be made in sentence 6?
A
B
C
D
Change rocky mountains to Rocky Mountains
Change prairie to Prairie
Change west to West
Change the period after west to a question mark
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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(Category 3 – 19 Aii – SS)
10. What change, if any, needs to be made in sentence 6?
F
G
H
J
Change The to A
Insert a comma after rocky
Insert a comma after mountains and after America
Delete North
(Category 3 – 19 C – RS)
11. What is the correct way to write sentence 9?
A
B
C
D
This cools the air, and cool air is not able to carry as much moisture as warmer air.
While the moisture falls from the systems on the western side of the mountains.
This cools the air and cool air is not able to carry as much moisture as warmer air while
the moisture falls from the systems on the western side of the mountains.
This cools the air, and cool air is not able to carry as much moisture as warmer air, so
the moisture falls from the systems on the western side of the mountains.
This cools the air. Cooling air to carry as much moisture as warmer air so the moisture
falls from the systems on the western side of the mountains.
(Category 3 – 19 Aiii – SS)
12. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 13?
F
G
H
J
Insert a comma after horse
Insert a comma after rages
Change across to accross
No change should be made in sentence 13.
(Category 3 – 19 Ai – SS)
13. What change should be made in sentence 27?
A
B
C
D
Change These to Those
Change has to have
Change learned to learning
Change open to opened
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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Name ____________________________________ Date ___________________
7.3
Amanda has become interested in museums. She wrote this letter to the editor to convince
others to help her town museum. As you read Amanda’s letter, look for any revisions and editing
she needs to make. Then answer the questions that follow.
Our Town Museum Is In Trouble
(1) The Benson County Museum is in trouble. (2) The third grade students of Miller
Elementary School took their annual tour of the county train museum last Thursday, April 20.
(3) Students from Hamilton Middle School accompanied the third graders as part of a mentor
program conducted by the museum through the two schools.
(4) The Benson County Museum, in cooperation with the school district, trains middle
schools students to help conduct tours of the museum and educate younger children in the
history of the surrounding areas. (5) Focusing on the role of the railroad, the older students
attend a series of classes early in the school year. (6) In most cases, the mentoring students
were ourselves mentored by an earlier group of middle school children that went through the
program.
(7) The museum is spread out over eight separate rooms in the large, two story
structure. (8) The third grade with many classes were divided into groups of eight to ten
children and matched up with three middle school students. (9) Moving from room to room,
the small groups observed, discussed, and interacted with displays exhibiting the history of the
railroad as it took place in and around Benson County.
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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(10) One room boasts thirty state of the art computer stations allowing visitors a chance
to use preselected websites on the internet to learn other aspects of the county as well as
further exploration of the important role the railroad industry has played all across the United
States.
(11) As always, the trip to the museum ended with a ride on the county’s own train
pulled by a century old steam locomotive. (12) Railroad engines were invented more than one
hundred years ago. (13) It was donated by the railroad more then twenty years ago and has
been the center piece of the museum ever since. (14) Thousands of volunteer hours helped
restore the old engine to its original condition. (15) Many additional hours are donated each
year to keep the vintage railroad engine and cars in good working order. (16) Other volunteers
help run the train during the year providing riders a brief glimpse into what it was like to ride
the rails one hundred years ago.
(17) There is a dark cloud on the horizon for the museum. (18) More than $1,000,000.00
needs to be raised to cover the costs. (19) Among others, a new roof is needed, and cracks to
the foundation need to be repaired. (20) Also, the parking lot requires a new surface.
(21) The importance of the museum and all that it does for the students of our schools
cannot be underestimated. (22) Any interruption or even closure due to lack of no funds will
hinder our children’s education. (23) The museum’s board of directors is beginning a campaign
to raise the money to start and complete all of the maintenance, repairs, and renovations by
the end of next year. (24) Once the money has been raised the work will begin. (25) Completion
of the stuff will be one year later.
(26) The person from the board of directors or a representative of the board whom
contacts you is asking for your cooperation or donation. (27) Please respond positively.
(28) Further information about the museum, the train ride, or the fund raising efforts can be
found by contacting the museum at 512-555-9460.
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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Read Amanda’s letter and think about how it should be revised.
(Category 2 – 18 A – SS)
1. Amanda needs to establish a more effective position in her letter. Which rewrite of sentence
1 can BEST accomplish this goal?
A
B
C
D
The Benson County Museum is in need of additional funding in order to remain open.
The Benson County Museum is falling apart.
The Benson County Museum receives many visitors during the year.
The Benson County Museum shows the long and varied history of the people of Benson
County.
(Category 2 – 18 C – SS)
2. Amanda would like to tell more about the idea she expressed in sentence 5. Which sentence
could BEST follow and support sentence 5?
F
G
H
J
The classes help students conduct tours of the museum.
Many of the older students have been to the museum before.
Special instructors prepare the mentors to help at the museum through the months of
January to May.
The museum has hosted people interested in trains from all around the world.
(Category 2 – 14 C – RS)
3. Which sentence in the fifth paragraph (sentences 11-16) should be deleted?
A
B
C
D
Railroad engines were invented more than one hundred years ago.
Thousands of volunteer hours helped restore the old engine to its original condition.
Many additional hours are donated each year to keep the vintage railroad engine and
cars in good working order.
Other volunteers help run the train during the year providing riders a brief glimpse into
what it was like to ride the rails one hundred years ago.
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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(Category 2 – 14 C – RS)
4. Sentence 13 is unclear because Amanda has chosen an inappropriate word. What change
should Amanda make to improve this sentence?
F
G
H
J
Change It to The engine
Change railroad to museum
Change piece to condition
Change museum to town
(Category 2 – 18C – SS)
5. Amanda would like to add the following sentence to the sixth paragraph (sentences 17-20).
The building is more than one hundred
years old and in need of extensive
maintenance, repairs, and several
renovations.
Where is the BEST place to insert this sentence?
A
B
C
D
After sentence 17
After sentence 18
After sentence 19
After sentence 20
(Category 2 – 14 C – RS)
6. Amanda has used a poor choice of words in sentence 25. She should change stuff to
F
G
H
J
things.
project.
procedures.
fund.
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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Read Amanda’s letter and think about how it should be edited.
(Category 3 – 14 D – RS)
7. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 6?
A
B
C
D
Change mentoring to mentored
Change ourselves to themselves
Change that to whose
No change should be made in sentence 6.
(Category 3 – 19 Av – SS)
8. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 8?
F
G
H
J
Change classes to clases
Change were to was
Insert a comma after children
Sentence 8 should not be changed.
(Category 3 – 14 D – RS)
9. What change, if any, needs to be made in sentence 13?
A
B
C
D
Change was to has
Change by to buy
Change then to than
No change needs to be made in sentence 13.
(Category 3 – 14 D – RS)
10. How should sentence 22 be changed?
F
G
H
J
Change interruption to interrupsion
Insert a comma after or
Delete no
Sentence22 should not be changed.
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com
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(Category 3 – 19 Aiv – SS)
11. How should sentence 23 be changed?
A
B
C
D
Insert Accordingly in front of The
Change board of directors to Board of Directors
Add a comma after start
Change maintenance to maintenances
(Category 3 – 19 Avii – SS)
12. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 24?
F
G
H
J
Change Once to Onse
Insert a comma after raised
Change begin to begun
No change should be made in sentence 24.
(Category 3 – 19 Avi – SS)
13. How should sentence 26 be changed?
A
B
C
D
Change directions to direction
Change representative to Representative
Change whom to who
Add a comma after you
STAAR – Writing – Revising and Editing – Grade 7
© 2014 readingwarmupsandmore.com