6th Grade STAAR Practice Questions

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Explore these 6th Grade STAAR practice questions to get a glimpse of what’s included in our comprehensive Test Prep Pack. These sample questions are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), ensuring they reflect the key concepts students need to master

The 6th-grade STAAR math section introduces more complex algebraic concepts and real-world problem-solving scenarios. The sample questions below offer a preview of the types of challenges students will face on the actual STAAR test — and in our full Test Prep Pack designed to help students excel.

This question tests your understanding of place value in large numbers, a key skill for identifying the value of specific digits.

6th Grade Math: STAAR Practice Test Question 1

A company's revenue last year was $2,863,500. What is the value of the digit 6 in this number?

A. $60,000

B. $6,000

C. $600,000

D. $600

View Explanation

Correct Answer: A. $60,000

Explanation

A. $60,000: This is correct because the 6 is in the ten thousands place.
B. $6,000: This is incorrect. This value would mean the 6 was in the thousands place.
C. $600,000: This is incorrect. This value would mean the 6 was in the hundred thousands place.
D. $600: This is incorrect. This value would mean the 6 was in the hundreds place.

Understanding Place Value

In the number 2,863,500, each digit represents a specific place value:

2: Millions place (2,000,000)
8: Hundred thousands place (800,000)
6: Ten thousands place (60,000)
3: Thousands place (3,000)
5: Hundreds place (500)
0: Tens place (0)
0: Ones place (0)

This question challenges your ability to apply the order of operations and understand equivalent expressions.

6th Grade Math: STAAR Practice Test Question 2

Which of the following expressions is equivalent to (4 × 7) × 3 + 4?

A. (4 + 4) × 3 + 7

B. 4 + 3 × (7 + 4)

C. (7 × 3) × 4 + 4

D. (3 × 4) × 4 + 7

View Explanation

C is correct

Solving the problem

(4 × 7) × 3 + 4
28 × 3 + 4
84 + 4
88
Now, let's check each answer option:

A: (4 + 4) × 3 + 7 = 8 × 3 + 7 = 24 + 7 = 31 (Incorrect)
B: 4 + 3 × (7 + 4) = 4 + 3 × 11 = 4 + 33 = 37 (Incorrect)
C: (7 × 3) × 4 + 4 = 21 × 4 + 4 = 84 + 4 = 88 (Correct)
D: (3 × 4) × 4 + 7 = 12 × 4 + 7 = 48 + 7 = 55 (Incorrect)

Why C is Correct:

It follows the same order of operations as the original expression.
It correctly applies the commutative property of multiplication (4 × 7 is the same as 7 × 4).
It ends with adding the same number as the original problem.

Why the other answers are not correct:

A: Changes the multiplication to addition in the parenthesis, and switches the final added number.
B: Changes the order of operations by adding within the parenthesis first, then multiplying, and also changes the final added number.
D: Changes the order of the first multiplication, and also changes the final added number, as well as changing the second multiplied number.

This question tests your skills in budgeting, subtraction, and division to solve real-world money problems.

6th Grade Math: STAAR Practice Test Question 3

Sarah received $15 as a gift. She wants to buy a book that costs $8.25 and some pencils that cost $2.25 each. How many pencils can Sarah buy if she also buys the book?

A. 0

B. 1

C. 2

D. 3

View Explanation

Solving the Problem:

Calculate the money left after buying the book:

Sarah has $15 and the book costs $8.25.
$15 - $8.25 = $6.75
Calculate how many pencils Sarah can buy:

Each pencil costs $2.25.
Divide the remaining money by the pencil cost: $6.75 / $2.25 = 3
Determine the whole number of pencils:

Sarah can buy exactly 3 pencils.

Therefore, the answer is D, 3.

Explanation of Why D is Correct:

By following the steps of subtracting the cost of the book from her total money, and then dividing the remaining amount by the cost of each pencil, we arrive at the answer of 3.
Sarah has exactly enough money to purchase 3 pencils after she buys the book.
Explanation of Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect:

A (0): This is incorrect because Sarah has enough money left after buying the book to buy at least one pencil.
B (1): This is incorrect because Sarah has more than $2.25 left after buying the book. She has enough for more than one pencil.
C (2): This is incorrect. 2 pencils would cost $4.50. Sarah has $6.75 left, which is enough for 3 pencils.

This question evaluates your ability to calculate sales tax and determine total costs in practical scenarios.

6th Grade Math: STAAR Practice Test Question 4

A furniture store sold a new sofa for $360. The store charged a $4 sales tax for every $90 spent. What is the total cost of the sofa after the sales tax was added?

A. $364

B. $372

C. $378

D. $376

View Explanation

Solution and Explanation:

Determine the Number of Tax Increments:

The sales tax is applied for every $90 spent.
To find out how many $90 increments are in the sofa's price, we divide the sofa's price by $90: $360 / $90 = 4.
This means there are four $90 increments in the $360 sofa price.

Calculate the Total Sales Tax:

The store charges $4 in sales tax for each $90 increment.
Since there are four $90 increments, the total sales tax is calculated by multiplying the tax per increment by the number of increments: $4/increment × 4 increments = $16.

Calculate the Total Cost:

To find the total cost of the sofa, we add the original price of the sofa to the total sales tax: $360 + $16 = $376.
Therefore, the correct answer is D. $376.

Explanation of Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect:

A. $364: This answer is incorrect because it indicates a total sales tax of $4, which would only be the case if the sofa cost $90. The correct sales tax is $16.
B. $372:This answer is incorrect because it indicates a total sales tax of $12. This would occur if the store charged $3 tax for every $90, which is not what the problem states.
C. $378:This answer is incorrect. It indicates a tax of $18. This would be the result of a miscalculation.

Boost your Math skills with our 6th Grade Math STAAR Prep Pack – Get yours today!

The STAAR reading section challenges students with longer texts and more sophisticated analysis requirements. Students will read a passage and are expected to answer multiple questions based on that text.

Margaret Thatcher and Soft-Serve Ice Cream

Before becoming Britain's first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher studied chemistry at Oxford University. In the late 1940s, she worked briefly at J. Lyons & Co., a British food company that made ice cream.

Some people believe Thatcher invented soft-serve ice cream by finding ways to add more air into ice cream, making it fluffier and cheaper. This story became popular after her death in 2013, with newspapers suggesting she "helped invent" the treat.

However, soft-serve ice cream was actually created in America during the 1930s - long before Thatcher worked at J. Lyons. Companies like Dairy Queen were already selling soft ice cream, with major developments by 1938.

When Thatcher joined J. Lyons around 1949, she was part of a team researching food science while the company was trying to bring soft-serve to British customers. She likely worked on improving texture and making production more cost-efficient, but she didn't invent soft-serve from scratch.

The story remains popular because it creates an interesting contrast: a serious politician connected to something fun like ice cream. Her critics used it as a metaphor, comparing airy ice cream to what they saw as her "substance-free" policies. Her supporters liked the story of her scientific creativity.

In reality, Thatcher was just a junior researcher whose time at J. Lyons was short before she switched to law and politics. She worked on various products including cake fillings and soaps - not just ice cream. The major advances in soft-serve technology happened in the 1960s, long after she left.

This question tests your ability to identify the main idea and understand why certain stories or ideas continue to be remembered over time.

6th Grade RLA: STAAR Practice Test Question 1

According to the passage, what is the MAIN reason the soft-serve ice cream story about Margaret Thatcher persists?

A) Because she was the only scientist at J. Lyons & Co.

B) Because she won a prize for inventing it

C) Because people enjoy the contrast between a serious politician and fun ice cream

D) Because she mentioned it often in her speeches

View Explanation

Answer: C is correct.

The passage states: "The story remains popular because it creates an interesting contrast: a serious politician connected to something fun like ice cream." Options A, B, and D are not mentioned in the text.

This question evaluates your vocabulary skills and your ability to determine word meanings based on context clues.

6th Grade RLA: STAAR Practice Test Question 2

In the passage, what does the word "tangential" most likely mean in the context of Thatcher's role in soft-serve ice cream?

A) Central and essential

B) Minor and indirect

C) Completely made up

D) Scientifically brilliant

View Explanation

Answer: B is correct.

In context, "tangential" describes Thatcher's limited role in soft-serve ice cream development. The passage explains she was "just a junior researcher" and didn't invent it, showing her connection was minor and indirect.

Option A contradicts the passage.

Option C is too extreme (the connection existed but was small).

Option D overstates her contribution.

The Wind by Christina Rossetti

Who has seen the wind?

Neither I nor you.

But when the leaves hang trembling,

The wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind?

Neither you nor I.

But when the trees bow down their heads,

The wind is passing by.

This question tests your understanding of language and how it helps convey ideas in poetry.

6th Grade RLA: STAAR Practice Test Question 3

Which of the following best describes the effect of the repeated question “Who has seen the wind?” in the poem?

A) It suggests that only certain people are capable of noticing the wind.

B) It warns the reader about the dangers of strong winds.

C) It creates a mysterious tone by emphasizing the invisible nature of the wind.

D) It confuses the reader by repeating the same idea unnecessarily.

View Explanation

The correct answer is C.

Explanation:
The repetition of “Who has seen the wind?” highlights the wind’s mysterious and unseen quality. By asking this question twice, the poet draws attention to the fact that the wind, though invisible, can be known through its effects on nature (like trembling leaves and bowing trees). This repetition helps establish a reflective and inquisitive tone throughout the poem.

Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect:

B. It warns the reader about the dangers of strong winds.
Explanation: The poem does not mention danger or imply that the wind is harmful. Instead, it focuses on the wind’s invisible presence and its subtle effects on nature.
A. It suggests that only certain people are capable of noticing the wind.
Explanation: The repetition does not imply exclusivity or that only some people can notice the wind. It emphasizes that the wind is unseen by everyone but is recognized by its actions on the environment.
D. It confuses the reader by repeating the same idea unnecessarily.
Explanation: The repetition is a deliberate stylistic choice used to underline the unseen yet perceptible nature of the wind, rather than to confuse the reader.

This question assesses your ability to determine the main idea of a poem and understand the deeper message the poet is conveying.

6th Grade RLA: STAAR Practice Test Question 4

What is the main idea that Rossetti communicates in this poem?

A) The wind is invisible, yet its presence is clearly felt through its effects on nature.

B) The wind is a dangerous force that must be avoided.

C) The wind is described as a friendly and comforting presence.

D)The wind is something only scientists can understand.

View Explanation

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

The main idea of the poem is to show that although the wind cannot be seen, its presence is unmistakable through the observable changes it causes in the natural world. The images of trembling leaves and bowing trees illustrate how the wind makes itself known, reinforcing the concept that not all things that have an impact can be directly seen.

Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect:

B. The wind is a dangerous force that must be avoided.
Explanation: The poem does not describe the wind as dangerous or something to be feared; it focuses on its subtle presence and natural influence rather than a threat.
C. The wind is described as a friendly and comforting presence.
Explanation: Although the wind is portrayed in a gentle and natural way, the poem does not characterize it as “friendly” or “comforting.” Its main focus is on the idea that the wind, though invisible, is still powerfully present in nature.
D. The wind is something only scientists can understand.
Explanation: The poem is written in a way that is accessible to all readers and does not suggest that the wind is a subject reserved for scientific understanding. The emphasis is on its observable effects, not on technical or scientific explanations.

On the Texas STAAR Test, students are often asked to answer short-term response and extended response questions. These questions challenge you to think critically, explain your ideas clearly, and provide evidence from the text to support your answers.

Below are two sample questions — one short-term and one extended response — for you to try at home. Practicing these will help you build the skills needed to succeed on test day. Give them a go!

Short-Term Response Question (Typical STAAR Format)
This type of question requires a brief answer that directly addresses the prompt with clear evidence from the text.

Short-Term Response Prompt:
In The Wind by Christina Rossetti, how does the poet use imagery to describe the wind? Support your answer with evidence from the poem.

Extended Response Question (Typical STAAR Format)
This type of question requires a more detailed response, including analysis, explanation, and textual evidence.

Extended Response Prompt:
In the passage about Margaret Thatcher and soft-serve ice cream, the author presents different perspectives on her contribution to the dessert. Explain how the author uses facts and opinions to shape the reader’s understanding of Thatcher's role. Include evidence from the text to support your answer.

Enjoy Reading Practice? Sharpen your skills with our 6th Grade RLA STAAR Prep Pack – Start practicing now!

6th Grade STAAR Practice Question