2023 STAAR Grade 9 Reading Rationales
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.
Although the man needs Joey’s help, the author does not
emphasize the importance of helping others as a theme.
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.
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.
The author’s use of the word “genial” in this quotation refers to
the man’s cheerfulness, clearly supporting the answer to Part A.
The idea in this quotation that the man’s appearance makes the
strength of his voice surprising does not support the story’s
theme.
This quotation demonstrates that the man is needy, not that he is
cheerful and friendly, which is how the author overwhelmingly
characterizes him.
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.