TELPAS listening practice test 2 for 10th–12th grade

• AThe laptop is open, the calculator is on the notebook, and the pencils are left of the lamp
• BThe laptop is closed, the notebook is on the calculator, and the pencils are left of the lamp
• CThe laptop is closed, the calculator is on the notebook, and the pencils are left of the lampCorrect answer
• DThe laptop is closed, the calculator is on the notebook, and the pencils are right of the lamp

Why “The laptop is closed, the calculator is on the notebook, and the pencils are left of the lamp” is correct

This tests following a spoken description with three details at once: an adjective (closed) and two position phrases ("on top of" and "to the left of"). On the real test the student would click on a picture. Each wrong picture changes only one detail, so the student has to hold all three in mind; mixing up which object is on top is a common mistake.

Why the other answers are wrong

• The laptop is open, the calculator is on the notebook, and the pencils are left of the lamp — The directions say the laptop is closed.
• The laptop is closed, the notebook is on the calculator, and the pencils are left of the lamp — This reverses "on top of": the calculator should sit on the notebook, not under it.
• The laptop is closed, the calculator is on the notebook, and the pencils are right of the lamp — The cup of pencils should be to the left of the lamp, not the right.

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• AA compassCorrect answer
• BA thermometer
• CA stopwatch
• DA magnifying glass

Why “A compass” is correct

The teacher never names the object, so the student has to put the clues together: small and flat, a needle that swings freely, always points north, and is used to find which direction something is going. Only a compass fits. Knowing the words "needle" and "direction" is the key.

Why the other answers are wrong

• A thermometer — A thermometer measures temperature; it does not point in a direction.
• A stopwatch — A stopwatch can have a moving hand, but it measures time, not direction.
• A magnifying glass — A magnifying glass makes small things look bigger and has no needle.

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• AShe will make herself do a hard task she has been avoiding.Correct answer
• BShe is going to give up on applying for the scholarship.
• CShe will ask a friend or teacher to write the essay for her.
• DShe is upset with the people who chose the essay topic.

Why “She will make herself do a hard task she has been avoiding.” is correct

This tests an idiom. To "bite the bullet" means to make yourself do something unpleasant or difficult that you have been putting off. The clues are "I keep finding other things to do" and "I can't keep avoiding it." Taken word for word, the phrase makes no sense here, so the student has to rely on the context.

Why the other answers are wrong

• She is going to give up on applying for the scholarship. — She plans to write the whole draft this weekend, so she is not giving up.
• She will ask a friend or teacher to write the essay for her. — She says she will write the first draft herself.
• She is upset with the people who chose the essay topic. — She is uncomfortable writing about herself, but she is not angry at anyone.

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• ASign once at the bottom of the page
• BAdd up the total hours for the day
• CList all the tasks the volunteer did
• DWrite initials next to each taskCorrect answer

Why “Write initials next to each task” is correct

This tests following several spoken directions, including a contrast signaled by "not just." Students who catch the words "sign" and "bottom" but miss "not just" choose the opposite of the direction. The direction also uses "initial" as a verb, which may be new to English learners.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Sign once at the bottom of the page — He says the leader must initial every line, "not just sign once at the bottom."
• Add up the total hours for the day — He says the office adds up the hours.
• List all the tasks the volunteer did — The volunteer writes the tasks; the shift leader only initials them.

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From “A Lecture on Cattle Drives”

• AKansas had more grass and water for the cattle than Texas did.
• BTexas did not allow ranchers to sell their cattle inside the state.
• CKansas had railroads that could carry the cattle to northern buyers.Correct answer
• DCowboys were paid much more in Kansas than they were in Texas.

Why “Kansas had railroads that could carry the cattle to northern buyers.” is correct

This is a detail question about cause. The lecturer says rail lines had reached Kansas but not Texas, and that from towns like Abilene the cattle went east by train. The student has to connect "the problem was getting the cattle there" with "the answer was the railroad."

Why the other answers are wrong

• Kansas had more grass and water for the cattle than Texas did. — The lecture does not compare grass or water; the reason given is the railroad.
• Texas did not allow ranchers to sell their cattle inside the state. — Cattle could be sold in Texas, just for a much lower price.
• Cowboys were paid much more in Kansas than they were in Texas. — The lecture talks about the price of cattle, not the pay of cowboys.

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From “A Lecture on Cattle Drives”

• AMany were Black or Mexican American, and much of their work came from vaqueros.Correct answer
• BMost of them were ranch owners who drove their own herds north to sell.
• CThey invented roping and a new kind of saddle while they were on the trail.
• DMost of them came from the northern cities where people were eager to buy Texas beef.

Why “Many were Black or Mexican American, and much of their work came from vaqueros.” is correct

This is a detail question. The lecturer says many cowboys were Black or Mexican American and that much of cowboy life, from roping to the saddle, came from Mexican vaqueros. The correct answer restates that in different words. "Vaquero" is the Spanish word for a cowboy.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Most of them were ranch owners who drove their own herds north to sell. — The lecturer says ranchers hired cowboys to move the herds.
• They invented roping and a new kind of saddle while they were on the trail. — The lecturer says roping and the saddle came from Mexican vaqueros, not that cowboys invented them.
• Most of them came from the northern cities where people were eager to buy Texas beef. — The northern cities are where the beef was sold; nothing says the cowboys came from there.

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From “A Lecture on Cattle Drives”

• ACowboys were the most important workers in the history of Texas.
• BBarbed wire was the main reason that Texas cattle became so valuable.
• CThe drives lasted only while railroads were far from Texas cattle.Correct answer
• DTexas ranchers earned more money than ranchers in any other state.

Why “The drives lasted only while railroads were far from Texas cattle.” is correct

This asks for the speaker's purpose. Lecturers often signal the key idea with words like "So remember." Here she sums up that the drives existed because of the distance between cattle and railroad and ended when that gap closed. The wrong answers are details, or ideas that sound important but are not what she sums up.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Cowboys were the most important workers in the history of Texas. — Cowboys are discussed, but her closing point is about the gap between cattle and railroads.
• Barbed wire was the main reason that Texas cattle became so valuable. — Barbed wire helped end the drives; the cattle were valuable because people in the North wanted beef.
• Texas ranchers earned more money than ranchers in any other state. — The lecture never compares Texas ranchers with ranchers in other states.

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From “A Service Club Announcement”

• ATheir own work gloves and a few trash bags
• BA full bottle of water to drink during the morning
• CShoes that cover their toes and can get muddyCorrect answer
• DSandals so they can walk in the river

Why “Shoes that cover their toes and can get muddy” is correct

This is a detail question. The announcement first lists what the club will provide and then says, "What you need to bring is a pair of closed-toe shoes that can get muddy." The student has to sort the items into what is provided and what to bring, and know that "closed-toe" means the shoes cover the toes.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Their own work gloves and a few trash bags — Gloves and trash bags will be provided by the club.
• A full bottle of water to drink during the morning — Water will be provided.
• Sandals so they can walk in the river — Sandals are not allowed near the water.

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From “A Service Club Announcement”

• ASo students can earn their service hours early
• BSo the club can decide whether to cancel for rain
• CSo parents have time to sign up to help clean
• DSo the club knows how many volunteers to plan forCorrect answer

Why “So the club knows how many volunteers to plan for” is correct

This is a detail question about a reason. The reason comes right after the direction, joined by "so": "return it by Wednesday, so we know how many volunteers to plan for." Listening for "so" and "because" helps students find reasons in spoken English.

Why the other answers are wrong

• So students can earn their service hours early — Hours are earned by staying the whole time on Saturday.
• So the club can decide whether to cancel for rain — Rain moves the cleanup to the next Saturday; it has nothing to do with the forms.
• So parents have time to sign up to help clean — Parents sign to give permission; she does not ask them to volunteer.

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From “A Class Discussion”

• AWhether the library downtown should move to a bigger building
• BWhether students should be allowed to walk downtown after school
• CWhether the businesses downtown should stay open later at night
• DWhether an empty lot should become a park or a parking lotCorrect answer

Why “Whether an empty lot should become a park or a parking lot” is correct

This asks for the main topic, which the teacher states at the start: the city owns an empty lot, and it could become a parking lot or a small park. The wrong answers use other places and people mentioned in the discussion.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Whether the library downtown should move to a bigger building — The library is mentioned only as the place next to the lot.
• Whether students should be allowed to walk downtown after school — Amy mentions students walking downtown, but that is not the question.
• Whether the businesses downtown should stay open later at night — Amy says a park could help businesses, but their hours are never discussed.

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From “A Class Discussion”

• AShade does not matter to any of the people who visit downtown.
• BParking is the bigger problem, so the lot should be used for cars.Correct answer
• CThe city should build a small park and a parking lot side by side.
• DThe library should offer more after-school programs for students.

Why “Parking is the bigger problem, so the lot should be used for cars.” is correct

This asks the student to sum up a speaker's opinion. Brandon first grants a point ("I understand wanting shade") and then turns with "But" to his real claim: people do not come downtown because they cannot park. Students who stop listening at the first sentence may think he agrees with Amy.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Shade does not matter to any of the people who visit downtown. — He says he understands wanting shade; he just thinks parking matters more.
• The city should build a small park and a parking lot side by side. — He argues for one plan, not for both.
• The library should offer more after-school programs for students. — He does not talk about library programs.

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From “A Class Discussion”

• APeople should leave their cars at home and walk to the downtown area.
• BPeople will not visit a nice park if they cannot find parking.Correct answer
• CA park would take away parking spaces that drivers are already using.
• DCars that people leave parked downtown are often damaged or stolen.

Why “People will not visit a nice park if they cannot find parking.” is correct

This asks the student to interpret a reply in an argument. Brandon answers Amy's point that a park gives people "a reason to come." He means that even a good reason will not bring people downtown if they cannot park. The phrase "leave the car" means park it, not abandon it.

Why the other answers are wrong

• People should leave their cars at home and walk to the downtown area. — He is arguing for more parking, not for walking.
• A park would take away parking spaces that drivers are already using. — The lot is empty now, so no parking spaces would be lost.
• Cars that people leave parked downtown are often damaged or stolen. — He says nothing about the safety of cars.

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From “A Phone Call”

• ATake a placement test at the collegeCorrect answer
• BFinish her junior year of high school
• CPay a fee at the college advising office
• DMake an appointment with Mr. Lopez

Why “Take a placement test at the college” is correct

This is a detail question. Mr. Lopez says, "Before you can register, you'll need to show you're ready," and that most students do that with a placement test on campus. The wrong answers pick up other details from the call, such as the cost and the appointment, and get them wrong.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Finish her junior year of high school — She wants to take the class this spring; finishing the year is not required.
• Pay a fee at the college advising office — The test is free for high school students.
• Make an appointment with Mr. Lopez — He says she does not need an appointment.

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From “A Phone Call”

• AA photo ID and a copy of her report card
• BA form signed by a parent and the test fee
• CA photo ID and a form signed by her counselorCorrect answer
• DHer class schedule and a sample of her writing

Why “A photo ID and a form signed by her counselor” is correct

This is a detail question that requires holding two items in memory. Mr. Lopez says, "Bring a photo ID and a form signed by your high school counselor." The wrong answers each change one or both items, so a student who remembers only "photo ID" or only "form" can be caught.

Why the other answers are wrong

• A photo ID and a copy of her report card — He asks for a form from her counselor, not a report card.
• A form signed by a parent and the test fee — The form is signed by her counselor, and the test is free.
• Her class schedule and a sample of her writing — Neither of these is mentioned.

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From “A Phone Call”

• ACall the advising office back to make an appointment
• BRegister for the spring English class at the college
• CGo to the college campus to take the placement testCorrect answer
• DAsk her high school counselor to sign the form

Why “Go to the college campus to take the placement test” is correct

This asks for a prediction. Monica never says "I'll take the test on Friday." She says she has a half day and "could come in that afternoon." The student has to connect this with the earlier information that the test can be taken any weekday afternoon without an appointment.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Call the advising office back to make an appointment — No appointment is needed, and she plans to come in person.
• Register for the spring English class at the college — She has to take the placement test before she can register.
• Ask her high school counselor to sign the form — She plans to get the form the morning after the call, before she goes.

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From “A Science Lesson”

• AAir heated by lightning expands fast and makes a sound wave.Correct answer
• BTwo storm clouds crash into each other high up in the sky.
• CHeavy rain hits the ground very hard during a big storm.
• DThe light from the flash slowly turns into sound as it travels.

Why “Air heated by lightning expands fast and makes a sound wave.” is correct

This is a detail question about a scientific cause. The teacher explains the steps in order: lightning heats the air, the air expands fast, it pushes on the air around it, and that wave of sound is thunder. One wrong answer is a common belief that the lesson does not support.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Two storm clouds crash into each other high up in the sky. — This is a common belief, but the teacher says thunder comes from heated air expanding.
• Heavy rain hits the ground very hard during a big storm. — Rain is not given as a cause of thunder.
• The light from the flash slowly turns into sound as it travels. — Light and sound travel separately; light does not turn into sound.

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From “A Science Lesson”

• AThunder begins after the lightning ends.
• BThunder is quieter than lightning is bright.
• CPeople's eyes work faster than their ears.
• DLight travels much faster than sound.Correct answer

Why “Light travels much faster than sound.” is correct

This is a detail question. The teacher says light and sound start at the same moment, but light arrives almost instantly while sound takes about five seconds to travel a mile. The wrong answers offer other reasons that sound sensible but are not what the teacher says.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Thunder begins after the lightning ends. — The teacher says light and sound start at the same moment.
• Thunder is quieter than lightning is bright. — How loud a sound is does not change when it arrives.
• People's eyes work faster than their ears. — The teacher explains the delay with the speed of light and sound, not eyes and ears.

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From “A Science Lesson”

• AThe strike was about three miles away, so it is time to go inside.Correct answer
• BThe strike was about fifteen miles away, so there is no danger yet.
• CThe strike was about three miles away, so it is fine to wait for the rain.
• DThe strike was about five miles away, so the student should count again.

Why “The strike was about three miles away, so it is time to go inside.” is correct

This asks the student to apply two parts of the lesson to a new situation: the rule for finding distance (divide the seconds by five) and the safety rule (if you can hear thunder, go inside). One wrong answer gets the math right but ignores the safety rule, so the student must use both.

Why the other answers are wrong

• The strike was about fifteen miles away, so there is no danger yet. — The seconds must be divided by five, and hearing thunder at all means it is not safe.
• The strike was about three miles away, so it is fine to wait for the rain. — The distance is right, but the teacher says not to wait for the rain.
• The strike was about five miles away, so the student should count again. — Five is the number to divide by, not the distance; fifteen divided by five is three.

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From “The Last Game”

• AThe coach wanted to give a freshman a turn.
• BShe hurt her ankle at practice.Correct answer
• CShe was too nervous to play in a final.
• DShe was moved to a different position.

Why “She hurt her ankle at practice.” is correct

This is a detail question. The story says Rosa "twisted her ankle at practice" and that the trainer "shook his head," which means the news was bad. The student needs to know that "twisted" here means injured.

Why the other answers are wrong

• The coach wanted to give a freshman a turn. — The coach chose Molly only because Rosa could not play.
• She was too nervous to play in a final. — Molly is the one whose hands are shaking.
• She was moved to a different position. — She sits on the bench for the whole game.

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From “The Last Game”

• AShe takes Molly's place after the first goal.
• BShe helps the trainer with injured players.
• CShe leaves early to get her ankle checked.
• DShe gives Molly advice from the bench.Correct answer

Why “She gives Molly advice from the bench.” is correct

This is a detail question. The story says Rosa "called out to Molly" all game, telling her where to stand and when to come out or stay back, and told her to forget the early goal. Giving advice is the general idea behind those specific actions.

Why the other answers are wrong

• She takes Molly's place after the first goal. — Molly stays in goal the whole game; Rosa never plays.
• She helps the trainer with injured players. — No other injuries are mentioned.
• She leaves early to get her ankle checked. — She stays on the bench for the entire game.

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From “The Last Game”

• ARosa should not have sat so close to the field.
• BRosa's help from the bench was a big part of the win.Correct answer
• CRosa was put into the game for a few minutes near the end.
• DRosa will be allowed to play again next season.

Why “Rosa's help from the bench was a big part of the win.” is correct

This asks the student to interpret words that are not literally true. Rosa never left the bench, so the coach must mean something else: Rosa's coaching was so important that she was part of the game in another way. Students who take the sentence literally may think Rosa was put in.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Rosa should not have sat so close to the field. — The coach is praising Rosa, not correcting her.
• Rosa was put into the game for a few minutes near the end. — Rosa never entered the game; the coach's words are not meant literally.
• Rosa will be allowed to play again next season. — This was her last high school game, and the comment is about the game just played.

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From “Choosing a Topic”

• AThe events of World War Two
• BThe history of an old school in their townCorrect answer
• CThe history of the senior center in their town
• DThe life story of Elena's grandmother

Why “The history of an old school in their town” is correct

This asks for the main outcome of the conversation. Diego's first idea is World War Two, but after Elena explains her idea he says, "Okay, that's a good point," and starts planning for it. The student has to notice that the first topic mentioned is not the final one.

Why the other answers are wrong

• The events of World War Two — Diego suggests it first, but he agrees to Elena's idea.
• The history of the senior center in their town — The senior center is where they will find people to interview, not the topic.
• The life story of Elena's grandmother — Her grandmother will be interviewed, but the topic is the school.

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From “Choosing a Topic”

• AThere is a lot more information about it online than about the war.
• BIt would take less time to finish than a big topic like the war.
• CIt would stand out, and they could interview people who were there.Correct answer
• DTheir teacher told every student in the class to choose a local topic.

Why “It would stand out, and they could interview people who were there.” is correct

This asks the student to identify a speaker's reasons. Elena gives two: judges have seen World War Two "a hundred times," and people at the senior center could be interviewed as primary sources. The student has to combine both reasons and not confuse them with Diego's.

Why the other answers are wrong

• There is a lot more information about it online than about the war. — Lots of online information is Diego's reason for choosing World War Two.
• It would take less time to finish than a big topic like the war. — She never talks about how long the project will take.
• Their teacher told every student in the class to choose a local topic. — The teacher said judges like primary sources, not that topics must be local.

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From “Choosing a Topic”

• AInterview Elena's grandmother at home
• BSearch online for World War Two facts
• CVisit the old Mill Street School building
• DCall the senior center to ask about a visitCorrect answer

Why “Call the senior center to ask about a visit” is correct

This is a detail question about who will do what and when. Diego says, "I'll call the senior center tomorrow." Elena's task is for "this weekend," so students have to match each plan to the right person and time.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Interview Elena's grandmother at home — Elena will talk to her grandmother this weekend.
• Search online for World War Two facts — They are no longer doing World War Two.
• Visit the old Mill Street School building — Visiting the school is never mentioned.

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From “Before the Lab”

• AMove away from it and tell the teacherCorrect answer
• BPick up only the biggest pieces of glass
• CSweep it into the broken-glass container
• DPut it in a backpack until class is over

Why “Move away from it and tell the teacher” is correct

This is a detail question. The teacher gives a negative direction, "do not pick it up, not even the big pieces," and then a positive one, "Step away and tell me." "Step away" means move away. One wrong answer describes what the teacher, not the student, will do.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Pick up only the biggest pieces of glass — She says not to pick it up, "not even the big pieces."
• Sweep it into the broken-glass container — The teacher says she will clean it up herself.
• Put it in a backpack until class is over — Backpacks are for water bottles; the glass should not be touched.

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From “Before the Lab”

• AStudents will be graded on how long they keep their goggles on.
• BAnother group's chemicals could still hurt a student's eyes.Correct answer
• CGoggles help keep long hair away from the flame of the burner.
• DThe goggles must be put away in a certain order at the end.

Why “Another group's chemicals could still hurt a student's eyes.” is correct

This asks for an inference, because the teacher gives the rule but not the reason. The words "not just your group" suggest that the danger comes from chemicals other groups are still using, and goggles protect the eyes from splashes. The student has to work out the reason from the rule.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Students will be graded on how long they keep their goggles on. — Grades are not mentioned.
• Goggles help keep long hair away from the flame of the burner. — Hair must be tied back; goggles protect the eyes.
• The goggles must be put away in a certain order at the end. — She says nothing about how to put the goggles away.

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• AThe playground is below the pond, and the parking lot is to the right of the playground.
• BThe playground is above the pond, and the parking lot is to the right of the playground.Correct answer
• CThe playground is above the pond, and the parking lot is to the left of the playground.
• DThe playground is to the right of the pond, and the parking lot is above the playground.

Why “The playground is above the pond, and the parking lot is to the right of the playground.” is correct

This tests compass words used for position. The student has to know that north is the top of a map and east is the right side, and keep two directions in mind at once. On the real test the student would click on a picture. Each wrong map gets at least one direction wrong.

Why the other answers are wrong

• The playground is below the pond, and the parking lot is to the right of the playground. — North is the top of a map, so the playground should be above the pond.
• The playground is above the pond, and the parking lot is to the left of the playground. — East is the right side of a map, not the left.
• The playground is to the right of the pond, and the parking lot is above the playground. — This puts the playground east of the pond and the parking lot north of it; both directions are switched.

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