TELPAS Practice

TELPAS writing prompts and practice for 3rd grade

Written-response prompts with a rubric and a sample answer, plus one-point editing questions that are checked as you go. Written responses are not scored here, but you can ask for AI practice feedback on one.

Write your response in the editor. You can see your word count, use the optional timer, save a draft in this browser, ask for AI practice feedback, and compare your writing with the rubric and sample response. It is not scored here — on the real test, writing is scored against a rubric.

0 of 4 prompts completed (0%)

Prompt 1 of 4 — Express Ideas in Writing — suggested time about 12 minutes

Read the prompt. Write your answer in complete sentences.

Write about a time you learned how to do something new. In your writing, tell: - what you learned to do - who helped you or how you learned - how you felt when you could do it

Ready to write
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0 words0 characters0 paragraphsSuggested time: 12 min
View the practice scoring rubric
LevelWhat it looks like
4 — Score point 4
  • Generally uses a variety of grade-appropriate social and academic words, mainly precise
  • Correctly uses both simple and complex tenses, with some compound or complex sentences
  • Grammar generally correct; errors do not get in the way of meaning
  • Uses words and phrases that sequence events and connect ideas, and narrates, describes or explains in detail
3 — Score point 3
  • A moderate range of grade-appropriate social words; may struggle with academic or new words
  • Mostly simple sentences, with simple tenses used successfully and a developing ability with compound or complex ones
  • Some grammar and spelling errors that do not seriously interfere with meaning
  • Narrates, describes or explains in some detail, with some sequencing and connecting words
2 — Score point 2
  • Repetitive or limited vocabulary; may talk around a word it does not know
  • Mostly simple present-tense sentences; other tenses used inconsistently
  • Frequent grammar and spelling errors
  • Narrates, describes or explains with few details; limited sequencing or connecting words
1 — Score point 1
  • Some high-frequency or routine words and phrases; may include words from the home language
  • Some simple sentences, with errors that interfere with meaning
  • Widespread spelling errors, even with common words
  • May copy the prompt or contain little English
Show a strong sample response

Last summer I learned how to ride my bike without training wheels. My uncle Ruben helped me in the parking lot by our apartment. First he held the back of my seat and ran next to me. I was scared because the bike wobbled a lot and I fell down two times. My knee got a scrape, but I did not give up. On the third day I looked back and my uncle was not holding the seat anymore! I was riding all by myself. I felt so proud that I rode around the parking lot five more times.

What to look for

  • Check that the student wrote about one time, not about learning in general. “I learn a lot of things” does not narrate an event.
  • Look at the past-tense verbs. Irregular verbs such as rode, fell and felt are where grade 3 learners most often slip (“falled,” “ride”).
  • Look for words that put events in order: first, then, after that, on the third day. These count toward the top of the grade 2–3 rubric.
  • Ask whether the feeling at the end is explained. “I felt happy” is a start; “I felt proud because…” is stronger.
  • Read the response aloud with the student. Hearing it helps them catch missing words and run-on sentences.
Prompt 1 of 4

Questions with an answer key

These 10 questions have one right answer, so they are checked as you go, with an explanation.

Set 1 of 1. 0 of 10 questions answered.

Use Standard Grammar, Usage, and Spelling to Edit

Reporting category 2: find and fix an error in a short text. On the real test some of these are typed answers or sentence rewrites. Here they are multiple choice so they can be checked.

Question 1 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. Every day after school, my sister [walk] our dog to the park. Which word should replace the underlined word?

Question 2 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. Yesterday we [goed] to the library after lunch. Which word should replace the underlined word?

Question 3 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. Three [childs] were waiting at the bus stop. Which word should replace the underlined word?

Question 4 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The underlined words have an error. Our classroom is [more bigger] than the art room. Which word should replace the underlined words?

Question 5 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. Marco and [me] made a poster for the science fair. Which word should replace the underlined word?

Question 6 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Which sentence is written correctly?

Question 7 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. Last night, my dad maked tacos for the whole family. Which word in the sentence has an error?

Question 8 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. My cat is as heavy [than] my dog. Which word should replace the underlined word?

Question 9 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. We packed all the books into four big [boxs]. Which word should replace the underlined word?

Question 10 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Which sentence is written correctly?

10 questions in this set are still unanswered. You can move on without answering them.

Every answer, explained

Each question has its own page with the correct answer and why each other choice is wrong.

Use Standard Grammar, Usage, and Spelling to Edit

  1. Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. Every day after school, my sister…
  2. Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. Yesterday we [goed] to the library…
  3. Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. Three [childs] were waiting at the…
  4. Read the sentence. The underlined words have an error. Our classroom is [more bigger]…
  5. Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. Marco and [me] made a poster for…
  6. Which sentence is written correctly?
  7. Read the sentence. Last night, my dad maked tacos for the whole family. Which word in…
  8. Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. My cat is as heavy [than] my dog…
  9. Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. We packed all the books into four…
  10. Which sentence is written correctly?

Read next

  • TELPAS Writing Test: Rubric, Prompts and Samples: Since spring 2023, TELPAS writing in grades 2–12 has been part of the online reading and writing test, with three written responses and six editing questions. Here is what the writing prompts look like, how the TELPAS writing rubric works, where to find real writing samples, and how to practice.
  • How to Prepare for TELPAS: Practice and Tips by Domain: TELPAS measures English that a student builds over months and years, so there is no shortcut to a higher rating. What preparation can do is make sure the test itself is familiar, so a student's real English shows. Here is what is worth doing, domain by domain.
  • TELPAS Scores Explained: Levels, Scale Scores and What They Mean: A TELPAS report gives each of the four domains a level from Beginning to Advanced High, and combines them into a composite rating. From grade 2 there are scale scores as well. Here is what TELPAS scores mean, how the pieces fit together and how to read them.

This is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Texas Education Agency or the official TELPAS program. All questions here are original practice material written to match the published test design.