TELPAS Practice

TELPAS writing prompts and practice for 4th and 5th 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.

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Prompt 1 of 4 — Express Ideas in Writing — suggested time about 15 minutes

Read the prompt. Write your answer in complete sentences. Use as many details as you can.

Write about a time you tried something for the first time. • Tell what you tried, who was with you, and where you were. • Describe what happened, in order. • Explain how you felt at the end and why.

Ready to write
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0 words0 characters0 paragraphsSuggested time: 15 min
View the practice scoring rubric
LevelWhat it looks like
4 — 4 points on each trait (12 in all)
  • Vocabulary: consistently uses a variety of grade-appropriate academic and social language; precise word choice; infrequent spelling errors
  • Usage: correctly uses simple and complex tenses; expanded compound and complex sentences; grammar comparable to grade-level native English-speaking peers
  • Completeness: uses words, phrases and clauses that sequence events and link ideas; clearly fits the genre; addresses the task completely, with specific detail
3 — 3 points on each trait (9 in all)
  • Vocabulary: generally uses a variety of social language; sometimes precise, may struggle with academic or newly introduced words; occasional spelling errors
  • Usage: many simple sentences, but simple tenses are used successfully; emerging compound and complex sentences; some errors that do not seriously interfere
  • Completeness: some linking words used inconsistently; narrates, describes or explains in some detail; mostly effective but lacks some specificity
2 — 2 points on each trait (6 in all)
  • Vocabulary: repetitive or limited, especially when writing is academic; may talk around unknown words; some spelling errors that may interfere
  • Usage: mostly simple present-tense sentences; frequent grammar errors that sometimes interfere with meaning
  • Completeness: limited or repetitive linking words; narrates, describes or explains in a limited way with few details
1 — 1 point on each trait (3 in all)
  • Vocabulary: some high-frequency or routine words and phrases; may include words from the home language; widespread spelling errors
  • Usage: some simple sentences with errors in tense; grammar errors that interfere with meaning
  • Completeness: may copy the prompt or contain no English; minimally effective in communicating the message
Show a strong sample response

Last December, my grandma taught me how to make flour tortillas for the first time. We were in her small kitchen in San Antonio, and my little cousin Iker was watching us from a chair. First, Grandma mixed the flour, salt, and warm water in a big bowl, and then she let me squeeze the dough with my hands until it felt soft. After that, we rolled it into little balls that looked like golf balls. The hardest part was using the rolling pin. My first tortilla came out shaped like the state of Texas, and Iker laughed so hard he almost fell off his chair.

Grandma showed me how to turn the dough a little bit after every roll, so it stays round. By the end, my tortillas were almost as round as hers. We cooked them on the comal until they had brown spots, and we ate them with butter while they were still hot. I felt proud because I made something real that my whole family ate at dinner. Now I want to make them every time I visit her.

What to look for

  • Check that the response is about one real event, not about the activity in general ("I like to cook"). A clear single event is what makes it narrative writing.
  • Look for words that show order: first, then, after that, by the end. These are part of what the rubric calls completeness.
  • Read the verbs aloud with the student. A story told in the past should stay in the past; irregular verbs (made, ate, taught) are where errors usually show up.
  • Ask whether every bullet is answered. The feeling and the reason for it are the part students most often leave out.
  • Point to one or two specific details that only this student could have written and praise them. Detail is what separates a middle score from a high one.
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. Yesterday my brother and I [goed] to the park to fly a kite. Which word should replace the underlined word?

Question 2 of 10

Choose the best answer.

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

Question 3 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The underlined words have an error. Houston is [more bigger] than Austin. Which choice should replace the underlined words?

Question 4 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. My grandmother [make] tamales every December. Which word should replace the underlined word?

Question 5 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. Jamal and [me] finished the science poster on time. Which word should replace the underlined word?

Question 6 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. Our class field trip is [in] Friday morning. Which word should replace the underlined word?

Question 7 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The underlined words have an error. Where [you are] going after school? Which choice should replace the underlined words?

Question 8 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The sentence has more than one error. Last summer, my cousin and I [swimmed] in the lake every [days]. Which sentence is written correctly?

Question 9 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. One word in the sentence has an error. The students put there backpacks in the cubbies before class. Which word has the error?

Question 10 of 10

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. We stayed inside at recess [becuase] it was raining. Which word should replace the underlined word?

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. Yesterday my brother and I [goed]…
  2. Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. There are three [childs] waiting at…
  3. Read the sentence. The underlined words have an error. Houston is [more bigger] than…
  4. Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. My grandmother [make] tamales every…
  5. Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. Jamal and [me] finished the science…
  6. Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. Our class field trip is [in] Friday…
  7. Read the sentence. The underlined words have an error. Where [you are] going after…
  8. Read the sentence. The sentence has more than one error. Last summer, my cousin and I…
  9. Read the sentence. One word in the sentence has an error. The students put there…
  10. Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. We stayed inside at recess…

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.