TELPAS reading and writing practice test 2 for 6th and 7th grade
A second reading and writing test, the length of the real one, with new passages and editing questions that are not on the practice pages, so a student who has practiced gets a fresh try. An explanation follows every question.
Before you start
- 43 questions covering reading and writing.
- Each question is on its own page, and you will see whether you were right straight away, with an explanation.
- There is no timer and no sign-up. Your answers are saved in this browser only, so you can stop and pick it up again on this device.
What this test covers
- Understand Words and Language Structures (12 questions): Reporting category 1: work out what words and phrases mean from context, and understand how sentences and word forms work.
- Basic Understanding of a Variety of Texts (10 questions): Reporting category 2: find the main idea and key details, and follow what happens in stories and informational texts.
- Analyze and Evaluate Information and Ideas (15 questions): Reporting category 3: make inferences, draw conclusions, and think about why the author wrote a text and how it is built.
- Use Standard Grammar, Usage, and Spelling to Edit (6 questions): 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.
To work on one part at a time, use the reading practice for Grades 6–7 and writing practice for Grades 6–7.
Answer key: every answer, explained
Take the test first: the answers are here for checking afterwards, or for an adult going over it with a student. Each one says why it is right and why each other choice is wrong. Open a question to see its answer.
Reading
1. In paragraph 7, Olivia hears "rain drumming on the tin roof." What does the word drumming tell the reader?
From “The Rain Gauge”
- Someone was playing music in the house.
- The rain made a steady beating sound.Correct answer
- The rain was falling very quietly.
- The roof was starting to break apart.
Why “The rain made a steady beating sound.” is correct
This tests a verb used figuratively. Rain does not play drums, but heavy rain on a metal roof makes a quick, repeated tapping like a drum. Students who know "drum" only as a musical instrument may take the word literally. The fact that the sound woke Olivia also shows it was loud.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Someone was playing music in the house. — No one is playing music; the word describes the sound of the rain.
- The rain was falling very quietly. — Drumming is a loud, repeated sound, and it was loud enough to wake her.
- The roof was starting to break apart. — Nothing in the story says the roof was damaged.
2. Why is Olivia frustrated at the beginning of the story?
From “The Rain Gauge”
- Her grandfather will not let her use the notebook.
- The rain gauge is broken and cannot be read.
- She has to work in the cotton field every day.
- She has written down almost nothing but zeros.Correct answer
Why “She has written down almost nothing but zeros.” is correct
This asks for a key detail early in the story. Olivia holds up "a page full of zeros" and says "Nothing ever changes." Students need to understand that a zero in the rain gauge means no rain fell, which is why the task feels pointless to her.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Her grandfather will not let her use the notebook. — She writes in the notebook every evening.
- The rain gauge is broken and cannot be read. — The gauge works; it simply has had no rain to measure.
- She has to work in the cotton field every day. — Her job is to check the gauge, not to work in the field.
3. Why does Olivia's grandfather show her an old page in the notebook?
From “The Rain Gauge”
- To show that a dry summer once ended in rainCorrect answer
- To prove that this summer is the driest ever
- To teach her how to read the rain gauge
- To show her that she has been writing the numbers wrong
Why “To show that a dry summer once ended in rain” is correct
This asks the student to infer a character's purpose. The old page has zeros through August and then big numbers in September. Grandfather uses it to show that dry spells have ended before, and that the record is how they know. His line "Dry years end" sums up his reason.
Why the other answers are wrong
- To prove that this summer is the driest ever — The old page also shows a summer of zeros, so this year is not unusual.
- To teach her how to read the rain gauge — She already knows how to read it and write the number.
- To show her that she has been writing the numbers wrong — He never says her numbers are wrong.
4. What does the tiny cloud Olivia draws at the end of the story suggest?
From “The Rain Gauge”
- She plans to stop checking the rain gauge.
- She wants to become an artist instead of a farmer.
- She now sees why keeping the record matters.Correct answer
- She is upset that the rain got her socks muddy.
Why “She now sees why keeping the record matters.” is correct
This asks about a symbol at the end of a story. Olivia writes the number "carefully" and adds a cloud beside it, which marks the day the dry spell ended. Her care is the opposite of her complaint in July, so the drawing shows she now values the record, just as her grandfather predicted. The story never states this directly.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She plans to stop checking the rain gauge. — She is happy and careful with the notebook, which suggests she will keep going.
- She wants to become an artist instead of a farmer. — The drawing is a small mark about the rain, not a sign of a new career.
- She is upset that the rain got her socks muddy. — She ran out happily; the mud is not a complaint.
5. Read these sentences from paragraph 5. "In much of Texas, fall stays warm for a long time, and many trees do not change color as brightly as trees farther north. But there are exceptions." What does the word exceptions mean?
From “Why Leaves Change Color”
- Trees that lose their leaves in the summer
- Places where the weather is always cold
- Cases that do not follow the usual patternCorrect answer
- Reasons why trees turn brown in fall
Why “Cases that do not follow the usual pattern” is correct
This tests using context to figure out an academic word. The sentence before describes what usually happens in Texas, and "But there are exceptions" is followed by a place where the trees do turn bright colors. The word "But" signals that what comes next goes against the general rule.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Trees that lose their leaves in the summer — The passage says nothing about trees losing leaves in summer.
- Places where the weather is always cold — The example given, Lost Maples, is in Texas, where fall stays warm.
- Reasons why trees turn brown in fall — Exceptions are not reasons; they are cases that are different from most.
6. According to the passage, why are most leaves green during the summer?
From “Why Leaves Change Color”
- Green chlorophyll hides the other colors.Correct answer
- Leaves have no other colors until fall.
- Cool nights turn the leaves green.
- Trees take in green coloring from the soil.
Why “Green chlorophyll hides the other colors.” is correct
This asks for a detail explained in paragraph 2: leaves are full of chlorophyll, and "its bright green color hides every other color in the leaf." The word "hides" is important, because it tells the reader that the other colors are already there.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Leaves have no other colors until fall. — Paragraph 3 says yellow and orange were in the leaf "all along."
- Cool nights turn the leaves green. — Cool nights come in fall and help produce red, not green.
- Trees take in green coloring from the soil. — The passage says nothing about color coming from the soil.
7. Based on the passage, which statement is most likely true?
From “Why Leaves Change Color”
- A red leaf in fall shows a color it already had.
- A yellow leaf in fall shows a color it already had.Correct answer
- A leaf turns yellow because the nights are freezing.
- A leaf makes more chlorophyll as the days get shorter.
Why “A yellow leaf in fall shows a color it already had.” is correct
This asks the student to draw a conclusion from two paragraphs. Paragraph 3 says yellow and orange "were in the leaf all along," while paragraph 4 says red and purple "work differently" because the leaf makes them new. The tempting wrong answer swaps yellow for red, so the student has to keep the two processes apart.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A red leaf in fall shows a color it already had. — Paragraph 4 says some trees make new red coloring in the fall.
- A leaf turns yellow because the nights are freezing. — The passage connects yellow to chlorophyll fading, not to freezing nights.
- A leaf makes more chlorophyll as the days get shorter. — Paragraph 3 says leaves stop making chlorophyll as the days shorten.
8. Why does the author include the information about Lost Maples State Natural Area?
From “Why Leaves Change Color”
- To explain how chlorophyll helps a tree make food
- To show that every tree in Texas changes color
- To tell readers why maple trees stay green all year
- To give an example of bright fall color in TexasCorrect answer
Why “To give an example of bright fall color in Texas” is correct
This asks about the purpose of a detail. Lost Maples comes right after "But there are exceptions," so it is an example of a Texas place that does not follow the general pattern. Recognizing that a specific place is being used as an example is a common author's-craft skill.
Why the other answers are wrong
- To explain how chlorophyll helps a tree make food — Chlorophyll is explained in paragraph 2, not in the part about Lost Maples.
- To show that every tree in Texas changes color — The paragraph says many Texas trees do not change color brightly.
- To tell readers why maple trees stay green all year — The maples there turn red, orange, and gold.
9. In paragraph 1, Ayodele waits for "the part of the morning she dreaded every year." What does the word dreaded mean?
From “The Story of a Name”
- Felt afraid of and wanted to avoidCorrect answer
- Looked forward to with great excitement
- Forgot about until the last moment
- Practiced many times at home
Why “Felt afraid of and wanted to avoid” is correct
This tests figuring out a word from what happens next. During roll call, students giggle and Ayodele sinks lower in her chair, which shows she feels embarrassed and was not looking forward to it. "Every year" also shows the bad feeling comes back each time.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Looked forward to with great excitement — This is the opposite; she sinks lower in her chair when it happens.
- Forgot about until the last moment — She is waiting for roll call, so she has not forgotten it.
- Practiced many times at home — Nothing says she practiced roll call.
10. Who chose Ayodele's name?
From “The Story of a Name”
- Her mother
- Mr. Delgado
- Her grandmotherCorrect answer
- Her father
Why “Her grandmother” is correct
This asks for a detail stated in paragraph 5. Her mother says, "Your grandmother chose it." Because the mother is the one talking, students may choose her by mistake; they have to notice who the mother is talking about.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Her mother — Her mother explains the name, but she says the grandmother chose it.
- Mr. Delgado — Mr. Delgado is her teacher; he gives the assignment about names.
- Her father — Her father is not mentioned in the story.
11. Why doesn't Ayodele correct the teacher at roll call?
From “The Story of a Name”
- She does not know how to say her own name.
- She does not want more people staring at her.Correct answer
- She thinks he already said her name correctly.
- She is not allowed to talk during roll call.
Why “She does not want more people staring at her.” is correct
This asks the student to explain a character's choice. Paragraph 3 says, "Correcting people meant everyone would stare at her even longer." The student has to connect that sentence to her silence and to the giggling in paragraph 2.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She does not know how to say her own name. — She says her name the way her mother does at the end of the story.
- She thinks he already said her name correctly. — The story says it came out as a sound her family would not recognize.
- She is not allowed to talk during roll call. — No such rule is mentioned; she answers "Here."
12. How does Ayodele change from the beginning of the story to the end?
From “The Story of a Name”
- She goes from liking her name to wishing it were different.
- She goes from loving school to wanting to stay home.
- She goes from shy around her family to shy at school.
- She goes from hiding her name to sharing it.Correct answer
Why “She goes from hiding her name to sharing it.” is correct
This asks about how a character changes. At the start she sinks in her chair and never corrects anyone; at the end she volunteers to read and teaches the class to say her name. Learning the story behind the name is what causes the change. Students must compare her actions in the first and last paragraphs.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She goes from liking her name to wishing it were different. — This is backward; she grows prouder of her name.
- She goes from loving school to wanting to stay home. — Nothing suggests she wants to stay home.
- She goes from shy around her family to shy at school. — She is comfortable with her family throughout the story.
13. What does Ruben mean when he writes, "if I keep my grades up"?
From “A Thank-You Letter”
- If he puts his report cards on a high shelf
- If he keeps getting good gradesCorrect answer
- If he shows his grades to his mom every day
- If he takes harder classes next year
Why “If he keeps getting good grades” is correct
This tests a common phrase. To "keep your grades up" means to keep earning good grades. The next sentence, about starting with his science grade "which needs some work," confirms that the phrase is about doing well in school.
Why the other answers are wrong
- If he puts his report cards on a high shelf — This is a literal reading of "up"; the phrase is about how good his grades are.
- If he shows his grades to his mom every day — Showing grades is not what the phrase means.
- If he takes harder classes next year — The phrase is about grades staying good, not about which classes he takes.
14. What did Ruben think about veterinarians before Career Day?
From “A Thank-You Letter”
- He thought they mostly took care of horses.
- He thought they spent all day doing surgery.
- He thought they were afraid of snakes.
- He thought they played with puppies all day.Correct answer
Why “He thought they played with puppies all day.” is correct
This asks for a detail from the letter. The phrase "Before your talk, I thought" signals what Ruben used to believe, and "I did not know" signals what he learned. Students have to keep his old idea separate from his new information.
Why the other answers are wrong
- He thought they mostly took care of horses. — The horse story was something he learned at Career Day.
- He thought they spent all day doing surgery. — He says he did not know that veterinarians do surgery.
- He thought they were afraid of snakes. — Snakes come up only as one of his questions.
15. What may Ruben be able to do next summer?
From “A Thank-You Letter”
- Volunteer at the animal shelterCorrect answer
- Work at Dr. Salinas's office
- Take a summer science class
- Visit Career Day again
Why “Volunteer at the animal shelter” is correct
This asks for a stated detail. Ruben writes that he "can volunteer at the animal shelter on Saturdays next summer" if he keeps his grades up. The word "if" shows that this depends on his grades, which is why the question says "may."
Why the other answers are wrong
- Work at Dr. Salinas's office — He never says he will work with Dr. Salinas.
- Take a summer science class — He plans to improve his science grade, not take a summer class.
- Visit Career Day again — Career Day is what already happened.
16. Why does Ruben include the story about the horse in his letter?
From “A Thank-You Letter”
- To ask Dr. Salinas to take care of his horse
- To explain why he is afraid of horses
- To show what he learned about the jobCorrect answer
- To prove that horses heal faster than other animals
Why “To show what he learned about the job” is correct
This asks why a writer includes a detail. Ruben ends the paragraph by saying the story "showed me that your job takes patience, not just a love of animals." The detail connects to his earlier, simpler idea of the job, so it shows how his thinking changed.
Why the other answers are wrong
- To ask Dr. Salinas to take care of his horse — Ruben never says he has a horse.
- To explain why he is afraid of horses — He says this was the part he liked best.
- To prove that horses heal faster than other animals — He says it took six weeks, and he does not compare animals.
17. The flyer says, "Space is limited to 12 students per class." What does limited to mean?
From “Fall Classes at the Rec Center”
- At least
- No more thanCorrect answer
- Exactly the same as
- Saved for
Why “No more than” is correct
This tests a phrase common in notices and forms. "Limited to 12" sets the highest number allowed, so a class can have 12 students or fewer. English learners often confuse "limited to" with "at least" or with an exact number.
Why the other answers are wrong
- At least — This is the opposite: "at least" sets a lowest number, not a highest.
- Exactly the same as — A class can have fewer than 12 students; 12 is only the most allowed.
- Saved for — The phrase is about how many students fit, not who the places are saved for.
18. Which class meets two days each week?
From “Fall Classes at the Rec Center”
- Beginning Guitar
- Cooking Basics
- Swim SkillsCorrect answer
- Chess Club
Why “Swim Skills” is correct
This asks the student to find information in a schedule. Only Swim Skills lists two days, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The student has to scan the day column for every class rather than read only the first one.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Beginning Guitar — Guitar meets only on Mondays.
- Cooking Basics — Cooking meets only on Wednesdays.
- Chess Club — Chess Club meets only on Saturdays.
19. Sofia is 11 years old. She has soccer practice every Tuesday and Thursday evening, and she wants a free class. Which class should she choose?
From “Fall Classes at the Rec Center”
- Swim Skills
- Cooking Basics
- Beginning Guitar
- Chess ClubCorrect answer
Why “Chess Club” is correct
This asks the student to apply several facts from the flyer at once: age, day, and cost. Two classes are free, but one of them conflicts with her soccer practice. Only Chess Club fits all three of Sofia's needs. Problems like this check whether a reader can use a document, not just find one fact.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Swim Skills — Swim Skills is free, but it meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when she has soccer.
- Cooking Basics — Cooking is for ages 12 to 17, and it costs $15.
- Beginning Guitar — Guitar costs $20, so it is not free.
20. In paragraph 3, the author says the secret to the Pony Express's speed was a relay. Based on the paragraph, what is a relay?
From “The Pony Express”
- Taking turns to carry something a long wayCorrect answer
- A race between two riders to the same town
- A building where riders sleep at night
- A bag that keeps the mail dry in bad weather
Why “Taking turns to carry something a long way” is correct
This tests building meaning from a paragraph that explains a word. The author never defines relay in one sentence. Instead, the paragraph shows fresh horses waiting at stations and each rider handing the mail to the next one. The student has to put those details together.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A race between two riders to the same town — The riders work together, passing the mail along; they do not race each other.
- A building where riders sleep at night — Stations are mentioned, but the paragraph says riders rode day and night.
- A bag that keeps the mail dry in bad weather — The paragraph does not describe the mail bag.
21. How long did it take the Pony Express to carry mail from Missouri to California?
From “The Pony Express”
- Three weeks or more
- A year and a half
- About ten daysCorrect answer
- Just a couple of minutes
Why “About ten days” is correct
This asks for a detail stated in paragraph 2. The passage has many time expressions (three weeks, ten days, a couple of minutes, a year and a half), and each wrong choice is one of them. The student has to match the time to the right event.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Three weeks or more — This is how long a stagecoach took.
- A year and a half — This is how long the Pony Express lasted, not how long one trip took.
- Just a couple of minutes — This is how long it took a rider to switch horses.
22. Why does the author begin by telling how long a letter took by stagecoach?
From “The Pony Express”
- To show that stagecoaches were safer than horses
- To show why people wanted a faster wayCorrect answer
- To explain how the telegraph worked
- To prove California became a state in 1860
Why “To show why people wanted a faster way” is correct
This asks about how an author introduces a topic. Paragraph 1 sets up a problem (mail was slow, and people in California wanted faster news), and paragraph 2 gives the solution (the Pony Express). Seeing that problem-solution structure helps the student explain why the opening detail is there.
Why the other answers are wrong
- To show that stagecoaches were safer than horses — Safety is never compared.
- To explain how the telegraph worked — The telegraph comes at the end of the passage.
- To prove California became a state in 1860 — The passage says California became a state in 1850.
23. Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that the telegraph made the Pony Express unnecessary?
From “The Pony Express”
- "The trip took about ten days."
- "They rode day and night, in summer heat and winter snow, across deserts and over mountains."
- "California had become a state in 1850, and many thousands of people had moved there."
- "Now a message could travel from coast to coast in minutes instead of days."Correct answer
Why “"Now a message could travel from coast to coast in minutes instead of days."” is correct
This asks the student to choose evidence for a claim. The telegraph made the Pony Express unnecessary because it was much faster, and the sentence about messages crossing the country "in minutes instead of days" states that directly. The other sentences are true details from the passage, but they support different ideas.
Why the other answers are wrong
- "The trip took about ten days." — This tells how fast the Pony Express was, not why it ended.
- "They rode day and night, in summer heat and winter snow, across deserts and over mountains." — This shows how hard the job was, not why it stopped.
- "California had become a state in 1850, and many thousands of people had moved there." — This explains why the service was needed at the start.
24. What does Paula mean when she says, "I bit off more than I can chew this week"?
From “Too Much at Once”
- She agreed to do more than she can handle.Correct answer
- She ate too much food at dinner.
- She does not like the food her father made.
- She has hurt one of her teeth.
Why “She agreed to do more than she can handle.” is correct
This tests an idiom. To "bite off more than you can chew" means to take on too many tasks. The passage gives the clues first (a book report, a science project, and a soccer game all at once), and her father's plan to "see what can wait" shows he understood she is overloaded. Because she says it at dinner, the literal food meaning is especially tempting.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She ate too much food at dinner. — This is the literal meaning of the words; she is talking about her busy week.
- She does not like the food her father made. — Nothing is said about the food tasting bad.
- She has hurt one of her teeth. — The phrase uses biting as a picture, not a real injury.
25. Why did the library most likely change the rule?
From “From the Library”
- So students will return their books more slowly
- Because the library is getting too crowded
- So fast readers have enough books between visitsCorrect answer
- Because students asked for more lunch periods
Why “So fast readers have enough books between visits” is correct
This asks the student to infer a reason. The notice does not say "this is why we changed the rule," but the sentence right after the new rule explains the problem: students finished their books in a few days and had to wait for more. Allowing four books solves that problem.
Why the other answers are wrong
- So students will return their books more slowly — The notice asks students to return books on time.
- Because the library is getting too crowded — Crowding is never mentioned.
- Because students asked for more lunch periods — Lunch periods are mentioned only as times the library is open.
26. The museum guide spoke with great ______ about the history of the old Spanish mission.
- enthusiastic
- enthusiasmCorrect answer
- enthusiastically
- enthuse
Why “enthusiasm” is correct
This tests word forms. The phrase "with great ___" needs a noun, the thing the guide showed. All four choices come from the same root, so the student has to recognize the noun ending -asm. Similar phrases include "with great care" and "with great skill."
Why the other answers are wrong
- enthusiastic — "Enthusiastic" is an adjective; after "great," the sentence needs a noun.
- enthusiastically — "Enthusiastically" is an adverb and cannot follow "with great."
- enthuse — "Enthuse" is a verb and does not fit after "great."
27. Unless it stops raining by noon, the soccer game will be moved to the gym. What does this sentence mean?
- The game will be in the gym only if it stops raining.
- The game will be played outside no matter what.
- The game will be canceled if it rains at noon.
- If it is still raining at noon, the game will be inside.Correct answer
Why “If it is still raining at noon, the game will be inside.” is correct
This tests a sentence that begins with "unless," which means "if not." The sentence says that if the rain does not stop by noon, the game moves inside. English learners often read "unless" as "if" and reverse the meaning, which is the trap in one wrong choice.
Why the other answers are wrong
- The game will be in the gym only if it stops raining. — This reverses the meaning of "unless."
- The game will be played outside no matter what. — The sentence says the game may be moved to the gym.
- The game will be canceled if it rains at noon. — The game is moved, not canceled.
28. Read this sentence from the last paragraph. "I urge our principal to give us six minutes." What does the word urge mean?
From “Six Minutes, Not Four”
- To ask stronglyCorrect answer
- To thank
- To warn
- To forbid
Why “To ask strongly” is correct
This tests a word often used at the end of persuasive writing. To "urge" someone is to push them strongly to do something. Because the whole essay argues for six minutes, the last sentence is a strong request to the person who can make the change.
Why the other answers are wrong
- To thank — Nadia is asking for a change; nothing has been given yet.
- To warn — She is not warning the principal about danger.
- To forbid — This is close to the opposite; she wants the principal to allow something.
29. According to Nadia, why do many students arrive late to class?
From “Six Minutes, Not Four”
- Students spend too long talking in the halls.
- Teachers let classes out late.
- Some classrooms are far apart on a large campus.Correct answer
- The band hall is closed during passing periods.
Why “Some classrooms are far apart on a large campus.” is correct
This asks for a supporting reason in an argument. Paragraph 2 explains that some classrooms are in portable buildings behind the gym, so some students have to cross the whole campus. Nadia's phrase "even walking quickly" rules out the idea that students are wasting time.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Students spend too long talking in the halls. — Nadia says students arrive late "even walking quickly."
- Teachers let classes out late. — She never says teachers let classes out late.
- The band hall is closed during passing periods. — The band hall is an example of a starting point, not a closed room.
30. What is Nadia's main purpose for writing?
From “Six Minutes, Not Four”
- To explain how to find the portable buildings
- To persuade the school to lengthen passing periodsCorrect answer
- To tell a story about a time she was tardy
- To describe the different buildings at her school
Why “To persuade the school to lengthen passing periods” is correct
This asks about an author's purpose. Nadia states her position in paragraph 1 ("The school should make passing periods six minutes long") and repeats it in her last sentence. Opinion words like "should" and "I urge" signal persuasive writing.
Why the other answers are wrong
- To explain how to find the portable buildings — The portables are mentioned as a reason, not given as directions.
- To tell a story about a time she was tardy — She does not tell a personal story.
- To describe the different buildings at her school — The buildings support her argument; describing them is not her goal.
31. How does Nadia answer people who worry that the school day would end later?
From “Six Minutes, Not Four”
- She agrees the day should end later.
- She says teachers should stop marking students tardy.
- She says students should skip their locker stops.
- She says each class could be two minutes shorter.Correct answer
Why “She says each class could be two minutes shorter.” is correct
This asks how a writer handles an opposing view, called a counterargument. Paragraph 4 begins with "Some people worry," states the concern, and then answers it with "But": shortening each class by two minutes would make room. Recognizing this pattern is a key skill in reading arguments.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She agrees the day should end later. — She argues the extra time can fit "inside the day we already have."
- She says teachers should stop marking students tardy. — Tardies are part of the problem she describes, not her answer to this worry.
- She says students should skip their locker stops. — She uses lockers as a reason for more time, not as a solution.
32. The speaker says her grandmother's "voice is a rope / pulling me home." What does this line mean?
From “Before the Storm”
- Her grandmother is tying a rope around her waist.
- Her grandmother has a rough, tired voice.
- Her grandmother's call brings her home fast.Correct answer
- Her grandmother is too far away to be heard.
Why “Her grandmother's call brings her home fast.” is correct
This tests a metaphor, a comparison without "like" or "as." A rope can pull something toward you, so calling the voice a rope shows that the call draws the speaker home quickly before the storm. Students who read the line literally may think a real rope is involved.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Her grandmother is tying a rope around her waist. — This is a literal reading; there is no real rope in the poem.
- Her grandmother has a rough, tired voice. — The line is about what the voice does, not how it sounds.
- Her grandmother is too far away to be heard. — The grandmother calls from the porch, and the speaker hears her.
33. The poem says, "the whole thirsty field / opens its mouth and drinks." What does this show?
From “Before the Storm”
- The dry land soaks up the rain.Correct answer
- The cows in the field start drinking water.
- The field is flooded with deep water.
- The speaker is drinking water in the field.
Why “The dry land soaks up the rain.” is correct
This tests personification, giving human actions to something that is not human. A field cannot be thirsty or open a mouth, but the words show how fast the dry, dusty ground takes in the rain. The earlier image of drops hitting "the dust" tells the reader the land was very dry.
Why the other answers are wrong
- The cows in the field start drinking water. — The cows are mentioned earlier, and the line is about the field itself.
- The field is flooded with deep water. — The ground was dusty and thirsty; the line shows it taking in water, not flooding.
- The speaker is drinking water in the field. — The speaker is not the one drinking.
34. How does the feeling of the poem change in the last four lines?
From “Before the Storm”
- From calm and peaceful to afraid
- From tense waiting to reliefCorrect answer
- From happy to sad
- From noisy to silent
Why “From tense waiting to relief” is correct
This asks about mood. The first lines build tension: a gray sky, wind that seems in a hurry, cows that stop chewing, a windmill spinning too fast. The last lines turn to rain falling "like coins," something valuable, on a "thirsty field." The student has to notice how word choice shifts the feeling.
Why the other answers are wrong
- From calm and peaceful to afraid — The poem starts tense, with the wind rushing and the cows going still, and ends with relief.
- From happy to sad — Nothing in the ending is sad; the field "drinks."
- From noisy to silent — The ending has rain hitting the ground, so it is not silent.
35. What change begins on Monday?
From “Rehearsal Update”
- Rehearsals will start one hour earlier.
- Rehearsals will move to Room 112.
- Rehearsals will be held only on Fridays.
- Rehearsals will end one hour later.Correct answer
Why “Rehearsals will end one hour later.” is correct
This asks for a detail. The email says that starting Monday, rehearsals "will end at 6:00 p.m. instead of 5:00 p.m.," which is one hour later. The student has to understand "instead of" and do a small comparison.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Rehearsals will start one hour earlier. — The email says rehearsals will end later, not start earlier.
- Rehearsals will move to Room 112. — Room 112 is where costume fittings will be.
- Rehearsals will be held only on Fridays. — Rehearsals are Monday through Thursday; Friday is the full run-through.
36. What should a student do if they cannot go to the costume fitting?
From “Rehearsal Update”
- Tell Ms. Chen by TuesdayCorrect answer
- Tell Mr. Abernathy on Friday
- Go to Room 112 after school
- Ask a parent to pick up the costume
Why “Tell Ms. Chen by Tuesday” is correct
This asks for a detail with two parts: the person and the deadline. The email says, "tell Ms. Chen, our costume designer, by Tuesday." Students need to match the right name to the right task, since two adults are named.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Tell Mr. Abernathy on Friday — The email names Ms. Chen, and the deadline is Tuesday.
- Go to Room 112 after school — Fittings are during lunch on Wednesday, and no other time is offered.
- Ask a parent to pick up the costume — Parents are mentioned only for the later pickup time.
37. Why does Mr. Abernathy explain what will happen on Friday to actors who still need a script?
From “Rehearsal Update”
- To give actors more time to read their scripts
- To announce that the play has been canceled
- To push actors to learn their lines this weekCorrect answer
- To explain how costumes will be chosen
Why “To push actors to learn their lines this week” is correct
This asks about a writer's purpose. Mr. Abernathy says actors who still need a script "will sit out" while someone else reads the part. No actor wants that, so describing it encourages everyone to learn their lines on time. The email never says "this is a warning," so the student has to infer it.
Why the other answers are wrong
- To give actors more time to read their scripts — He wants them to stop using scripts by Friday.
- To announce that the play has been canceled — Opening night is still two weeks away.
- To explain how costumes will be chosen — Costumes are a separate part of the email.
Writing
38. The school band practiced every day, and [it's] concert on Friday was a big success. Which word should replace the underlined word?
- its'
- itsCorrect answer
- it is
- it
Why “its” is correct
This tests two commonly confused words. "It's" always means "it is" or "it has," while "its" shows that something belongs to "it," like "his" or "her." The concert belongs to the band, so the possessive "its" is correct. A quick check: if "it is" does not fit, the apostrophe is wrong.
Why the other answers are wrong
- its' — "Its'" is not a word in English; the possessive of "it" never has an apostrophe.
- it is — "It is concert" does not make sense; the sentence needs a word that shows ownership.
- it — "It concert" is missing the possessive form.
39. By the time we got to the theater, the movie had already [began]. Which word should replace the underlined word?
- beginning
- begins
- begin
- begunCorrect answer
Why “begun” is correct
This tests irregular past participles. After "had," "has," or "have," a verb uses its past participle, and for "begin" that is "begun" (begin, began, begun). "Began" is the simple past, used without a helping verb, as in "the movie began." English learners often mix up these two forms with irregular verbs like begin, swim, and sing.
Why the other answers are wrong
- beginning — "Had beginning" is not correct; after "had," the verb needs its past participle form.
- begins — "Begins" is present tense and cannot follow "had."
- begin — "Had begin" uses the base form, but "had" needs the past participle.
40. Marisol played really [good] in the championship game on Saturday. Which word should replace the underlined word?
- wellCorrect answer
- goodly
- more good
- gooder
Why “well” is correct
This tests adjectives and adverbs. "Good" is an adjective that describes a noun (a good game), while "well" is the adverb that tells how someone does something (she played well). Because the word describes the verb "played," it must be "well." Using "good" after an action verb is a very common error in everyday speech.
Why the other answers are wrong
- goodly — "Goodly" is not used to describe how someone does an action.
- more good — "More good" is not standard English; it is not the way to describe how she played.
- gooder — "Gooder" is not a standard English word; the comparative of "good" is "better."
41. All of the [teacher's] cars were parked in the lot behind the gym. Which word should replace the underlined word?
- teacher
- teachers's
- teachers'Correct answer
- teachers
Why “teachers'” is correct
This tests plural possessives. "All of the" and "cars" show that the cars belong to more than one teacher. To make a plural noun ending in -s possessive, add only an apostrophe after the -s: teachers'. The original, teacher's, means the cars belong to just one teacher. Students must decide both whether the word is plural and whether it shows ownership.
Why the other answers are wrong
- teacher — "Teacher" has no apostrophe, so it does not show that the cars belong to anyone.
- teachers's — A plural noun that already ends in -s takes only an apostrophe, not another -s.
- teachers — "Teachers" is plural, but without an apostrophe it does not show ownership.
42. [Him] and Javier built a model of the solar system for the science fair. Which word should replace the underlined word?
- HeCorrect answer
- His
- Himself
- Them
Why “He” is correct
This tests pronoun case in a compound subject. "___ and Javier" are the people who built the model, so the subject pronoun "He" is needed. A quick check is to remove "and Javier": "He built a model" sounds right, while "Him built a model" does not. Students often use object pronouns like "him" and "me" in compound subjects because they hear it in casual speech.
Why the other answers are wrong
- His — "His" shows ownership and must come before a noun, such as "his model."
- Himself — "Himself" is used only when the same person is already the subject, as in "he hurt himself."
- Them — "Them" is plural and is an object pronoun, so it cannot be part of the subject.
43. Which sentence is written correctly?
- We wanted to swim at the lake, the water was too cold.
- We wanted to swim at the lake, but the water was too cold.Correct answer
- We wanted to swim at the lake but, the water was too cold.
- We wanted to swim at the lake the water was too cold.
Why “We wanted to swim at the lake, but the water was too cold.” is correct
This tests joining two complete sentences. "We wanted to swim at the lake" and "the water was too cold" could each stand alone, so they must be joined with a comma plus a joining word such as "but," or split into two sentences. The correct choice puts the comma before "but." The wrong choices show three common errors: a comma splice, a misplaced comma, and a run-on sentence.
Why the other answers are wrong
- We wanted to swim at the lake, the water was too cold. — This joins two complete sentences with only a comma, which is called a comma splice.
- We wanted to swim at the lake but, the water was too cold. — The comma belongs before "but," not after it.
- We wanted to swim at the lake the water was too cold. — This runs two complete sentences together with no punctuation or joining word.
Read next
- TELPAS Reading and Writing Test: What to Expect and How to Practice: The TELPAS reading and writing test is the second of the two online TELPAS tests for grades 2–12. Students read passages and answer questions, fix errors in sentences, and write three responses of their own, all in one test. Here is how it is built, how it is scored, and how to practice for it.
- 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.
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.