TELPAS reading and writing practice test 2 for 8th and 9th 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 8–9 and writing practice for Grades 8–9.
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 1, Nicole has "a habit of finishing games before her opponents had finished their snacks." What does this phrase suggest?
From “The Knight”
- She eats her snack during every game.
- She often leaves games before they end.
- She usually wins her games quickly.Correct answer
- Her opponents bring food to the club.
Why “She usually wins her games quickly.” is correct
This item tests a playful, exaggerated phrase. A snack takes only a few minutes to eat, so finishing a chess game before that means Nicole beats people fast. Students who read the phrase literally may focus on the food instead of the comparison.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She eats her snack during every game. — The snacks belong to her opponents; the phrase is about how fast her games end.
- She often leaves games before they end. — "Finishing" a game means playing it to the end, not leaving it.
- Her opponents bring food to the club. — The snacks are a detail used to show speed, not the point of the phrase.
2. What does Nicole do on the night after she loses?
From “The Knight”
- She replays the game from memory.Correct answer
- She practices new openings in her notebook.
- She calls Josh to ask about the knight.
- She decides to quit the chess club.
Why “She replays the game from memory.” is correct
This is a detail question. Paragraph 5 says, "That night she replayed the game on her kitchen table, move by move, from memory." "Replayed" means played again, which English learners can work out from the prefix re-.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She practices new openings in her notebook. — Her notebook is mentioned in paragraph 1 and paragraph 7, but not that night.
- She calls Josh to ask about the knight. — She asks about the knight in person at the next meeting.
- She decides to quit the chess club. — She goes back to the next meeting.
3. Why does Nicole begin putting the pieces away even though nobody asked her to?
From “The Knight”
- She is in a hurry to play Josh again.
- She wants to help clean up the room.
- She is trying to be polite to Josh.
- She is embarrassed and wants to leave.Correct answer
Why “She is embarrassed and wants to leave.” is correct
This question asks students to infer a feeling from actions. Nicole shakes hands quickly, her "face felt hot," and other players are watching. Together, these details show embarrassment, even though the word is never used.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She is in a hurry to play Josh again. — She does not ask for a rematch until the next meeting.
- She wants to help clean up the room. — Nothing suggests the meeting is ending.
- She is trying to be polite to Josh. — She shakes his hand "quickly," which is not especially polite.
4. What does the last line of the story show about Nicole?
From “The Knight”
- She wants to beat Josh in a rematch.
- She is now willing to learn from Josh.Correct answer
- She is still upset about losing.
- She is tired after a long day of chess games.
Why “She is now willing to learn from Josh.” is correct
This item asks about the meaning of a final action. Earlier, Nicole "did not sit down right away." When she laughs and pulls out the chair, she accepts Josh's offer to trade lessons. The change from standing to sitting shows her change in attitude.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She wants to beat Josh in a rematch. — She has come to learn his move, not to beat him.
- She is still upset about losing. — She laughs, which shows her bad feeling has passed.
- She is tired after a long day of chess games. — Pulling out the chair shows she is joining him, not that she is tired.
5. In paragraph 2, the word bioluminescence means —
From “Living Lights”
- light made by a living thingCorrect answer
- a kind of beetle that flies at night
- a chemical that helps light bulbs glow
- the study of insects
Why “light made by a living thing” is correct
This tests a science word that the passage defines right after using it: "which means light made by a living thing." Students who know that bio- relates to life and lumin- to light can also break the word into parts.
Why the other answers are wrong
- a kind of beetle that flies at night — Fireflies are beetles, but the word names the light, not the insect.
- a chemical that helps light bulbs glow — The passage contrasts fireflies with light bulbs.
- the study of insects — The word describes light, not a subject people study.
6. According to the passage, how does a firefly turn its light on and off?
From “Living Lights”
- It moves its wings faster or slower.
- It stores up heat and then lets it all out at once.
- It controls how much oxygen reaches certain cells.Correct answer
- It waits for a signal from another firefly.
Why “It controls how much oxygen reaches certain cells.” is correct
This is a detail question. The last sentence of paragraph 2 says the firefly "can control how much oxygen reaches those cells, which lets it switch its light on and off." The phrase "which lets it" signals the cause and effect.
Why the other answers are wrong
- It moves its wings faster or slower. — Wings are never mentioned in connection with the light.
- It stores up heat and then lets it all out at once. — Firefly light is "cold light" and makes almost no heat.
- It waits for a signal from another firefly. — Signals explain why fireflies flash, not how.
7. According to paragraph 4, why do fireflies flash in patterns?
From “Living Lights”
- To warn other insects to stay away
- To find snails and slugs to eat
- To stay warm on cool nights
- To find mates of their own speciesCorrect answer
Why “To find mates of their own species” is correct
This question asks for a key detail. Paragraph 4 calls the flashes "a kind of language" and explains that males and females use matching signals so a male "knows he has found a mate of his own kind."
Why the other answers are wrong
- To warn other insects to stay away — The passage does not describe flashes as warnings.
- To find snails and slugs to eat — Paragraph 5 says larvae eat snails, but not that they use light to find them.
- To stay warm on cool nights — Firefly light gives off almost no heat.
8. Why does the author compare a firefly to a light bulb in paragraph 3?
From “Living Lights”
- To show that light bulbs are brighter
- To explain what "cold light" meansCorrect answer
- To suggest people use fireflies as lamps
- To explain why fireflies are hard to find
Why “To explain what "cold light" means” is correct
This tests author's craft. A light bulb that gets hot is familiar, so the comparison makes the strange idea of light without heat easier to picture. Recognizing why an author uses a comparison is part of analyzing informational text.
Why the other answers are wrong
- To show that light bulbs are brighter — Brightness is not compared.
- To suggest people use fireflies as lamps — The passage never suggests this.
- To explain why fireflies are hard to find — Paragraph 3 is about heat, not about finding fireflies.
9. In paragraph 6, Coleman is called "a pioneer who opened a door that had been shut." What does this phrase mean?
From “Queen Bess”
- She worked as a guard at an airport.
- She made a path that others could follow.Correct answer
- She built her own flying school.
- She moved away from Texas to live in a new state.
Why “She made a path that others could follow.” is correct
This item tests figurative language. The "shut door" stands for flight training that was closed to Black women, and Coleman "opened" it by succeeding anyway, so others could follow. A pioneer is one of the first people to do something.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She worked as a guard at an airport. — The door is not a real door; the phrase is figurative.
- She built her own flying school. — Paragraph 6 says she died before she could open her school.
- She moved away from Texas to live in a new state. — Moving to Chicago is in paragraph 2 and is not what the phrase describes.
10. According to the passage, why did Coleman go to France?
From “Queen Bess”
- Flying schools at home would not accept her.Correct answer
- She wanted to perform in air shows there.
- Two of her brothers were already living there.
- She had to fight in World War I.
Why “Flying schools at home would not accept her.” is correct
This is a cause-and-effect detail. Paragraph 3 begins, "Flying schools in the United States would not accept her," and ends with a flight school in France that "agreed to teach her."
Why the other answers are wrong
- She wanted to perform in air shows there. — She performed in air shows after she came back to the United States.
- Two of her brothers were already living there. — Her brothers lived in Chicago.
- She had to fight in World War I. — She heard stories from soldiers but did not fight.
11. Why does the author include the detail that Coleman took French classes at night?
From “Queen Bess”
- To explain why she later taught French
- To show that she did not like her job at the barbershop
- To show how hard she worked toward her goalCorrect answer
- To compare schools in France and Texas
Why “To show how hard she worked toward her goal” is correct
This asks why an author chose a detail. Right after "Coleman did not give up," the author lists night classes, saving money and sailing to France. These details show her determination without stating it in one word.
Why the other answers are wrong
- To explain why she later taught French — She never taught French in the passage.
- To show that she did not like her job at the barbershop — Nothing in the passage says she disliked her work.
- To compare schools in France and Texas — The passage does not compare schools.
12. According to the schedule, where does the Comic Drawing workshop meet?
From “Teen Summer Workshops”
- Meeting Room B
- The Computer Lab
- The Reading Garden
- Meeting Room ACorrect answer
Why “Meeting Room A” is correct
This question checks whether a student can read across one row of a schedule. Each row lists the day, time, workshop and place. All the wrong answers are real places on the schedule that belong to other workshops.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Meeting Room B — Meeting Room B is for Babysitting Basics.
- The Computer Lab — The Computer Lab is for Build a Simple Website.
- The Reading Garden — The Reading Garden is for Teen Book Club.
13. Marco has swim practice every morning until noon. Which workshop could he go to?
From “Teen Summer Workshops”
- Teen Book ClubCorrect answer
- Comic Drawing
- Babysitting Basics
- Build a Simple Website
Why “Teen Book Club” is correct
This item asks the student to apply information from a schedule to a new situation. Only one workshop is in the afternoon: Teen Book Club, Thursday from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Students need to know that a.m. means morning and p.m. means afternoon.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Comic Drawing — Comic Drawing meets Tuesday morning, during swim practice.
- Babysitting Basics — Babysitting Basics meets Wednesday morning, during swim practice.
- Build a Simple Website — Build a Simple Website meets Monday morning, during swim practice.
14. In paragraph 1, the narrator says the street "had turned to glass." What does this mean?
From “The Ice Storm”
- The houses had new glass windows.
- Everything was covered in clear ice.Correct answer
- The street was full of broken glass.
- The street had become very quiet.
Why “Everything was covered in clear ice.” is correct
This tests a metaphor. The next sentence explains it: "Every branch, every mailbox, every blade of grass wore a clear, hard coat." Ice can look like glass because both are clear, shiny and hard.
Why the other answers are wrong
- The houses had new glass windows. — Windows are not mentioned in paragraph 1.
- The street was full of broken glass. — Nothing broke; the next sentence describes "a clear, hard coat."
- The street had become very quiet. — The phrase describes how things looked, not how they sounded.
15. In paragraph 3, Mr. Abernathy's voice "sounded like a shovel scraping concrete." What does this comparison suggest?
From “The Ice Storm”
- He spoke very softly.
- He worked outside with tools.
- His voice was rough and unfriendly.Correct answer
- He talked often with his neighbors.
Why “His voice was rough and unfriendly.” is correct
This item tests a simile. A shovel scraping concrete makes a harsh, grating sound, so the narrator is saying his voice sounded harsh. Together with "I kept my distance," it shows the narrator found him unfriendly at first.
Why the other answers are wrong
- He spoke very softly. — A shovel on concrete is loud and harsh, not soft.
- He worked outside with tools. — The comparison is about his voice, not his work.
- He talked often with his neighbors. — The paragraph says he spoke "maybe five times" in three years.
16. Why does Mr. Abernathy come to the narrator's house on Thursday?
From “The Ice Storm”
- He wanted them to stay off his lawn.
- He needed help fixing his fireplace.
- He wanted to borrow something to eat.
- He guessed the family had no heat.Correct answer
Why “He guessed the family had no heat.” is correct
This question asks the student to infer a reason. He says, "Saw your windows were dark last night," and asks if they have heat. Dark windows suggested no power, and he came to offer his warm house.
Why the other answers are wrong
- He wanted them to stay off his lawn. — That is what he usually said before the storm, not why he came.
- He needed help fixing his fireplace. — His fireplace and gas stove are working.
- He wanted to borrow something to eat. — He invites the family to eat pancakes at his house.
17. How does the narrator's view of Mr. Abernathy change during the story?
From “The Ice Storm”
- From someone to avoid to a quiet but kind neighborCorrect answer
- From a stranger to the narrator's best friend
- From a kind neighbor to someone to fear
- It does not change at all.
Why “From someone to avoid to a quiet but kind neighbor” is correct
This question asks about character development across a whole story. At first the narrator "kept my distance." After the storm, the narrator understands that his grunt "was simply how he talked" and knocks on his door instead of sneaking. The change is real but small, so the choice about becoming best friends goes too far.
Why the other answers are wrong
- From a stranger to the narrator's best friend — He "almost" smiles at the end; they do not become best friends.
- From a kind neighbor to someone to fear — This reverses the change in the story.
- It does not change at all. — The narrator knocks on his door at the end instead of sneaking onto his lawn.
18. According to paragraph 2, what is a nacelle?
From “Up in the Wind”
- The ladder that technicians climb inside a wind turbine tower
- A computer that checks how a turbine runs
- The housing behind the blades that holds machineryCorrect answer
- A harness that clips to the tower
Why “The housing behind the blades that holds machinery” is correct
This tests a technical word defined in the text. The sentence after "nacelle" begins "The nacelle is," which is a signal that a definition follows. Spotting definitions like this helps students handle new words in career and science texts.
Why the other answers are wrong
- The ladder that technicians climb inside a wind turbine tower — The ladder is how a technician reaches the nacelle.
- A computer that checks how a turbine runs — Computers are used on the ground.
- A harness that clips to the tower — Harnesses are described in paragraph 3.
19. According to paragraph 3, what is one way technicians stay safe?
From “Up in the Wind”
- They work only on the ground.
- They wear harnesses that clip to the tower.Correct answer
- They climb only at night.
- They always work alone so they can stay focused.
Why “They wear harnesses that clip to the tower.” is correct
This is a detail question. Paragraph 3 lists safety steps: harnesses, working in pairs or teams, checking the weather and staying off turbines in lightning or strong wind.
Why the other answers are wrong
- They work only on the ground. — Much of their work happens at the top.
- They climb only at night. — Climbing at night is never mentioned.
- They always work alone so they can stay focused. — They work "in pairs or teams."
20. What is the main purpose of paragraph 4?
From “Up in the Wind”
- To explain how a turbine makes electricity
- To list the classes technicians take
- To argue that the job is too dangerous for most people
- To describe the job's challenges and rewardsCorrect answer
Why “To describe the job's challenges and rewards” is correct
This question asks about the role of one paragraph. It starts with "The job is not for everyone" and the hard parts, then turns with "In return" to what workers enjoy. Recognizing signal words like "in return" helps students see how a paragraph is built.
Why the other answers are wrong
- To explain how a turbine makes electricity — Paragraph 4 is about the workers, not the machine.
- To list the classes technicians take — Classes are in paragraph 5.
- To argue that the job is too dangerous for most people — The paragraph mentions both hard parts and good parts.
21. In paragraph 2, chlorophyll "captures energy from sunlight." What does captures mean in this sentence?
From “Why Leaves Change Color”
- Takes in and holdsCorrect answer
- Takes a photograph of
- Blocks out
- Gives off
Why “Takes in and holds” is correct
This tests a word with more than one meaning. Capture can mean to catch a person or animal, or to take a photo, but in science it means to take in and hold something. The next sentence, "Plants use that energy," shows the energy is kept and used.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Takes a photograph of — People capture a moment in a photo, but here the meaning is about energy.
- Blocks out — Chlorophyll uses sunlight; it does not block it.
- Gives off — This is the opposite of capturing.
22. According to the passage, why do yellow and orange colors appear in the fall?
From “Why Leaves Change Color”
- The tree makes them when nights get cold.
- Carrots and other plants spread them.
- The green fades and lets them show.Correct answer
- Sunny days paint the leaves.
Why “The green fades and lets them show.” is correct
This is a detail question that depends on a contrast in the passage. Paragraph 4 says the yellows and oranges "were there all along," while paragraph 5 says reds "work differently" because they are made new. Students who miss this contrast choose the first wrong answer.
Why the other answers are wrong
- The tree makes them when nights get cold. — New substances are made for reds and purples; yellows were there all along.
- Carrots and other plants spread them. — Carrots are only an example of the same kind of substance.
- Sunny days paint the leaves. — Sunny days help reds, and the sun does not add color.
23. Based on the passage, which fall weather would most likely give a maple the brightest red leaves?
From “Why Leaves Change Color”
- Cloudy days and warm nights
- Sunny days and cool nights above freezingCorrect answer
- Sunny days and nights below freezing
- Cloudy, rainy days and nights below freezing
Why “Sunny days and cool nights above freezing” is correct
This question asks students to apply information to a new case. Paragraph 5 gives two conditions together: sunny days and cool nights that stay above freezing. The second wrong answer gets only one of the two right, so careful reading of "above freezing" matters.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Cloudy days and warm nights — The passage says sunny days and cool nights make reds brighter.
- Sunny days and nights below freezing — The passage says nights that stay "above freezing."
- Cloudy, rainy days and nights below freezing — This is the opposite of both conditions in paragraph 5.
24. According to the chart, which is the most common way these students get to school?
From “Getting to School”
- CarCorrect answer
- School bus
- Walk
- City bus
Why “Car” is correct
This question checks whether a student can read a bar chart. The longest bar, 78 students, is for car. Words like "most common" and "fewest" are important for reading graphs in math and science classes too.
Why the other answers are wrong
- School bus — The school bus is second, with 64 students.
- Walk — Walking is third, with 36 students.
- City bus — The city bus has the fewest students, 8.
25. Which conclusion is best supported by the chart?
From “Getting to School”
- More than half of the students ride in a car.
- More students bike than ride the school bus.
- More students ride the school bus than walk and bike combined.Correct answer
- Most of the students who took the survey walk or bike to school.
Why “More students ride the school bus than walk and bike combined.” is correct
This question asks the student to draw a conclusion from data. Walking and biking together are 36 plus 14, which is 50, and 64 students ride the school bus. The wrong answers each misread the numbers or the phrase "more than half."
Why the other answers are wrong
- More than half of the students ride in a car. — 78 is less than half of 200.
- More students bike than ride the school bus. — 14 students bike and 64 ride the school bus.
- Most of the students who took the survey walk or bike to school. — Only 50 of 200 students walk or bike.
26. What does it mean that Esteban "got cold feet"?
From “Audition Day”
- His feet were cold from waiting outside.
- He forgot the lines he had practiced.
- He decided he liked the library better.
- He became too nervous to try out.Correct answer
Why “He became too nervous to try out.” is correct
This item tests a common idiom. To "get cold feet" is to become too nervous to do something you planned. The context shows it: after weeks of practice, he sees the long line and walks right past the door.
Why the other answers are wrong
- His feet were cold from waiting outside. — Read literally, the phrase is about feet, but here it is an expression about fear.
- He forgot the lines he had practiced. — He never gets to the stage, so forgetting lines is not what happened.
- He decided he liked the library better. — He went to the library, but the reason was nerves, not a new interest.
27. What can the reader infer about Emma?
From “The Saved Seat”
- She is not hungry because she ate a big breakfast earlier.
- She feels hurt that Julia sat somewhere else.Correct answer
- She wants to join the volleyball team.
- She is glad to have more room.
Why “She feels hurt that Julia sat somewhere else.” is correct
This question asks for an inference about feelings. Emma saved the seat for a month, Julia walked past "without looking back," and Emma stares at her food without eating. These actions show hurt feelings without naming them.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She is not hungry because she ate a big breakfast earlier. — The paragraph does not say she ate earlier; she stops eating after Julia walks past.
- She wants to join the volleyball team. — The volleyball girls are only the people Julia sits with.
- She is glad to have more room. — Staring at her sandwich does not show that she is glad.
28. Which word best completes the blank in the paragraph? By spring, he could run three miles, and his coach praised his ________.
From “The Mile”
- determined
- determine
- determinationCorrect answer
- determinedly
Why “determination” is correct
This tests word forms. A word after "his" that is the thing being praised must be a noun, and -tion is a common noun ending. All four choices share the same root, so students must decide which form fits the sentence.
Why the other answers are wrong
- determined — This is an adjective. After "his," the sentence needs a noun.
- determine — This is a verb and does not fit after "his."
- determinedly — This is an adverb. It describes how something is done, not what the coach praised.
29. What is the author's main purpose in writing this letter?
From “A Crosswalk for Mesquite Road”
- To thank the council for a new crosswalk
- To describe soccer practice at the park
- To complain about how the city spends its budget
- To persuade the council to add a crosswalkCorrect answer
Why “To persuade the council to add a crosswalk” is correct
This question asks for the author's purpose. The second paragraph states it directly: "I am writing to ask you to put a crosswalk..." The rest of the letter gives reasons and answers objections, which are signs of persuasive writing.
Why the other answers are wrong
- To thank the council for a new crosswalk — The crosswalk does not exist yet; he is asking for it.
- To describe soccer practice at the park — Practice is only one reason students cross the road.
- To complain about how the city spends its budget — He mentions the budget only to answer a concern.
30. According to the letter, why don't most students use the crosswalk at Oak Street?
From “A Crosswalk for Mesquite Road”
- It does not have a flashing signal.
- It is too far from where they need to cross.Correct answer
- It is closed during school hours.
- There are too many cars passing through there.
Why “It is too far from where they need to cross.” is correct
This is a detail question. Paragraph 3 says the Oak Street crosswalk is "almost half a mile away" and "Almost nobody walks that far." Paragraph 5 adds that people "choose the shortest path."
Why the other answers are wrong
- It does not have a flashing signal. — He wants the new crosswalk to have a signal, but he does not say the Oak Street one lacks one.
- It is closed during school hours. — Nothing says it is closed.
- There are too many cars passing through there. — He counted cars on Mesquite Road, not at Oak Street.
31. How does Hector answer people who say students should walk to Oak Street?
From “A Crosswalk for Mesquite Road”
- He agrees it is safer but says students will not do it.Correct answer
- He says Oak Street is more dangerous.
- He says students should not cross at all.
- He says those people do not live near the park or the school.
Why “He agrees it is safer but says students will not do it.” is correct
This item asks how an author handles an opposing view. Hector first agrees ("I agree that it would be safer") and then explains why the idea fails in real life: "A rule that people do not follow does not protect anyone." Admitting part of the other side before answering it is a common persuasive move.
Why the other answers are wrong
- He says Oak Street is more dangerous. — He says walking to Oak Street "would be safer."
- He says students should not cross at all. — He wants a safe place for students to cross.
- He says those people do not live near the park or the school. — He never questions who those people are.
32. In stanza 3, the sun is "a heavy hand on the back of my neck." What does this suggest?
From “Abuela's Garden”
- Someone is pushing the speaker from behind.
- The speaker has hurt her neck.
- The sun is going down.
- The sun feels very hot and strong.Correct answer
Why “The sun feels very hot and strong.” is correct
This tests a metaphor. The speaker compares the July sun to a heavy hand pressing down, which shows how strong the heat feels. The next line, "I want to go inside," supports this meaning.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Someone is pushing the speaker from behind. — No person touches the speaker; the hand is a metaphor for the sun.
- The speaker has hurt her neck. — Nothing in the poem says she is hurt.
- The sun is going down. — It is July, and the sun feels heavy, not weak.
33. In stanza 2, what does the line "Her lessons are in her hands" mean?
From “Abuela's Garden”
- She writes her lessons on her hands.
- She teaches by showing, not from books.Correct answer
- She has strong hands from gardening.
- She holds a book while she gardens.
Why “She teaches by showing, not from books.” is correct
This item tests figurative meaning in poetry. The line comes right after "She has never owned a book about gardens," and is followed by directions she shows with her hands. Together, the lines mean she teaches through what she does.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She writes her lessons on her hands. — This reads the line too literally.
- She has strong hands from gardening. — The line is about how she teaches, not about her strength.
- She holds a book while she gardens. — The line before says she has never owned a book about gardens.
34. What does the last stanza show about the speaker?
From “Abuela's Garden”
- She wants to go back inside.
- She is tired of waiting for the seeds.
- She has started to garden like her grandmother.Correct answer
- She is learning to speak Spanish with her grandmother.
Why “She has started to garden like her grandmother.” is correct
This question asks about a change in the speaker. In stanza 1 only the grandmother talks to the tomatoes. In the last stanza the speaker does it "without thinking." The repeated action shows she has taken on her grandmother's habits.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She wants to go back inside. — That was her feeling in July, in stanza 3.
- She is tired of waiting for the seeds. — She complained in stanza 4, but by August she kneels in the dirt beside her grandmother.
- She is learning to speak Spanish with her grandmother. — The poem does not say what language she uses with the tomatoes.
35. In paragraph 2, the author says, "I could have recited them in my sleep." What does this mean?
From “Homework at the Laundromat”
- She knew the rules extremely well.Correct answer
- She often fell asleep at work.
- She dreamed about the laundromat.
- She did not understand the rules.
Why “She knew the rules extremely well.” is correct
This item tests an everyday expression. Saying you could do something "in your sleep" means you know it so well that you do not need to think. The sentence explains why: she "explained the same rules so many times."
Why the other answers are wrong
- She often fell asleep at work. — This reads the expression literally.
- She dreamed about the laundromat. — The phrase is about knowing something well, not about dreams.
- She did not understand the rules. — This is the opposite of the meaning.
36. According to paragraph 3, how did customers help the author learn English?
From “Homework at the Laundromat”
- They gave her books to read.
- They helped her with math homework.
- They paid for her to take English classes.
- They talked with her while they waited.Correct answer
Why “They talked with her while they waited.” is correct
This is a detail question about the main point of a paragraph. The topic sentence says the laundromat "taught me far more English than it needed from me," and the examples show customers talking, correcting grammar, telling stories and sharing puzzles.
Why the other answers are wrong
- They gave her books to read. — Customers brought crossword puzzles and stories, not books.
- They helped her with math homework. — Math is not mentioned.
- They paid for her to take English classes. — Classes are not mentioned in paragraph 3.
37. Why does the author most likely tell new students about the laundromat?
From “Homework at the Laundromat”
- To get them to work at her parents' laundromat
- To explain why she was embarrassed as a teen
- To show that language is learned in many placesCorrect answer
- To teach them how to do laundry
Why “To show that language is learned in many places” is correct
This question asks about the author's purpose. Right before telling the story, she says "a classroom is only one place to learn a language." The memoir is her proof, so the story encourages newcomers to learn from everyday life.
Why the other answers are wrong
- To get them to work at her parents' laundromat — Nothing suggests the laundromat is hiring.
- To explain why she was embarrassed as a teen — Her embarrassment is part of the story, not the reason she tells it.
- To teach them how to do laundry — Laundry is the setting, not the lesson.
Writing
38. Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. My grandparents moved to Texas [on] 1998, and they still live in the same house. Which word should replace the underlined word?
- at
- inCorrect answer
- onto
- since
Why “in” is correct
This tests prepositions of time. English uses "in" for years, months and seasons, "on" for days and dates, and "at" for clock times. Many languages use a single word for all three, so these are a frequent error for English learners.
Why the other answers are wrong
- at — "At" is used with clock times, as in "at 3:00," not with years.
- onto — "Onto" shows movement to a surface, as in "onto the table."
- since — "Since" needs a present perfect verb, as in "have lived here since 1998," not "moved."
39. Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. The twins said [there] going to the library after school. Which word should replace the underlined word?
- their
- theirs
- they'reCorrect answer
- there's
Why “they're” is correct
This tests homophones, words that sound the same but are spelled differently. The sentence needs "they are going," and the short form of "they are" is "they're." Spell-checkers often miss this error because "there" is a real word.
Why the other answers are wrong
- their — "Their" shows ownership, as in "their books."
- theirs — "Theirs" is a pronoun that shows ownership, as in "the books are theirs."
- there's — "There's" means "there is," and "there is going" does not make sense here.
40. Which sentence is written correctly?
- The storm knocked out the power, we read by flashlight.
- The storm knocked out the power we read by flashlight.
- The storm knocked out the power, so, we read by flashlight.
- The storm knocked out the power, so we read by flashlight.Correct answer
Why “The storm knocked out the power, so we read by flashlight.” is correct
This tests how to join two complete sentences. One correct way is a comma plus a joining word such as and, but or so. Run-ons and comma splices are among the most common errors in student writing.
Why the other answers are wrong
- The storm knocked out the power, we read by flashlight. — Two complete sentences joined by only a comma make a comma splice.
- The storm knocked out the power we read by flashlight. — Two complete sentences with nothing between them make a run-on.
- The storm knocked out the power, so, we read by flashlight. — No comma is needed after "so" here.
41. Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. The [girls] soccer team practices on the field behind the gym. Which word should replace the underlined word?
- girls'Correct answer
- girl's
- girls's
- girl
Why “girls'” is correct
This tests possessive nouns. The team belongs to many girls, so the plural "girls" gets an apostrophe after the s: girls'. Where the apostrophe goes tells the reader whether one person or many people own something.
Why the other answers are wrong
- girl's — This shows one girl owns something, but the team has many girls.
- girls's — A plural noun that already ends in -s takes only an apostrophe.
- girl — "The girl soccer team" is not the standard way to name the team.
42. Maya sings beautiful, and everyone in the choir listens when she starts. Which word is used incorrectly?
- sings
- beautifulCorrect answer
- everyone
- listens
Why “beautiful” is correct
This tests adjectives and adverbs. The word describes how Maya sings, which is an action, so it needs the adverb "beautifully." Many English learners use the adjective form because both words share the same root.
Why the other answers are wrong
- sings — "Sings" is the correct verb form for "Maya."
- everyone — "Everyone" is the correct word for all the people in the choir.
- listens — "Listens" agrees with "everyone," which is singular.
43. Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. When the alarm rang, Luis [grabs] his backpack and ran outside. Which word should replace the underlined word?
- grabbing
- grab
- grabbedCorrect answer
- has grabbed
Why “grabbed” is correct
This tests keeping verb tenses consistent. "Rang" and "ran" are past tense, so the middle verb must be past tense, too. When grab becomes grabbed, the b doubles, a spelling rule for short verbs.
Why the other answers are wrong
- grabbing — "Grabbing" needs a helping verb, as in "was grabbing."
- grab — "Grab" is present tense, but the other verbs are in the past.
- has grabbed — "Has grabbed" does not match "rang" and "ran," which tell about a finished past event.
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.