Which graph matches the directions?
Understand Spoken Words and Language Structures · TELPAS Grades 10–12 listening. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
Reporting category 1: follow spoken directions and understand words and phrases as they are used in speech. On the real test some of these ask the student to click on a picture.
Listen to the directions. Then answer the question.
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Show transcript
Look at the four line graphs. Choose the graph that shows a store's sales rising slowly for several months and then falling sharply in the last month.
The question
Choose the best answer.
Which graph matches the directions?
- A line that drops steeply at the start, then climbs gradually to the end
- A line that climbs steeply at the start, then stays flat to the end
- A line that stays flat for several months, then climbs steeply at the end
- A line that rises gradually for months, then drops steeply at the endCorrect answer
Why “A line that rises gradually for months, then drops steeply at the end” is correct
This tests understanding of spoken descriptions of change: 'rising slowly' and 'falling sharply', and the order signaled by 'and then'. On the real test the student would click on a picture of the graph. Students who catch the key words but not the order often choose the reversed graph.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A line that drops steeply at the start, then climbs gradually to the end — This has the same two movements in the wrong order; the directions put the rise first.
- A line that climbs steeply at the start, then stays flat to the end — The directions describe a slow rise and a sharp fall, not a sharp rise and no change.
- A line that stays flat for several months, then climbs steeply at the end — This shows no slow rise and ends going up instead of falling sharply.
Practice more of this
More listening practice for Grades 10–12, or see the TELPAS practice test for 10th–12th grade.
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.