Based on the teacher's comments, what problem did many first drafts have?
Analyze and Evaluate Information in Spoken English · TELPAS Grades 10–12 listening. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
Reporting category 3: make inferences from what was said, and work out a speaker's purpose, opinion, or what will happen next.
Listen to the teacher. Then answer the questions.
A Teacher's Reminder
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Mr. Wilson: Before you leave, a quick note about your research papers. I've returned your first drafts with comments. You'll have until next Thursday to revise.
Mr. Wilson: A lot of you wrote strong introductions but then summarized your sources instead of using them to support your own argument. That's the main thing to work on. Every paragraph should start with your idea, and then the source should back it up.
Mr. Wilson: If you want to talk through your draft, I'm in this room every day after school this week except Wednesday. And remember: turn in the first draft with the comments stapled behind your revision, so I can see what you changed.
The question
Choose the best answer.
Based on the teacher's comments, what problem did many first drafts have?
- They summarized sources instead of making an argument.Correct answer
- They did not include enough sources to support the argument.
- They had weak introductions that did not explain the topic.
- They were turned in after the deadline for the first draft.
Why “They summarized sources instead of making an argument.” is correct
This tests understanding of academic feedback. The teacher says students 'summarized your sources instead of using them to support your own argument'. The correct answer restates this in different words, which is what students must recognize.
Why the other answers are wrong
- They did not include enough sources to support the argument. — He does not say they had too few sources; he says they used them in the wrong way.
- They had weak introductions that did not explain the topic. — He says many students wrote 'strong introductions'.
- They were turned in after the deadline for the first draft. — He does not mention late work.
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.