What does this sentence mean?
Understand Words and Language Structures · TELPAS Grade 2 reading. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
Reporting category 1: work out what words and phrases mean from context, and understand how sentences and word forms work.
Read the story. Then answer the questions.
Jacob's Big Line
Jacob had one line in the class play. He had to say, "The sun is waking up!"
But every time he thought about the play, his tummy felt full of butterflies.
At home, Jacob practiced his line for his cat, Miso. He said it again and again, until he could say it without thinking.
On the day of the play, Jacob stood up tall. He said his line loud and clear, and everyone clapped.
The question
Choose the best answer.
Read this sentence from the story. But every time he thought about the play, his tummy felt full of butterflies. What does this sentence mean?
- Jacob was hungry.
- Jacob ate something bad.
- Jacob felt nervous.Correct answer
- Jacob liked butterflies.
Why “Jacob felt nervous.” is correct
"Butterflies in your tummy" is an expression for the jumpy feeling you get when you are nervous. There are no real butterflies. The word "But" is a clue that something is wrong, and the story goes on to show Jacob practicing so he will be ready.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Jacob was hungry. — The feeling is in his tummy, but it is not hunger. It comes when he thinks about the play.
- Jacob ate something bad. — Jacob does not eat anything in the story.
- Jacob liked butterflies. — This takes the words literally. There are no butterflies in the story.
Practice more of this
More reading practice for Grade 2, or see the TELPAS practice test for 2nd 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.