Which word should replace the underlined word? “Sam lost [he] backpack at the park.”
Use Standard Grammar, Usage, and Spelling to Edit · TELPAS Grade 2 writing. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
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.
The question
Choose the best answer.
Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. Sam lost [he] backpack at the park. Which word should replace the underlined word?
- him
- he's
- hims
- hisCorrect answer
Why “his” is correct
To show that something belongs to a boy or man, use his: "his backpack." He is used as the subject of a sentence, as in "He lost it." Some languages use the same word for he and his, so English learners often mix them up.
Why the other answers are wrong
- him — Him is used after a verb, as in "I saw him." It does not show that something belongs to someone.
- he's — He's is a short way to write "he is." "Sam lost he is backpack" does not make sense.
- hims — Hims is not a word.
Practice more of this
More writing 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.