Which words should replace the underlined words? “I [no like] spicy food.”
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 words have an error. I [no like] spicy food. Which words should replace the underlined words?
- not like
- don't likeCorrect answer
- doesn't like
- no likes
Why “don't like” is correct
In English, most "not" sentences need a helping word: "I do not like" or "I don't like." Many languages make a verb negative with one word, like no, so "I no like" is one of the most common errors English learners make. Doesn't is used with he, she and it, not with I.
Why the other answers are wrong
- not like — "I not like" is missing the helping word do.
- doesn't like — Doesn't is used with he, she or it, as in "She doesn't like." With I, use don't.
- no likes — No cannot make a verb negative in English, and likes does not go with I.
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.