TELPAS Practice

Why does Ms. Garza say yes to the book about the little shark?

Analyze and Evaluate Information in Spoken English · TELPAS Grade 3 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 conversation. Then answer the questions.

Choosing a Book

Listen to Choosing a Book0:34

Press play to listen. You can pause, rewind, and replay as often as you like.

Show transcript

Ana: Ms. Garza, can I do my book report on my book about sharks?

Ms. Garza: This report has to be about a story, Ana. A story has characters and a problem. Your shark book gives facts about real sharks.

Ana: Oh. What about the book about the little shark who is afraid of the dark ocean?

Ms. Garza: Does the little shark have a problem to solve?

Ana: Yes! He has to find his way home at night.

Ms. Garza: Then that book will work.

The question

Choose the best answer.

Why does Ms. Garza say yes to the book about the little shark?

  • It is about real sharks.
  • Ana says it is short.
  • It has a character with a problem.Correct answer
  • It has lots of pictures of the dark ocean.

Why “It has a character with a problem.” is correct

This tests understanding how a speaker reaches a decision. Ms. Garza asks whether the little shark has a problem, and Ana says he has to find his way home. Because that matches the rule for a story, Ms. Garza agrees.

Why the other answers are wrong

  • It is about real sharks. — Facts about real sharks are why the first book did not work.
  • Ana says it is short. — Ana never says the book is short.
  • It has lots of pictures of the dark ocean. — Pictures are not mentioned in the conversation.

Practice more of this

More listening practice for Grade 3, or see the TELPAS practice test for 3rd 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.