In paragraph 1, what are bonnets?
Understand Words and Language Structures · TELPAS Grade 3 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 passage. Then answer the questions.
Bluebonnets
The bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas. It got its name because its petals are shaped a little like bonnets, or sun hats, that women wore long ago.
Bluebonnets are mostly blue with a white tip at the top. In early spring, they cover fields and the sides of roads in many parts of Texas. Some families drive out to see them and take pictures of their children sitting in the flowers.
A bluebonnet’s life starts in the fall. The seed sprouts after the fall rains, and the small plant stays close to the ground all winter. When the weather warms up in spring, the plant grows taller and blooms. Later, it makes seeds inside pods. The pods dry out and pop open, and the seeds fall to the ground. There they wait for the next fall.
The question
Choose the best answer.
In paragraph 1, what are bonnets?
- HatsCorrect answer
- Petals
- Fields
- Seeds
Why “Hats” is correct
This question tests using a context clue inside the sentence. The words “or sun hats” right after bonnets tell the reader what the word means. Point out to the student that “or” followed by commas often introduces a definition.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Petals — The petals are shaped like bonnets; they are not bonnets themselves.
- Fields — Fields are where bluebonnets grow, in paragraph 2.
- Seeds — Seeds are part of the life cycle in paragraph 3, not the meaning of bonnets.
Practice more of this
More reading 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.