TELPAS Practice

Abuela says to spread the masa “thin, like butter on toast.” What does she mean?

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.

Tamale Day

Every December, Daniela’s family makes tamales at her abuela’s house. This year, Daniela was finally old enough to help.

Abuela showed her how to spread the masa on a corn husk. “Not too thick,” Abuela said. “Thin, like butter on toast.” Daniela’s first one was lumpy, and the masa slid off the side. Her cousin Mateo laughed, but Abuela just handed her another husk.

Daniela tried again. She went slowly and pressed the masa flat with the back of a spoon. Her uncle added the meat, and her mom folded each tamal and stood it up in the big pot.

By evening, the whole kitchen smelled like corn and chile. Daniela counted the tamales she had helped make. There were thirty-two. “Next year,” she said, “I want to learn how to fold them, too.”

The question

Choose the best answer.

Abuela says to spread the masa “thin, like butter on toast.” What does she mean?

  • Spread a thin, flat layer.Correct answer
  • Put butter on the masa.
  • Cook the tamales in a toaster.
  • Make the tamales taste sweet.

Why “Spread a thin, flat layer.” is correct

This tests understanding a comparison. Abuela compares the masa to butter on toast because both are spread in a thin, even layer. The words “Not too thick” just before it are a strong clue.

Why the other answers are wrong

  • Put butter on the masa. — There is no butter in the tamales; the butter is only part of the comparison.
  • Cook the tamales in a toaster. — The tamales stand in a big pot; no toaster is used.
  • Make the tamales taste sweet. — The comparison is about how thick to spread it, not how it tastes.

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.