What does the word careless 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 question.
The Homework
Adrian was careless with his homework last night. He left it on the kitchen floor next to his backpack instead of putting it inside. In the morning, he found that his puppy had chewed one corner of the paper.
The question
Choose the best answer.
What does the word careless mean?
- Very careful
- Careful again
- Not carefulCorrect answer
- Full of care
Why “Not careful” is correct
This tests a word ending. The ending -less means without, so careless means without care, or not careful. The story supports it: Adrian left his homework on the floor, and the puppy chewed it.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Very careful — This is the opposite; the ending -less means without.
- Careful again — Again is the meaning of the prefix re-, not the ending -less.
- Full of care — Full of is the meaning of the ending -ful, as in careful.
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.