In paragraph 1, the sun “seems to come up in the east.” What does seems 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.
Day and Night
Every morning, the sun seems to come up in the east. Every evening, it seems to go down in the west. But the sun is not really moving across the sky. It only looks that way because Earth is moving.
Earth is always spinning, like a top. It takes about one day to make one full turn.
As Earth spins, one side of it faces the sun. That side gets sunlight, so it is daytime there. The other side faces away from the sun. That side is dark, so it is nighttime there.
Each morning, the place where you live turns toward the sun again, and a new day begins.
The question
Choose the best answer.
In paragraph 1, the sun “seems to come up in the east.” What does seems mean?
- Really does every day
- Looks like it doesCorrect answer
- Never does
- Wants to
Why “Looks like it does” is correct
This tests a word that shows something only appears to be true. The passage says the sun seems to rise, “But the sun is not really moving,” and “It only looks that way.” Those sentences explain seems for the reader.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Really does every day — The passage says the sun is not really moving, so seems cannot mean really does.
- Never does — The sun does appear to come up every morning.
- Wants to — The sun cannot want anything.
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.