Which word should replace the underlined word? “We packed all the books into four big [boxs].”

Use Standard Grammar, Usage, and Spelling to Edit · TELPAS Grade 3 writing. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.

Reporting category 2: find and fix an error in a short text. On the real test some of these are typed answers or sentence rewrites. Here they are multiple choice so they can be checked.

The question

Choose the best answer.

Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. We packed all the books into four big [boxs]. Which word should replace the underlined word?

• Abox
• BboxesCorrect answer
• Cboxies
• Dboxses

Why “boxes” is correct

This tests spelling of plurals. Words that end in x, s, sh or ch add -es to become plural, so box becomes boxes. Four tells us the word must be plural.

Why the other answers are wrong

• box — Box is singular, but four needs a plural.
• boxies — The -ies ending is for words that end in a consonant and y, like city to cities.
• boxses — Boxses adds an extra s that does not belong.

Practice more of this

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