Which thing do the directions describe?
Understand Spoken Words and Language Structures · TELPAS Grades 4–5 listening. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
Reporting category 1: follow spoken directions and understand words and phrases as they are used in speech. On the real test some of these ask the student to click on a picture.
Listen to the directions. Then answer the question.
Something Cold
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Choose something that is cold and smooth, and that turns into water if you hold it in your hand for a while.
The question
Choose the best answer.
Which thing do the directions describe?
- a glass marble
- a wool mitten
- an ice cubeCorrect answer
- a smooth river rock
Why “an ice cube” is correct
This tests whether a student can put together several describing words to find the one thing that fits all of them. Cold and smooth fit three of the choices, so the student has to keep listening to the last clue: only ice turns into water in a warm hand. Students who stop after the first two words often pick the marble or the rock.
Why the other answers are wrong
- a glass marble — A marble can be cold and smooth, but it does not turn into water when you hold it.
- a wool mitten — A wool mitten is warm and fuzzy, not cold and smooth.
- a smooth river rock — A river rock can be cold and smooth, but holding it will never turn it into water.
Practice more of this
More listening practice for Grades 4–5, or see the TELPAS practice test for 4th and 5th 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.