What does Camila mean when she says, "Let’s not jump the gun"?
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 conversation between two students. Then answer the questions.
Planning a Science Project
Press play to listen. You can pause, rewind, and replay as often as you like.
Show transcript
Camila: Danny, our science project is due in two weeks. Did you think about what we should test?
Danny: I did. What if we test which kind of cup stops ice from melting the longest? We could try a paper cup, a plastic cup, and a foam cup.
Camila: I like that. We can put the same number of ice cubes in each cup and check them every ten minutes.
Danny: My brother says the foam cup will win for sure. He thinks we should just write that down as our answer right now.
Camila: Let's not jump the gun. We have to do the test first. Then we will know what really happens.
Danny: You're right. I'll bring the cups on Monday, and you can bring a timer.
Camila: Deal. And let's keep all three cups on the same table, so one of them isn't sitting in the sun while the others are in the shade.
The question
Choose the best answer.
What does Camila mean when she says, "Let’s not jump the gun"?
- Let’s not decide before we know the facts.Correct answer
- Let’s not start the project without a timer.
- Let’s not ask your brother to help us.
- Let’s not pick a question that is too hard.
Why “Let’s not decide before we know the facts.” is correct
This tests an idiom used in speech. "Jump the gun" means to do something too soon, before the right time. The clue is what Camila says next: "We have to do the test first. Then we will know what really happens." She is answering Danny’s brother, who wants to write down the answer before testing.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Let’s not start the project without a timer. — She does ask for a timer, but later, and it is not what the phrase means.
- Let’s not ask your brother to help us. — She does not tell Danny to leave his brother out; she only disagrees with writing down an answer early.
- Let’s not pick a question that is too hard. — She likes their question. The phrase is about the answer, not the question.
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.