TELPAS Practice

What does Rachel want the Parks Department to do?

Basic Understanding of a Variety of Texts · TELPAS Grades 4–5 reading. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.

Reporting category 2: find the main idea and key details, and follow what happens in stories and informational texts.

Read the letter. Then answer the questions.

Letter: A Water Fountain for the Park

Dear Parks Department,

My name is Rachel Harris, and I am in fourth grade at Pine Creek Elementary. I am writing to ask you to put a water fountain in Westside Park.

My friends and I play soccer at Westside Park almost every afternoon. In the summer, it is often more than 95 degrees outside. The closest place to get water is a store three blocks away. Last week, my little brother got so hot and thirsty that we had to stop our game and walk him home.

A water fountain would help everyone who uses the park, not just kids. Every day I see people walking their dogs, grandparents taking walks, and families having picnics. Some fountains even have a small bowl at the bottom for dogs.

I know a water fountain costs money. My class would be glad to hold a car wash to help pay for it.

Thank you for reading my letter. I hope you will think about my idea.

Sincerely, Amira Harris

The question

Choose the best answer.

What does Rachel want the Parks Department to do?

  • build a new soccer field
  • put a water fountain in Westside ParkCorrect answer
  • open a store near the park
  • plant more shade trees

Why “put a water fountain in Westside Park” is correct

The main request in a letter is often in the first paragraph. Rachel writes, "I am writing to ask you to put a water fountain in Westside Park." The rest of the letter gives reasons. Spotting the sentence that begins "I am writing to ask" is a useful skill for reading letters and emails.

Why the other answers are wrong

  • build a new soccer field — Rachel already plays soccer at the park; she wants water there.
  • open a store near the park — A store is mentioned only as the closest place to get water now.
  • plant more shade trees — Trees are never mentioned.

Practice more of this

More reading 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.