Which word has the error?
Use Standard Grammar, Usage, and Spelling to Edit · TELPAS Grades 4–5 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. One word in the sentence has an error. The students put there backpacks in the cubbies before class. Which word has the error?
- thereCorrect answer
- students
- put
- cubbies
Why “there” is correct
This is like the first part of a two-part item on the real test: find the error. "There" means a place; the word that shows the backpacks belong to the students is "their." These two words sound the same, which is why the error is common even for native speakers.
Why the other answers are wrong
- students — "Students" is the correct plural subject.
- put — "Put" is correct; its past tense is the same as its present tense.
- cubbies — "Cubbies" is the correct plural of "cubby."
Practice more of this
More writing 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.