Based on the passage, which statement is most likely true? (The Texas Horned Lizard)
Analyze and Evaluate Information and Ideas · TELPAS Grades 6–7 reading. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
Reporting category 3: make inferences, draw conclusions, and think about why the author wrote a text and how it is built.
Read the passage. Then answer the questions.
The Texas Horned Lizard
Many Texans call it a "horny toad," but the Texas horned lizard is not a toad at all. It is a lizard, and it is the official state reptile of Texas.
The horned lizard has a wide, flat body covered with spiny scales. Large horns stick out from the back of its head. Its brown, spotted colors help it blend in with dirt and dry grass, so when it stays still, it can be very hard to see.
Its main food is the harvester ant, a large red ant that builds its nests in open, sandy, or rocky ground. A single lizard can eat a large number of these ants in one day.
Hiding is the lizard's first defense, but it has others. It can puff up its body so that it looks bigger and is harder to swallow. If a coyote or a dog attacks, the lizard can do something surprising: it squirts a stream of blood from the corners of its eyes. The blood has a taste these animals dislike, so they often drop the lizard and leave it alone.
Texas horned lizards were once common across much of the state, but today they have disappeared from many areas, especially in the eastern half of Texas. Scientists believe several causes worked together. Land where the lizards lived was turned into roads, houses, and farms. Pesticides and invasive fire ants reduced the number of harvester ants the lizards depend on for food. Because of this decline, the Texas horned lizard is now a protected species in Texas, and it is against the law to collect one or keep one as a pet.
The question
Choose the best answer.
Based on the passage, which statement is most likely true?
- Fire ants are the horned lizard's favorite food in eastern Texas.
- Protecting harvester ants could help horned lizards survive.Correct answer
- Coyotes enjoy the taste of horned lizard blood.
- Horned lizards would do well in busy cities.
Why “Protecting harvester ants could help horned lizards survive.” is correct
This is an inference question. The passage explains that harvester ants are the lizard's main food and that fewer harvester ants helped cause the lizards to decline. A student who connects those two facts can conclude that keeping harvester ants healthy would help the lizards.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Fire ants are the horned lizard's favorite food in eastern Texas. — Fire ants reduced the number of harvester ants, which are the lizard's main food.
- Coyotes enjoy the taste of horned lizard blood. — The passage says these animals dislike the taste and often drop the lizard.
- Horned lizards would do well in busy cities. — The passage says turning land into roads and houses helped cause the decline.
Practice more of this
More reading practice for Grades 6–7, or see the TELPAS practice test for 6th and 7th 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.