What solution does Alejandro suggest?
Basic Understanding of a Variety of Texts · TELPAS Grades 6–7 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 to the Editor: Keep the Rosewood Pool Open
To the Editor:
I am a seventh grader at Garza Middle School, and I am writing about the city's plan to close the Rosewood public pool at the end of July instead of in late August. The city says this will save money because fewer people swim once school starts.
I understand that the city has to save money. However, August is one of the hottest months of the year in our town. Last August, the temperature was over 100 degrees on many days. Many families in our neighborhood do not have a pool or even a strong air conditioner. For them, the Rosewood pool is the safest and cheapest way to cool off.
The pool also gives teenagers summer jobs. My older cousin worked there as a lifeguard last year and saved money for her first car. If the pool closes early, the lifeguards will lose almost a month of pay.
Instead of closing the pool, the city could keep it open only on weekends in August, when more families have time to swim. This would cost less than staying open every day, but it would still help the people who need the pool most.
Sincerely,
Alejandro Torres
The question
Choose the best answer.
What solution does Alejandro suggest?
- Opening the pool only on weekends in AugustCorrect answer
- Building a new pool near Garza Middle School
- Hiring fewer lifeguards during July
- Raising the price to swim at the pool
Why “Opening the pool only on weekends in August” is correct
This tests finding a key detail. Paragraph 5 begins "Instead of closing the pool," which signals the writer's suggestion: keep it open only on weekends in August. Teaching students to notice signal phrases like "instead of" helps with this kind of question.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Building a new pool near Garza Middle School — A new pool would cost more money, and it is never mentioned.
- Hiring fewer lifeguards during July — He is worried about lifeguards losing pay, not about hiring fewer.
- Raising the price to swim at the pool — Alejandro wants the pool to stay cheap for families, so he would not suggest this.
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.