Unless it stops raining by noon, the soccer game will be moved to the gym. What does this sentence mean?

Understand Words and Language Structures · TELPAS Grades 6–7 reading. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.

Reporting category 1: work out what words and phrases mean from context, and understand how sentences and word forms work.

The question

Read the sentence. Then answer the question.

Unless it stops raining by noon, the soccer game will be moved to the gym. What does this sentence mean?

• AThe game will be in the gym only if it stops raining.
• BThe game will be played outside no matter what.
• CThe game will be canceled if it rains at noon.
• DIf it is still raining at noon, the game will be inside.Correct answer

Why “If it is still raining at noon, the game will be inside.” is correct

This tests a sentence that begins with "unless," which means "if not." The sentence says that if the rain does not stop by noon, the game moves inside. English learners often read "unless" as "if" and reverse the meaning, which is the trap in one wrong choice.

Why the other answers are wrong

• The game will be in the gym only if it stops raining. — This reverses the meaning of "unless."
• The game will be played outside no matter what. — The sentence says the game may be moved to the gym.
• The game will be canceled if it rains at noon. — The game is moved, not canceled.

Practice more of this

More reading practice for Grades 6–7, or see the TELPAS practice test for 6th and 7th grade.