What does Adrian mean when he says he is "swamped"?
Understand Spoken Words and Language Structures · TELPAS Grades 8–9 listening. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
Reporting category 1: follow spoken directions and understand words and phrases as they are used in speech. On the real test some of these ask the student to click on a picture.
Listen to the conversation.
Study Group
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Jasmine: Are you still coming to the study group at the library tonight?
Adrian: I wish I could, but I'm swamped. I have a chemistry lab report and two chapters of reading due tomorrow.
The question
Choose the best answer.
What does Adrian mean when he says he is "swamped"?
- He got caught in heavy rain.
- He is feeling sick tonight.
- He does not understand chemistry.
- He has too much work to do.Correct answer
Why “He has too much work to do.” is correct
This item tests an everyday expression. Being "swamped" means having more work than you can handle. Adrian explains it himself in the next sentence by listing a lab report and two chapters due tomorrow.
Why the other answers are wrong
- He got caught in heavy rain. — "Swamped" sounds like water, but here it is an expression about being busy.
- He is feeling sick tonight. — He gives schoolwork, not illness, as the reason.
- He does not understand chemistry. — He mentions chemistry as one of his tasks, not as something he finds hard.
Practice more of this
More listening practice for Grades 8–9, or see the TELPAS practice test for 8th and 9th 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.