What does a Texas horned lizard usually do first when a predator comes near?
Basic Understanding of Spoken English · TELPAS Grades 8–9 listening. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
Reporting category 2: understand the main points and important details of spoken stories and informational passages, about everyday life and school subjects.
Listen to the lesson.
The Texas Horned Lizard
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Mr. Ochoa: Today we're looking at an animal that a lot of your grandparents probably remember seeing in their backyards: the Texas horned lizard. Some people call it a horny toad, but it isn't a toad at all. It's a lizard, and it's the official state reptile of Texas.
Mr. Ochoa: Its body is flat and wide and covered in spines, with larger horns on the back of its head. Its tan, brown and gray colors help it blend in with dry, sandy ground. When a predator comes close, the lizard's first move is usually to freeze and trust its camouflage.
Mr. Ochoa: If that doesn't work, it has a surprising defense. It can squirt a stream of blood from the corners of its eyes. The blood tastes bad to predators like coyotes and dogs.
Mr. Ochoa: Now here's the part I want you to think about. Most of this lizard's diet is one thing: harvester ants. In many parts of Texas, harvester ants have disappeared, partly because of pesticides and partly because of fire ants, which were brought here from South America and push other ants out. When the ants disappeared, the lizards started disappearing, too. Today the Texas horned lizard is listed as a threatened species in the state, and it's against the law to collect one or keep one as a pet.
The question
Choose the best answer.
What does a Texas horned lizard usually do first when a predator comes near?
- It stays still so it is hard to see.Correct answer
- It squirts blood from its eyes.
- It runs into an ant nest to hide.
- It puffs up its body and makes a loud hissing noise.
Why “It stays still so it is hard to see.” is correct
This question checks the order of events in a spoken explanation. Mr. Ochoa says the lizard's "first move is usually to freeze and trust its camouflage," and only "if that doesn't work" does it squirt blood. The blood detail is more memorable, which makes it a strong distractor.
Why the other answers are wrong
- It squirts blood from its eyes. — That is what it does if staying still does not work.
- It runs into an ant nest to hide. — The lesson does not say it hides in ant nests.
- It puffs up its body and makes a loud hissing noise. — This is not mentioned in the lesson.
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.