Why does the shelter have volunteers read out loud to the cats?
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 conversation.
Volunteering at the Shelter
Press play to listen. You can pause, rewind, and replay as often as you like.
Show transcript
Sara: Ms. Castillo, I want to do my service hours at the animal shelter, but their website says volunteers have to be sixteen. I'm only fourteen.
Ms. Castillo: That's true for most of their jobs, like walking the dogs. But they also have a program for younger teens on Saturday mornings. You'd be cleaning kennels, folding towels and reading out loud to the cats.
Sara: Reading to cats? Why?
Ms. Castillo: Shy cats get used to people's voices that way, so they're calmer when families come to meet them. The only catch is that a parent or guardian has to sign up with you and stay the whole time.
Sara: My dad works on Saturdays. But my sister is nineteen. Does she count?
Ms. Castillo: Only a parent or guardian counts. Talk to your family tonight. If your mom can come with you, I'll sign your service form as soon as you finish your hours.
The question
Choose the best answer.
Why does the shelter have volunteers read out loud to the cats?
- It teaches the cats to come when called.
- It helps young volunteers practice reading.
- It helps shy cats get used to voices.Correct answer
- It keeps the cats from being lonely at night.
Why “It helps shy cats get used to voices.” is correct
This is a detail question that answers Sara's own question, "Why?" Ms. Castillo explains that shy cats "get used to people's voices that way, so they're calmer when families come to meet them."
Why the other answers are wrong
- It teaches the cats to come when called. — Ms. Castillo does not say anything about training.
- It helps young volunteers practice reading. — The reading is for the cats, not for the volunteers.
- It keeps the cats from being lonely at night. — Volunteers come on Saturday mornings, and nights are not mentioned.
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.