How will the boys do the work with only one mower?
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.
The Lawn Business
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Sebastian: So are we really doing this? A lawn mowing business for the summer?
Jordan: I already have three neighbors who said yes. Mrs. Phillips wants us every week, and the other two want us every other week.
Sebastian: We only have one mower, though. My dad's.
Jordan: That's fine for now. One of us mows, and the other one trims the edges and bags the grass. We'll finish faster that way anyway.
Sebastian: What are we charging? My cousin charges forty dollars a yard.
Jordan: He also has a truck and a trailer full of equipment. Let's start at twenty-five and see how it goes.
Sebastian: Okay. But we put the gas money aside before we split anything. My dad said if we use his mower, we buy the gas.
The question
Choose the best answer.
How will the boys do the work with only one mower?
- They will take turns on different days.
- They will borrow the cousin's mower.
- They will buy a second mower.
- One mows while the other trims and bags.Correct answer
Why “One mows while the other trims and bags.” is correct
This detail question asks how a problem is solved. Jordan says, "One of us mows, and the other one trims the edges and bags the grass." Words like trim and bag may be new to English learners in this setting.
Why the other answers are wrong
- They will take turns on different days. — They plan to work together, splitting the jobs.
- They will borrow the cousin's mower. — The cousin is mentioned only when they talk about price.
- They will buy a second mower. — Jordan says one mower "is fine for now."
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.