TELPAS Practice

What does it mean that Rick "swallowed his pride"?

Understand Words and Language Structures · TELPAS Grades 8–9 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.

Read the paragraph. Then answer the question.

The Slideshow

Rick had planned to make the whole slideshow for his history project by himself. By Wednesday night, he had finished only two slides, and it was due Friday. When his partner, Molly, offered to take over the maps and graphs, Rick swallowed his pride and said yes. The next morning the slideshow was finished, and Rick admitted that her graphs were better than his would have been.

The question

Choose the best answer.

What does it mean that Rick "swallowed his pride"?

  • He accepted help even though it was hard for him.Correct answer
  • He refused to admit that he needed help.
  • He felt proud of the slides he made alone.
  • He ate a snack before he went back to work on the slides.

Why “He accepted help even though it was hard for him.” is correct

This tests an idiom. To "swallow your pride" means to do something that feels embarrassing, such as asking for or accepting help, because it is the sensible thing to do. The context, Rick planning to do it all himself and then saying yes, supports the meaning.

Why the other answers are wrong

  • He refused to admit that he needed help. — He says yes to Molly's offer, so he does admit it.
  • He felt proud of the slides he made alone. — He had only finished two slides and was behind.
  • He ate a snack before he went back to work on the slides. — The phrase is an idiom; it has nothing to do with eating.

Practice more of this

More reading 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.