Which word best completes the blank in the paragraph? By spring, he could run three miles, and his coach…
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 Mile
The first time Isaac tried to run a mile without stopping, he made it only halfway. He kept training every morning before school, even when it was cold. On some mornings his legs ached so much that he had to walk the last few blocks home. By spring, he could run three miles, and his coach praised his ________.
The question
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
Which word best completes the blank in the paragraph? By spring, he could run three miles, and his coach praised his ________.
- determined
- determine
- determinationCorrect answer
- determinedly
Why “determination” is correct
This tests word forms. A word after "his" that is the thing being praised must be a noun, and -tion is a common noun ending. All four choices share the same root, so students must decide which form fits the sentence.
Why the other answers are wrong
- determined — This is an adjective. After "his," the sentence needs a noun.
- determine — This is a verb and does not fit after "his."
- determinedly — This is an adverb. It describes how something is done, not what the coach praised.
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.