Which word should replace the underlined word? “The firefighter spoke [calm] to the frightened children.”
Use Standard Grammar, Usage, and Spelling to Edit · TELPAS Grades 8–9 writing. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
Reporting category 2: find and fix an error in a short text. On the real test some of these are typed answers or sentence rewrites. Here they are multiple choice so they can be checked.
The question
Read the sentence. Then choose the best answer.
Read the sentence. The underlined word has an error. The firefighter spoke [calm] to the frightened children. Which word should replace the underlined word?
- calmer
- calmness
- calming
- calmlyCorrect answer
Why “calmly” is correct
This tests adjectives and adverbs. The word describes how the firefighter spoke, which is an action, so it needs the adverb "calmly." Adjectives such as "calm" describe nouns, as in "a calm voice."
Why the other answers are wrong
- calmer — "Calmer" is an adjective used to compare two things.
- calmness — "Calmness" is a noun and cannot describe how someone spoke.
- calming — "Calming" describes something that makes others calm, as in "a calming voice."
Practice more of this
More writing 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.