Which word should replace the underlined word? “My grandparents moved to Texas [on] 1998, and they still live in the same house.”
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. My grandparents moved to Texas [on] 1998, and they still live in the same house. Which word should replace the underlined word?
- at
- inCorrect answer
- onto
- since
Why “in” is correct
This tests prepositions of time. English uses "in" for years, months and seasons, "on" for days and dates, and "at" for clock times. Many languages use a single word for all three, so these are a frequent error for English learners.
Why the other answers are wrong
- at — "At" is used with clock times, as in "at 3:00," not with years.
- onto — "Onto" shows movement to a surface, as in "onto the table."
- since — "Since" needs a present perfect verb, as in "have lived here since 1998," not "moved."
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.