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100+ Free TExES 217 ELA Reading 4-8 Practice Questions

Pass your TExES English Language Arts and Reading 4-8 (217) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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An English learner is a strong reader in her first language. Which instructional approach best leverages this strength for English reading?

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: TExES 217 ELA Reading 4-8 Exam

90 + 1

Selected-Response Plus Constructed-Response Questions

TExES 217 test page

5h / 4h45m

Appointment / Testing Time

TExES 217 test page

240

Scaled Passing Score

Texas educator testing program

$116

Computer-Administered Test Fee

TExES fees page

27%

Largest Domain Weight (Foundations of Reading)

TExES 217 exam framework

5

Domains Including the Constructed Response

TExES 217 exam framework

14

Competencies Across the Framework

TExES 217 exam framework

217

Current Test Code (Replaced 117)

TEA required and replacement test chart

For 2026 planning, the current TExES 217 framework includes 90 selected-response questions and 1 constructed-response question in a 5-hour appointment, with a 240 scaled passing score and a $116 fee. The exam weights Domain I Foundations of Reading at 27%, Domain II Text Comprehension and Analysis at 20%, Domain III Oral and Written Communication at 20%, Domain IV Educating All Learners and Professional Practice at 13%, and the Domain V constructed response at 20%. The 217 replaced the legacy 117 exam, so candidates should prepare from the current preparation manual and confirm required-test charts before registering.

Sample TExES 217 ELA Reading 4-8 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your TExES 217 ELA Reading 4-8 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A grade 4 student reads aloud accurately but in a flat, word-by-word manner with no expression. Which component of reading fluency most needs targeted instruction?
A.Prosody
B.Accuracy
C.Decoding
D.Phonemic awareness
Explanation: Fluency has three key indicators: accuracy, rate, and prosody. Because the student already decodes accurately but reads in a flat, expressionless way, the deficit is prosody—the appropriate phrasing, intonation, and expression that reflect comprehension.
2In the word 'unhappiness,' how many morphemes are present?
A.Three
B.Two
C.Four
D.One
Explanation: A morpheme is the smallest unit of meaning. 'Unhappiness' contains the prefix 'un-,' the base word 'happy/happi-,' and the suffix '-ness,' for a total of three morphemes. Morphemic analysis helps students decode and determine the meaning of multisyllabic words.
3Which activity best develops phonemic awareness rather than phonics?
A.Orally segmenting the spoken word 'cat' into /k/ /a/ /t/
B.Matching the letter 'c' to its sound
C.Reading a decodable text about cats
D.Sorting words by their spelling patterns
Explanation: Phonemic awareness is a purely oral/auditory skill—manipulating individual sounds in spoken words without reference to print. Orally segmenting 'cat' into its three phonemes is a phonemic-awareness task. Phonics, by contrast, links sounds to printed letters.
4The word 'napkin' is divided as 'nap-kin.' Which syllable-division pattern does this illustrate?
A.VCCV pattern split between two consonants
B.VCV pattern with an open first syllable
C.Consonant-le final syllable
D.Vowel-team syllable
Explanation: In a VCCV pattern, two consonants stand between two vowels, and the word is typically divided between the consonants, producing two closed syllables ('nap-kin'). Teaching syllable-division patterns helps students decode multisyllabic words accurately.
5According to the tiered model of vocabulary, the word 'photosynthesis' is best classified as which tier?
A.Tier Three: discipline-specific
B.Tier One: everyday
C.Tier Two: general academic
D.Tier Zero: high-frequency sight word
Explanation: Tier Three words are low-frequency, discipline-specific terms tied to a content area, such as 'photosynthesis' in science. Tier One words are common everyday words, and Tier Two words are general academic words that appear across many subjects.
6A grade 6 reader encounters the unfamiliar word 'benevolent' in the sentence: 'The benevolent king lowered taxes and built shelters for the poor.' Which strategy is the student using if she infers the meaning from the surrounding sentence?
A.Using context clues
B.Applying morphemic analysis
C.Decoding by analogy
D.Using a glossary
Explanation: Context clues are hints within surrounding text that help a reader infer an unfamiliar word's meaning. The king's kind actions signal that 'benevolent' means kind or generous. This is an independent word-learning strategy emphasized in vocabulary instruction.
7Which assessment most directly measures a student's oral reading fluency?
A.A timed one-minute oral reading to calculate words correct per minute
B.A multiple-choice vocabulary quiz
C.A silent reading comprehension test
D.A spelling inventory
Explanation: Oral reading fluency is commonly measured with a timed one-minute reading from which words correct per minute (WCPM) is calculated, capturing both accuracy and rate. Adding observation of expression assesses prosody. This gives a direct, repeatable fluency metric.
8A teacher provides increasingly intensive, tiered support to students who are not responding to general classroom reading instruction. This describes which framework?
A.Response to Intervention (RTI)
B.Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
C.Phonics scope and sequence
D.Running record analysis
Explanation: Response to Intervention (RTI) is a multi-tiered system that provides progressively intensive instruction and monitoring for students who do not respond to core instruction. It uses data to determine when to increase support and is central to early identification of reading difficulties.
9The alphabetic principle refers to a student's understanding that:
A.Letters and letter combinations represent the sounds of spoken language
B.Stories have a beginning, middle, and end
C.Print is read from left to right and top to bottom
D.Words can be sorted by their meanings
Explanation: The alphabetic principle is the understanding that there is a systematic, predictable relationship between written letters (graphemes) and spoken sounds (phonemes). This insight underlies decoding and is foundational to learning to read in an alphabetic language.
10Which sequence best reflects a typical research-based progression of phonological awareness skills from easiest to most advanced?
A.Rhyming, then syllable blending, then onset-rime, then phoneme manipulation
B.Phoneme manipulation, then rhyming, then syllables, then onset-rime
C.Onset-rime, then phoneme manipulation, then rhyming, then syllables
D.Syllable blending, then phoneme manipulation, then rhyming, then onset-rime
Explanation: Phonological awareness develops along a continuum from larger to smaller units: word and rhyme awareness, then syllables, then onset-rime, and finally the most advanced phoneme-level skills such as segmenting, blending, and manipulating individual sounds.

About the TExES 217 ELA Reading 4-8 Exam

TExES English Language Arts and Reading 4-8 (217) is the Texas content exam for the Grades 4-8 ELAR certificate. The current framework, which replaced the retired 117 exam, assesses foundations of reading, text comprehension and analysis, oral and written communication, professional practice for all learners, and a constructed-response instructional plan.

Questions

91 scored questions

Time Limit

5h appointment (4h 45m testing)

Passing Score

240 (scaled)

Exam Fee

$116 (Texas Educator Certification Examination Program / Pearson)

TExES 217 ELA Reading 4-8 Exam Content Outline

27%

Foundations of Reading

Foundations of teaching reading, phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, syllabication, word analysis, reading fluency (accuracy, rate, prosody), and tiered vocabulary development.

20%

Text Comprehension and Analysis

Comprehension levels and metacognitive strategies, literary genres and elements, figurative language and sound devices, and analysis of informational and argumentative texts.

20%

Oral and Written Communication

The writing process, composition and organization, conventions and grammar, inquiry and research with ethical citation, and listening and speaking.

13%

Educating All Learners and Professional Practice

Differentiation and UDL, IEP and 504 accommodations, English learner support, formal and informal assessment, Response to Intervention, and professional ethics.

20%

Constructed Response

One written response presenting a standards-aligned instructional plan, differentiation, and progress monitoring to help all students reach a specific learning goal.

How to Pass the TExES 217 ELA Reading 4-8 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 240 (scaled)
  • Exam length: 91 questions
  • Time limit: 5h appointment (4h 45m testing)
  • Exam fee: $116

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

TExES 217 ELA Reading 4-8 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the science of reading: phonological awareness continuum, phonics and syllable types, and the three fluency indicators of accuracy, rate, and prosody
2Learn the three vocabulary tiers and word-learning strategies, including morphemic analysis and context clues, since vocabulary spans foundations and comprehension
3For comprehension items, distinguish literal, inferential, evaluative, and synthesis levels and tie answers to textual evidence
4Memorize literary elements and devices (theme, mood, point of view, simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration) and common text structures
5On grammar and conventions items, watch subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement, verb tense consistency, run-ons, modifiers, and punctuation
6Plan the constructed response as a clear instructional sequence with a measurable goal, differentiation for diverse learners, and a progress-monitoring plan

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the TExES 217 ELA Reading 4-8 exam?

The current TExES 217 has 90 selected-response questions plus 1 constructed-response question. The appointment is 5 hours, with about 4 hours 45 minutes of actual testing time after the tutorial and agreement steps.

What is the passing score for the TExES 217?

You need a scaled score of 240 to pass. TExES scaled scores run from 100 to 300, so aim for consistent performance across all four selected-response domains and a strong constructed response rather than guessing a raw-score cutoff.

What are the domains on the TExES 217 exam?

Domain I Foundations of Reading is 27%, Domain II Text Comprehension and Analysis is 20%, Domain III Oral and Written Communication is 20%, Domain IV Educating All Learners and Professional Practice is 13%, and Domain V Constructed Response is 20%.

Is the TExES 217 the same as the old 117 exam?

No. The 217 is the redeveloped English Language Arts and Reading 4-8 exam that replaced the retired 117. Prepare from the current 217 preparation manual and confirm the latest Required Texas Certification Tests chart for your certificate route.

How much does the TExES 217 cost?

The current computer-administered test fee for the TExES 217 is $116. Always verify the current fee during registration because Texas educator testing fees can change.

How should I study for the TExES 217?

Prioritize Domain I Foundations of Reading because it carries the most weight, then build comprehension, writing and grammar, and professional practice. Practice scenario-based items and rehearse the constructed-response instructional plan with differentiation and progress monitoring.