TExES 901 Writing Conventions and Written Communication

Competencies 007–008 of the Core Subjects EC–6: English Language Arts and Reading (901). The competencies TEA lists, how they are tested and practice questions with explanations.

Take a full timed TExES 901 practice test

45 questions on the real 70-minute clock, with a score by competency group and an explanation for every answer.

Or start the free Writing Conventions and Written Communication drill

What the TEA framework lists

  • Competency 007, writing conventions: stages of spelling development, handwriting, grammar, capitalization and punctuation
  • Competency 008, written communication: the writing process, audience and purpose, technology, citation and plagiarism

Summarized from the TExES Core Subjects EC–6 (391) preparation manual, Section 3: exam framework, Competencies 007–008. The grouping of competencies into drill sets is ours.

Line drawing of a lined notebook, a pencil with a grip, an eraser, a sharpener and a folder of drafts

How Writing Conventions and Written Communication is tested

Many questions show a student’s spelling or a draft and ask what it reveals or what to teach next. Know the developmental spelling stages and what each step of the writing process is for. TEA lists the competencies without weights, so our practice test spreads its questions evenly across them.

Start the free Writing Conventions and Written Communication drill

TExES 901 Writing Conventions and Written Communication practice questions

Answer each question, then open the explanation.

Question 1

A fourth-grade class is writing letters to the city council asking for a new crosswalk. Which consideration matters most for the writers?

  1. A.Writing at least three pages so the letter seems important
  2. B.Including jokes so that council members enjoy reading it
  3. C.Using as many vocabulary words from the unit as possible
  4. D.Choosing a formal tone and persuasive reasons that suit the audience
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D: Choosing a formal tone and persuasive reasons that suit the audience

Effective writers adjust tone, structure and content to their purpose and audience. A persuasive letter to officials needs a formal tone and clear reasons.

Question 2

Which sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error?

  1. A.My brother and I are going to the store.
  2. B.The box of crayons is on the table.
  3. C.Each of the dogs has a collar.
  4. D.The students in the class is ready for recess.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D: The students in the class is ready for recess.

The plural subject students requires the plural verb are. In "The box of crayons is," the subject box is singular, so is is correct.

Question 3

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

  1. A.My dog, barked at the mail carrier this morning.
  2. B.We went to the lake, it was sunny and warm.
  3. C.After the game, we ate pizza at the park.
  4. D.She bought eggs milk, and bread at the store.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C: After the game, we ate pizza at the park.

A comma follows an introductory phrase such as "After the game." A comma should not separate a subject from its verb, items in a series need commas between all of them, and two complete sentences cannot be joined by a comma alone (a comma splice).

Question 4

A teacher conferences with a student about a draft. Which feedback is most likely to improve the writing?

  1. A."Your opening grabs attention. Add a detail showing how you felt at the lake."
  2. B."This is great! Keep up the good work and turn it in."
  3. C."Your story is shorter than most of your classmates’ stories, so try to make it at least two pages long."
  4. D."Fix all your mistakes and rewrite the whole thing neatly."
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A: "Your opening grabs attention. Add a detail showing how you felt at the lake."

Specific praise and one clear, actionable suggestion help a writer revise. General praise, vague directions or comparisons to peers do not guide improvement.

Take the full test under the real clock

Take a full timed TExES 901 practice test

45 questions on the real 70-minute clock, with a score by competency group and an explanation for every answer.

Or start the free Writing Conventions and Written Communication drill

Common questions

How many Writing Conventions and Written Communication questions are on the TExES 901?

TEA lists the competencies of the TExES 901 without weights or question counts. Our 45-question practice test spreads its questions evenly across the competencies, which gives Writing Conventions and Written Communication 9 questions.

What does Writing Conventions and Written Communication cover on the TExES 901?

Competency 007, writing conventions: stages of spelling development, handwriting, grammar, capitalization and punctuation; Competency 008, written communication: the writing process, audience and purpose, technology, citation and plagiarism.

How should I study Writing Conventions and Written Communication for the TExES 901?

Many questions show a student’s spelling or a draft and ask what it reveals or what to teach next. Know the developmental spelling stages and what each step of the writing process is for. TEA lists the competencies without weights, so our practice test spreads its questions evenly across them.

TExES is a trademark of the Texas Education Agency. Original independent practice questions written to the published TExES exam frameworks; not affiliated with or endorsed by the Texas Education Agency or Pearson.