ELPAC Practice

ELPAC listening practice questions for grade 2

Short spoken passages played as recorded audio, with a transcript available, followed by questions.

These 22 questions are grouped by task type, one group at a time. Answer a question to see whether it was right and why. Nothing is timed and nothing is recorded.

Set 1 of 4. 0 of 22 questions answered.

Listen to a Short Exchange

A two-turn exchange between two speakers, followed by a question about it.

Listen to Dev talk to his teacher, Ms. Ortiz. Then answer the question.

The Book Report

Listen to The Book Report0:21

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Show transcript

Ms. Ortiz: Dev, your book report is due on Thursday. How far have you gotten?

Dev: I read the whole book, but I haven't written anything yet.

Ms. Ortiz: Start with the part you liked best. Write three sentences about it tonight.

Dev: Okay. Can I show them to you in the morning?

Ms. Ortiz: Yes. Come by before the bell.

Question 1 of 5

Choose the best answer.

What does Ms. Ortiz tell Dev to do tonight?

Listen to Anya talk to her teacher, Mr. Vega. Then answer the question.

The Wet Poster

Listen to The Wet Poster0:21

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Anya: Mr. Vega, the paint on my poster is still wet. May I leave it here?

Mr. Vega: The tables get wiped down after school. Put it on the counter by the sink instead.

Anya: Will it be dry by tomorrow morning?

Mr. Vega: It should be. Thick paint takes longer, so leave it flat, not standing up.

Question 2 of 5

Choose the best answer.

Why does Mr. Vega tell Anya to put the poster on the counter?

Listen to Kai and Nadia talk at school. Then answer the question.

The Book Fair

Listen to The Book Fair0:20

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Kai: Nadia, are you going to the book fair at lunch?

Nadia: I want to, but I only brought enough money for one book.

Kai: The library has a free table this year. The books on it are used, but you can take one home.

Nadia: Then I'll buy the new one and take a free one too.

Question 3 of 5

Choose the best answer.

What will Nadia do at the book fair?

Listen to Grant talk to his teacher, Ms. Ortiz. Then answer the question.

Finished Early

Listen to Finished Early0:18

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Grant: Ms. Ortiz, I finished my math page early. What should I do now?

Ms. Ortiz: You can read a book from the class library, or you can help Kai with the number cards.

Grant: I'll help Kai. He has a lot of cards to put in order.

Question 4 of 5

Choose the best answer.

What will Grant do next?

Listen to Imani and Hector talk at school. Then answer the question.

Picture Day

Listen to Picture Day0:19

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Imani: Hector, did you hear about the class picture?

Hector: No. When is it?

Imani: Friday morning. We all have to wear our school shirts, and the picture is outside by the flagpole.

Hector: My school shirt has paint on it. I'd better ask my mom to wash it tonight.

Question 5 of 5

Choose the best answer.

Why does Hector want his mom to wash his shirt tonight?

5 questions in this set are still unanswered. You can move on without answering them.

Ready for the whole thing? Take the mixed practice test 1 for Grade 2.

Every answer, explained

Each question has its own page with the correct answer and why each other choice is wrong.

Listen to a Short Exchange

  1. What does Ms. Ortiz tell Dev to do tonight?
  2. Why does Mr. Vega tell Anya to put the poster on the counter?
  3. What will Nadia do at the book fair?
  4. What will Grant do next?
  5. Why does Hector want his mom to wash his shirt tonight?

Listen to a Classroom Conversation

  1. How tall is the tomato plant this week?
  2. What will Camila do in the plant journal?
  3. What is Jamal and Dana's poster about?
  4. Why does Jamal ask Dana to write the title?
  5. Where is Hector's permission slip now?
  6. When does Ms. Ortiz need the permission slip?

Listen to a Story

  1. Why did Zara not eat her carrot?
  2. Why did Marcus push his bread across the table?
  3. What happened the next morning?
  4. What was wrong with Luis's first tamal?
  5. Why did Grandma hold up her own first tamal?
  6. What happened when Luis tried again?

Listen to an Oral Presentation

  1. Which way does a young sunflower face in the morning?
  2. Why is it useful for a full-grown sunflower to face east every morning?
  3. What is Lucia's report mostly about?
  4. How do earthworm tunnels help plants?
  5. Why do earthworms come up onto the sidewalk after a big rain?

Read next

  • How to Prepare for the ELPAC: Effective ELPAC preparation is about steady daily language development rather than frantic test cramming. Here is a practical, domain-by-domain guide for parents and teachers.
  • ELPAC Scores Explained: A Summative ELPAC report gives an overall performance level from 1 to 4, plus separate results for oral language and written language. Here is what each part means, and what it does not mean.

This is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the California Department of Education or the official ELPAC program. All questions here are original practice material written to match the published task formats.