ELPAC listening practice questions for grades 6–8
Short spoken passages played as recorded audio, with a transcript available, followed by questions.
These 20 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 20 questions answered.
Listen to a Short Exchange
A two-turn exchange between two speakers, followed by a question about it.
Listen to the conversation between Devin and Marisol. Then answer the question.
The Lab Write-Up
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Show transcript
Devin: Marisol, did Ms. Barrera say the lab write-up is due Thursday or Friday?
Marisol: She split it. The data table is still due Thursday, but the conclusion is not due until Monday.
Devin: That helps. I have a game Thursday night, so I was worried about finishing all of it.
Marisol: Just do not wait on the data table. She told us she will not take it late, even from people with games. Turn it in Wednesday if you can.
Question 1 of 6
Choose the best answer.
What does Marisol warn Devin about?
Listen to the conversation between Grant and Hana. Then answer the question.
Volunteer Hours
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Grant: Hana, my counselor says I need twenty volunteer hours before June, and I only have nine.
Hana: The animal shelter on Third Street signs off on hours, and they take students on Saturday mornings from nine until noon.
Grant: Do I need a parent to come with me?
Hana: Not for the front desk. You do for anything in the kennels, because of the safety rules.
Grant: The front desk is fine. I mostly need somebody who will actually sign the form.
Question 2 of 6
Choose the best answer.
What does Hana say about bringing a parent to the animal shelter?
Listen to the conversation between Sofia and Mr. Okonkwo. Then answer the question.
The Missing Essay
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Sofia: Mr. Okonkwo, I turned in my essay through the portal last night, but my grade page still says missing.
Mr. Okonkwo: Let me look. It shows an upload at eleven fifty-eight, so something did arrive.
Sofia: Then why does it say missing?
Mr. Okonkwo: Because I cannot open it. You uploaded a link to a document instead of the document itself, and the link is set to private.
Sofia: So the essay is there, but nobody can read it.
Mr. Okonkwo: Exactly. Change the sharing setting, or upload it again as a PDF before the end of the day.
Question 3 of 6
Choose the best answer.
According to Mr. Okonkwo, what went wrong with Sofia's essay?
Listen to the conversation between Jamal and Mr. Okonkwo. Then answer the question.
The Make-Up Quiz
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Jamal: Mr. Okonkwo, I missed yesterday's quiz because I had a dentist appointment. Is there a way to make it up?
Mr. Okonkwo: There is. Make-up quizzes are given at lunch in this room, but you have to take it within a week of the original.
Jamal: I have a student council meeting at lunch tomorrow. Could I come the day after?
Mr. Okonkwo: That's still inside the week, so that works. Just bring the note from the dentist's office with you.
Question 4 of 6
Choose the best answer.
What will Jamal most likely do the day after tomorrow?
Listen to the conversation between Camila and Theo. Then answer the question.
Slides for the Central Valley
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Camila: Theo, I looked at the slides you made for our Central Valley project. You put the section on water first.
Theo: I figured water explains everything else, like why the farms are where they are.
Camila: That's exactly what I was going to say. I was worried you'd want to start with the crops.
Theo: Nope. Sounds like we're on the same page.
Question 5 of 6
Choose the best answer.
What does Theo mean when he says, "Sounds like we're on the same page"?
Listen to the conversation between Hector and Hana. Then answer the question.
The Science Museum
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Hector: Hana, are you still taking the bus to the science museum this weekend?
Hana: I was going to, but I found out the museum is free on the first Sunday of every month, and that's next weekend. I'd rather wait and keep the ticket money.
Hector: Good point. Would you mind if I waited and went with you?
Hana: Not at all. We can meet at the bus stop on Main Street.
Question 6 of 6
Choose the best answer.
Why does Hana decide to wait before going to the science museum?
6 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 Grades 6–8.
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
- What does Marisol warn Devin about?
- What does Hana say about bringing a parent to the animal shelter?
- According to Mr. Okonkwo, what went wrong with Sofia's essay?
- What will Jamal most likely do the day after tomorrow?
- What does Theo mean when he says, "Sounds like we're on the same page"?
- Why does Hana decide to wait before going to the science museum?
Listen to a Classroom Conversation
- What does Ms. Villanueva say is wrong with two of Theo's paragraphs?
- What does Ms. Villanueva mean when she says, 'A quotation shows what somebody else said…
- What is Theo supposed to bring to Ms. Villanueva on Thursday?
- Why does Dana think her experiment did not work?
- According to Mr. Salazar, what would make Dana lose points?
- What does Mr. Salazar tell Dana to do with her hypothesis?
Listen to an Oral Presentation
Listen to a Speaker Support an Opinion
- Why does Kayla say the school should put phones in lockers during class?
- Kayla says the office can pass a message along, but that it is slower. Why does she…
- What evidence does Imani give that the school throws away a lot of food?
- How does Imani respond when Grant says the custodians already have enough work?
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.