ELPAC listening practice questions for kindergarten

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

These 21 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 3. 0 of 21 questions answered.

Listen to a Short Exchange

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

Sit with your child. On the real test an examiner runs this one-to-one, so you take that role. Play the audio while your child listens, then read the question and all three answers aloud. Playing it a second time is fine.

The Lunch Box

Listen to The Lunch Box0:12

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Show transcript

Mia: Mr. Vega, I cannot find my lunch box.

Mr. Vega: Did you look in your backpack?

Mia: Yes. It is not there.

Mr. Vega: Then look on the blue shelf by the door.

Question 1 of 8

Read the question and the three answers aloud to your child.

Where should Mia look next?

Sit with your child. Play the audio while your child listens, then read the question and all three answers aloud. Your child never has to read anything here.

A Wet Day

Listen to A Wet Day0:12

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Show transcript

Sam: Ms. Reed, can we play outside today?

Ms. Reed: No. Look at the window. It is raining.

Sam: What can we do?

Ms. Reed: We can read books on the rug.

Question 2 of 8

Read the question and the three answers aloud to your child.

Why can the class not play outside?

Sit with your child. Play the audio while your child listens, then read the question and all three answers aloud. Playing it a second time is fine.

The Broken Pencil

Listen to The Broken Pencil0:08

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Show transcript

Luis: Ms. Okafor, my pencil broke.

Ms. Okafor: Oh no. You can get a new one from the cup on my desk.

Question 3 of 8

Read the question and the three answers aloud to your child.

Where can Luis get a new pencil?

Sit with your child. Play the audio while your child listens, then read the question and all three answers aloud. Playing it a second time is fine.

Snack Time

Listen to Snack Time0:10

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Show transcript

Sofia: Mr. Salazar, can I have an apple for my snack?

Mr. Salazar: We have no apples today. You can have a banana.

Sofia: OK. Thank you!

Question 4 of 8

Read the question and the three answers aloud to your child.

What will Sofia have for her snack?

Sit with your child. Play the audio while your child listens, then read the question and all three answers aloud. Playing it a second time is fine.

New Shoes

Listen to New Shoes0:09

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Show transcript

Hana: Jamal, look at my new shoes!

Jamal: They are pink. Do they light up?

Hana: Yes! They light up when I jump.

Question 5 of 8

Read the question and the three answers aloud to your child.

When do Hana's shoes light up?

Sit with your child. Play the audio while your child listens, then read the question and all three answers aloud. Playing it a second time is fine.

The Class Fish

Listen to The Class Fish0:10

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Show transcript

Mia: Mr. Vega, the fish looks hungry.

Mr. Vega: It is your turn to feed it, Mia. Give it just a little bit of food.

Question 6 of 8

Read the question and the three answers aloud to your child.

What does Mr. Vega tell Mia to do?

Sit with your child. Play the audio while your child listens, then read the question and all three answers aloud. Playing it a second time is fine.

Going Home

Listen to Going Home0:08

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Show transcript

Sam: Ms. Reed, who is picking me up today?

Ms. Reed: Your grandpa is coming. He will be here after story time.

Question 7 of 8

Read the question and the three answers aloud to your child.

Who will pick Sam up today?

Sit with your child. Play the audio while your child listens, then read the question and all three answers aloud. Playing it a second time is fine.

Blue Paint

Listen to Blue Paint0:09

Press play to listen. You can pause, rewind, and replay as often as you like.

Show transcript

Jamal: Ms. Okafor, I need more blue paint.

Ms. Okafor: Here you go. What are you painting?

Jamal: I am painting the ocean.

Question 8 of 8

Read the question and the three answers aloud to your child.

What is Jamal painting?

8 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 Kindergarten.

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. Where should Mia look next?
  2. Why can the class not play outside?
  3. Where can Luis get a new pencil?
  4. What will Sofia have for her snack?
  5. When do Hana's shoes light up?
  6. What does Mr. Vega tell Mia to do?
  7. Who will pick Sam up today?
  8. What is Jamal painting?

Listen to a Story

  1. Why could Ben not get the apples?
  2. What did Ben and Grandma make?
  3. Where did Lupe and her dad go?
  4. Why did the kite fall down?
  5. Who got the kite out of the bush?
  6. What did Jin eat at lunch?
  7. Where did Jin put his tooth?
  8. How did Jin feel at the end?

Listen to an Oral Presentation

  1. Where do bees get nectar?
  2. What do bees make in the hive?
  3. What does a turtle have on its back?
  4. What does a turtle do when it is scared?
  5. How do turtles move on land?

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.