Why did Lena sit still at the top of the slide?
Listen to a Story · ELPAC Grade 1 listening. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
A multiple-turn conversation or narrative, followed by three questions.
Listen to the story. Then answer the questions.
The Tall Slide
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Show transcript
Lena went to the park with her big brother, Marco. She wanted to go down the tall slide. She climbed up the ladder, one step at a time.
At the top, Lena looked down. The slide looked very long. Her legs felt shaky, and she sat very still.
Marco called up to her. "I will wait at the bottom," he said. "I will catch you."
Lena took a big breath. She let go and slid down fast. Marco caught her at the bottom. Lena laughed and ran back to the ladder.
The question
Choose the best answer.
Why did Lena sit still at the top of the slide?
- She was scared because the slide looked long.Correct answer
- She was tired from climbing.
- She was waiting for another child.
- She dropped her shoe.
Why “She was scared because the slide looked long.” is correct
The story never uses the word 'scared'. It says the slide looked very long and Lena's legs felt shaky, and the listener has to put those together. That is the kind of feeling question stories at this grade ask. Ask your child how they would feel if their legs felt shaky at the top of a tall slide.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She was tired from climbing. — Lena climbs one step at a time, but the story never says she is tired.
- She was waiting for another child. — No other children are in the story. Only Lena and Marco are at the park.
- She dropped her shoe. — Nothing in the story is dropped.
Practice more of this
More listening practice for Grade 1, or see the ELPAC practice test for grade 1. For other grades, see free ELPAC practice tests by grade.
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.