What problem does Mr. Salazar find in Dana’s source analysis?
Listen to a Classroom Conversation · ELPAC Grades 11–12 listening. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
A multiple-turn conversation between two speakers, followed by three questions.
Listen to the conversation between Mr. Salazar and Dana about her history assignment. Then answer the questions.
The Owner’s Letter
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Mr. Salazar: Dana, your source analysis uses the Hollis letter as proof that the cannery workers were satisfied with their pay. Tell me who wrote it.
Dana: Edward Hollis. He owned the cannery, I think.
Mr. Salazar: He did. Does that change how much weight you would give his opinion of the workers’ pay?
Dana: I guess he would want people to think the pay was fair. But it is a primary source, and you told us primary sources are the strongest evidence.
Mr. Salazar: I told you they are the closest to the events. That makes them valuable, not neutral. A primary source tells you very reliably what its author wanted someone to believe. Whether it was true is a separate question.
Dana: So should I take it out?
Mr. Salazar: No, keep it. It is good evidence of how the owner described conditions. Then put a source from the other side next to it. The county archive has records from the strike that year, including a list of the workers’ demands. If the workers were satisfied, that list is hard to explain.
The question
Choose the best answer.
What problem does Mr. Salazar find in Dana’s source analysis?
- She did not cite the Hollis letter correctly.
- She used too many sources from the county archive.
- She confused the dates of the strike.
- She treated the owner’s letter as proof without considering who wrote it.Correct answer
Why “She treated the owner’s letter as proof without considering who wrote it.” is correct
This is a main-problem question, set up in the first line and developed through the rest of the conversation. Mr. Salazar's question, 'Tell me who wrote it', shows his concern: the owner of the cannery had reasons to describe the pay as fair. The rest of the conversation is about how to use the letter properly, not whether it belongs.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She did not cite the Hollis letter correctly. — Citation format is never discussed.
- She used too many sources from the county archive. — Dana has not used the archive yet; Mr. Salazar suggests it as a source she should add.
- She confused the dates of the strike. — No dates are discussed in the conversation.
Practice more of this
More listening practice for Grades 11–12, or see the ELPAC practice test for grades 11–12. 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.