Why does Mr. Salazar mention the list of the workers’ demands?
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.
Why does Mr. Salazar mention the list of the workers’ demands?
- To show that the workers were paid more than the owner claimed.
- To suggest that Dana replace the Hollis letter entirely.
- To point to evidence from the workers’ side that challenges the owner’s claim.Correct answer
- To explain why the county archive is difficult to use.
Why “To point to evidence from the workers’ side that challenges the owner’s claim.” is correct
This tests understanding why a speaker introduces a piece of evidence. Mr. Salazar wants a source 'from the other side' next to the owner's letter, and the list of demands fits: workers who were satisfied would have little reason to make demands. His final sentence, 'that list is hard to explain', states the challenge to the owner's claim.
Why the other answers are wrong
- To show that the workers were paid more than the owner claimed. — The demands suggest the workers were unhappy with conditions, not that they were paid more than claimed.
- To suggest that Dana replace the Hollis letter entirely. — He says 'No, keep it' about the letter; the list is to be placed next to it.
- To explain why the county archive is difficult to use. — He says nothing about the archive being difficult to use.
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.
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