Why does Mr. Vega tell Anya to put the poster on the counter?
Listen to a Short Exchange · ELPAC Grade 2 listening. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
A two-turn exchange between two speakers, followed by a question about it.
Listen to Anya talk to her teacher, Mr. Vega. Then answer the question.
The Wet Poster
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Show transcript
Anya: Mr. Vega, the paint on my poster is still wet. May I leave it here?
Mr. Vega: The tables get wiped down after school. Put it on the counter by the sink instead.
Anya: Will it be dry by tomorrow morning?
Mr. Vega: It should be. Thick paint takes longer, so leave it flat, not standing up.
The question
Choose the best answer.
Why does Mr. Vega tell Anya to put the poster on the counter?
- The counter is warmer than the table.
- Paint dries faster near a sink.
- Other students need the counter space.
- The tables get wiped down after school.Correct answer
Why “The tables get wiped down after school.” is correct
Mr. Vega gives his reason before his instruction rather than after it, which is a pattern children often miss because they expect 'because' to come second. The wrong answers all sound like sensible reasons a poster might go on a counter, so guessing from common sense will not work. Ask the child what Mr. Vega says about the tables.
Why the other answers are wrong
- The counter is warmer than the table. — Warmth is never mentioned. The reason given is about the tables being cleaned.
- Paint dries faster near a sink. — The sink is only used to say where the counter is, not to explain how paint dries.
- Other students need the counter space. — No other students come into this conversation.
Practice more of this
More listening practice for Grade 2, or see the ELPAC practice test for grade 2. 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.