What will Mr. Tanaka do next?
Listen to a Short Exchange · ELPAC Grades 3–5 listening. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
A two-turn exchange between two speakers, followed by a question about it.
Listen to the conversation between Priya and Mr. Tanaka in the school library. Then answer the question.
Checking Out a Book
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Show transcript
Priya: Mr. Tanaka, I finished the book about volcanoes. Can I check out another one today?
Mr. Tanaka: You can, but the computer says you still have two books at home. The rule is three books at a time.
Priya: Oh. I brought one back this morning and put it in the return bin.
Mr. Tanaka: Then let me scan the bin before you choose. If your book is in there, you will be under the limit.
The question
Choose the best answer.
What will Mr. Tanaka do next?
- Check the return bin for the book Priya brought backCorrect answer
- Let Priya take three more books home today
- Ask Priya to bring her two books back tomorrow
- Look up the volcano book on the computer
Why “Check the return bin for the book Priya brought back” is correct
This question tests whether a student can hear what a speaker plans to do next, rather than what has already happened. The answer is in Mr. Tanaka's last line: "Then let me scan the bin before you choose." Everything before that line explains why he needs to check — the computer still shows two books out, and Priya says she returned one this morning.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Let Priya take three more books home today — Three books is the limit Priya is already close to, not an extra loan Mr. Tanaka offers her.
- Ask Priya to bring her two books back tomorrow — He never asks her to return books later; he offers to confirm right now that one is already back.
- Look up the volcano book on the computer — The computer is mentioned, but he used it to check her account, not to find the volcano book.
Practice more of this
More listening practice for Grades 3–5, or see the ELPAC practice test for grades 3–5. 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.