What does Ms. Okafor mean when she says, "A picture will not work"?
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 Diego and Ms. Okafor. Then answer the question.
The Field Trip Form
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Diego: Ms. Okafor, my mom signed the field trip form last night, but I think I left it on the kitchen table.
Ms. Okafor: The bus leaves at nine o'clock tomorrow. I cannot let anyone on without a signed form.
Diego: Could my mom send a picture of it to the school email?
Ms. Okafor: A picture will not work. She can drop off the paper form at the front office before the bus leaves.
The question
Choose the best answer.
What does Ms. Okafor mean when she says, "A picture will not work"?
- Diego's mother did not really sign the form.
- The school email will not be working tomorrow.
- The school needs the paper form itself, not a photo of it.Correct answer
- Diego will have to stay home while the class goes.
Why “The school needs the paper form itself, not a photo of it.” is correct
This tests understanding of what a speaker means, not just what she says. Ms. Okafor rejects the photo and immediately gives the alternative — "She can drop off the paper form at the front office" — which shows the problem is the format, not the signature or the trip. Students who follow the two sentences together can hear that she is still trying to get Diego onto the bus.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Diego's mother did not really sign the form. — She never doubts that the form was signed; she says she needs the signed paper in hand.
- The school email will not be working tomorrow. — The school email is Diego's suggestion, and she says nothing about it being broken.
- Diego will have to stay home while the class goes. — She offers a way for the form to arrive before the bus leaves, so missing the trip is not what she means.
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.
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