What problem does Hector notice about one of the books?
Listen to a Classroom Conversation · ELPAC Grades 3–5 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. Tanaka and Hector in the school library. Then answer the questions.
Two Books About Monarchs
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Mr. Tanaka: Hector, you've been looking at that shelf for a long time. What are you looking for?
Hector: A book about monarch butterflies for my report. I found two, but one of them was written a really long time ago.
Mr. Tanaka: That's a smart thing to notice. Scientists learn new things about monarchs all the time, so an old book might be missing important facts.
Hector: But the old one has much better pictures.
Mr. Tanaka: Then use the pictures to help you understand, and take your facts from the newer book. If the two books say different things, write down both page numbers and show your teacher.
Hector: Can I check out both of them?
Mr. Tanaka: Yes. Just bring the old one back by next week, because another class is studying insects too.
The question
Choose the best answer.
What problem does Hector notice about one of the books?
- It was written a long time ago.Correct answer
- It does not have any pictures.
- It is about a different kind of butterfly.
- Another class has already checked it out.
Why “It was written a long time ago.” is correct
This is a stated-detail question, and the detail comes early: Hector says one of the books "was written a really long time ago." The rest of the conversation explains why that matters, so a student who misses the first problem will find the later advice hard to follow.
Why the other answers are wrong
- It does not have any pictures. — The old book has "much better pictures," according to Hector, so pictures are its strength, not its problem.
- It is about a different kind of butterfly. — Both books are about monarch butterflies.
- Another class has already checked it out. — Another class is studying insects, which is why the old book must come back next week. Nobody has checked it out.
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.