Why does Mr. Tanaka say Hector should take his facts from the newer book?
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.
Why does Mr. Tanaka say Hector should take his facts from the newer book?
- The newer book has better pictures.
- The newer book is shorter and easier to read.
- Scientists keep learning new things about monarchs.Correct answer
- The older book must go back to the library next week.
Why “Scientists keep learning new things about monarchs.” is correct
This question tests following a speaker's reasoning. Mr. Tanaka explains that "scientists learn new things about monarchs all the time, so an old book might be missing important facts." The word "so" links the reason to the advice, and noticing it is the skill being checked — choosing a newer source because knowledge changes.
Why the other answers are wrong
- The newer book has better pictures. — Hector says the old book has the better pictures, which is why Mr. Tanaka tells him to use it for pictures.
- The newer book is shorter and easier to read. — Neither speaker says anything about how long or easy either book is.
- The older book must go back to the library next week. — The due date is mentioned only at the end and has nothing to do with which book has better facts.
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.