Noor says eleven crashes in four years does not sound like very many. How does Micah answer her?
Listen to a Speaker Support an Opinion · ELPAC Grades 9–10 listening. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
An extended conversation in which one classmate argues for an opinion, followed by four questions.
Listen to the conversation between Micah and Noor. Then answer the questions.
The Bike Lane on Alder Street
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Show transcript
Micah: Noor, the city council votes Tuesday on the protected bike lane for Alder Street. I signed the comment form supporting it.
Noor: The one that takes out the parking in front of the shops? My uncle is against it.
Micah: I know, and that worry is not silly. Losing twenty or so spaces in front of a business is a real cost, and the council should say that plainly instead of pretending nobody loses anything.
Noor: Then why are you for it?
Micah: Because of who is already on that street. Alder is the route most students from the east side ride to school, and there are three schools along it. Right now they ride between moving cars and parked ones. The city's own traffic study counted eleven crashes involving bicycles there in four years.
Noor: Eleven in four years does not sound like very many to me.
Micah: On its own, no. But nine of those eleven happened at the same two intersections, and those are exactly where a curb would separate the lane from traffic. The problem has an address, and the design goes to that address.
The question
Choose the best answer.
Noor says eleven crashes in four years does not sound like very many. How does Micah answer her?
- He points out that nine of the crashes happened at the two intersections the lane would separate with a curb.Correct answer
- He says the figure came from the city's own traffic study.
- He agrees the number is small and drops that part of his case.
- He argues that crashes involving bicycles are usually not reported.
Why “He points out that nine of the crashes happened at the two intersections the lane would separate with a curb.” is correct
This tests how a speaker answers an objection, which is where an argument either holds or collapses. Micah concedes the headline number and then makes it matter by breaking it down: nine of eleven at two intersections, which is where the curb would go. Have a student notice the move from 'On its own, no' to 'But', because the real evidence always arrives after that turn.
Why the other answers are wrong
- He says the figure came from the city's own traffic study. — He does say this, but he says it before the objection; it is where the number came from, not his answer to it.
- He agrees the number is small and drops that part of his case. — He grants only that the number is unimpressive by itself, and then argues that the breakdown changes what it means.
- He argues that crashes involving bicycles are usually not reported. — Underreporting is never mentioned by either speaker.
Practice more of this
More listening practice for Grades 9–10, or see the ELPAC practice test for grades 9–10. For other grades, see free ELPAC practice tests by grade.
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