How can Anh’s group use a study room for two hours?
Listen to a Short Exchange · ELPAC Grades 9–10 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 Anh and Mr. Salazar at the library desk. Then answer the question.
The Study Room
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Show transcript
Anh: Hi. I would like to reserve a study room for my group for two hours this afternoon.
Mr. Salazar: Study rooms can only be booked one hour at a time. But if nobody has reserved the hour after yours, you can renew it here at the desk when your time is up.
Anh: Is anyone booked after three o’clock?
Mr. Salazar: Room four is open all afternoon. Take it from two to three, and come back to the desk at three to renew it. If you would rather not take the chance, the tables on the second floor are first come, first served, and there is no time limit up there.
The question
Choose the best answer.
How can Anh’s group use a study room for two hours?
- Reserve the room for two hours by calling ahead.
- Ask the librarian for special permission to stay longer.
- Use the room on the second floor, where there is no time limit.
- Book one hour, then renew it at the desk if no one has reserved the next hour.Correct answer
Why “Book one hour, then renew it at the desk if no one has reserved the next hour.” is correct
This tests putting together a rule and the exception to it. Mr. Salazar says rooms are booked one hour at a time, then explains that an hour can be renewed at the desk if nobody has the next one, and he applies that to room four. The second-floor option is offered as an alternative to a room, which is why choice c is a trap.
Why the other answers are wrong
- Reserve the room for two hours by calling ahead. — Mr. Salazar says rooms can only be booked one hour at a time, and calling ahead is never mentioned.
- Ask the librarian for special permission to stay longer. — No special permission is needed; renewing at the desk is the normal procedure.
- Use the room on the second floor, where there is no time limit. — The second floor has open tables with no time limit, not a study room.
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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