Which statement best describes Elena's position?
Analyze and Evaluate Information in Spoken English · TELPAS Grades 10–12 listening. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
Reporting category 3: make inferences from what was said, and work out a speaker's purpose, opinion, or what will happen next.
Listen to the debate. Then answer the questions.
A Class Debate
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Ms. Robinson: Our topic today is the proposed policy that phones must stay in lockers for the whole school day, including lunch. Elijah, you're arguing for it. Go ahead.
Elijah: Thanks. Right now phones are supposed to be away during class, but everyone knows that doesn't really happen. Teachers spend time every period asking people to put them away. If phones are in lockers all day, that argument just disappears. And at lunch, people would actually talk to each other instead of scrolling.
Ms. Robinson: Elena, your response.
Elena: I agree that phones in class are a problem. But this policy punishes everyone for what some students do in class. A lot of us use lunch to check our work schedules or text our parents about who's picking up our little brothers and sisters. Those aren't small things. I'd support a policy that's strict during class but leaves lunch alone.
Elijah: But if lunch is allowed, people will just keep them in their pockets and take them out in class.
Elena: Then enforce the rule that already exists. Taking away lunch doesn't fix a problem in third period.
The question
Choose the best answer.
Which statement best describes Elena's position?
- She agrees with Elijah that phones should be in lockers all day.
- She wants strict rules during class but no ban at lunch.Correct answer
- She thinks phones are not really a problem during class.
- She believes parents should decide when students use phones.
Why “She wants strict rules during class but no ban at lunch.” is correct
This tests identifying a speaker's position when they partly agree with the other side. Elena agrees phones in class are a problem but rejects the lunch part, and she proposes a policy 'strict during class but leaves lunch alone'. Students often miss the partial agreement.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She agrees with Elijah that phones should be in lockers all day. — She says the policy 'punishes everyone' and she would support a different one.
- She thinks phones are not really a problem during class. — She says directly, 'I agree that phones in class are a problem.'
- She believes parents should decide when students use phones. — She mentions texting parents as a reason, not as a rule about who decides.
Practice more of this
More listening practice for Grades 10–12, or see the TELPAS practice test for 10th–12th grade.
This is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Texas Education Agency or the official TELPAS program. All questions here are original practice material written to match the published test design.