Which student needs to go to the front office before seeing the counselor?

Understand Spoken Words and Language Structures · TELPAS Grades 8–9 listening. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.

Reporting category 1: follow spoken directions and understand words and phrases as they are used in speech. On the real test some of these ask the student to click on a picture.

The question

Choose the best answer.

Which student needs to go to the front office before seeing the counselor?

• ARafael, who does not have a pass yetCorrect answer
• BLena, whose teacher already gave her a pass
• CEvery student who eats lunch at school
• DOnly students who see the counselor after school

Why “Rafael, who does not have a pass yet” is correct

This tests the word "unless" in a spoken sentence. "Stop by the front office, unless your teacher has given you a pass" means the office visit is needed only if you do not already have one. Words like unless, except and instead change the meaning of a direction, so students need to listen for them.

Why the other answers are wrong

• Lena, whose teacher already gave her a pass — The word "unless" means students who already have a teacher's pass can skip the office.
• Every student who eats lunch at school — Only students who want to see the counselor are mentioned.
• Only students who see the counselor after school — The announcement is about visits during lunch.

Practice more of this

More listening practice for Grades 8–9, or see the TELPAS practice test for 8th and 9th grade.