Why can't Sara try out for volleyball yet?
Basic Understanding of Spoken English · TELPAS Grades 8–9 listening. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
Reporting category 2: understand the main points and important details of spoken stories and informational passages, about everyday life and school subjects.
Listen to the conversation.
Before Tryouts
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Sara: Mr. Salazar, Coach Vega told me to come see you. Volleyball tryouts start Monday, and she said I can't try out yet.
Mr. Salazar: Let me look at your file. You turned in the concussion form, so that part is done. What's missing is your physical. Every athlete needs a check-up from a doctor each school year, and yours is from last year.
Sara: But I'm not sick. I feel fine.
Mr. Salazar: It isn't about being sick. The doctor checks your heart and your blood pressure, things like that, so we know it's safe for you to play hard.
Sara: My doctor's office is booked for weeks. My mom already called.
Mr. Salazar: Then here's what you can do. This Saturday, the high school is holding a free physicals day in the field house, from eight to noon. Bring this form, signed by a parent, and a doctor there will fill it out.
Sara: This Saturday? Then I'd have it before Monday.
Mr. Salazar: Exactly. Just get there early. Last year the line was out the door by nine.
The question
Choose the best answer.
Why can't Sara try out for volleyball yet?
- Her physical from a doctor is from last year.Correct answer
- She has not turned in the concussion form.
- She has been sick and missed practice.
- The coach says the team is already full.
Why “Her physical from a doctor is from last year.” is correct
This question checks an important detail in a conversation. Mr. Salazar says the concussion form is done and that "what's missing is your physical," because hers "is from last year." Students need to separate the form that is finished from the one that is not.
Why the other answers are wrong
- She has not turned in the concussion form. — Mr. Salazar says the concussion form is already turned in.
- She has been sick and missed practice. — Sara says she is not sick and feels fine.
- The coach says the team is already full. — Nothing is said about the team being full.
Practice more of this
More listening practice for Grades 8–9, or see the TELPAS practice test for 8th and 9th 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.