Why does Naomi tell the story about the sixth grader and his grandfather's watch?
Analyze and Evaluate Information in Spoken English · TELPAS Grades 8–9 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 announcement.
The Lost and Found Table
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Naomi: Good afternoon, Eagles. This is Naomi with your end of the day announcements. First, the lost and found table outside the cafeteria is completely full. Right now it has eleven jackets, a trumpet case and, somehow, three left shoes.
Naomi: Everything still on the table at four o'clock this Friday will be donated to the clothing drive at the community center. Last year, a sixth grader came looking for his grandfather's old watch the Monday after the donation, and it was already gone. Please don't let that happen to you. Check the table at lunch this week.
Naomi: Second, the eighth grade trip to the science museum is next Thursday. Permission slips are due in the science office by Tuesday.
The question
Choose the best answer.
Why does Naomi tell the story about the sixth grader and his grandfather's watch?
- To get students to check the table soonCorrect answer
- To ask whether anyone has found a watch
- To show how full the table is
- To ask students to give clothes to the drive
Why “To get students to check the table soon” is correct
This question asks about a speaker's purpose. Right after the story, Naomi says, "Please don't let that happen to you. Check the table at lunch this week." The story is a warning that makes her request more convincing.
Why the other answers are wrong
- To ask whether anyone has found a watch — The watch was lost last year, and she is not looking for it.
- To show how full the table is — She shows that with the list of jackets and shoes.
- To ask students to give clothes to the drive — She wants students to take their own things back.
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.