English Language Arts: Active Listening (TEKS.ELA.9-12.1.A)

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Texas High School ELA › English Language Arts: Active Listening (TEKS.ELA.9-12.1.A)

Questions 1 - 10
1

Good evening, neighbors. Thank you for attending this town hall on our region's water plan. We are not proposing a tax increase this year. [pause] However, the Edwards Aquifer is dropping faster than forecast. I want to be clear: mandatory restrictions are not on the agenda tonight. [measured tone] Still, if summer arrives like last year, wells in three precincts could run low. Our engineers can stretch supply, but only if demand softens. That means shorter showers, delaying new turf, and fixing leaks promptly. [gentle emphasis] We will revisit the data in August. If voluntary steps work, we avoid harsher tools. [long pause] I grew up hauling water in dry months, and I'd rather my kids not do the same. So, no new fees, no penalties—today. But let's prove we can manage our own taps before someone else does it for us. Thank you for your stewardship. Please start now.

Which inference best captures the speaker's implicit message?

The speaker says there will be no new fees or penalties.

If voluntary conservation fails, mandatory restrictions are likely, and the speaker prefers local self-regulation to outside mandates.

The council plans to privatize water services and raise taxes next year to fix the aquifer.

Because droughts are common in Texas, residents must immediately buy expensive storage tanks.

Explanation

Choice B reads the tone and emphasis ("today," "before someone else does it for us," long pause) to infer the speaker expects stricter measures if voluntary steps fail and prefers community-led action. A is a literal restatement. C overreaches beyond evidence. D relies on external assumptions not supported by the speaker's cues.

2

Thank you for the invitation. Our study compared outcomes in courses that used traditional point deductions with those that used standards-based grading. We found no significant drop in rigor. [even tone] Students in standards-based sections demonstrated higher rates of revision and persistence. That said, nobody should flip a switch overnight. [light chuckle] Departments have histories, and policies work best when faculty co-author them. We recommend piloting in a few sections, with clear rubrics and teacher collaboration time. [measured emphasis] To colleagues who worry about grade inflation: the evidence does not support that fear in our sample. [pause] But trust is local. So, borrow our framework; write your own rules. If your goal is clearer feedback and steadier effort, standards-based grading can help. If your goal is sorting students quickly, it probably won't. [gentle emphasis] I'll close by noting: the method is a tool, not a verdict on tradition. Thank you.

Which inference best captures the speaker's unstated perspective?

The study found no significant drop in rigor with standards-based grading.

National rankings will improve if departments adopt standards-based grading.

Traditional grading is harmful and should be abolished immediately across the campus.

The speaker favors cautious, collaborative pilots and frames standards-based grading as a feedback tool rather than a crusade against tradition.

Explanation

D synthesizes tone and emphasis ("nobody should flip a switch overnight," respect for tradition, pilot recommendation) to infer a cautious, collaborative stance. A is literal. B imports external assumptions. C overreaches and contradicts the speaker's measured tone.

3

Members of the council, thank you for the floor. Our downtown has charm, foot traffic on weekends, and buildings investors would love—if timelines were predictable. [measured pause] We are not proposing to change the character of Main Street. What we are proposing is clarity: one permit path, published deadlines, and inspections that arrive when scheduled. [even tone] We can keep our heritage murals and still add second-story housing. Businesses see that blend in towns across the Hill Country. [gentle emphasis] I hear the concern: large chains on the square. That's not tonight's vote. Tonight is about certainty. When rules are clear, local owners get first shot because they can plan. [pause] If we want our kids to work here instead of Austin, we have to move at the speed of opportunity. So let's keep the welcome mat out—and the process short enough that guests don't wait on the porch. Tonight.

Based on tone and emphasis, which inference best captures the speaker's implicit message?

The speaker wants to streamline approvals to attract investment and keep locals competitive, while reassuring residents about Main Street's character.

The speaker is not proposing to change the character of Main Street.

The speaker plans to replace murals and reserve the square for national chains.

Because Austin is nearby, property taxes will automatically double under this plan.

Explanation

A reads subtext in phrases like "clarity," "one permit path," and "move at the speed of opportunity," alongside reassurance about heritage, to infer a push for faster, simpler approvals favoring local businesses. B is a literal restatement. C contradicts the tone. D relies on external assumptions not indicated in the remarks.

4

Chair, members of the committee, I appreciate the opportunity to testify. Our district complies with state privacy laws. We post vendor lists and obtain parental consent where required. [even tone] Yet three incidents this year involved data not covered by contract language—metadata, not student work. [pause] No breach occurred, but families were surprised. That tells me our documents are legible to lawyers and opaque to parents. [quiet emphasis] I'm not here to ban tools teachers find useful. I am here to suggest baseline clauses: limits on secondary use, deletion upon request, and independent audits. If a vendor cannot agree, we should ask why. [measured pause] Trust is earned, not granted by a checkbox. Until contracts reflect plain-English expectations, we will continue to explain after the fact. I'd rather explain before. Thank you for your time. Parents deserve clarity, and vendors should meet that bar without pressure. Let's make that standard.

Which inference best reflects the speaker's unstated perspective?

The district already complies with state privacy laws.

The speaker intends to ban edtech tools teachers use.

The speaker aims to tighten contracts with clear limits, audits, and deletion terms so parents understand and vendors are accountable.

Federal rules require the committee to accept any vendor with a checkbox.

Explanation

C draws on tone and emphasis ("baseline clauses," "trust is earned," "plain-English expectations") to infer a push for stricter, parent-readable contracts and vendor accountability. A is literal. B contradicts the stated intent. D imports external claims not supported by the testimony.

5

Good evening, y'all, thanks for coming. We all know the aquifer is lower than we'd like. My office will review permits, expand leak-detection grants, and keep rebates for low-flow fixtures. Let me be clear: we are not shutting anyone off tomorrow. [emphasis] We need certainty for employers and certainty for families. [pause] Ranchers, farmers—you put food on our tables. Operators—you provide paychecks. We'll convene a stakeholder group next month; no decision will be rushed. I've heard calls for a moratorium on new industrial wells. I hear you. But if we slam the brakes, projects freeze and jobs leave. Instead, we'll pursue tiered pricing, incentives for reuse, and voluntary reduction targets. [softening tone] If we all do a little, we can avoid doing a lot. [long pause] I'll take your questions, but I ask that we keep solutions practical and balanced. Our charge is stewardship without panic. We'll measure, adjust, and stay the course.

Based on the transcript, which inference best captures the speaker's implicit message or unstated perspective?

He will hold a stakeholder meeting next month to discuss water issues.

He plans to privatize water rights statewide.

He is signaling he won't support a moratorium on industrial wells, favoring economic certainty over strict cuts.

Because donors benefit, he will block all conservation efforts.

Explanation

The repeated emphasis on "certainty," the caution against "slamming the brakes," and the preference for incentives over mandates imply resistance to a moratorium, prioritizing economic stability, not an end to conservation.

6

Members, thank you for the opportunity. Over the past year, average state assessment scores ticked up three points. That's good news. But let's be cautious about attributing that bump to the newly adopted curriculum. [measured tone] The rollout overlapped with expanded tutoring, reduced class sizes in certain campuses, and higher attendance after last year's flu season. When we disaggregate, schools with stable staffing show similar gains regardless of the curriculum pilot. [pause] I am not dismissing the curriculum; I'm saying signal is mixed. Meanwhile, gaps by income persist, especially in Algebra I. If we want durable improvement, we should keep tutoring, invest in teacher retention, and evaluate the curriculum with a controlled study over time. [emphasis] Quick wins feel satisfying; proof takes patience. In closing, celebrate progress, yes—but let's match our claims to our evidence. Texas students deserve decisions grounded in data, not headlines. Let's set goals we can verify.

Based on the transcript, which inference best captures the speaker's implicit message or unstated perspective?

The speaker believes gains likely stem from multiple supports and warns against crediting the new curriculum as the sole cause.

The speaker is announcing that state test scores decreased this year.

The speaker thinks standardized testing should be abolished immediately.

The speaker blames the curriculum because national rankings have fallen.

Explanation

Tone and emphasis on caution, overlapping factors, and the call for controlled study suggest a nuanced view that multiple supports contributed and that attributing gains solely to the curriculum is premature.

7

Councilmembers, staff asked me to compare the rail concept with an enhanced bus rapid transit corridor. The rail rendering is attractive; no one denies that. Yet our right-of-way is constrained, relocation costs are high, and federal match is uncertain. [pause] By contrast, bus lanes can be striped next year, stations prefabricated, and signal priority added with our existing control system. [emphasis] It's not glamorous, but it moves riders sooner. We can pilot in Phase I, measure travel-time savings, and expand if targets are met. If rail remains our north star, great—let's earn it with ridership. What I cannot recommend is committing to a price tag that threatens sidewalks, maintenance, and safety staffing. [measured tone] People ride what arrives on time. Shiny is nice; frequent is better. Start where benefits are fastest and costs are lowest; build trust through results before scaling. That path keeps options open for future investments. prudently.

Based on the transcript, which inference best captures the speaker's implicit message or unstated perspective?

He will propose building light rail immediately with no changes.

He thinks architectural renderings are illegal.

He predicts the federal government will guarantee full funding.

He implicitly favors a phased bus rapid transit approach over committing now to costly rail.

Explanation

The contrastive emphasis on speed, cost, piloting, and frequency over "shiny" features indicates a preference for BRT first, with rail as a longer-term possibility if justified by results.

8

Chair and members, thank you. The bill's core rights—access, deletion, opt-out—are sound. I urge precision in definitions. [emphasis] If 'sale' includes routine analytics, small clinics and shops will struggle. Clear, narrow terms help both consumers and enforcers. A phased timeline—larger entities first—reduces disruption. [pause] On targeted ads: give people a visible, one-click opt-out. If we attempt a broad ban this session, expect loopholes and litigation. A strong, enforceable baseline today beats a sweeping promise that collapses tomorrow. Fund the Attorney General's office to audit and fine bad actors; publish guidance early. [steady tone] Texans deserve privacy they can actually use, and businesses deserve rules they can actually follow. Clarity invites compliance; vagueness invites gamesmanship. Set deadlines, publish templates, and measure outcomes with audits, not headlines. If we do this right, consumers click once and are done; companies know what to build. That's how trust grows. Simple rules, strong enforcement. together.

Based on the transcript, which inference best captures the speaker's implicit message or unstated perspective?

The speaker secretly opposes any privacy protections.

The speaker favors a pragmatic, incremental approach—clear definitions, phased timelines, and enforceable opt-outs over sweeping bans.

The speaker believes targeted ads are always beneficial.

The speaker wants federal agencies to write the entire bill.

Explanation

The emphasis on narrow definitions, phased timelines, enforceable opt-outs, and avoiding broad bans indicates a pragmatic, incremental stance rather than maximalist or anti-privacy positions.

9

Good evening. As many of you know, our region has endured three summers of drought. We have conserved, and I respect that effort. But hope is not a strategy. When I say 'we can wait for rain,' I mean only that we could, not that we should. We face leaky pipes, outdated meters, and a growth curve that is not leveling off. I will not promise a painless path. Tiered rates and smart reuse projects are hard conversations, especially for families. Pause with me here: the cost of doing nothing is not zero. Neighboring towns that acted early now enjoy steady pressure and fewer boil notices. We value fairness. Fairness also means reliable service in August. Tonight I ask for patience during construction and honesty about trade-offs. If we invest now, we own our future. If we delay, the bill comes due anyway, with interest. That is the real choice.

Which inference best captures the speaker's implicit message about the community's water policy?

The community has already conserved during drought and neighboring towns acted early.

The speaker plans to privatize water services to cut costs.

Despite caution, the speaker is urging immediate investment and tiered rates because waiting will cost more than acting now.

The speaker is indifferent to fairness concerns about family budgets.

Explanation

The speaker's tone and emphasis—"hope is not a strategy," the pause on costs, and repeated contrasts between waiting and acting—imply support for investing now, including tiered rates. Option A restates explicit facts. Option B overreaches beyond evidence. Option D contradicts the speaker's careful attention to fairness and families.

10

Thank you for attending this session on homework and learning outcomes. Our meta-analysis across 62 studies finds small benefits in high school, negligible in middle school, and mixed in elementary grades. I want to emphasize methodology: studies with clear task purpose and feedback show the strongest effects. Where assignments are compliance-driven, the effect sizes cluster near zero. I am not here to ban homework. I am also not here to defend busywork. When we treat time as scarce, we choose. Students cannot rehearse music, sleep, and complete two hours of repetitive problems in the same evening without sacrificing something. Note the difference between load and learning. When districts set policy, guard what matters: quality, clarity, and feedback cycles. If your current policy counts minutes, consider whether purpose should count more. The data do not shout; they whisper: design matters, and without it, more becomes less. That is the practical takeaway.

Based on tone and emphasis, which inference best captures the presenter's implicit perspective on homework policy?

Districts should prioritize purposeful, feedback-rich assignment design over counting minutes, reducing volume when design is weak.

Homework should be eliminated in elementary and middle schools statewide.

The meta-analysis shows small benefits in high school and mixed results in elementary grades.

Because international rankings are declining, schools must double homework time.

Explanation

The speaker repeatedly stresses purpose, feedback, and design, and contrasts "load" with "learning," implying a shift from minutes to quality. Option B overreaches. Option C is a literal restatement. Option D relies on external claims not mentioned and contradicts the critique of volume without design.

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