How to Pass the CASAS STEPS Listening Test: Level E – Mastering “Next Line” Questions

If you want to know how to pass the CASAS STEPS Listening test, you cannot ignore the “Next Line” section. In the Level E exam, these items represent nearly 40% of your total score.

This section tests your mastery of Social and Professional Pragmatics. In these questions, you won’t hear a question asked (like “Where are they?”); instead, you will hear a short conversation and must choose the most logical, polite, and professionally appropriate way to complete it. You can see how these functional skills are categorized in the Official CASAS Blueprint.

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Part 2 of the CASAS STEPS Listening Test Level E is often considered the most challenging section. It consists of 16 questions where you hear a dialogue, but the answer choices are text-only. You must select the “Next Line” that completes the conversation in a logical, professional manner.

To succeed on the CASAS STEPS Listening Test Level E, students must look beyond the vocabulary and identify the logic of the interaction. Below are the six master groups of logic with original examples to help you prepare.

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Group 1: The “Proactive Professional” (Urgency & Responsibility)

The Logic: In a workplace setting, the correct answer usually involves taking immediate action or accepting responsibility. Test designers often include “lazy” or “avoidant” distractors—ignore those!

Example 1

• Manager: “The client is arriving in ten minutes, but the presentation handouts aren’t printed yet.”
• Assistant: “I’ll head to the copy room right now and get them finished.“
• Manager: “Thank you. I need to finish the final slide.”
• A. I’ll make sure they are on the table before the meeting starts.
• B. Maybe the client won’t mind if we don’t have them.
• C. I’m really tired of printing things at the last minute.

Example 2

• Worker: “I noticed a spill in the main hallway. It looks a bit slippery.”
• Supervisor: “We can’t leave it like that; someone might fall.”
• Worker: “I’ll go grab the ‘Wet Floor’ sign and a mop immediately.“
• A. I hope someone cleans that up eventually.
• B. We should tell the manager about it tomorrow morning.
• C. You’re right. I’ll take care of it before anyone walks through.

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Group 2: The “Validation + Detail” (Positivism & Agreement)

The Logic: In social or cooperative dialogues, the correct response usually validates what the speaker said and adds a supporting detail. Look for words like Exactly, True, or I agree.

Example 1

• Friend 1: “I read that getting at least eight hours of sleep can significantly improve your productivity at work.”
• Friend 2: “That makes sense. I always feel much more focused after a good night’s rest.“
• A. I don’t think sleep is that important for work.
• B. Exactly. It’s much easier to manage tasks when you aren’t tired.
• C. I stayed up late watching a movie last night.

Example 2

• Colleague: “The new software update is much faster than the old version, don’t you think?”
• Worker: “Definitely. It saves me at least thirty minutes on my daily reports.“
• A. I agree. The efficiency has really improved our workflow.
• B. I preferred the old version because it was simpler.
• C. I’m not sure if I have the update yet.

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Group 3: The “Fact Finder” (Wh- Category Match)

The Logic: If the prompt ends with a specific question (Who, Where, How long), the answer must provide that specific category of information.

Example 1

• Student: “I’m interested in the computer literacy class. When is the next session starting?“
• Registrar: “We have a few openings left for the summer term.”
• A. The first class begins on Monday at six o’clock.
• B. The class is held in Room 302 on the third floor.
• C. You can register online or at the front desk.

Example 2

• Employee: “I need to send this contract to the legal department. Who is the person in charge of signatures?“
• Assistant: “That would be Mr. Henderson.”
• A. The legal department is located at the end of the hall.
• B. He is available in his office until four PM today.
• C. It usually takes two days to get a contract signed.

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Group 4: The “Safety & Research” Rule (Verification & Caution)

The Logic: When a risk is involved (security, health, or hiring), the correct answer always involves checking an official source or verifying information.

Example 1

• Person 1: “I just got a text saying my utility bill is overdue and I need to click this link to pay.”
• Friend: “That sounds suspicious. You should never click on links from numbers you don’t know.“
• A. You’re right. I’ll call the utility company directly to check my balance.
• B. I think I should just pay it so they don’t turn off my power.
• C. My utility bill is usually due at the end of the month.

Example 2

• Homeowner: “I found a very cheap plumber on a social media ad, but he doesn’t have a website.”
• Neighbor: “Be careful. You want to make sure they are licensed and insured.”
• A. Good point. I’ll check the local business bureau for reviews first.
• B. It’s okay; the price is so low that it’s worth the risk.
• C. I think my cousin knows how to fix a leaky pipe.

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Group 5: The “Technical Logic” (Diagnostic Troubleshooting)

The Logic: When equipment fails, the correct response identifies a practical next step or a logical cause.

Example 1

• Worker: “The coffee machine isn’t brewing anything, even though the light is on.”
• Colleague: “Did you check if there is enough water in the reservoir?“
• Worker: “Oh, I didn’t think of that. Let me look.”
• A. I think we need to buy a brand-new machine.
• B. You’re right. It was empty, so I’ll fill it up now.
• C. I prefer tea anyway, so it doesn’t matter.

Example 2

• Employee: “My computer screen is completely black, but I can hear the fan running.”
• IT Support: “It might just be a loose cable connection.“
• A. I should probably restart the entire building’s power.
• B. I’ll double-check the plug at the back of the monitor.
• C. I think I need to attend a computer training class.

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Group 6: The “Helpful Advisor” (Social Cooperation)

The Logic: When a speaker mentions a personal or professional struggle, the correct response is a collaborative suggestion.

Example 1

• Manager 1: “I’m worried about the safety training next week. We can’t close the office for four hours.”
• Manager 2: “I have the same concern for my department.”
• A. Why don’t we split the staff into two groups and do two sessions?
• B. I don’t think safety training is necessary this year.
• C. Maybe we can just watch a video at home instead.

Example 2

• New Hire: “I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with all these new procedures.”
• Mentor: “It takes time to learn everything. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”
• A. Feel free to ask me any questions whenever you get stuck.
• B. You should have learned this during your first week.
• C. I also felt overwhelmed when I started ten years ago.

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For more information on test standards, visit the official CASAS website. You can also refer back to our previous blog on Level E Vocabulary Strategies for more tips.

Final Success Checklist for Next Line Questions

• Stay Professional: Level E is based on NRS Level 6 Educational Standards. Avoid responses that sound too casual, emotional, or rude.
• Match the Logic: If the speaker asks “When,” the next line must be about time. If they ask “Why,” the next line must be a reason.
• Ignore the Distractors: Options that just repeat a keyword from the audio without making sense in the conversation are traps.

Ready to master the final 40% of the exam? The key is listening to the flow of real professional English. Visit esolsteps.com and take our Part 2 “Next Line” Challenge today!