CBSE Assessment of Speaking and Listening (ASL)

Class IX Code IX-L-05

Time: 40 min Max Marks: 20

Audio scripts and Answer key

Task 1 4 marks

You will hear a weather forecast. Read the notes below, then listen to the predictions and
complete the notes with one or two words only. You will hear the recording twice.

Welcome to the weather forecast for today.

In the north of the country there is a chance of hailstorms. It’s going to be very cold. The
temperature will be around -2o C. In the east it’s going to be rainy all day today. There may
be a thunderstorm in the afternoon. The temperature will be a bit higher, at around 20o C. In
the west and middle of the country the weather is likely to remain dry. There will be some
wind and the temperature is likely to remain at 25o C. The south of the country will have the
best weather today. It’s going to be sunny most of the time. The temperature in the south will
remain around 35o C.

Task 2 5 marks

You will hear two friends talking about their hobbies and interests. Listen to their
discussion and choose five of the options A–H which are correct. Write the correct letters
in the blank boxes. You will hear the recording twice.

Which FIVE of the following statements are true?

Boy: You know, Deepa, yesterday Dad got some stamps for me. I need to fix them in my
album.

Girl: Oh, really? But what charm is there in collecting stamps, Tarun?

Boy: Well, I find it fun. I’ve been collecting them for close to a year and I’ve learned a lot.
It’s a hobby that both young and old can enjoy.

Girl: Personally, I feel that they’re just pictures on little pieces of paper. Do they really have
any value?
Central Board of Secondary Education Trinity College London

Boy: That’s a wrong perception, Deepa. Stamps tell us so much about other parts of the world.
They tell us about each country’s culture and its people. I would say they’re a storehouse of
knowledge.

Girl: But Mr Philatelist, how do you manage to get stamps from around the globe?

Boy: Well, I save stamps from the mail that comes home. I ask my friends, relatives and
neighbours to save the stamps from their mail for me. Tell me, Deepa. What do you do in your
leisure time?

Girl: My hobby is gardening. Seeing plants grow and blossom fills my heart with so much
joy. It’s such a pleasure to realise the fruits of your own hard labour, you know!

Boy: I know. I’ve read that gardening has many health benefits. In fact all hobbies do that for
us, don’t they? They give us pleasure and peace of mind.

Girl: You’re right. Gardening keeps me so fit, it’s better than going to a gym. I get exercise
for both mind and body.

Boy: True. What kind of plants have you grown in your garden?

Girl: I love flowers, so there’s China rose, marigold, hibiscus, jasmine and gladioli. Lotus has
just begun to bloom in a little pond! My fresh flowers make wonderful bouquets for birthdays
and anniversaries!

Boy: But when do you spend time in your garden?

Girl: Every day after school. But my parents also love gardening, so we share the work
between us.

Boy: It must be a great feeling to have your garden admired by everybody, mustn’t it? You
feel like you’ve accomplished a great goal.

Girl: Yes! It is! We’re thinking of including vegetables in our garden too. Nothing like
garden fresh vegetables in the menu.

Boy: Absolutely! It’s really strange, isn’t it, Deepa, how hobbies help us enjoy work rather
than drive us away from it?

Girl: Yes. And I also like the way they help discover new talents and abilities that we never
knew we had in us!
Central Board of Secondary Education Trinity College London

Task 3 5 marks
You will hear five short extracts of people talking about the significance of cleanliness.
Read the statements below, then listen to the extracts and match each statement A–G to
each speaker 1–5. There are two statements that you that you do not need. You will hear
the recording twice.

Speaker 1: Cleanliness means different things to different people. To me, it is one of the
most important practices for a healthy life. It’s a habit that should definitely be learnt from
childhood because it has direct connection to the quality of one’s life as an adult. In fact, it’s a
habit that stays with you throughout life. I believe it’s a must-have habit for all.

Speaker 2: Pollution is caused by people. Greed is probably the main cause for pollution and
its many ill effects, but part of the problem is the result of people’s unclean habits. You are
dirty, your surroundings get dirty. And it remains filthy as long as that one man, one woman,
or child does not perceive that the problem lies with them.

Speaker 3: We are no longer as clean as we used to be. Shifting social values and money
power has triggered the change. Nowadays, people spend less time at home and more at the
work spot. They pay someone else to do the cleaning for them at home. Hence, maintaining a
clean environment is no longer a matter of individual importance.

Speaker 4: Good manners dictate that clean is better than dirty. We know we must wash our
hands before and after eating. We eat off clean dishes, not dirty ones. We wash our clothes
regularly because soiled clothes reflect badly on us. And, of course, we’re always diligent
about keeping ourselves washed, scrubbed, and perfumed. It’s a natural outcome of how we
regard ourselves as members of a civilised society.

Speaker 5: It’s funny how love for cleanliness has helped shrewd businessmen turn the
humble soap into a beauty product. Have you noticed how clever advertising promotes the
idea that more expensive means better quality? Film stars and noted icons endorse soaps and
shampoos for value and exclusivity. So the cost equals the hygiene! Cleanliness certainly
comes at a very heavy price today.

Task 4 6 marks

You will hear a speech by a doctor on children participating in reality shows. Read the
questions below then listen to the talk and choose A or B or C for each question. You will
hear the recording twice.

Thank you for the opportunity to discuss views on whether reality shows are good for young
participants. I hope this forum makes parents and authorities realise what a serious issue we
are dealing with. We must be heard around the country and we must take collective action
quickly.

What happens to young children who are thrown into physically demanding and emotionally
Central Board of Secondary Education Trinity College London

draining reality shows? How do they cope with the pressures of a live studio audience,
exemplary performances and endless elimination rounds without losing faith in themselves?
What happens on days they don’t feel well? Is it fair to put them before a panel of judges to
field tough questions or criticism on their performance?

I personally believe that the trend must be stopped. The high level of competition and the
pressure to deliver leads to frustration and a crippling fear of failure. I know of several
instances where children are pushed before the camera only by parents obsessed with fame
and fortune. Unrealised hopes and ambitions and greed for instant prize money make these
parents tough on their children, and unrelenting.

I feel we need stronger legislation to protect the rights and welfare of children on reality
shows. They do not earn anything during the competition, they are not classified as employees
nor do they receive the benefits that a ‘child actor’ receives. Television companies are not
employing these minors and so, ignore child labour laws. Isn’t this exploitation at best and
abuse at worst? Look at it objectively. How many hours do they work in a day? Do they have
a clearly defined work contract? How many performances must they complete before results
are announced? Who cares about their personal safety or happiness?

Celebrity status can be momentary and young stars don’t know how to handle it. The situation
gets worse once the money or the popularity dies out. These children are denied the chance to
naturally and spontaneously develop their character and personalities. All the fun and joy of
daily life is lost. They lose out on proper schooling and friendships.

Television ratings continue to dictate the way the game is played. We must work together and
stop this menace. The public inspection that children are being put through nonstop media
exposure must be ended. Children can’t make informed decisions for themselves. It’s up to
parents, teachers and experts like us to help them. Thank you!

Key

Task 1 Task 2 Task 3 Task 4

4 marks 5 marks 5 marks 6 marks

1. north A A – Speaker 5 1c
2. rainy B B – Speaker 3 2b
3. dry D D – Speaker 2 3c
4. sunny E E – Speaker 4 4b
H G – Speaker 1 5a
6a