CBSE Assessment of Speaking and Listening (ASL) Class XI SA 2, Code XI-L-01, Audio scripts and Answer key, Audio 1

CBSE Assessment of Speaking and Listening (ASL)
Class XI Code XI-L-01
Time: 45 min                          Max Marks: 20
Audio scripts and Answer key

Task 1                      5 marks

You will hear five people talk about weather predictions. Read the statements below, then listen to the extracts and match each statement A–G to each speaker 1–5.There are two statements you do not need. You will hear the recordings twice.

Speaker 1
I use my mobile phone to know all about the climate. I downloaded this free mobile application that offers me precise forecasts. It’s so useful to know whether it will be too hot to venture out or if a thunderstorm in the evening would spoil a great family outing. I hear another new application gives you access to the world’s largest network of weather-sensors. You can receive daily forecasts, alerts and so much more! Isn’t that great?

Speaker 2
You know, my grandfather swears he can foretell the weather through his body! He usually complains of aching joints before it rains. He then announces that the weather is going to change by the evening. And the strangest thing is it really does rain! My dad’s a doctor and he says that a person’s joints may be sensitive to a drop in biometric pressure or increased humidity, but there’s no proven cause-and-effect relationship to body pain and the rains.

Speaker 3
Did you know that birds and animals have a natural intelligence about changes in the weather? Some animals start howling, scratching or huddling about when a big storm is brewing. Birds are as alert. They probably feel a change in the wind’s force and start flying low, so they don’t get caught in the strong drafts. Experts say hurricanes cause large decreases in air and water pressure, so that’s probably how they pick up the signals.

Speaker 4
In the village I belong to, our local shepherd has a quaint chant. He says, ‘Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight. Red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning!’ What I read up about it is this. Meteorologists say that dry particles in the air cause a redness in the sky. If this redness is in the west in the evening, then dry weather is coming. But if the red sky is in the east in the morning, then it’s a sure sign of wet weather coming our way.

Speaker 5
‘Ring around the moon, it’s meant to rain soon!’ I know, you probably feel the moon has no role to play in telling us what the weather will be. But I’ve been reading about it. A halo around the moon on a clear night indicates bad weather moving in. It’s actually the light of the moon refracting through ice crystals from cirrus clouds. These clouds are found really high up in the sky and appear before low-pressure systems build up. And hence the belief in the saying.

Task 2                    6 marks

You will hear two students talking about Meghalaya. Read the sentences below, then listen to the conversation and choose A, B or C for each sentence. You will hear the recording twice.

Boy: It’s a real pity the north east of India has still not developed into a tourism hotspot, isn’t it? There’s so much to see and do there.

Girl: Yes, I agree. I’ve always wanted to go to Meghalaya, the Abode of Clouds. It’s so picturesque and the climate is always so pleasant. I hear the tribals are really friendly and their culture is so fascinating.

Boy: But reaching there is an arduous task. Do you know the state has no network of railways to connect its landlocked regions? Mendipathar is the first and only railway station in Meghalaya that opened in 2014 and connects to Guwahati.

Girl: Yes, I know. But the road network is really good. In fact, National Highway 40 connects the state with Guwahati and other cities of the country.

Boy: Really? I would really like to visit Cherapunjee! Imagine having a place with the maximum rainfall in the world, in our own country. I hear there are some fabulous waterfalls located in Cherapunjee.

Girl: Yes, I’ve heard of them too. A friend of mine who is a regular trekker, was telling me about the deep caves of Meghalaya. I believe caves like Siju and Syndaiare are mainly made of stalagmites and stalactites.

Boy: Yes, yes. I’ve heard about this huge stalagmite creation at Mawsynram. It’s a short distance away from the capital, Shillong. The ‘Maw’ in Mawsynram is a Khasi word which means ‘stone’ and refers to the megaliths found in the Khasi Hill area.

Girl: Incidentally, Mawsynram is actually the wettest place on earth, you know. It receives more rain than even Cherapunjee. I’ve heard the rainfall is so intense here, the villagers use thick grass to sound-proof their huts from the deafening rain!

Boy: Wow! Fascinating!

Girl: And they also have a unique kind of rain shield that looks like a turtle shell. It’s called a ‘knup’. It’s woven from bamboo, broom grass and plastic sheets. They wear it on the head and it’s large enough to keep the rain off your whole body, up to the knees.

Boy: Really? I wish I could get one myself for the monsoon at Mumbai!

Girl: (laughs) Yes, I’m sure it would work well. And another must-do experience here is the hanging bridges made from roots of living banyan fig trees. I believe they take about two decades to grow that strong. The locals use them to cross turbulent streams during the monsoon.

Boy: You’re really making me restless to visit this state! I’m a wildlife enthusiast. I really want to experience Meghalaya’s exotic flora and fauna in their many sanctuaries. Do you know the state boasts of a stunning range of over three hundred and twenty five species of orchids?

Girl: Oh! I didn’t know it was that large!

Boy: Yes. And you’ll never find such a huge variety of birds too. Robins, bulbuls, parakeets, hornbills, pheasants, peacocks, jungle fowl and even the Himalayan Whistling Thrush. It’s a paradise for bird watchers!

Girl: That’s true. I hear you find the Hoolock in their forests too.

Boy: Yes, the only tailless ape in India. I must plan a wildlife safari tour this summer to Meghalaya. I bet it will be the best experience of my life!

Girl: I know!

Task 3                                   4 marks

You will hear a talk by a student on volunteering. Read the questions below, then listen to the talk and choose four of the options A–G which are correct. Write the correct letters in the blank boxes.
You will hear the recording twice.

Which FOUR of the following statements are true?

Thank you for inviting me to talk to you on volunteering and its benefits. I’ve always been an animal lover. Volunteering at a zoo was a natural outcome of this interest. So it’s important to know what you enjoy doing in your free time, and then volunteer in those fields. I had a wonderful time learning about a wide range of wild animals, their habits and their needs. Initially, I was trained in the kitchen, preparing food for the animals. Then I was allowed to accompany the staff and feed a few of them myself. The baby tigers were rather playful. They used to flick their tails into the water trays and spray me all over! The emus were rather fussy and refused to eat from my hand! On the other hand, the rhinos actually responded to my voice and came close to me to feed. That was thrilling! My time in the reptile house is also well worth repeating. People can photograph themselves with the reptiles here and I used to drape a huge python around my shoulders and pose with the visitors. They used to look at me with such awe! I also helped with nursing sick animals in the zoo hospital and did a lot of sweeping and cleaning. My experience taught me the value of hard work and the satisfaction of doing it right. And I know my passion for wildlife conservation is here to stay. If you want to take up volunteer work, start early at school. Join a nature club, or tree plantation drives or pet clubs. WWF and Kids for Tigers also welcome young volunteers. Do remember that your career need not affect your volunteer work. You can pursue volunteering if you are passionate about it and still hold a nine-to-five job in an office.

Task 4                             5 marks

You will listen to a speech by an expert on food adulteration. Read the statements below, then listen to the extract and complete the sentences using one or two words only.
You will hear the recording twice.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for inviting me to this forum on ‘Food Adulteration: The Consumer’s Responsibility’.

Ladies and gentlemen, food adulteration is a very profitable business. Nobody realises how deep-rooted it is and how seriously it threatens us. There’s so much in the news today about the lead content of ready-to-eat foods and the bans that have been enforced. But what about everyday foods, such as milk, dal, ghee and spice powders? Do we really know how much they are adulterated as well?

Let me recall the epidemic that broke out in 1998. Several people in the city of New Delhi developed symptoms of water retention, skin rashes, diarrhoea, enlargement of the liver, eye problems and even heart failure. Detailed investigations finally laid the blame at contaminated mustard oil. During festival seasons, there have been repeated instances of stomach infection and food poisoning due to adulterated sweets and chocolates. The colouring agents added to sweets contain carbon and heavy metal that cause asthama and allergies. Regular ingestion of these sweets even leads to cancer.

Do you know dairy owners add a cocktail of chemicals to milk to prolong their shelf life? These agents damage the kidney and liver. Our daily fruits and vegetables are regularly sprayed with highly toxic pesticides that threaten human life. Calcium carbide, used to artificially ripen mangoes is known to cause nausea, vomiting, headache, and burns in the gastrointestinal tract.

Ladies and gentlemen, we live in dangerous times. Adulteration is easy money for traders and slow death for consumers.

So what can we do to protect ourselves from such devious practices? First, know the rules that protect you. The Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act of 1955, states that food adulteration is a crime and punishable as an offence. Every state has Food Analysts and Food Inspectors. Their addresses can be obtained from the Health Officer of the area or from the State’s Directorate of Health Services or the Food and Drugs Department.

Whenever you suspect any defect in food items, report immediately to the Food Inspector or Sanitary Inspector of your area or the Health Officer concerned. Familiarise yourselves with the Standards of Weights and Measures (Package) Commodities Rule of 1977 and the Consumer Protection Act of 1986 to defend your interests as a consumer. Be vigilant and responsible while shopping. Low priced items need not always be the safest and best buys. Trying to save a few rupees may well land you in deeper trouble! Cheap goods are cheap goods. Stay away from them especially where food is concerned. Always verify the ‘Best before…’ date of packed food. Make sure they have an Agmark or ISI mark for quality.

Demand bill receipts after you finish shopping. Would you believe it, today, only 10 % of consumers ask for proper receipts! Know that you have a right to be protected from hazardous goods, a right to fair prices and choices and a right to justice. Use them and safeguard your health and: your loved ones too.  Thank you!

Worksheet

CBSE: Assessment of Speaking and Listening Skills (ASL)
Class XI Code XI-L-01
Time: 45 min Max Marks: 20
LISTENING TEST

Task – 1                                5 marks

Task – 2               6 marks

You will hear two students talking about Meghalaya. Read the sentences below, then listen to the conversation and choose A, B or C for each sentence. You will hear the recording twice.

1. The girl wants to visit Meghalaya for its
a. striking scenery and hospitable people.
b. beauty, cool weather and community life.
c. scenic beauty, weather, people and traditions.

2. A unique aspect of Meghalaya’s transport system is the
a. absence of regular train services.
b. excellent helicopter network.
c. number of airports in the state.

3. Mawsynram is named after its
a. famous caves.
b. record levels of precipitation.
c. rock formations.

4. A ‘knup’ is a local innovation that helps people
a. store water during the monsoons.
b. keep dry from rainfall.
c. keep the sound of rainfall down.

5. The girl recommends a walk over a stream on
a. suspensions shaped from tree roots.
b. living bamboo overpasses.
c. handmade broom grass and rope bridges.

6. The conversation on Meghalaya’s flora and fauna reveals
a. how endangered they are.
b. their rich and unusual diversity.
c. their links to species around the country.

Task – 3                          4 marks

You will hear a talk by a student on volunteering. Read the questions below, then listen to the talk and choose four of the options A–G which are correct. Write the correct letters in the blank boxes.

You will hear the recording twice.

Which FOUR of the following statements are true?
A The speaker feels pleasurable activities decide the voluntary work you do.
B The speaker enjoyed cooking, so he trained in the zoo kitchen.
C Feeding the baby tigers was rather difficult and stressful for the speaker.
D His work in the reptile house was a memorable experience.
E The speaker’s stint at the zoo has convinced him of his future path.
F The speaker insists students must work in nature conservation.
G The speaker believes one’s occupation and volunteering can be kept separate.

Task – 4                            5 marks

You will listen to a speech by an expert on food adulteration. Read the statements below, then listen to the extract and complete the sentences using one or two words only.

You will hear the recording twice.

1. The speech opens with the current issue of ___________ ___________ in instant food.

2. An ___________ in Delhi highlights how daily food items are also contaminated.

3. The speaker asks people to stand up to this ___________ by understanding the laws and policies.

4. All packaged items must have their ___________ attested to by the Agmark or ISI sign.

5. The speaker urges strong consumer awareness to ___________ against unfair trade practices.