Sample Independent listening task Examiner rubric Youre going to hear a

talk about wind energy. You will hear the talk twice. The first time, just listen.
Then Ill ask you to tell me generally what the speaker is talking about. Are
you ready?
Now can you tell me in one or two sentences what the speaker was talking
about?
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you
want to. Then Ill ask you to tell me the reasons the speaker gives for and
against the use of wind energy. Are you ready?
Now tell me the reasons the speaker gives for and against the use of wind
energy. Ill stop you after one minute.
Audio script for Independent listening task When it comes to investing in
wind turbines to create electricity, there are various factors that need to be
considered. Most obviously, the creation of wind energy is clean. Unlike the
use of coal or oil, generating energy from the wind doesnt produce
pollutants or require harmful chemicals, and its this factor which weighs
most heavily with those worried about the future of our planet. Moreover,
wind will never run out, unlike other natural, non-renewable resources. So it
would seem to be a winner in at least two very significant areas.
There are those, however, who continue to argue against the use of wind
turbines but it has to be said their arguments tend to focus on much more
detailed issues, and largely ignore the bigger overall picture. Its claimed, for
example, that the blades of wind turbines can sometimes be dangerous to
wildlife, particularly birds. This may be true, but it seems a small price to
pay compared to using other means of power generation, which could end
up destroying the habitats of those very same birds. In addition, the sound
turbines create can, admittedly, be a problem for those nearby. Perhaps a
more significant point, though, and certainly one often mentioned by those
who object to turbines, is that it requires a lot of open land to set them up,
and cutting down trees seems to defeat the green purpose.
Those who criticise wind energy point out that the wind doesnt always blow
consistently. And thats certainly a drawback right now turbines typically
operate at only 30% capacity. If the weather isnt in your favour, you may
end up without electricity. And when there is wind, well, severe storms or
extremely high winds might damage turbines, especially when theyre
struck by lightning. As such weather already damages existing methods of
power production, however, this line of attack seems to be without much
merit.
Ultimately, wind is free. In suitable geographical locations, its there for the
taking. While start-up costs are still off-putting for some, its undeniable that
the overall costs of producing wind energy have been dropping significantly
in recent years, and as it gains popularity, itll continue to become more
affordable. In many countries, the costs of purchasing and installing turbines

are subsidised by government schemes aimed to promote expansion. There

are, no question, a number of problems associated with turbines which still
require solutions but in the longer view, the case for them appears
beyond doubt.

Answers
Gist: Wind energy may be a good way to reduce damage to the
environment, but there are drawbacks. Overall, there is a strong case for
using them (any broadly similar formulation is acceptable).
For Clean energy no harmful chemicals or pollutants involved/produced
Will never run out Doesnt destroy habitats as other power generation
means do Essentially free/any associated costs falling
Against Turbines dangerous to wildlife, especially birds Noisy
Requires large area of open land may lead to cutting down of trees
Supply of wind not consistent turbines operating at 30% capacity Bad
weather can damage turbines

ISE II Independent Listening Task The examiner will read some instructions
to introduce the task and will give the candidate some blank notepaper
they can use to write notes on if they want to. The candidate may ask for
repetition or clarification. Below is an example from the sample exam:
Youre going to hear a talk about truth and lies. You will hear the talk twice.
The first time, just listen. Then Ill ask you to tell me generally what the
speaker is talking about. Are you ready? The examiner will play the
recording. After the recording has played once, the examiner will say: Can
you tell me in one or two sentences what the speaker was talking about?
When the candidate has answered the question, the examiner will hand
them some notepaper and say: Now listen to the talk again. This time make
some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then Ill ask you to tell me what
suggestions and advice does the speaker give about how to tell if someone
is lying. Are you ready?
While the recording is playing the candidate can make notes.
After the recording has played for a second time, the examiner will say:
Now tell me what suggestions and advice does the speaker give about how
to tell if someone is lying. You have oneminute to talk.
Sample audio script The truth is important, but everyone tells lies
sometimes. Even babies learn to deceive from an early age, for example
pretending to cry in order to get attention. Even though lying is natural
human behaviour in a sense, its also important to be able to tell the
difference between a person who is speaking honestly and one who is telling
lies. You dont need a heavy piece of electronic equipment to detect
dishonesty. Everyone can be their own lie-detector. There are three types
of signs to look out for: speech patterns, general attitude and body
language. Firstly, in speech, the liar tends to use overly formal language and
to distance themselves, for example by avoiding the personal pronoun I.
You should also look out for a person giving you too much detail, or even far
too little detail, as they tell their story. You can also tell at lot from a persons
attitude. In a conversation about a missing item, for example, an honest
person will be furious throughout if they feel they are being accused. They
will tend to be enthusiastic and want to help to discover who is guilty. In
contrast, you may notice that a dishonest person is less involved in the
conversation, becoming defensive and angry only in short outbursts.
Another clue is wanting to talk about the event in strict chronological order,
always starting from the beginning and never changing the order. Try asking
them to relate their story in a different way and they may well get confused.
Body language is perhaps the most obvious giveaway. You have probably

heard that liars wont look you in the eye, but, in fact they often stare at the
speaker too steadily. Another common belief is that people make little
nervous movements when they are not telling the truth. But instead you
may find that they keep their upper bodies quite still. So look out for a
person moving their knee or foot. There are so many small signs, such as
blinking your eyes a lot, or putting up physical barriers between yourself
and the other person. A classic example of this is rubbing your nose which
effectively hides either your mouth or your eyes. But, of course, these
physical reactions can happen naturally as well. Truthful people can feel just
as nervous as liars. It is only when you notice a number of these things
happening together that you should be suspicious.
Answer key
Gist: Gist: how to spot a liar various clues (any broadly similar formulation
is acceptable).
Clues Examples
Speech Formal language, distance self
Attitude in conversation Less involved, angry in flashes, needs chronological
order
Body language Gaze too steadily, moving knees and feet, blinking, hiding
face

Sample audio script OK today, were going to be looking at dunes. A dune is

a hill of sand. It might be created by the movement of the wind or by water.
In some places these dunes can be an important natural safety feature, but
in others they can be a threat to towns and settlements. Dunes are quite
common along sea coasts and they are also, of course, very much part of
the desert.
Along coasts, dunes are important to us because they protect the land from
the sea during storms. They also provide fantastic natural habitats for
wildlife and prevent beaches from disappearing. However, despite the key
role they play, the dunes are often threatened by building development or
by projects to make beaches more accessible for tourists.
Protecting sand dunes is going to become more and more important as they
come under greater threat from this human activity. A number of methods
have been tried in New Zealand and Canada for example, and have been
very successful.
One way is to plant trees and bushes which reduce the strength of the wind.
They also grow roots which hold the sand and prevent it from spreading.
Another approach is to build fences to limit how much the sand can move. A
third is to build paths made of wood which direct walkers around the dunes
so they dont get damaged by people walking over them.
Sand dunes along the coast protect towns and villages from the sea. But
elsewhere, dunes can have a negative impact on human beings. This is
especially true in desert areas where the wind moves dunes across quite
large distances and they can threaten areas where people are living.
This movement of dunes is also known as desertification, this is where land
that was once used for farming becomes a desert. The result of this is that
the land can no longer support populations. People are forced to leave their
homes and move to areas where food can grow.

It is also possible to have sand avalanches like those that happen with snow,
where a large amount of sand falls down one side of a dune and can bury
somebody alive.
Preventing sand dunes from destroying villages and crops is now a priority
for aid programmes. One way of stopping dunes from moving is to put oil on
them. But this isnt a good solution it damages the desert as a habitat for
animals and other wildlife. Fences are a safe alternative. They can be useful
in slowing down the movement of dunes. In fact, just like in coastal areas,
building fences and planting trees are the most effective and safe methods
even if the reasons for doing so are very different!
With global warming, it seems likely that deserts will extend more and more
into inhabited areas and areas used for farming. So the need to prevent this
happening is now becoming urgent.

Main point: environmental concerns with reference to sand dunes, need to

protect, methods of preservation
What Why
Coastal
Plant trees and bushes Build fences Build paths
Dunes protect town from the sea Dunes protect beaches
Dunes are a habitat for animals
Desert
Build fences Plant trees
To protect crops and buildings To prevent populations having to
move To protect people from sand avalanches