CBSE Assessment of Speaking and Listening Skills (ASL)

Class XI Code XI-L-02

Audio scripts and Answer key

Time: 45 min Max Marks: 20

Task 1 5 marks
You will hear five short extracts of people talking about different types of tourism.
Read the statements given in your worksheet, then listen to the extracts and match each
statement AG to each speaker 15. There are two statements you do not need.
You will hear the recordings twice.
Speaker 1
People travel for different reasons. I travel because I love exploring new areas which are
not only scenically beautiful but also provide opportunities for exciting physical sports, like
mountaineering, trekking, skiing or river-rafting. Luckily for me, I dont have to worry too
much about company. I travel along with a group of four like-minded friends. We enjoy
travelling to a new destination every year. Instead of staying in hotels, we camp in tents. This
makes for a complete experience!
Speaker 2
With tourism really opening up in India, I look for the best options available. Many tour
operators promote group tourism to a variety of attractive destinations around the country.
Their itineraries include places where tourists can get a glimpse of the culture, tradition and
lifestyle of the region, along with an opportunity to interact with the locals. I have undertaken
several such trips with my family, especially during unusual events that occur once in a
couple of years.
Speaker 3
My idea of travel might seem a little away from the beaten path, but I wont have it any other
way! A few friends and I travel not for personal comfort or pleasure, but to work with local
communities. We choose destinations that are remote and underdeveloped. We work as
volunteers on various outreach programmes set up by NGOs. Digging wells, teaching local
children or women or working for the environmentthey have provided more memorable
experiences than a regular holiday could ever do.
Central Board of Secondary Education Trinity College London

Speaker 4
Medical tourism has probably become one of the biggest stimuli for travel. India offers the
latest and the most advanced medical facilities and treatments at very affordable rates. This
attracts people from all around the world. The governments visa-on-arrival schemes and
availability of budget accommodation and also knowledge of English contribute to a positive
travel experience. Experts predict that the annual growth of medical tourism in India is likely
to grow steadily, making it an extremely profitable industry in the country.
Speaker 5
Ever heard of food taking people places? A friend of mine described an extraordinary food
safari he went on while travelling abroad. This is a new concept of travel, with dedicated tours
to please the palate. He said chefs and restaurant managers not only spoil visitors with mouth-
watering food and recipes, but also entertain them with anecdotes and interesting insights into
the historical and cultural significance of local food. I accompanied him on one such journey
last year. What a culinary adventure it was!

Task 2 6 marks
You will hear two students talking about voting rights for teenagers. Read the sentences
given in your worksheet, then listen to the conversation and choose a or b or c for
each sentence.
You will hear the recording twice.

Boy: I feel the voting age for teenagers should be lowered to sixteen years. There is no major
difference between a sixteen-year-old and an eighteen-year-old. In fact, I feel many sixteen-
year-olds are more sensible than some twenty-year-olds. After all, they have a say in deciding
the future of their country too!

Girl: Well, I partly agree with you on this, being a sixteen-year-old myself! But there must be
some wisdom behind granting teenagers the right to vote only when they turn eighteen. I feel
waiting a couple of years more to vote isnt such a bad thing. There is a time and age for every
right to be gained, isnt it? Be it getting a driving license, joining the armed forces or voting
rights. The thing is, voting involves complex decision making. The mind needs to be really
mature for it. It makes sense to keep it as one of the last rights to be gained.

Boy: Whats the harm in learning about our countrys democratic processes early in life?
It makes sense to involve future citizens like us in the countrys affairs from an early age.
Whats wrong in giving us the right to be part of the electorate? Its good to learn about
managing the countrys affairs from the age of sixteen. Its good for democracy and its good
for us sixteen-year-olds. In fact, the chances are higher well make wise decisions by the time
we reach twenty one!
Central Board of Secondary Education Trinity College London

Girl: Im not speaking for myself, but tell me, do all sixteen-year-olds really follow politics or
care about voting? They may have an opinion but not enough knowledge. All they would do is
ask their parents or best friend who they are voting for and that opinion will become his or her
own view! Wouldnt that be a terrible waste of voting rights?

Boy: Im not saying that wont happen, but dont adults do the same thing too? The members
of a household will definitely influence each other on who they should vote for. It happens all
the time in every part of the world, Im sure.

Girl: Another point is, sixteen-year-olds are not yet ready for real-world responsibilities. They
are rebellious and angry most of the time. I was recently reading some research that said that
the brains of young adults are not fully mature. To give them a right to vote can be dangerous.
They may vote somebody in for all the wrong reasons...a famous celebrity who may not know
how to rule the country, rights issues that appeal to the angry young teenager...none of them
will really help the nation.

Boy: But if you dont engage with teenagers early enough and empower them through a
democratic right, to influence decision-making, you are never going to inspire them to get
involved in our democracy. Youth issues are best represented by the youth themselves.

Girl: I agree, but they must be educated and well-informed to be able to do that. Its only
when you are a working member of society that you are ready to explore your rights with
responsibility and conviction. There is a time and a place for everything! I think its best we
leave it at that!

Task 3 4 marks
You will hear a speech by an expert on internships. Read the statements given in
your worksheet, then listen to the extract and choose four of the options AG which
are correct. Write the correct letters in the blank boxes provided. You will hear the
recording twice.

Which FOUR of the following statements does the speaker believe to be true?

Who is an intern and what does interning demand of you?

Wellinterns are usually college or university students, but school students can be interns
too.

Interns are trainees who work, often without pay, in order to gain work experience or to meet
qualification requirements for a particular profession. So an internship is on-the-job training
without too many perks!
Central Board of Secondary Education Trinity College London

Most of you choose your subjects in high school after a lot of thought and discussion. But have
you had misgivings about what you are studying for? Whether you have made the right choice
or not? Dont worry. This is quite normal. Let me explain.

My childhood dream was to become a doctor. I worked as a volunteer in my fathers friends

clinic. I realised I was chasing an impossible dream. I caught a glimpse into the demanding
life of a medical professional. The smell of medicines and disinfectants caused headaches and
nausea. I knew I couldnt take this every day. I wondered how my parents would react to the
news. But, it was an important decision I had to take.

Today, when they see me as a successful entrepreneur, they are happy for me. And it was an
internship that helped me find my true path

Interning is a great way to find a career that suits your personality. Its the perfect opportunity
to identify what you will like doing for the rest of your working life. Grab any opportunity
that you can get to intern at clinics, offices or studios. Look for organisations where
volunteers are accepted.

Please dont think it is wasted effort. Whether you pursue your dream career or change
your decision, internships make your resum stand out. It speaks of your motivation and
willingness to workyou gain confidence and learn how to adapt in a challenging and
dynamic world.

Task 4 5 marks
You will listen to two students, a boy and a girl, debate about advertising and its impact.
Read the statements given in your worksheet, then listen to the speakers and complete
the sentences with one word only. You will hear the recording twice.
Boy: I personally believe advertising is a waste of precious time and money. Advertisers
compete with one another all the time, exaggerating the quality of their products and trying to
tempt and confuse prospective buyers.
Girl: On the contrary, I think advertisers are doing a great service. They inform people about
new products. They dont force people to buy things. Surely people know their own minds.
And remember, competition is healthy because it offers more choices and keeps prices in
check.
Boy: Not all buyers are as alert as you think. Most shoppers buy things because of sheer
temptation and regret it later.
Girl: You cant blame advertising for that. Organisations around the world want to become
more visible or make profits. Thats the way it works. Dont we all look at advertisements in
newspapers or magazines? Information about admissions to different colleges, vacancies for
Central Board of Secondary Education Trinity College London

jobs and property for sale must reach the wider public. So, whats wrong with advertising
goods and services for the same reasons?
Dont forget, this industry has helped the economy by generating revenue and employment
opportunities for millions.
Boy: Would you say the same of fast food chains that serve children junk food? We all know
they advertise food which lacks nutritive valueis addictiveand causes health problems.
What about the toy industry? A vast range of overpriced toys for young children or violent
video games for the youth are specially advertised to catch their attention and increase a desire
for them. Children nag their parents into buying the products at any cost. Is this ethical? Does
it reflect a sense of moral responsibility?
Girl: Your concerns are genuine. But parents raise their children with the right values from
their early years. Schools too train youngsters to cope with social pressures by integrating life
skills and value education into the curriculum. All these are bound to have a positive effect on
children.
Boy: How can you expect children to resist persuasive advertising? Unlike adults, children do
not possess critical thinking skills. They cannot make informed decisions. They can be easily
manipulated to accept new values designed only for profits. I honestly feel advertising must be
regulated. We need laws to prevent advertisers from marketing potentially harmful products.
Girl: Youll be glad to know that most governments have already passed laws which direct
food companies to use healthy and nutritious ingredients in their products and not to mislead
the public by hiding information.
Boy: Thats good news, indeed. I feel governments should also restrict the number of
advertisements on television and radioIts the commercial breaks that affect peoples minds
about brands, brand value and popular culture.
Girl: I know, but television channels can raise money only by selling space for commercials.
They cant manage operations otherwise. In fact, even governments look for outside
sponsorship of national eventsthe Commonwealth Games are an example.
Boy: No matter what, we have a moral duty to protect young minds from brand wars that
creep into schools, offices, streets, homes, and families.
Girl: Well, dont forgetIndia has improved literacy rates and wiped out polio because of
innovative media promotion. They can reach millions of people even in the remotest parts of
the country. So every black cloud has a silver lining!
Central Board of Secondary Education Trinity College London

Key

Task 1 Task 2 Task 3 Task 4

5 marks 6 marks 4 marks 5 marks

A - Speaker 4 1. a A 1. competition

B- 2. b B 2. temptation

C - Speaker 5 3. c D 3. critical thinking

D - Speaker 1 4. a F 4. commercial breaks

E- 5. b 5. literacy

F - Speaker 3 6. a

G - Speaker 2