8-14 – STEVE SMITH

GISTS
ISE 1 listening 8 - Part 2: It’s about rats and how common they are.
ISE 1 listening 9 - Part 2: It’s about saving money for retirement, which people should do.
ISE 1 listening 10 - Part 2: It’s about Vitamin C and why it’s important.
ISE 1 listening 11 - Part 2: It’s about the history of fish and chips, a popular British food.
ISE 1 listening 12 - Part 2: It’s about kissing and what it means in different cultures.
ISE 1 listening 13 - Part 2: It’s about Space Invaders, a popular old videogame.
ISE 1 listening 14 - Part 2: It’s about April Fools’ Day and what people do on this day.

ISE I Listening 8 – Part 1 – Passports

You’re going to hear a short talk about passports. You will hear the talk twice. As you listen, write down some
notes about what you hear, if you want to. After, I will ask you six questions on some facts about passports. Are
you ready?’

One consequence of Brexit is that Britain is returning to the old-fashioned blue passports that were last used in
1988. Many British people prefer these traditional passports instead of the European red/burgundy colour
passports that have been in use for the last 30 years. They seem to see the blue Passport as a symbol of British
independence and a reference to a time when Britain was more important. There are currently about 49 million
valid British passports in use. This means about 85% of British people have a Passport, compared to just a third of
Americans. A new Passport costs £75, and can be applied for online or at the post office. It comes with the
information written in English and French. A Passport is obligatory for British people to travel across borders. The
only exception to this rule is the Queen, who doesn’t have one. A UK Passport allows a person to visit 174
countries without a visa, making it one of the most powerful in the world. Any new passports made in the UK
after October 2019 will be blue in colour.

Now listen again… Now I will ask you some questions.

1. What colour have UK Passports been for the last 30 years?
2. Why are they changing colour?
3. What does the blue Passport represent for some British people?
4. How many British and American people have passports?
5. How much does a new Passport cost?
6. Who is the only person who doesn’t need a Passport to travel?

1. Red/ burgundy
2. It’s one consequence of brexit
3. A symbol of british independence and a reference to a time when britain was more important
4. 85% of british people and a third of americans.
5. £75
6. The queen

ISE I Listening 8 – Part 2 – Rats

You’re going to hear a short talk about a type of animal. You will hear the talk twice. The first time, just listen.
Then I’ll ask you to tell me in a few words what the speaker is talking about. Are you ready?

It is often said that there is one rat for every one person in the modern city. However, most scientists agree that
this is probably an exaggeration, and in fact there is more like one rat for every 35 people. Even so, there is no
doubt that the rat is one of the most successfully adapted species to the urban environment. It has been
estimated that the rat population of New York – known as one of the worst rat cities – is about 2 million. There
are two common species of rat. Firstly, the roof rat, which lives in high places such as in rooves or trees. Secondly,
the Norway rat, or brown rat, which prefers living on the the ground, especially in wet places, such as sewers. The
average rat is about 25cm long, and in addition has a 25cm tail. The tail helps the rat to balance when in search of
food. It also controls the rat’s temperature by expanding and contracting. Rats don’t like to travel far from their
home, they normally look for food no more than 20 metres from their nest. They may be a big problem, but they
don’t actually live for very long – most die before they are a year old. The problem is, they can reprdouce every 3
weeks, so populations quickly multiply. This is one of the reasons why rats have been so successful in the city.
Can you tell me in a few words what the speaker is talking about? …
Now listen to the talk again. Write down some notes about what you hear, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you to tell
me six pieces of information about rats. Are you ready?

ISE I Listening 9 – Part 1 – KFC

You’re going to hear a short talk about a fast food restaurant. You will hear the talk twice. As you listen, write
down some notes about what you hear, if you want to. After, I will ask you six questions on some facts about the
fast food restaurant. Are you ready?’

KFC, or Kentucky Fried Chicken, is an American fast food restaurant chain that specializes in fried chicken.
Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, it is the world's second-largest restaurant chain (as measured by sales)
after McDonald’s. KFC has almost 20,000 locations globally in 123 different countries. What makes KFC chicken
special is the secret mix of 11 herbs and spices that the founder, Colonel Sanders, used as seasoning. The recipe is
still a trade secret to this day, even though many have tried to recreate it in the laboratory. KFC actually use two
different companies to make the seasoning, so that one company doesn’t have the whole recipe. Only a few of
the most important executives at KFC know the recipe for all the herbs and spices. The iconic man on the KFC logo
is the founder of the company, whose real name was Colonel Sanders. Their fried chicken is now truly an
international dish, indeed it is a tradition in Japan to eat KFC at Christmas. The most famous KFC slogan is “it’s
finger-licking good”, because you have to lick your fingers after eating it.

Now listen again… Now I will ask you some questions.

1. Where are the headquarters of KFC?
2. How many locations does KFC have globally?
3. What makes KFC chicken special?
4. Why does KFC use two different companies to make the seasoning?
5. Where is it traditional to eat KFC at Christmas?
6. What is the most well-known KFC slogan?

1. Louisville, kentucky
2. 20,000 locations
3. The secret mix of 11 herbs and spices
4. So that one company doesn’t have the whole recipe
5. In japan
6. It’s finger-licking good

ISE I Listening 9 – Part 2 – Saving for retirement

You’re going to hear a short talk about money. You will hear the talk twice. The first time, just listen. Then I’ll ask
you to tell me in a few words what the speaker is talking about. Are you ready?
Saving for retirement is extremely important. People are living longer and leading more active lives in retirement.
As a result it is more important than ever for you to think about where your income will come from when you are
no longer working. Most financial experts say that you should start saving in your 20s.The later you start saving,
the more difficult it is to ensure a comfortable retirement. However, recent studies show that only 30% of
Americans under 35 are saving towards a pension. They say it is difficult to save money in the current economic
climate. However, there are some serious advantages to starting a pension early. Firstly, the compound interest
means you can earn a lot more money over long periods. Secondly, most pensions pay less tax than other forms
of saving. Finally, many companies match employees’ pension contributions, thus increasing the savings
effectively for free. In conclusion, saving for retirement can be difficult, but economically speaking, it is always a
good idea.
Can you tell me in a few words what the speaker is talking about? …
Now listen to the talk again. Write down some notes about what you hear, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you to tell
me six pieces of information about saving for retirement. Are you ready?

ISE I Listening 10 – Part 1 – Password security

You’re going to hear a short talk about the internet. You will hear the talk twice. As you listen, write down some
notes about what you hear, if you want to. After, I will ask you six questions on some facts about this topic. Are
you ready?’
When we talk about hacking we imagine advanced technology and complicated methods, but the most common
form of hacking is simply guessing someone’s password. It may come as no surprise that the most used password
is “password”, but did you know that the top 10 passwords (such as 123456, football, letmein) are used by over
20% of people? These simple passwords can be hacked in a matter of seconds by anyone using the adequate
computer program. To be safer, experts recommend using more complex passwords – passwords containing
numbers, letters, capital letters and even special characters. A password containing all of these characters would
take about 400 years to hack – or even longer. One good trick for a strong password is to think of a sentence that
is easy to remember, and then use the first letter of each word to make your password. It is a myth that
passwords need to be very long. In fact, a short password is fine as long as it is not an obvious word. The biggest
mistake you can make is writing down your password. It should only be in your head.

Now listen again… Now I will ask you some questions.

1. What is the most common form of hacking?
2. What percentage of people use the top 10 passwords?
3. How do experts recommend being safer with passwords?
4. How long would it take to hack a complex password?
5. What is a good trick to remember a strong password?
6. What is the biggest mistake you can make with your password?

1. Simply guessing someone’s password

2. 20%
3. Using more complex passwords
4. 400 years
5. To think of a sentence that is easy to remember, and then use the first letter of each word to make your
password
6. Writing down your password

ISE I Listening 10 – Part 2 – Vitamin C

You’re going to hear a short talk about a vitamin. You will hear the talk twice. The first time, just listen. Then I’ll
ask you to tell me in a few words what the speaker is talking about. Are you ready?
The human body needs a lot of different substances in small amounts to keep functioning. One of these is vitamin
C. Vitamin C was discovered in 1920, and it was the first vitamin to be made in a laboratory, in 1933. Scientifically
speaking, Vitamin C is an acid, made up of just carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. It is important for preventing the
disease scurvy, which affected sailors who spent a long time at sea without fresh fruit and vegetables. However, it
has never been demonstrated that Vitamin C is effective in fighting against the common cold. The recommended
daily allowance is 90 miligrams a day. This is very easy to get if you eat a balanced diet, and dietary supplements
are not necessary. Vitamin C is found of course in oranges and lemons, but kiwi and broccoli actually contain
much more. Interestingly, humans are one of only two species on Earth that cannot produce their own Vitamin C
in the body. The other is the guinea pig.
Can you tell me in a few words what the speaker is talking about? …
Now listen to the talk again. Write down some notes about what you hear, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you to tell
me six pieces of information about vitamin C. Are you ready?

ISE I Listening 11 – Part 1 – Dangers of selfies

You’re going to hear a short talk about taking photos. You will hear the talk twice. As you listen, write down some
notes about what you hear, if you want to. After, I will ask you six questions on some facts about taking photos.
Are you ready?’

According to a study by an American University, 127 people have died taking selfies since 2014. And the number
of deaths increased by 50% last year. Psychologists say the reason selfies are so dangerous is that we get easily
distracted - we focus too much on getting the perfect picture and forget potential dangers in real life. The country
most affected by selfie deaths is India, and Indian police have even declared “no-selfie” zones in some parts of the
country. In the United States, the biggest cause of selfie deaths was accidents with guns – people pull the trigger
on the gun instead of clicking the button on the camera. A big problem is people copying the Instagram and
Youtube celebrities who inspire people to take these dangerous selfies. Another danger, while often not fatal, is
people driving and taking selfies. Hundreds of accidents are recorded in the USA every year.
Now listen again… Now I will ask you some questions.
1. How many people have died taking selfies since 2014?
2. Why is taking a selfie dangerous according to scientists?
3. What have Indian police done to protect people?
4. What is the biggest cause of selfie deaths in the USA?
5. Who inspires people to take dangerous selfies?
6. Which non-fatal accident is also common while taking selfies?

1. 127
2. We get easily distracted - we focus too much on getting the perfect picture and forget potential dangers in
real life
3. Indian police have even declared “no-selfie” zones in some parts of the country
4. Accidents with guns
5. The Instagram and Youtube celebrities
6. People driving and taking selfies

ISE I Listening 11 – Part 2 – Fish and chips

You’re going to hear a short talk about a type of food. You will hear the talk twice. The first time, just listen. Then
I’ll ask you to tell me in a few words what the speaker is talking about. Are you ready?
• What is the most typical British dish? It’s a difficult question, but many would say fish and chips.
• The first fish and chop shop was opened in London in 1860. It is now one of the most popular takeaway
foods in the UK.
• There are more than 10,000 fish and chip shops in the UK. In comparison, there are only 1,200
McDonald’s.
• To make the dish, the fish is battered and served with fried potato chips.
• Traditionally, the fish was coated in flour and beer.
• The final meal was served and eaten in newspaper, because it was the cheapest way to do it.
• However, this practice ended in the 1980s due to health and safety regulations.
• The traditional condiments with fish and chips are salt and vinegar.
• Interestingly, fish and chips is not as unhealthy as you think. An average portion contains only 7% fat.

Can you tell me in a few words what the speaker is talking about? …
Now listen to the talk again. Write down some notes about what you hear, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you to tell
me six pieces of information about fish and chips. Are you ready?

ISE I Listening 12 – Part 1 – Riders

You’re going to hear a short talk about concerts. You will hear the talk twice. As you listen, write down some
notes about what you hear, if you want to. After, I will ask you six questions on some facts about concerts. Are
you ready?’

A fairly modern phenomenon, the rider is the list of demands made by an artist to the theater where they are
playing. The theater must meet the criteria of the rider if they want the artist to perform there. Riders can be
divided into two categories, firstly hospitality, and then technical riders. Technical riders include things such as
the sound and lighting equipment – an artist could demand a certain type of piano be present for example.
Hospitality riders are more focused on the comfort of the artist. A good example would be when an artist
demands a private bathroom in the theater. Artists also often ask for specific types of food, fresh towels and free
tickets to the show for friends and family as part of the rider. The most famous example of a rider comes from the
band Van Halen. They demanded a bowl of the chocolate sweet M&Ms, but without any of the brown M&Ms.
They said the objective was to make sure the theater paid attention to the demands of the band.
Now listen again… Now I will ask you some questions.
1. What is a rider?
2. What must the theater do with the rider?
3. What are the two types of rider?
4. What’s an example of a technical rider?
5. What’s an example of a hospitality rider?
6. Why did Van Halen ask for brown M&Ms?
 1. The list of demands made by an artist to the theater
2. The theater must meet the criteria of the rider.
3. Hospitality and technical riders
4. The sound and lighting equipment
5. When an artist demands a private bathroom in the theater
6. To make sure the theater paid attention to the demands of the band

ISE I Listening 12 – Part 2 – Kissing

You’re going to hear a short talk about love. You will hear the talk twice. The first time, just listen. Then I’ll ask you
to tell me in a few words what the speaker is talking about. Are you ready?

A kiss can express sentiments of love, passion, romance, sexual attraction, peace, good luck, and much more.
Kissing may seem like a universal human action, but in fact about 10% of the world do not kiss, for various cultural
or religious reasons. For example, in Sudan, the mouth represents the portal to the soul, so they do not kiss as
they think the spirit could escape through the mouth. A long passionate kiss can involve 34 muscles, mostly facial
muscles, and burn more calories than walking. However, it’s not necessarily healthy. It is estimated that in each
kiss at least 10 million bacteria are exchanged between the participants. Kissing is also practised in the animal
kingdom – chimpanzees are particularly passionate kissers. Kissing at the conclusion of a wedding ceremony goes
back to ancient Roman tradition where a kiss was used to sign a contract.
Can you tell me in a few words what the speaker is talking about? …
Now listen to the talk again. Write down some notes about what you hear, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you to tell
me six pieces of information about kissing. Are you ready?

ISE I Listening 13 – Part 1 – The dirtiest place in the home

You’re going to hear a short talk about cleanliness. You will hear the talk twice. As you listen, write down some
notes about what you hear, if you want to. After, I will ask you six questions on some facts about cleanliness. Are
you ready?’
• Compared with the past, we are quite clean today. However, our homes sill contain some places that are
a perfect habitat for bacteria and dirt. The dirtiest room in the house is normally the kitchen. This is because it
offers an ideal environment for bacteria – water, food and heat are all available. Within the kitchen, the dirtiest
place is normally the sink. This is quite worrying given that we wash our plates and dishes there every day. In the
bathroom, the hand towel is also particularly dirty. Experts recommend washing hand towels every week.
Another surprising habitat for bacteria is the computer keyboard. The constant contact with unwashed hands and
warm conditions again make it susceptible to dirt and bacteria. Finally, the bed can cause many skin problems if it
is not kept very clean. On a happier note, one famous study found the cleanest part of the house to be the toilet
seat, because it was so often cleaned with disinfectant.
Now listen again… Now I will ask you some questions.
1. Why is the kitchen normally the dirtiest room in the house?
2. What is the dirtiest place in the kitchen?
3. How often should we wash hand towels?
4. What can be found in the computer keyboard?
5. What problems can a dirty bed cause?
6. Why is the toilet seat the cleanest part of the house?

1. It offers an ideal environment for bacteria

2. The sink
3. Every week
4. Dirt and bacteria
5. Many skin problems
6. It is often cleaned with disinfectant

ISE I Listening 13 – Part 2 – Space Invaders

You’re going to hear a short talk about a videogame. You will hear the talk twice. The first time, just listen. Then
I’ll ask you to tell me in a few words what the speaker is talking about. Are you ready?
Space Invaders was an arcade game released in Japan in 1978. It was one of the first shooting games, and the
objective was to shoot invading aliens as they descend to get points. The design for the aliens was based on real
creatures such as octopus, crabs and squid. Space Invaders was extremely popular and is credited with helping
videogames become a global industry. The Times Newspaper ranked it as the most influential videogame of all
time. It was so popular that in 1981, a billion dollars was spent on the game by players, making it the best-selling
entertainment product of its time. Part of the addictive sensation comes from the increasing difficulty as the
player completes each level and moves on to the next level. Nowadays the original game is a prized collector’s
item.

Can you tell me in a few words what the speaker is talking about? …
Now listen to the talk again. Write down some notes about what you hear, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you to tell
me six pieces of information about Space Invaders. Are you ready?

ISE I Listening 14 – Part 1 – Bottled water

You’re going to hear a short talk about a type of drink. You will hear the talk twice. As you listen, write down some
notes about what you hear, if you want to. After, I will ask you six questions on some facts about this drink. Are
you ready?’
Bottled water was first sold in 1622 in the United Kingdom, where its minerals were believed to have curative
properties. Much later, at the beginning of the twentieth century, the demand for bottled water decreased due to
the introduction of safe, chlorinated tap water. It was only recently, in 1973, that a type of plastic suitable for
water bottles – light and flexible – was invented. Since that time, sales of bottled water have increased
dramatically. It is predicted that by 2020, we will drink more bottled water than coca-cola, lemonade and other
soft drinks combined. Most people appreciate the convenience that bottled water offers - having bottled water in
their gym bag for example. And some people say it tastes better and is healtheir than tap water. However, the
rise of bottled water has also had a negative impact on the environment. Even though most plastic is recyceld, a
large proportion is not.
Now listen again… Now I will ask you some questions.
1. When was bottled water first sold?
2. Why did demand for bottled water decrease at the beginning of the twentieth century?
3. What type of plastic is needed for bottled water?
4. What has happened to sales of bottled water since 1973?
5. Why do people drink bottled water?
6. What is the negative impact of bottled water?

ISE I Listening 14 – Part 2 – April Fools’ Day

You’re going to hear a short talk about a special day. You will hear the talk twice. The first time, just listen. Then
I’ll ask you to tell me in a few words what the speaker is talking about. Are you ready?

April Fool’s Day is on the first of April. It’s the custom in the UK to play a trick or a joke on someone on this day. If
the person falls for the joke, then they are called an ‘April Fool’. Fool means a silly or stupid person. The French
call April the first Poisson d'Avril, or "April Fish." A popular trick is to stick a picture of a fish onto someone’s back.
In fact, in the UK, it’s only half a day because April Fool’s Day finishes at midday. No more jokes after lunchtime,
please! The origins of April Fools’ Day are unknown, but it goes back hundreds of years. Although it is a special
day, it is not a public holiday in any country. One of the most famous examples comes from April Fools’ Day 1957,
when a British television program convinced many people that spaghetti grew on trees in Italy.
Most newspapers publish one false story on the morning of April Fools’ Day.
Can you tell me in a few words what the speaker is talking about? …
Now listen to the talk again. Write down some notes about what you hear, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you to tell
me six pieces of information about April Fools’ Day. Are you ready?