CBSE Assessment of Speaking and Listening (ASL)

Class IX Code IX-L-02

Time: 40 min Max Marks: 20
Audio scripts and Answer key

Task 1 4 marks

You will hear some tips on good posture. Read the notes given in your worksheet, then
listen to the tips and complete the notes with one or two words only. You will hear the
recording twice.
Good posture improves appearance, gives confidence and keeps your back strong. Here are
some steps for improving your posture.

When standing, hold your head up, pull your stomach in, keep your chest forward and your
knees straight to avoid injuring your back.

When sitting, a chair with a backrest will keep your back straight. When working, never bend
over your desk. Sit with your knees making a right angle and your feet flat on the floor.

When lying down, lie with your head on a pillow so that your spine is in a natural position.

While lifting things, bend at the knees so that your leg muscles take the weight, not your back.

While lifting, keep the object close to your body.

Task 2 5 marks

You will hear a girl and her friend having a conversation about growing bonsai plants
as a hobby. Read the statements given in your worksheet, then listen to the conversation
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?

Girl: I like to spend my free time playing badminton. What about you? Is there a particular
sport you like?
Boy: Well, Im not really into sports. I am more into gardening. I enjoy growing bonsai
plants. My grandmother taught me the art and its become a wonderful hobby.
Girl: Bonsai? Are they a special kind of plant?
Boy: Yes, bonsai are very small trees that are grown in tray-like containers or small pots.
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The word bonsai comes from Japan where they were cultivated initially, way back in
the early fourteenth century.
Girl: Thats a rather unique hobby. But I cant understand how a tree, even if its a small
one, grows in a pot.
Boy: I know. Its hard to believe, but the trees are cut regularly and are trained to grow to
a maximum height of about 3 feet. In fact, some bonsai are so small that they
can fit in the palm of your hand. But still, they resemble fully grown trees.
Girl: Tell me, how long do bonsai plants live?
Boy: Oh, most bonsai trees have a very long life. In fact, some bonsai trees live for over a
hundred years and are lovingly passed down from one generation to the next.
Girl: How interesting! I think a bonsai would also make a good gift. Next time, Ill give my
friends a bonsai rather than a bouquet of flowers that would die in a few days.
Boy: A good idea, indeed! And I could teach you how to grow and look after a bonsai.
Girl: Oh, thank you! That would be nice. Is it difficult to grow a bonsai?
Boy: Well, yes. A lot of care is required to maintain a trees health in a small pot.
Girl: Oh, really?
Boy: Yes. Raising bonsai requires controlling the shape the trees take. You need to bend
branches with wires and cut them regularly. Bonsai also need regular repotting; this is
a process where overgrown roots are cut before replanting in new soil.
Girl: Oh my! This is definitely not easy! It requires a lot of patience and creativity. In fact,
its no less than an art, isnt it?
Boy: Exactly! Thats why growing bonsai is called an artistic hobby. Its an art that has no
end as there is no such thing as a finished bonsai. As long as the trees are alive, they
must be cared for on a daily basis.
Girl: True. So, when can I see your collection of bonsai?
Boy: Oh, do drop in any time tomorrow!

Task 3 5 marks

You will hear five short extracts of people expressing their views on music. 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: I am a marathon runner and I use music to enhance my performance. Do you find
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that difficult to believe? Its true, you know. Just try training, listening to some music. Time
will fly and you wont realise how well body movement and coordination have improved. I
hardly feel tired even after three to four hours of rigorous practice.

Speaker 2: Maybe you have no time to listen to music due to a very busy lifestyle. But you
should fit in some time for music on the radio while having a shower, eating your breakfast or
working out. You could even listen to music while driving. Listening to soft music at bedtime
is also a good idea. It will help you in more ways than one.

Speaker 3: Ive read that music helps disabled children improve motor coordination and
communication. Scientific studies reveal that music speeds up healing in patients after
surgery. It calms angry people, makes the restless more relaxed and reduces pain from a range
of painful conditions. Doctors say music helps release certain healing chemicals within the
body that fight pain. Thats wonderful, isnt it?

Speaker 4: Did you know babies as young as five months respond to music? Apparently they
find it more interesting than speech! Young students who choose music as an extracurricular
activity develop a higher verbal IQ than those who dont. Music is also a great bridge between
teenagers and their parents and prevents arguments and misunderstandings. Its too good to be
true!

Speaker 5: Certain music and songs with offensive lyrics can influence our minds as well
as our emotions negatively. If music can make a good mood better, it can also make a bad
mood worse. Music at times also distracts us from our work or studies. So I feel we need to be
careful about the music we listen to.

Task 4 6 marks

You will hear a scientist address students on how to be successful in life. Read the
questions given in your worksheet, then listen to the extract and choose a or b or c
for each question. You will hear the recording twice.
Good morning, dear students. Its an honour to address youthe future leaders of the world.
All of you come to school to receive an education for a better life. But the truth is that many
of the things needed to succeed in life are learned outside the classroom. In fact, there is
something to learn from everything. Whats required is a willingness to learn.

You can even learn very important lessons for a successful life from creatures as small as ants.
For instance, the first thing you can learn from ants is the importance of setting goals.Ants
know what to do in every season. They plan well in advance and work hard to avoid famine.
In order to move forward purposefully, you must have goals in your life. I would say a goal
helps show you the way ahead.

The next thing you can learn from ants is determination. It doesnt matter how long it takes, or
how many obstacles they encounter, ants always find a way to reach their destination. Now,
if you face a challenge, what do you do? How do you cope? Ants teach us that no matter how
terrifying things may look, you should never quit or lose hope.
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Ants ignore all that comes in the way of achieving their objective. If you put your finger in
an ants path, it just walks around it and marches on to where its heading. Similarly, you
shouldnt let anything get in the way of realising your objective. For example, if theres a
lot of homework to do, dont let the television divert your attention before you complete it.
Ants always work in a team. When one ant finds food, it informs the others so that everyone
can share it! You should do the same with regard to knowledge and resources. Remember,
knowledge unshared cant be used for the progress and well-being of mankind.

Finally, we find ants just about anywhere. Its remarkable how theyve managed to get the
most out of living with human beings. Walk in the forest and youll find ants. Move into a
new house and youll eventually find them there. Like them, you too, should adapt to your
surroundings and when things change, learn to make the most of it.

Watching ants is an incredible experience. The lessons they teach are priceless. I believe these
lessons can certainly help you succeed in life.

Thank you!
Key
Task 1 Task 2 Task 3 Task 4

1. injuring A A Speaker 3 1b
2. backrest B B 2c
3. natural position D C Speaker 5 3c
4. knees E D Speaker 1 4a
G E 5b
F Speaker 4 6b
G Speaker 2