TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON Graded Examinations in Spoken English Sample listening tasks - Advanced Stage (Grades 10-12) The following document contains some sample listening tasks for Grades 10- 12. Please note these are example tasks and will not be used in a real examination. Disclaimer: The sample exam materials in this document have been provided to assist teachers with the preparation of learners for the Trinity Graded Examinations in Spoken English, Please make sure you fully consult the Exam Information Booklet for the requirements of the exam. Trinity will not consider complaints which cite the use of sample exam materialsGrade 10 — Sample listening tasks The examiner will introduce the Listening phase by saying: ‘Tm going to read you three short passages and after I've finished each one, I'd like you to either suggest a suitable ending or answer a question. I'll then move on to the next passage. Are you ready?" Grade 10 Type 1 1. Although we're very close, my sister and | aren't alike. We've been going on holiday together for ages, at least twice a year, and once the date’s fixed we follow the same old pattern, Well before departure, she’s washed and ironed her clothes, bought her foreign currency and guidebook and packed her stuff, whereas | never get ready until. Expected response: the last minute/the night before (or equivalent) 2. You can do almost anything with mobile phones nowadays. So much so that some people never seem to take their eyes off them. | quite often see people wandering down the street or even crossing the road, tapping away at them, completely oblivious of what's happening around them. I'm just surprised that this doesr’t lead to more... Expected response: accidents/crashes/collisions (or equivalent) 3. Alot of people have claimed that computer games stifle the imagination and are bad for the development of our brains, However, new evidence shows that they help people problemsolve as the games constantly challenge you. They also help you think creatively and you can even network whilst playing. So in fact, computer games can actually be. Expected response: good/beneficial for you (or equivalent) 4, Asan actor, | definitely respond to conceptually interesting films ~ especially science fiction ones, with their escape from the life we know on Earth. Being involved in something so different, that’s thrilling, If | come across a script that is original, | go after it. It’s really exciting being part of a film which creates an entirely new. Expected response: world/universe/reality (or equivalent) 5. | don't like being told what to do. If | buy something that | need to assemble, I never look at the instructions. When I buy electronic gadgets | just fiddle around until they start working. And when 'm getting a meal ready | just throw all the ingredients together and rely on my taste instead of using a... Expected response: recipe/cook book Disclaimer: The sample exam materials in this document have been provided to assist teachers with the preparation of learners for the Trinity Graded Examinations in Spoken. English, Please make sure you fully consult the Exam Information Booklet for the requirements of the exam. Trinity will not consider complaints which cite the use of sample exam materialsGrade 10 Type 2 1. _ Right everyone. You're doing okay, but you need to start putting in a bit more effort and start working as a team. They're running away with it at the moment and we can't afford to let them get too far ahead. You're forgetting everything we've been doing in training. So, go out there and show them what you can do! Q: Who is the speaker? A: A coach/trainer. 2. My tutor taught me the format to use. First you have to state what you'll be writing about. Then, you give a general background before you move on to the body of the work. For each paragraph | make an introductory point, followed by an explanation and an example. Finally, the conclusion is basically a summary of everything I've discussed in the main part. Q: What activity is the speaker describing? A: Writing an essay/dissertation. 3. It was a bit of a challenge coming back from the coast last weekend to say the least. Because of the freezing fog, there was almost zero visibility through the windscreen. ‘There was ice everywhere too, which meant we kept slipping and sliding all over the place. Some people didn't keep their distance either, despite all the public safety campaigns we've had. : How does the speaker feel about the driving conditions? A: They were dangerous/difficult (or equivalent). 4, I've always been fascinated by looking back, so writing fiction set in the present day doesn't appeal to me. | love the idea of presenting life in a different time and making it, vivid and authentic for other people. Before I start on a new novel, I do a lot of, research, getting to know a period well. | hope to present the characters in a realistic way. : What subject does the speaker write about? : History/(life) in the past (or equivalent). 5. The problem with most other exercise programmes is that you don't keep them up. ‘They often require special equipment or gym membership. And as soon as you change your daily routine, the exercise stops. This doesn’t happen with our programme. All you eed is yourself and enough space to lie on the floor. Just 15 minutes a day, indoors or outdoors, and you have a healthy habit for life, Q: What is the speaker's purpose? A: To advertise/promote/persuade people to use a fitness or exercise programme (or equivalent). Disclaimer: The sample exam materials in this document have been provided to assist teachers with the preparation of learners for the Trinity Graded Examinations in Spoken English, Please make sure you fully consult the Exam Information Booklet for the requirements of the exam. Trinity will not consider complaints which cite the use of sample exam materialsGrade 11- Sample listening tasks The examiner will introduce the Listening phase by saying: ‘Tm going to read you three short passages and after I've finished each one, I'd like you to either suggest a suitable ending or answer a question. 'll then move on to the next passage. Are you ready?” Grade 11 Type 1 1. We all know that if food looks good and smells good, we're more likely to want to eat it. The smell of freshly-baked bread is irresistible and a beautifully-presented dish can be literally mouth-watering, But, more surprisingly, scientists at a leading university have discovered that sound is equally important. Highrpitched tunes played on the piano make things taste sweeter and low brass sounds make things taste bitter. Eating, it seems, is an experience which involves nearly all of our... Expected response: senses/faculties 2. When you become an expert in your field, it becomes increasingly difficult to convey your message. Particularly to those who have never come across the subject before. Because you have a vast store of advanced knowledge, it's challenging to put the clock back and imagine what it’s like to be starting out. In my view, it becomes harder to teach rather than easier. With such a gap in level, it is difficult to put yourself in the shoes of au. Expected response: student/pupil/beginner/person with no knowledge of the subject (or equivalent) 3. Nowadays, employees are increasingly expected to show creativity, but how can this be differentiated from innovation? Well, creativity takes place in the mind, it's simply when someone has an idea. Anyone can put forward an idea for anew product. But it doesn't become innovation until that product is actually launched on the market. This is the crucial difference ~ creativity is a flash of inspiration, whereas innovation is making that inspiration... Expected response: real/a reality/come true/teasible/viable (or equivalent) 4, Teenagers and adults have never seen eye to eye about bedtimes and usually parents have insisted on early nights. But now there's compelling evidence that teenagers’ body clocks are different from adults’. When they want to stay up late and get up late, they arer't just being rebellious! It seems it’s all down to hormones and chemicals in their bodies. Some schools are taking the teenage sleep cycle very seriously and are even considering beginning... Expected response: school/lessons/classes/the school day later (or equivalent) 5. During the restoration of this picture, it was realised that it was indeed painted by Leonardo. We always believed that he'd painted such a picture because we've got two sketches. Lots of versions have survived and it was always assumed that this was just a copy. There's obviously been some damage here and the restorer has substantially repainted the background. However, no Leonardo scholar who's seen this painting in the flesh doubts that this is the... Expected response: original/real (painting by Leonardo) (or equivalent) Disclaimer: The sample exam materials in this document have been provided to assist teachers with the preparation of learners for the Trinity Graded Examinations in Spoken. English, Please make sure you fully consult the Exam Information Booklet for the requirements of the exam. Trinity will not consider complaints which cite the use of sample exam materialsGrade 11 Type 2 1. [don't know where Id be if | couldn't buy stuff over the internet, but all that added convenience comes at a price. You've got to make all your purchases up front, so you cant rule out the possibility of identity theft. You just have to take certain precautions. One thing you can do is just go to sites you've heard of. Of course you might be tempted by a bargain somewhere else, but you may well be ordering counterfeit or even norexistent goods. : What is the speaker’ attitude towards online shopping? A: You have to be careful/cautious (or equivalent). 2. One person on the stage attempting to entertain an audience for a whole show is bound to struggle a bit. But his show was very slick and his timing was brilliant. He told some very amusing anecdotes which had me in tears and some of his lines were hilarious. | thought one or two of his gags were in bad taste, poking fun at some people, But we all came out with smiles on our faces. Id definitely like to see him again. Q: Who is the speaker talking about? A (stand-up) comedian/a comic. 3. _ In developing the processing of plastics, we should be guided by nature. The amount of waste in nature is minimal and almost everything is reused, Your unwanted belongings need not be burnt or buried, but should be re-formed for use by industry instead. You shouldn't just be a consumer. In future, you will need to dispose of an object with a View to it being transformed into something else. Hopefully, my ideas will make you reconsider what you do with objects you might otherwise discard with household waste. Q: What is the speaker’s purpose? A: To persuade/encourage people to recycle (plastic) (or equivalent). 4, It's the end-of-season ones that are the hardest for us. Everyone's out looking for bargains after the holidays and there's a lot of pushing and shoving in the queue when ‘the doors are opened. The busiest departments are always clothes, household and electrical goods- though there are crowds everywhere and the tills never stop ringing all day, It’s a great relief when it's finally time to close and we can get home and put our feet up! Q: What event is the speaker describing? : A sale/the sales. 5. I'm just overwhelmed. | don't know what to say. But Im just so grateful to everyone who worked so hard to help me win this award my fellow cast members; all the people behind the camera; our generous producers; our super creative director; the costume and make-up people- just everybody. We were a fabulous team! And, of course, | couldn't have done this without my wonderful parents who have always backed me up and been there for me, This is our award. What is the speaker's main purpose? A: To thank/praise people (for an award) (or equivalent). Disclaimer: The sample exam materials in this document have been provided to assist teachers with the preparation of learners for the Trinity Graded Examinations in Spoken English, Please make sure you fully consult the Exam Information Booklet for the requirements of the exam. Trinity will not consider complaints which cite the use of sample exam materialsGrade 12 — Sample listening tasks The examiner will introduce the Listening phase by saying: ‘Tm going to read you three short passages and after I've finished each one, I'd like you to either suggest a suitable ending or answer a question. I'll then move on to the next passage. Are you ready?" Grade 12 Type 1 1. made up my mind | wanted to be an astronomer when | was very young. | found the night sky and the idea of space fascinating. | read as much as | could about it ~ I thought ‘this is it!"It was mind-blowing. But when | went to university, this was turned upside-down. | couldn't bear listening to the lecturers droning on and on. And above all, hated having to memorise all those facts for exams. It put paid to my enthusiasm. Before long, all the wonder fd felt in astronomy was. Expected response: gone/lost/dead (or equivalent) 2. Some fascinating research was carried out about the effects that birth order among brothers and sisters has on our lives. According to statistics, the oldest child is the most conscientious, has a higher 19 and even higher earnings than his or her siblings. Whereas the youngest child supposedly ends up having greater wit, charm and the ability to get on with people. This seems to hold true for a number of people | know, but | suppose these sorts of statistics should always be taken with a pinch of salt. For example, in my family it’s the youngest whose salary is.. Expected response: higher/the best/the largest (or equivalent) 3. I'm concerned that we're placing too much trust in experts. Ina world where there is a deluge of information, we believe that experts are more up to the task of assessing it than we are. We rely on them unthinkinaly, forgetting our own sense of responsibility. When we have to weigh up different courses of action, we should abandon our over- reliance on expert advice and start making our own decisions. The consequences of not doing this are alarming. A recent experiment showed that people would accept the advice of experts whether or not... Expected response: it was right/correct/qood (or equivalent) 4, I'd never done it before and was shaking like a leaf. | had to do this if | wanted to prove myself in. my new job. | stayed up till late making copious notes and | practised it in front of the mirror countless times. Despite an initial wobble in my voice, it seemed to go down pretty well. | got my points across and managed to crack a joke at the end! There were a few laughs and applause. So | breathed again and realised that in future, | won't mind. Expected response: giving a presentation/talking in public/public speaking (or equivalent) 5. The press has had a field day reporting recent experiments with drugs that appear to be unravelling the mechanisms of sleep. According to scientists, these drugs would make sleep unnecessary. Imagine a 24-hour society, one in which people would never need to sleep. They could work all day and party all night. Sound like a nightmare? But then nightmares would be a thing of the past. However, a doctor from a sleep research Disclaimer: The sample exam materials in this document have been provided to assist teachers with the preparation of learners for the Trinity Graded Examinations in Spoken. English, Please make sure you fully consult the Exam Information Booklet for the requirements of the exam. Trinity will not consider complaints which cite the use of sample exam materialscentre argues that sleep enables the brain to store memories and recuperate from work. He therefore believes these drugs... Expected response: are dangerous/should be banned/are a bad idea (or equivalent) Disclaimer: The sample exam materials in this document have been provided to assist teachers with the preparation of learners for the Trinity Graded Examinations in Spoken English, Please make sure you fully consult the Exam Information Booklet for the requirements of the exam. Trinity will not consider complaints which cite the use of sample exam materialsGrade 12 Type 2 1. I keep hearing new theories which support the idea that music can help you to study more efficiently. For example, some research claims that listening to the right kind of music when you study can help relax your mind, cut down on other distractions and enable you to concentrate better. Some people even say that listening to music with 60 beats per minute puts you in an alert state of mind which can help you focus more easily. | suppose this is possible, but surely anything that competes for your attention when you're trying to concentrate is a distraction. What is the speaker's attitude to the idea that listening to music helps you study? A: Sceptical/questioning/dubious (or equivalent). 2. One of the mysteries that perplexed zoologists for a long time is why zebras have stripes. The most common theory up to now has been that the stripes make it more difficult for predators to single out an individual zebra from the herd, But it turns out thats not it. And they're not for decoration either. Like all members of the horse family, zebras are plagued by flies, which can make their lives a misery. So experiments. were devised to see whether the stripes had any effect. Results have shown that plain black and plain white horses attract far more insects than two-tone zebras. : According to the passage, why do zebras have stripes? A: To repel/keep away flies (or equivalent), 3. The hardest part of my job is at international conferences or diplomatic events when have to do it simultaneously. | need to make sure I represent what the speaker's just said in the same tone and register, so that their exact intention and meaning is conveyed to the audience quickly and accurately. It’s not just a case of communicating their message word for word as that could result in confusion. The mental acuity required in this profession is very challenging, but | take pride in the fact that others are dependent on my skills. : Who is the speaker? A: An interpreter/a translator. 4, Many governments strive to eradicate all risk from the lives of the people they serve. But this desire is counter-productive. If we never encounter danger, surely we'll never learn to cope with it. Some safety warnings are laughable. On the packaging of one brand of an electric iron appeared the caveat, ‘Do not iron clothes on body’; on a child's Superman costume it stated, ‘Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly’. It's. simply not possible to prevent all accidents. By definition, an accident is something unpredictable and out of our control. : What is the speaker's attitude to government attempts to prevent accidents? A: Critical/that they are ridiculous or pointless (or equivalent). 5. Our planet has always been in a state of continuous change, causing the habitats of various animal species to be altered and modified. Such natural change to animal habitats tends to occur at @ gradual pace, usually having only a slight impact on individual species, which isn't a major concern. However, a greater problem is when changes occur in such a way that thereis little or no time for individual species to react and adjust to new circumstances. This can have a disastrous effect and lead to habitat destruction, which in turn can result in some species becoming endangered. : What kind of change to animal habitats is the speaker worried about? A; Fast/rapid change (or equivalent). Disclaimer: The sample exam materials in this document have been provided to assist teachers with the preparation of learners for the Trinity Graded Examinations in Spoken English, Please make sure you fully consult the Exam Information Booklet for the requirements of the exam. Trinity will not consider complaints which cite the use of sample exam materials