WAY TO IELTS SUCCESS – THE 30-DAY IELTS LISTENING MARATHON

DAY 2 SCRIPTS, KEYS, EXPLANATIONS

TASK 1 – WHY DO WE YAWN?
Bears yawn. Camels yawn. Most mammals yawn. Why do we yawn? No one really knows the answer. We do
know that everyone yawns in the same way. First you open your mouth slowly. Your mouth stays open for
about five seconds. Then you quickly close your mouth. We also know that yawning is contagious, or catching.
When you see someone yawn, you yawn, too. Many people say that they yawn because they are bored or tired.
This might be true. However, we know that people also yawn when they are excited or nervous. Olympic
runners, for example, often yawn before a race. Why is that? Some scientists believe that yawning makes you
more alert. When you yawn, you breathe more deeply. You also stretch the muscles in your face and neck.
Maybe this makes you feel more alert. Scientists don't spend much time studying yawning. That is probably
because yawning doesn't hurt. It is just something we do.

TASK 2 – WHY DO PEOPLE LAUGH?

Do you laugh every day? Most people do. Scientists say that people laugh about 17 times a day. That is a lot
of laughter. In India, there are hundreds of laughter clubs. The people in these clubs get together every morning.
First they stretch their hands above their heads. Then they pretend to laugh. Soon everyone is laughing
naturally. People say they feel good after laughing together. Scientists believe that laughter is good for you.
Why? For one thing, laughter is good exercise. When you laugh, you exercise many muscles in your body.
Scientists say that one hundred laughs equals ten minutes of running. When you laugh, you also breathe deeply.
This helps you relax. That's good for you, too. Why do we laugh? That is a hard question to answer. We know
that people laugh more often in a group. They don't laugh very often when they are alone. Many scientists
believe that we use laughter to connect to other people. Laughter helps us feel part of a group. In English,
people say that laughter is the best medicine. Some think that laughter helps sick people get well. Do you think
so, too?

TASK 3 – WHY IS THE SEA SALTY?

There is a lot of salt on the Earth, and it mixes very well with water. There is some salt in all water. Water on
the land runs into lakes and rivers. The water from most lakes goes into rivers. These rivers run into the seas
and oceans. They carry a little salt with them. Some of the ocean water moves into the air and clouds. It
evaporates. Salt cannot evaporate. It stays in the ocean. The water in the oceans has more salt than the water
in rivers. Ocean water is about 3½ (three and a half percent) salt. Some seas have more salt than others.
Some lakes do not have a river to carry the water and salt away. Some of the water evaporates, but the salt
cannot. These lakes are very salty. There are two famous lakes like this. They are the Dead Sea in the Middle
East and the Great Salt Lake in the state of Utah in the United States. They are much saltier than the Atlantic
Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

TASK 4 – HOW CAN A PLANT KILL?

People kill. Animals kill. Animals and people kill for food, or they kill their enemies. People and animals can
move aroW1d and find something to kill. They can run away from an enemy. They can kill it if it is necessary.
Many kinds of animals eat plants. The plants cannot run away from their enemies. Some plants are poisonous.
If an animal eats part of the plant, it gets sick or dies. Animals learn to stay away from these plants. There are
many kinds of plants that make poison. Most of them grow in the desert or in the tropics. Farmers use many
kinds of poison on their farms. Most of these poisons come from petroleum, but petroleum is expensive.
Scientists collect poisonous plants and study them. Maybe farmers can use cheap poison from plants instead of
expensive poison from petroleum.

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 TASK 5 – HOW DO MANY HEARING-IMPAIRED PEOPLE TALK?
Hearing-impaired people cannot hear sounds well. How do they "hear" words? Many hearing-impaired people
use sign language. They talk with their hands. Two hearing-impaired people can talk to each other. They both
use sign language. Sometimes a person who can hear interprets for hearing-impaired people. The person listens
to someone talking, and then he or she makes hand signs. There are two kinds of hand signs. Some hand signs
are for whole words. For example, there is one hand sign for the word love. There are hand signs for different
actions, things, and ideas. Some of the signs are very easy, for example, the signs for eat, milk, and house. You
can see what they mean. Others are more difficult, for example, the signs for star, egg, and week. The second
kind of hand sign is fingerspelling. In fingerspelling, there is a sign for every letter in the alphabet. For
example, to fingerspell the word love, a person makes four different signs. It is much slower to fingerspell, but
it is useful for signing names and technical words. People can use both kinds of hand signs together. Each
country has its own sign language. For example, American Sign Language (ASL) is very different from British
Sign Language. Using sign language is almost like a dance. The whole body talks. Sign languages are beautiful.

TASK 6 – TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN TEST

STATEMENTS TRUE FALSE NOT GIVEN
1. Katie’s initial view about Paul’s summer plans is entirely positive. FALSE
2. Katie enjoys department store work. NOT GIVEN
3. They finally agree that there is no excuse for not being computer literate. FALSE
4. In the summer Paul will work individually with every trainee. TRUE
5. Paul has been a volunteer before. TRUE
6. Katie never volunteered for anything. NOT GIVEN
7. Paul believes they share the same motives for their summer holidays. TRUE

SCRIPT:
Katie: You are going to work all summer as a volunteer?
Paul: Yes. It’s really exciting. I can’t wait.
Katie: Let me see now, that’ll be no money, no time off and no summer. I can only see positives!
Paul: Ha-Ha, how witty you are, very funny. Is it worth even trying to explain to a summer department store
worker such as yourself?
Katie: Steady on brother! OK — tell me about it. I am all ears.
Paul: Did you know there are thousands of people with no computer skills? Think about that for a moment.
What jobs today don’t need computers? And think about our media surroundings. It’s all websites, virtual
opportunities, social networking and so on. Then just imagine you don’t understand any of it. Imagine no
prospect ever of getting a job or even....
Katie: Paul — there is no excuse nowadays for anyone not having basic computer skills.
Paul: Really? What about people over 50? They never had computer classes at school because for ordinary
people then, there were no computers. And what about those disadvantaged by dyslexia, or those from tough
home environments, or the elderly, or...
Katie: I get the picture. Go on.
Paul: I’ll be in a training centre, giving one-to-one tuition to people whose lives might really change for the
better. I did one evening a week last term and loved it. Now I have a whole summer.
Katie: Well I will work 7 days a week for most of the summer. And then I am going to the south of France with
James and we’ll have the summer holiday of our lives.
Paul: That’s great Katie. Don’t think I don’t approve or even that I am not a tiny bit jealous. I am not a saint
and actually in a sense, we are both taking the same option.
Katie: What do you mean?
Paul: You, dear sister, and I are both choosing exactly what we want to do this summer and really, we are
making that choice only for ourselves.
Katie: Well — I still think you should get a halo.

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EXPLANATION:
STATEMENT 1: ‘Let me see now, that’ll be no money, no time off and no summer. I can only see
positives!’ From Katie’s words it is understandable that she could not see any positive here, so the answer is
FALSE.
STATEMENT 2: There is no detailed information about Katie’s enjoyment of department store work, so the
answer is NOT GIVEN.
STATEMENT 3: Based on their words: ‘There are many people over 50 and people with dyslexia who can't
use computer’, they agree that it is still a case, so the answer is FALSE.
STATEMENT 4: Paul says he’ll be in a training centre, giving one-to-one tuition to people whose lives might
really change for the better, so the answer is TRUE.
STATEMENT 5: The answer is TRUE because Paul did one evening a week last term and he loved it. Now
he has a whole summer.
STATEMENT 6: We do not know about it, so the answer is NOT GIVEN.
STATEMENT 7: Peter says: ‘I am not a saint and actually in a sense, we are both taking the same option.’ ,
so the answer is TRUE.

TASK 7 – TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN TEST

STATEMENTS TRUE FALSE NOT GIVEN
1. Katie is certain that her brother’s choice for the summer vacation is the best. FALSE
2. Katie worries that she might never change. TRUE
3. James believes Katie’s thinking is correct. FALSE
4. James suggests that they should take opportunities while they can. TRUE
5. James believes that all people are born to be alike. NOT GIVEN
6. Katie decides to go on the Mediterranean holiday. TRUE
7. Being a volunteer is of no interest to James. NOT GIVEN

SCRIPT:
Katie: Paul’s going to be working as a volunteer this summer. For some reason this news has unsettled me a
bit.
James: Why is he doing it?
Katie: He just wants to. I guess he gets a kick from helping people.
James: So why does it bother you?
Katie: I suppose it’s because I have been thinking that my brother is going to do something much better with
his life than I ever will. The decisions we make now, I mean, aren’t they the same kind of decisions we’ll make
throughout our lives? If I am self indulgent now — won’t I always be?
James: Katie — that’s a bit heavy. And your thinking is upside down.
Katie: Or inside out?
James: I don’t know what you mean Kate — but think about this. You’re young. You don’t have kids or to pay
for a house. You’ll possibly never know again the freedom you have now. Or if you do — then you’ll be old.
This is your time now. Paul’s doing what he wants. So should you.
Katie: But don’t you think we should live our lives to try and make a difference?
James: We all make a difference in small ways. The jobs we do, the money we spend, the decisions we
influence. It’s small stuff but we are small amongst almost 7 billion people who live here. And maybe one day
you’ll have children who will also have children and they’ll all touch the world in small ways.
Katie: Now who is getting weird?
James: Katie — all I am saying is not everyone is going to be Mother Theresa and thank God for that say I.
Katie: And your conclusion Mr Philosopher, sir?
James: My conclusion is that you and I going to the Mediterranean Sea, to sunshine, to cool bars, to nights of
dancing. And we will never forget and we will never regret.
Katie: Agreed! And I suppose I could volunteer one night a week next term — like Paul did.
James: Way to go Mother Katie!
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EXPLANATION:
STATEMENT 1: Katie’s brother’s working unsettled (made worried) her, so the answer is FALSE.
STATEMENT 2: Katie thinks she will always stay self indulgent, so the answer is TRUE.
STATEMENT 3: James believes that Katie’s thinking is upside down meaning not right as it should be, so the
answer is FALSE.
STATEMENT 4: Relying on what James says to Katie: ‘You’re young. You don’t have kids or to pay for a
house. You’ll possibly never know again the freedom you have now. Or if you do — then you’ll be old. This
is your time now. Paul’s doing what he wants. So should you.’, we can infer that the answer is TRUE.
STATEMENT 5: No information is given about it, so the answer is NOT GIVEN.
STATEMENT 6: Katie agreed to go to the Mediterranean Sea with James, so the answer is TRUE.
STATEMENT 7: No information about it too, , so the answer is NOT GIVEN.

TASK 8 – TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN TEST

STATEMENTS TRUE FALSE NOT GIVEN
1. Ivy previously believed she could never learn to use computers. TRUE
2. Ivy’s husband Fred is impressed by Paul. TRUE
3. Fred has been on a computer course before. NOT GIVEN
4. Paul refused to take Fred as his trainee. FALSE
5. James and Katie will do two evenings a week in September. FALSE
6. CLAIT is easier than the Office Skills course. TRUE
7. Ivy plans to finish CLAIT and Office Skills courses by the end of winter. NOT GIVEN

SCRIPT:
Ivy: Thank you so much Paul. I can’t believe it. I can use e-mail! I can download files! I can go e-shopping!
It’s like a whole new world.
Paul: Ivy — the pleasure is all mine. I told you it would be really easy.
Ivy: I know you did. And I said to my husband Fred I’d never manage to switch on a computer let alone use it.
And he turned round and said to me “You listen to that Paul. He’s alright he is”. And he was dead right. Guess
what! Fred wants to have lessons as well but only if he can have them with you.
Paul: It would be a privilege to teach your husband Ivy. I am sure he’ll be as bright a star as you are.
Ivy: What’s on the course in the autumn? Will you still be here?
Paul: I’ll be back to college in September but I’m still planning to do one evening a week here. So are my sister
Katie and her boyfriend James, so you’ll have plenty to choose from.
Ivy: You’re my choice Paul! So what do you think I should study next?
Paul: Well, you’ve completed the beginners course, Ivy, and the logical next step is the improvers’ course. But
in my opinion you now know enough to go straight to a higher level. You can take the CLAIT course and get a
diploma. Or you can stretch to Office Skills and Administration which is a bit tougher but it will really improve
your chance of getting a job.
Ivy: Oh I can just see me. Keen young 57 year old secretary!
Paul: You are not too old Ivy. If you get the right qualifications you could be earning a decent salary next year.
Ivy: Which course will you be teaching in September?
Paul: I’ll be doing CLAIT every Wednesday evening.
Ivy: Then I’ll begin with CLAIT.
Paul: And you can always do the Skills course in January. It might well be the best route.
Ivy: Where do I sign?
Paul: Just tell Frances in reception and she’ll get you registered.

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EXPLANATION:
STATEMENT 1: Ivy was surprised when she says: ‘I can’t believe it. I can use e-mail! I can download files!
I can go e-shopping! It’s like a whole new world.’ which makes it clear that she did not believe she would
learn to use computers, so the answer is TRUE.
STATEMENT 2: Ivy’s husband turned round and said to her “You listen to that Paul. He’s alright he is”, so
the answer is TRUE.
STATEMENT 3: Although Fred wants to take part in a computing course, we do not know if he took such
courses before, so the answer is NOT GIVEN.
STATEMENT 4: According to Paul, ‘It would be a privilege to teach your husband Ivy. I am sure he’ll be as
bright a star as you are.’, so the answer is FALSE.
STATEMENT 5: Paul says they are planning to do one evening a week there, so the answer is FALSE.
STATEMENT 6: Paul believes that Ivy now knows enough to go straight to a higher level and she can take
the CLAIT course and get a diploma, but by contrast, Office Skills and Administration is a bit tougher, so the
answer is TRUE.
STATEMENT 7: We do not know when Ivy is planning to finish CLAIT and Office Skills courses, so the
answer is NOT GIVEN.

TASK 9 – TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN TEST

STATEMENTS TRUE FALSE NOT GIVEN
1. Victor and Anna are students of the same department. NOT GIVEN
2. Anna has always been keen on history. FALSE
3. Anna believes the course with Dr. Jones gives real understanding of history. TRUE
4. At first Victor thinks that the test system of Dr. Jones is very easy. TRUE
5. The students in the course with Dr. Jones are not passive listeners. TRUE
6. Anna approved of all the professor’s demands, like test grading for spelling. NOT GIVEN
7. Anna managed to persuade Victor to register for the course of Dr Jones. FALSE

SCRIPT:
Victor: Hi, Anna. Have you registered yet?
Anna: Yes, I’ve just seen my adviser and I’m through. It’s easy now we register by computer. How about you?
Victor: Almost, but I don’t know who to take for history. I’m thinking about Dr. Smith. I hear he’s easy.
Who’d you have for history?
Anna: Oh, Victor, take Dr. Jones. She’s terrific! I used to hate history, but I loved her course.
Victor: I hear she’s hard.
Anna: She knows that’s what students think. She told us she’s not hard, it’s understanding history that’s hard.
Victor: So what’s her course like?
Anna: Well, it’s not memorizing names and dates! She wants you to understand the processes that shape
human communities so we can understand how the world got to be the way it is today.
Victor: Good Lord! What are her tests like?
Anna: There’s a test at the end of each unit, but before she begins a unit she hands out a review sheet with
everything she might test on. She won’t ask any question on the test that’s not covered on the review sheet.
Victor: Hey, piece of cake!
Anna: Think so? One of the questions was “Explain how the process of industrialization differed in any two of
the following countries: England, the United States, Germany, Russia.”
Victor: I’m not believing this! How’d she expect you to answer a question like that?
Anna: She spent a week talking about the process of industrialization in general. Then we spent a week in class
applying that to the process of industrialization in England. After that she expected the class to take the
initiative in analyzing the process in the other countries. By the time we’d gone through that, we could have
explained what the Fiji Islands had to do in order to industrialize! And notice, Victor, whichever country we
chose to write about on the exam, we had to pick the important names and dates from that country’s history.
Victor: Seems to me that’s expecting a lot.
Anna: Well, she said once, I don’t expect you to know everything; but I do expect you to know something.
Victor: Were the tests objective or essay?
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Anna: The unit tests were mixed. There were some names, dates, and geographical locations tested with
objective questions, but every unit exam had an essay question.
Victor: Did she count spelling and grammar and all that in the grade?
Anna: Yes, she said this is higher education and we’re expected to know how to write and spell.
Victor: Well, Anna, you’ve convinced me. I’m taking Dr. Smith for history.
Anna: Victor!

EXPLANATION:
STATEMENT 1: We do not have information about it, so the answer is NOT GIVEN.
STATEMENT 2: The answer is FALSE because Anna used to hate history which means she has not always
got keen interest in this subject.
STATEMENT 3: Anna says: ‘Well, it’s not memorizing names and dates! She wants you to understand the
processes that shape human communities so we can understand how the world got to be the way it is today.’,
so the answer is TRUE.
STATEMENT 4: At the beginning Victor regards questions as piece of cake, so the answer is TRUE.
STATEMENT 5: That is TRUE because the students of Dr. Jones were asked to complete several activities
rather than just listening to the lecture.
STATEMENT 6: There is no information about it, so the answer is NOT GIVEN.
STATEMENT 7: FALSE because at the end Victor favoured Dr. Smith over Dr. Jones.

TASK 10 – SUBJECTS
WORDS MISSPELLED CORRECT SPELLING
WORD
1. Science
2. Politics
3. History
4. Biology
5. Architecture
6. Law
7. Geography
8. Archeology
9. Literature
10. Business management
11. Agriculture
12. Statistics
13. Mathematics
14. Logic
15. Physics
16. Psychology
17. Anthropology
18. Economics
19. Philosophy
20. Performing arts
21. Visual arts
22. Chemistry
23. Humanities

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