ISE II
Sample Independent
listening task — Wind turbines
Examiner rubric
You’re going to hear
a talk about renewable energy. You will hear the talk twice. The first time,
just listen. Then I’ll ask
you to tell me
generally what the speaker is talking about. Are you ready?
The task will play
once.
Can you tell me in
one or two sentences what the speaker was talking about?
Give the candidate
some blank notepaper.
Now listen to the
talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to.
Then I’ll ask you to
tell me what
reasons the speaker
gives for and against the use of wind energy.
Are you ready?
The task will play
once.
Now tell me
what reasons the
speaker gives for and against the use of wind energy.
You have one minute
to talk.
Audio script
When it comes to
investing in wind turbines to create electricity, there are various factors
that need to be considered.
Most obviously, the
creation of wind energy is ‘clean’. Unlike the use of coal or oil, generating
energy from the wind
doesn’t produce
pollutants or require harmful chemicals, and it’s this factor which weighs most
heavily with those
worried about the
future of our planet. Moreover, wind will never run out, unlike other natural,
non-renewable
resources. So it
would seem to be a winner in at least two very significant areas.
There are those,
however, who continue to argue against the use of wind turbines — but it has to
be said their arguments
tend to focus on much
more detailed issues, and largely ignore the bigger overall picture. It’s
claimed, for example, that
the blades of wind
turbines can sometimes be dangerous to wildlife, particularly birds. This may
be true, but it seems a
small price to pay
compared to using other means of power generation, which could end up
destroying the habitats of
those very same
birds. In addition, the sound turbines create can, admittedly, be a problem for
those nearby. Perhaps a
more significant
point, though, and certainly one often mentioned by those who object to
turbines, is that it requires
a lot of open land to
set them up, and cutting down trees seems to defeat the green purpose.
Those who criticise
wind energy point out that the wind doesn’t always blow consistently. And
that’s certainly a
drawback right now —
turbines typically operate at only 30% capacity. If the weather isn’t in your
favour, you may end
up without
electricity. And when there is wind, well, severe storms or extremely high
winds might damage turbines,
especially when
they’re struck by lightning. As such weather already damages existing methods
of power production,
however, this line of
attack seems to be without much merit.
Ultimately, wind is
free. In suitable geographical locations, it’s there for the taking. While
start-up costs are still
off-putting for some,
it’s undeniable that the overall costs of producing wind energy have been
dropping significantly
in recent years, and
as it gains popularity, it’ll continue to become more affordable. In many
countries, the costs of
purchasing and
installing turbines are subsidised by government schemes aimed to promote
expansion. There are,
no question, a number
of problems associated with turbines which still require solutions — but in the
longer view, the
case for them appears
beyond doubt.
Answers
Main point/gist: Wind
energy may be a good way to reduce damage to the environment, but there are
drawbacks.
Overall, there is a
strong case for using them (any broadly similar formulation is acceptable).
Arguments for
Arguments against
Clean energy — no harmful chemicals or pollutants
involved/produced
Will never run out
Doesn’t destroy habitats as other power
generation
means do
Essentially free/any associated costs falling
Turbines dangerous to wildlife, especially birds
Noisy
Require large area of open land — may lead to
cutting down of trees
Supply of wind not consistent — turbines operating
at 30% capacity
Bad weather can damage turbines
