Ejercicios Listening B2 Trinity ISE II para aprobar el examen y certificar tu nivel
Aquí tienes 24 ejercicios de listening B2 para practicar antes de tu examen ISE II de Trinity.
Conseguir progresar y subir el nivel de nuestro listening no es tarea fácil, pero si trabajas con constancia y te esfuerzas lo lograrás seguro. Aquí tienes algunos consejos que pueden ayudarte a aprovechar al máximo tus momentos de práctica.
- Perseverancia. A base de trabajo diario irás notando la mejora. Está claro que va a requerir que trabajes duro pero es un esfuerzo que merecerá la pena.
- Ver contenido audiovisual en versión original. Habituarte a escuchar Inglés a diario es clave para mejorar esta faceta del Inglés. Puedes usar Netflix o cualquier otra plataforma parecida. Si lees este artículo encontrarás un método muy bueno para empezar a trabajar.
- Escucha canciones en Inglés. Mientras disfrutas de tus temas favoritos puedes aprender. Utiliza la letra para empezar y trata de identificar lo que dicen. Con el tiempo no sólo mejorarás tu listening sino que también ampliarás tu vocabulario.
- Júntate con nativos. En casi todas las ciudades hay ‘meeting points’ donde la gente suele quedar para hablar Inglés. Además de mejorar todas las facetas puedes conocer gente increíble.
Ejercicios Listening B2 Trinity ISE II
Tabla de contenidos
LISTENING 1 – MINIMUM WAGE
You’re going to hear a talk about economics. 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?
It’s about the advantages and disadvantages of the minimum wage policy. The speaker is in favour of a minimum wage because of the humanitarian argument.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what arguments the speaker gives for and against the minimum wage. Are you ready?
Arguments For:
It reduces poverty and ensures everyone has enough money to survive.
MW is to make sure there is no discrimination in salaries because of gender, race or age.
You are guaranteed a certain basic level of pay.
The MW also prevents people turning to illegal activities such as drugs and prostitution to make money.
Employers cannot exploit people in sweatshops or factories
The minimum wage helps millions of people survive and live happier lives.
Arguments Against:
The businesses often they simply don’t hire people.
Less people have jobs, and the economy is in a worse condition.
Normally companies pay the MW to younger workers and refuse to hire older people.
The MW discourages further education, and removes motivation.
The minimum wage is defined as the lowest amount that employers can pay workers for a given amount of work, normally measured per hour or month.
Most countries have some sort of law to decide how much the MW should be.
For example, in the UK, in April 2017 the MW was increased to £7.50 an hour for adults.
However, there are both benefits and drawbacks to this type of policy.
The biggest advantage of the MW is that it reduces poverty and ensures everyone has enough money to survive.
A slightly different but equally important purpose of the MW is to make sure there is no discrimination in salaries because of gender, race or age. In theory, it shouldn’t matter what colour your skin is, you are guaranteed a certain basic level of pay.
Proponents argue that the MW also prevents people turning to illegal activities such as drugs and prostitution to make money, as they always have an alternative.
Likewise, employers cannot exploit people in sweatshops or factories, working long hours for little pay, if the minimum wage system is in place.
On the other hand, many economists are not convinced that this system really helps the economy.
If businesses have to pay a MW, often they simply don’t hire people, because they can’t afford to, so overall, less people have jobs, and the economy is in a worse condition.
It must also be said that people in MW jobs are often not poor, but just young – normally companies pay the MW to younger workers and refuse to hire older people Finally, some say the MW discourages further education, and removes motivation, as people accept a low level job with a comfortable wage, instead of aiming higher to earn more money.
Overall, I’d say it’s hard to discount the humanitarian argument. While there are some potential downsides, there’s little doubt that the minimum wage helps millions of people survive and live happier lives. It’s here to stay, which is fine by me.
LISTENING 2 – TOKYO OLYMPICS
Now tell me what a spectator of the Tokyo Olympics needs to know. You have one minute to talk.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what a spectator of the Tokyo Olympics needs to know. Are you ready?
Public transport in general is famous for being so reliable.
Travelling is also easy because most signs are in Japanese and English.
it’s very common for people to help you if you get lost, as the locals have a reputation for being very friendly and polite.
If you want to visit a sporting event, Japanese newspapers suspect the average ticket price will be around 60 Euros, but of course this will depend on the event.
New sports will be included for the first time at these Olympics, such as golf, rugby sevens, baseball and surfing, including baseball as it is one of the most popular sports in the country.
If you prefer to stay at home, the time difference means the majority of events will be early in the morning for Europeans.
The 2020 Summer Olympics, commonly known as Tokyo 2020, is a major international multi-sport event due to be celebrated in the Japanese capital of Tokyo.
It will be the thirtieth modern Olympic games, and the second time it has been hosted in Tokyo. The Japanese city previously held the games in 1964.
But what will the experience be like for the average visitor? Clearly, the Olympics are one of the most important celebrations of any kind in the modern world, attracting TV coverage, business opportunities and providing unforgettable sporting moments to the millions of visitors who come in person.
Well, to prepare for the games, the Japanese government has increased capacity at Tokyo’s airports, and built new railway lines around Tokyo.
The public transport in general is famous for being so reliable – trains are almost never late, so if you come from England you might be in for a surprise!
Travelling is also easy because most signs are in Japanese and English, a decision taken after the 2002 Football World Cup, as before that the signs were exclusively in Kanji.
If something does go wrong and you get lost, it’s very common for people to help you, as the locals have a reputation for being very friendly and polite.
In terms of the sporting spectacle, if you want to visit a sporting event, Japanese newspapers suspect the average ticket price will be around 60 Euros, but of course this will depend on the event.
Interestingly, many new sports will be included for the first time at these Olympics, such as golf, rugby sevens, baseball and surfing. Indeed, as the host, Japan decided to include baseball as it is one of the most popular sports in the country.
Obviously Japan is quite a trip, so if you prefer to stay at home, the time difference means the majority of events will be early in the morning for Europeans. The theme of the Olympics will be technology, you may remember the Japanese Prime minister appearing as Mario at the Rio closing ceremony in 2016, so expect lots of new ideas and innovative technologies.
LISTENING 3 – LAUGHTER
It’s about the benefits and drawbacks of laughter. The speaker says the benefits of laughter are more important.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what advantages and disadvantages of laughing the speaker gives. Are you ready?
Advantages:
It’s a healing tool as it reduces levels of stress hormones in your body.
It releases endorphins, which can help ease chronic pain and make you feel good all over.
Laughter acts as a good abdominal work-out.
Disadvantages:
- Intense and prolonged laughter can cause heart problems in people with existing conditions.
- The quick inhalation in laughter can cause foreign bodies to be accidentally breathed in, leading to asphyxiation.
- Irregular breathing in laughter can lead to fainting, as people lose consciousness and collapse when they can’t get enough oxygen because they’re laughing so much.
A common expression goes “Laughter is the best medicine”, and surely most people would agree that laughing is good for you. But is this always the case? Surprisingly, new research has shown that sometimes laughing can actually be quite harmful in certain circumstances. So what’s the answer? Should we watch a comedy film when we’re not feeling well and stuck in bed at home? Or could this actually make the situation worse?
Let’s start with the traditional argument, laughter as a healing tool. Perhaps the biggest benefit in laughing is that it reduces levels of stress hormones in your body. So laughing along as a co-worker tells a funny joke can relieve some of the day’s stress and bring the mind and body back into balance.
Similarly, laughing also triggers the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. By laughing, you can release endorphins, which can help ease chronic pain and make you feel good all over.
Perhaps an under-estimated benefit is that laughter acts as a good abdominal work-out. When you laugh you expand and contract the diaphragm which also exercises the muscles in your stomach. So remember to have a little laugh when you’re at the gym if you’re aiming for that summer beach body.
However, some doctors have pointed out that laughter is not purely beneficial, and every year people die from laughter-related problems.
Firstly, intense and prolonged laughter can cause heart problems in people with existing conditions. There are cases of fatalities in people with heart rhythm disturbances as laughing so hard caused their hearts to stop.
What’s more, the quick inhalation in laughter can cause foreign bodies to be accidentally breathed in, leading to asphyxiation in the most serious examples.
Finally, the irregular breathing in laughter can lead to fainting, as people lose consciousness and collapse when they can’t get enough oxygen because they’re laughing so much.
Overall, it should be remembered that these drawbacks are quite minimal, indeed the doctors who carried out this study admitted that that laughter in any form carries a very low risk of harm and is almost entirely beneficial.
LISTENING 4 – NATIONAL LOTTERY IN THE UK
It’s about the arguments for and against t he National Lottery in the UK. The speaker is against the national lottery because he thinks it’s a waster of money.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what arguments the speaker makes for and against the national lottery. Are you ready?
Arguments For:
- The lottery is good because the dream of becoming super rich gives hope to a lot of people.
- The national lottery does also give a lot of money to charity and cultural projects such as libraries and community centres.
- If people want to spend their money on something, they have the right to do that.
Arguments Against:
It is a tax on the poor.
The lottery is a symptom of a bad attitude to money.
It can lead to a serious addiction to sports betting or other types of gambling.
The odds of winning are so impossible.
The National Lottery is the official government-franchised national lottery in the United Kingdom.
It began in 1994 and a ticket cost £1, although this has since increased to £2 per ticket. While it is a popular game, with millions of regular participants, there is still a lot of debate about the morality of the lottery, with many even going as far as to believe it should be abolished.
Maybe the biggest argument against the lottery is that it is a tax on the poor – it’s mostly poorer people who play and they nearly always lose money.
What’s more, the money often goes to the rich, the directors of the lottery, the politicians, AND for example the lottery funds projects such as the Royal Opera House, which are hardly for the benefit of those struggling with money.
And what effect does it have on society? Does it make people greedy? Do they want to get rich quick instead of working hard? Some argue that the lottery is a symptom of a bad attitude to money.
Another problem is that the national lottery makes gambling seem normal. Maybe you start with a little £2 bet once a week, and that’s not a big problem, but this can lead to a serious addiction to sports betting or other types of gambling.
Finally, it could be argued that as well as being a tax on the poor, it’s a tax on the stupid, as the odds of winning are so impossible, approximately 15,000,000 – 1 On the other hand, some argue the lottery is good because the dream of becoming super rich gives hope to a lot of people.
They say that while the probabilities may be almost impossible, the prize is so good that it doesn’t actually matter.
It must also be said that the national lottery does also give a lot of money to charity and cultural projects such as libraries and community centres.
Lastly, it is a question of freedom, if people want to spend their money on something, they have the right to do that.
Personally, although I can understand the temptation of a big win, I think the mathematical argument is the most convincing. I can’t help thinking it would be better to save £2 a week instead of wasting it on the lottery.
LISTENING 5 – THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
It’s about if we have lost the true meaning of Christmas. The speaker says we have not lost it because it is still an important time for family and relaxation.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what arguments the speaker gives for and against the idea that we have lost the meaning of Christmas. Are you ready
Arguments For:
Lifts people’s spirits and makes them feel better.
For children it is a magical time of the year.
Everyone has memories of waking up on Christmas morning feeling like it was the best moment of their life.
Gifts represent the gifts brought by the three wise men, so they are a traditional part of the story.
Gifts are given and received, so it can be a demonstration of generosity.
Arguments Against:
People have lost the meaning of Christmas as it is celebrated earlier and earlier every year.
It’s a capitalist holiday to make people spend money, with no relation to religion or any kind of holiday spirit.
Children today are only interested in the presents.
Each year in the run-up to Christmas, it is almost impossible to avoid the huge plastic illuminated displays, tacky music and Christmas specials on TV. But is Christmas becoming too commercial? Should we return to more traditional celebrations? What is Christmas supposed to ‘mean’ anyway?
Some say we have lost the meaning of Christmas as we celebrate it earlier and earlier every year. It is certainly true in the UK and the US at least, as soon as Halloween is finished, Christmas starts in the shops.
And talking of shops, many argue that Christmas is now just a capitalist holiday to make people spend money, with no relation to religion or any kind of holiday spirit.
On the other hand, Christmas does still lift our spirits and make people feel better, so more optimistic people might ask what the problem is if it lasts a bit longer and effectively starts in November.
It must also be said that for children it is a magical time of the year, and in this respect Christmas still seems to have an important role to play. We all have memories of waking up on Christmas morning feeling like it was the best moment of your life.
But maybe children today are only interested in the presents… could it be that we are teaching children that affection can be measured in pounds and pence? That if you love someone, you have to spend a lot of money to show it. It’s certainly a worrying idea.
However, some would respond that the gifts represent the gifts brought by the three wise men, so they are a traditional part of the story.
And remember, gifts are given and received, so it can be a demonstration of generosity.
Finally, and for me, most importantly, Christmas does give most people an opportunity to relax, take a break from work, and spend some special time with the people they love, so I can’t agree that we have completely lost the meaning of Christmas. It has changed, but it remains a special time for most of us.
LISTENING 6 – HOLIDAY BREAK
You’re going to hear a talk about a holiday break. 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?
It’s about a bad holiday and all the problems the couple had on their holiday, such as food and accommodation.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what the speaker thinks of his experience. Are you ready?
Their website was very misleading.
Staff were mostly excellent when they arrived.but after it was really bad.
No complaints about the room, other than the TV remote did not work
Lift was not working
Swimming pool was ok but looked nothing like the picture on the website
No hot water in the showers.
The bar was awful, very noisy.
The drinks were expensive, the food was terrible and some of the restaurant staff were rude and unhelpful. Very poor service.
Trip very unpleasant and not relaxing!
I bought it as a 60th birthday treat for my wife. Booked through the web. Their website is very misleading. You think you are going to a 4 star hotel with fine dining and it’s more like a holiday camp. Let me explain a few of the issues.
To start with a positive, the staff were mostly excellent, especially the Reception Manager when we arrived. I’ve got no complaints about the room, other than the TV remote did not work, which was annoying.
We were on the second floor in the Oak Building, and the lift was not working, not ideal.
The swimming pool was ok but looks nothing like the picture on the website.
There was also no hot water in the showers. I told the attendant. He didn’t even apologise, let alone manage to fix the problem.
Now, the bar is awful unless you want to watch football – and we didn’t! We couldn’t even have a conversation because of the noise of the football match in the background.
As for the restaurant, well it is not fine dining! It is well below par. The A la Carte menu is like a bad pub menu and the buffet was poor, especially as the staff did not keep the supplies of food topped up so people were waiting around with half full plates trying to get staff to give them something else to eat.
The drinks are expensive and some of the restaurant staff were rude and unhelpful. In the morning, breakfast was utter chaos, with not enough cutlery, plates or food. We had to go and get our own tea. There was only one waiter working so the poor boy couldn’t keep up with all the customers. Not his fault, but very poor service.
Overall, we found the weekend most unpleasant, not the relaxing break we had been dreaming of. We think other holiday makers should be aware of the standard of the hotel so that they are under no illusions, and do not feel cheated – as we do. This hotel should definitely not have 4 stars. It could be excellent but… Well, the buildings and grounds are very nice, but the service, facilities and food are awful.
LISTENING 7 – THE BIG CITY
It’s about comparing the small village with the big city. The speaker prefers the big city because he has a better life there.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what arguments the speaker gives for and against living in the big city and the small village. Are you ready?
Arguments For:
Higher salary.
Less predictable.
Being judged on your achievements.
Refreshing your perspective.
More anonymity.
Arguments Against:
Loneliness.
Difficult to talk to strangers.
Expensive lifestyle.
No support network
The same routine almost everyday.
The price of renting house in the city is more expensive than in his town.
So, you want to know what it was like moving from a tiny village in the middle of nowhere to a mega city? Big question. Where shall I start?
I realised that when I moved that I had never really been alone before. I was incredibly lonely those first few weeks. I know this may sound like a contradiction but it really dawned on me how lonely you can be in a city of five million people. In my hometown everybody knows everybody. Life is lived outside. On the streets, you know. People sit outside in the evening and chat with the neighbours and passers-by. In the city, if you start talking to a stranger they look at you as if you are crazy.
My salary is a lot higher now I’m here in the big city, but life of course is also much more expensive. Ironically, I had a higher standard of living when I was in my hometown even with a salary that was three times lower than what I am making now.
I have to admit that my hometown is near the beach so that may have something to do with it. My rent now is more than what I was making back then. Life in the village is the same every day. The same routines. Your life is already planned out for you. You are going to get a job and do this same job for the rest of your life. You marry the girl from around the corner, have kids. I wanted something different. Live life to the fullest.
You know what bothered me most about living in a small town? That you are never judged on your own merits. My father was at one point mayor so everybody knew him. So I was always the son of a locally very well-known person. I was never judged as a person who existed in his own right. Moving to the city was very refreshing in that perspective. I quickly had a promotion and that felt so good.
Finally, I had been rewarded for what I really could achieve. I had made it out of my father’s shadow.
Life in the city is more anonymous. This has its pros and cons. I must say a while ago when I was going through a difficult time there was no support network and I had to go home to be with family and friends for a few weeks to recover.
But overall I’m much happier with my new life, and I’d never go back.
LISTENING 8 – FIRST IMPRESSIONS
It’s about first impressions and the different ways that we make them, such as face shape, clothes, hygiene.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what the speaker says contributes to forming a first impression. Are you ready?
A person’s face can cause a specific impression by the shape of their face
First impressions comes from the clothes that we wear.
Some employers state that one thing they always look at in job interviews is the candidate’s shoes
Smiling is a winner. A warm and confident smile will put people at ease.
According to professors at Princeton University, it takes less than one second to form an impression of someone when we first meet them. Whether you think it’s right or wrong to put so much emphasis on people’s appearance, it is a reality. So what factors contribute to the judgement we make?
Firstly, a person’s face can cause a specific impression. In one study, researchers showed different faces to participants and asked them to say if they seemed dominant, extroverted or trustworthy. More masculine faces, with a strong jaw, were seen as more dominant. More feminine faces were rated more trustworthy by the participants. Wide faces with big eyes were seen as the most extroverted.
Of course, the investigators explained that these judgements are not necessarily accurate, people who look dominant might not be dominant at all, but the shape of their face gives people that impression.
Another aspect of first impressions comes from the clothes that we wear. It is clear that jeans and a T-shirt give off a different message than a shirt and tie, but there are also more subtle factors to consider.
Firstly, personal hygiene is very important. A clean and tidy appearance is appropriate for most business and social occasions. A good haircut or shave. Neat and tidy make up for women. If your style is appropriate, you feel better and more comfortable in the situation.
An extra point: some employers state that one thing they always look at in job interviews is the candidate’s shoes. Smart, clean, well- maintained shoes are a good sign that the candidate is professional, organised and competent, so they say.
When it comes to the crucial moment, as the saying goes, «Smile and the world smiles too.” So there’s nothing like a smile to create a good first impression. A warm and confident smile will put both you and the other person at ease. So smiling is a winner when it comes to great first impressions.
In conclusion, it’s natural to form first impressions, so it’s important to remember how we make these judgements so that we can make a good impression.
LISTENING 9 – SINGLE SEX EDUCATION
You’re going to hear a talk about education. 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?
It’s about the arguments for and against single sex education. The speaker is against single sex education because he thinks socialising between sexes is more important.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what arguments the speaker gives for and against single sex education. Are you ready?
- Exam results demonstrate that both girls and boys do better when they’re taught separately.
- More students from single sex schools end up at the top universities and with better jobs than students from mixed sex schools.
- Single sex education can remove a big distraction from the classroom and allow students to concentrate more on their learning.
Arguments Against:
- Children need to be exposed to the opposite sex in preparation for later life.
- Boys and girls interacting with each other is a fundamental part of education and socialisation
Every parent wants the best for their child, and a crucial decision for most parents is which school to send their children to. The location, the reputation, the results, all are important, but another side of this debate is whether to educate children in single sex or mixed sex institutions.
Most state schools are mixed, boys and girls are taught together in all lessons except some PE classes. But some state schools and even more private schools separate boys and girls completely, arguing that single sex education is better for the children.
The main argument for single sex education is that the exam results do generally demonstrate that both girls and boys do better when they’re taught separately. More students from single sex schools end up at the top universities and with better jobs than students from mixed sex schools.
On the other hand, there is no real proof that being educated separately leads directly to better results. Single sex schools tend to be expensive private schools, so it could be the case that these schools would have better results even if they were not single sex.
One point that does seem true, is that single sex education can remove a big distraction from the classroom and allow students to concentrate more on their learning. The boys might be less silly competing for the attention of the girls, and the girls might spend less time gossiping.
However, we have so far ignored perhaps the most important aspect, which is that children need to be exposed to the opposite sex in preparation for later life. Dealing with the opposite gender is a skill that everybody needs. In their jobs these children will work in shops, offices or factories with men and women, that’s certain, so not being familiar with the opposite sex could cause problems. Boys and girls interacting with each other is a fundamental part of education and socialisation, which only mixed schools can provide.
Therefore my opinion is very clear. I wouldn’t send my children to a single sex institution despite the advantages it can provide.
LISTENING 10 – FOREST FIRES
It’s about the benefits of forest fires. Despite the reputation, they are normally good for the environment.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what the speaker says are the benefits and drawbacks of forest fires. Are you ready?
Benefits:
- Fires often remove alien plants that compete with native species for nutrients and space, and remove undergrowth, which allows sunlight to reach the forest floor, thereby supporting the growth of native species.
- Ashes that remain after a fire add many nutrients to the soil for trees and other vegetation.
- Fire acts like natural selection, by killing off the older or diseased trees and leaving the younger, healthier trees.
- Many plants depend on fire for the opportunity to release their seeds and grow, and in turn, insects and animals depend on these plants.
Drawbacks:
- Intense fire kills all organic material.
The modern world has suffered many environmental catastrophes, from droughts to floods to tsunamis, but what about fire? We normally associate forest fires with disaster and destruction, like other catastrophes, but fire ecologists recognize that fire is actually a natural process, and that it often operates as an integral part of the ecosystem in which it occurs.
In the 1930’s, researchers in the United States argued against the negative perspective that has surrounded fire, with the belief that all fire is bad. They believed the public fear of fire was not the best response to wild fires, and that a more complete understanding was needed.
The benefits of fire are many and varied. Firstly, fires often remove alien plants that compete with native species for nutrients and space, and remove undergrowth, which allows sunlight to reach the forest floor, thereby supporting the growth of native species.
What’s more the ashes that remain after a fire add many nutrients to the soil for trees and other vegetation.
In addition, fire acts like natural selection, by killing off the older or diseased trees and leaving the younger, healthier trees.
Indeed, many plants depend on fire for the opportunity to release their seeds and grow, and in turn, insects and animals depend on these plants.
Some ecologists have pointed out that fire can have a negative effect on the soil, as intense fire kills all organic material, but most fires don’t actually the damage the soil so much.
Nowadays, 90% of forest fires are started by human activity, so this is not such a natural process. However, even man-made fires can be beneficial in the long term for the reasons mentioned above.
In conclusion, there can be little doubt that the benefits outweigh the negative effects, and we should recognise forest fires as a natural and important environmental process.
LISTENING 11 – ANIMAL LANGUAGE
It’s about whether animals have language like humans. The speaker says animals don’t have language.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what arguments for and against animals having language the speaker makes. Are you ready?
For:
Dogs bark when someone they don’t know enters their garden. This is a warning, they are saying “I don’t know you, you don’t belong here, be careful”.
Animals can recognise lots of symbols
They communicate: Whales singing, bees dancing and birds tweeting
Against:
- Language is much more complex than associating a sound with a meaning.
Animals can’t invent and interpret them like humans. - No animal communication has ever been found to contain grammar.
What separates humans from animals? Intelligence, using tools, walking on two legs? All possibilities, but maybe the most convincing answer is language.
Human beings have evolved the capacity to communicate complicated ideas to live in social groups, work together and solve problems. Now the question is, do animals have this ability? Do animals have language as we know it?
It is true that animals communicate, of course. Dogs bark when someone they don’t know enters their garden. This is a warning, they are saying “I don’t know you, you don’t belong here, be careful”.
And there are more complex systems of communication in animals. Chimpanzees are widely accepted as the most intelligent animal, and in scientific studies they have learned the meaning of hundreds of symbols.
In the wild, some monkeys have different words, or calls, to alert the group about different types of predators. Ah-ah-ah means a predatory bird is coming, so it’s better to stay on the floor. Oh-oh.oh means a leopard is coming, so it’s better to climb to the top of the tree to escape.
Indeed there are many more examples, whales singing, bees dancing and birds tweeting to name just a few of the most varied. So there is little doubt that animals do communicate.
However, scientists are not so sure that animals really have language. What we call language is much more complex than associating a sound with a meaning.
Animals can recognise lots of symbols, but they can’t invent and interpret them like humans. To take an example, the word “companion” comes from the Latin for “together” and “bread”, meaning a person you eat bread with. Animals can’t manipulate language like this.
It should also be noted that no animal communication has ever been found to contain grammar. There’s no tenses, clauses, object pronouns – all key characteristics of human language.
To sum up, while many animals have demonstrated incredible talent for learning words and responding to stimulus, it can’t be said that they have language. According to all the current evidence, this remains a uniquely human ability.
LISTENING 12 – THE OPEN PLAN OFFICE
It’s about the advantages and disadvantages of the open plan office. The speaker is in favour of an open place office because it helps communication.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what advantages and disadvantages the speaker mentions about the open plan office. Are you ready?
Advantages:
Communication is generally better and more frequent
Leads to innovation and advancement, good news for the whole business.
Reduces costs associated with construction, electricity and light.
Disadvantages:
- Noise and distractions that make it difficult for employees to focus on their work and conduct business.
- A decrease in productivity as workers spend more time gossiping at each other’s desks instead of working on their own.
- Lack of privacy, could be a problem when dealing with sensitive information.
Productivity in the office is a big concern for many companies nowadays, and the design of the office is one important factor in how much work gets done.
Many modern businesses have chosen an open plan office, with all the employees working in one large room, instead of small, separate offices. This situation brings both benefits and drawbacks.
Firstly, the lack of walls or other physical barriers in open-plan office spaces makes it easier for employees to interact with each other on a regular basis. Communication is generally better and more frequent in this type of office.
What’s more the increased collaboration resulting from an open-plan work space can lead to innovation and advancement, good news for the whole business.
Not to mention reducing costs associated with construction, electricity and light. Effectively it’s cheaper to maintain one big room than many small ones.
On the downside, the high level of everyday interaction that takes place in an undivided work space may lead to noise and distractions that make it difficult for employees to focus on their work and conduct business.
As a result of this, there could be a decrease in productivity as workers spend more time gossiping at each other’s desks instead of working on their own.
Lack of privacy is another potential problem with open-plan office spaces, where computer screens are easily visible by those walking by and telephone conversations are likely to be overheard. This could be a problem when dealing with sensitive information.
Having said that, In my opinion, communication is so important in most modern companies that when making this decision, the open office is really the only option. The potential problems can be solved quite easily – by using a meeting room for private conversations, for example, so there’s no reason not to embrace the modern open office.
LISTENING 13 – TERM TIME SCHOOL HOLIDAY FINES
It’s about the arguments for and against fines for parents who take holidays in school time. The speaker says it’s not an effective system because the fine is only £60.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what arguments for and against fines for parents who take holidays in school time the speaker gives. Are you ready?
For:
School attendance is more important in determining a child’s success.
Against:
Holidays are four times more expensive than at other times.
Only the middle class can enjoy holidays.
Everyone deserves affordable holidays because travelling is often an educational and culturally beneficial experience.
Children who often miss school are more likely to develop academic and social problems.
With the cost of trips abroad rocketing during the school holidays, it is hardly surprising many parents are tempted to take their children away during term time.
But this obviously means pupils missing lessons, and the government says there is clear evidence that children’s exam results suffer when they miss lessons. For this reason, the UK government has introduced fines for parents who take their children on holiday during the school term.
This has not proved very popular. The biggest argument made by parents who want to take holidays in term time is the cost. Studies have shown trips in the school holidays (mainly Christmas, Easter and late July to August) can be a shocking four times more expensive than at other times.
What is more, some people have argued that by limiting holidays to these times, the poorer parents cannot afford to take their children on holiday, which creates an unfair system in which only the middle class can enjoy holidays.
It is also said that everyone deserves affordable holidays because travelling is often an educational and culturally beneficial experience. Often children learn more travelling than they do in school.
However, many experts in education maintain that school attendance is more important. Some have argued that attendance is the most important factor in determining a child’s success.
Children who often miss school are more likely to develop academic and social problems.
And the numbers add up, if a young child misses just two days a month, they often fall behind in learning to read. Students with difficulties reading are three times less likely to get to university.
So there are many arguments for and against these fines, but given that the fine is only £60, and parents can save hundreds or thousands by taking their holiday in term time, it is doubtful how effective the system really is.
LISTENING 14 – GREEN ARCHITECTURE
It’s about green architecture and how it is practised. The speaker says it is very important for the future.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what green architecture is and how it is practised. Are you ready?
Green architecture is focused on the impact of construction on the environment.
Green buildings may include: ventilation systems for efficient heating and cooling; water-saving plumbing features; alternative renewable energy sources such as solar panels; energy efficient lighting and electrical appliances. All these examples share the common aim of reducing energy consumption in the long term.
Green architects tend to use locally-obtained woods and stone, eliminating long-haul transportation. They also use responsibly- harvested wood, combatting deforestation. Also taking advantage of the natural resources already available.
The construction industry is estimated to consume about a third of the world’s resources today. From raw materials and energy, to water and waste, building has a huge impact on the environment.
Perhaps that’s why green architecture is becoming more popular. Green architecture can be differentiated from normal architecture by its focus on the impact of construction on the environment.
This philosophy affects the building process at many stages. Firstly, there is great emphasis on energy use in the new structures. Green buildings may include: ventilation systems for efficient heating and cooling; water-saving plumbing features; alternative renewable energy sources such as solar panels; energy efficient lighting and electrical appliances. All these examples share the common aim of reducing energy consumption in the long term.
Also important is the manner of construction of the new building. Green architects tend to use locally-obtained woods and stone, eliminating long-haul transportation. They also use responsibly-harvested wood, combatting deforestation.
Finally, green architects try to take advantage of the natural resources already available. The location and orientation of a building can make a great difference to the amount of sunlight it receives, and in this way cut down on electricity necessary for lights. Similarly, natural shelter from the wind can prevent colder temperatures. Last but not least, the use of native vegetation is often important in providing shade and lowering temperatures in hot climates.
Of course, all of this comes at a price, and green architecture is often more expensive than the traditional construction process. But it provides long-term savings in energy costs, and many would argue the price is irrelevant when it comes to man’s impact on the environment. If we need to pay more to protect the Earth, so be it.
Green architecture is undoubtedly the architecture of the future.
LISTENING 15 – THERAPY DOGS
It’s about therapy dogs and how they help people in differnet situations. The speaker says they are very effective.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you how therapy dogs can help people in different situations. Are you ready?
They are taken to hospitals to help cheer up people, they can help the healing process by encouraging a positive mindset.
Therapy dogs for kids can alleviate stress and trauma, promote relaxation, reduce aggression, and encourage movement, socialization and verbalization. They can be genuinely life-changing.
helping people cope after traumatic events such as school shootings. They have proved successful in providing love and comfort and helping students get back into a normal routine after such an awful experience.
Medical science has made incredible progress in the last hundred years, from sequencing the human genome to identifying and producing antibiotics to fight most common diseases.
However, sometimes a less technological, more traditional remedy can be just as effective.
Therapy dogs are dogs that might be trained to help people in difficult psychological or even physical conditions. Their use has increased since first being recorded in the 1970s, and now therapy dogs can be found providing comfort and relief in many different contexts.
One of the most common uses for therapy dogs is in hospitals. The primary role of a therapy dog is to make physical contact with people and really enjoy their company. Therapy Dogs are usually accompanied by their handler and brought to places like hospitals or nursing homes to help cheer people up. They bring joy and smiles to people who might be lacking these in their daily lives. In this way they can help the healing process by encouraging a positive mindset.
Therapy dogs are also widely used with children. Children with medical problems can sometimes become very shy and not as socially developed as other children, due to stress, time spent in hospital and so on. Therapy dogs for kids can alleviate stress and trauma, promote relaxation, reduce aggression, and encourage movement, socialization and verbalization. They can be genuinely life-changing.
A final role that has unfortunately become more common recently for therapy dogs is that of helping people cope after traumatic events such as school shootings. They have proved successful in providing love and comfort and helping students get back into a normal routine after such an awful experience.
Any dog can register to be a therapy dog. The only requirement is that the dog be very friendly, affectionate, gentle, and confident in all situations. They must really enjoy human contact and enjoy being handled and petted, and sometimes in a clumsy manner.
This rather simple solution, that requires no advanced technology, drugs or expert doctors, can make a real difference to many people’s lives.
LISTENING 16 – STUDYING ABROAD
It’s about the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad. The speaker is in favour of this type of program and says it’s a great opportunity.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what advantages and disadvantages the speaker gives of studying abroad. Are you ready?
Advantages:
- The opportunity to study a foreign language
- One will return with a new perspective on culture, language skills, a great education, and a willingness to learn which are very attractive to future employers.
Disadvantages:
- One gets homesick
- Culture shock
- Can be expensive
In today’s ultra-competitive, globalised world, there is one thing a student can do to get ahead: take advantage of one of the many programs available to study abroad.
In the widest sense of the term “education”, a period abroad can widen one’s own horizons, expose people to new ways of living and thinking, and generally make for a well-rounded individual. It can also be quite instructive to see a new education system in practice, to see your subject studied in a different way.
Chances are if you’re planning on studying abroad, one of the major draws is the opportunity to study a foreign language. Studying abroad grants you the opportunity to completely immerse yourself in a new language, and there is no better way to learn than to dive right in.
When you finish your study abroad program and return home, you will return with a new perspective on culture, language skills, a great education, and a willingness to learn. Needless to say, all of these are very attractive to future employers.
However, it might not be for everyone. The first thing that puts people off is homesickness. We are creatures of habit, and starting a completely new life somewhere, without any home comforts, can be difficult.
Likewise, culture shock is another widely reported problem when studying abroad. Not knowing the customs, feeling alienated, even not liking the local food, all of these can turn a good study abroad experience into a negative one.
Finally, the cost of such a project is also sometimes quite prohibitive. Between flights, accommodation and all that essential sight- seeing, studying abroad is not something to be done on a small budget.
Having said all that, travel is getting cheaper, and the novelty that can cause homesickness or culture shock is part of the charm. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that shouldn’t be missed out on.
LISTENING 17 – FISHING RESTRICTIONS IN NORWAY
It’s about the problem of overfishing in Norway and how they solved it by measuring how many fish were caught and imposing limits.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what problem and solution the speaker identified. Are you ready?
Problem:
- Chronic overfishing with herring
Solutions:
- A ban on catching herring during the winter, the reproductive season, so that numbers could recuperate.
- Strict regulations are in place to ensure that humans only take a sustainable percentage of each type of fish.
- Modern technology helps to measure exactly how much fish we are catching
It is estimated that 30% of the world’s commercial fish species are overfished. 60% are fully fished, meaning they are operating at maximum capacity, and any more would lead to overfishing, a situation in which too many fish are caught to sustain numbers.
Historically, nowhere was the problem more apparent than in Norway, a country in which fishing has always been important for the coastal community.
In the 1960s technological advances, faster boats, better equipment, and especially the use of sonar, meant that more fish were caught than ever before. One of the most iconic Norwegian fish, the herring, was particularly affected. Almost 5 million tonnes were caught per year in the late 1960s. By 1980, it was just one million tonnes.
The reason: chronic overfishing. Too many herring were caught during the reproductive season and the next generation was heavily reduced in number. Furthermore, the herring changed their migration routes because of overfishing, so they were also difficult to find.
The eventual solution was a ban on catching herring during the winter, the reproductive season, so that numbers could recuperate.
This policy had a great influence on wider Norweigan fishing policy, and Norway is now one of the only countries to practise completely sustainable fishing.
Strict regulations are in place to ensure that humans only take a sustainable percentage of each type of fish. Another percentage is given over to other animals, such as orcas, dolphins and seals, who also depend on these fish. Consequently, the whole ecosystem is kept in balance.
What is really crucial nowadays is that modern technology helps to measure exactly how much fish we are catching, and what level is sustainable. If you can measure something, you can think about how to improve it.
With careful management, it does seem like the sea can provide enough for man’s needs without exploitation.
LISTENING 18 – BUY TO LET
It’s about the advantages and disadvantegs of buy to let, buying a second home as an investment. The speaker is against this practice.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what advantages and disadvantages the speaker gives of buy to let. Are you ready?
Advantages:
A much better investment than saving money in the bank or investing in the stock market.
Provides flexibility and mobility for people changing jobs, moving to a new area or just not ready to commit to buying.
Disadvantages:
- There is a limit to how many people can become landlords without depriving others of the opportunity to buy a house to live in.
- Has significantly contributed to rising house prices, which makes buying their first house extremely difficult for most people.
- Basic rights like housing should not be exploited for profit when there are millions of people who could benefit from owning their own home.
Buying your first house is a huge step in most people’s lives, but it is one that has become increasingly difficult in the UK in recent years. One of the reasons for this is the increase in buy-tolet properties – houses bought as second homes and then let, or rented, for a profit.
This actually only really became possible in the UK in 1996 when buy to let mortgages first appeared. But since then it has become an epidemic.
There are now 2.5 million buy to let landlords in the UK, a considerable proportion of the total property market.
For landlords, it has been a great economic opportunity. Many people have bought a second home as an investment, as demand for rented property has been high and profits have been consistently good. With a return of around 10% a year since 2000, buy to let has proved a much better investment than saving money in the bank or investing in the stock market.
It should also be noted that society needs some rented properties. It provides flexibility and mobility for people changing jobs, moving to a new area or just not ready to commit to buying.
However, there is a limit to how many people can become landlords without depriving others of the opportunity to buy a house to live in.
Buy to let has, quite rightly in my opinion, received a great deal of negative publicity. The main reason for this is that it has significantly contributed to rising house prices, which makes buying their first house extremely difficult for most people. The average age of first time buyers is now 35, and the deposit on the first house has almost doubled since the year 2000. More than half of all first time buyers need financial help from parents to buy the house.
Morally, some have argued that a house cannot be an investment, as it is a place to live. Basic rights like housing should not be exploited for profit when there are millions of people who could benefit from owning their own home.
I am inclined to agree with this, perhaps because I’m one of the people priced out of the housing market!
LISTENING 19 – HOW TO MAKE A VIRAL VIDEO
It’s about viral videos and how to make a successful one. The speaker says they are made by professionals to get our attention.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what the ingredients are for a successful viral video. Are you ready?
Viral videos have to get to the point quickly. With modern attention spans, if the audience aren’t hooked in ten seconds, they won’t keep watching the video.
The video must show something out of the ordinary.
Expensive cameras, lighting, editing and film production knowledge are essential
Can be helped considerably by a little promotion.
When friends or colleagues show you a funny video on their mobile, or someone calls you to their desk because “you have to see this”, or someone sends you a link when they’re bored at work, it’s normally a viral video that’s the centre of attention.
But where do these videos come from? They seem to materialise out of nowhere, no one really knows the true source as they are passed on from one website to the next, from person to person.
However, the truth is less romantic. Many viral videos are deliberately designed by advertising professionals to reach as big an audience as possible. By following some simple rules, and adding a bit of luck, anyone can make a viral video.
Firstly, viral videos have to get to the point quickly. With modern attention spans, if the audience aren’t hooked in ten seconds, they won’t keep watching the video.
Similarly, the video must show something out of the ordinary. This is called the purple cow rule. No one pays attention to a brown cow. But a purple cow? People can’t help noticing and talking about it.
The next rule is more of an obstacle to normal people. Nine out of ten of the most popular viral videos of 2017 were produced by professionals. That means expensive cameras, lighting, editing and film production knowledge are essential to a successful viral video.
Finally, making a video go viral can be helped considerably by a little promotion. Most videos go by unnoticed for weeks or months until they are picked up by a big website and only then do they spread on social media and end up everywhere.
Of course, luck will always be an element in what goes viral, depending on tastes, cultural climate and other subjective factors.
But research has proved that most viral videos do obey the formula outlined above. So, next time your friend shares that funny viral video, just remember it was probably made by a marketing professional trying to get your attention.
LISTENING 20 – ELECTRIC AND SELF-DRIVING CARS
It’s about electric and self-driving cars, and the advantages and disadvantages of each. The speaker says self-driving cars will become a reality first.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what advantages and disadvantages the speaker gives of electric and self-driving cars. Are you ready?
Advantages:
Environmentally friendly
Savings on petrol
Cost is continually decreasing.
The arrival of the self-driving car will be safer.
Disadvantages:
- Battery prices will have dropped so that electric cars cost more or less the same as traditional petrol cars.
The future of the car industry is in equal parts unpredictable and exciting. In the last 100 years we have seen the face of the world transformed by the car, but the next thirty years will probably see changes just as drastic. The big question is what form these changes will take.
Companies like Tesla see the electric car as the future and there is definitely some evidence that this is the case. Firstly, the environmental argument is clear, we cannot continue using petrol at the current rate. Secondly, the cost is continually decreasing. More and more electric cars are coming onto the market, and competition is driving prices down. Savings on petrol should also be taken into account. Finally, the infrastructure for electric cars is also growing rapidly. In the UK it is estimated that there are already as many public charge points as petrol stations.
However, we could be talking about a distant future here. The main problem facing electric cars now is the price of batteries. Experts estimate that, at best, by the year 2026, battery prices will have dropped so that electric cars cost more or less the same as traditional petrol cars.
The other big advance expected in the car industry is the arrival of the self-driving car. All major car companies are currently developing self-driving cars, and many have already driven for thousands of hours on the road in normal conditions.
The main advantage here is safety. We might not like to admit it, but machines make a lot less mistakes than people. The only obstacle to making self-driving cars a reality is making sure they are well enough programmed to be safer than people, which most companies think is quite possible. It’s difficult to analyse the statistics, since self-driving cars have not driven enough yet, but it is true to say that machines don’t get tired, angry or drunk like human drivers. This alone could make a big difference.
So, the only thing certain about the future of driving is that it is uncertain. It seems like self-driving cars will become a reality before electric cars, but both will have an important role to play.
LISTENING 21 – GUANO
It’s about guano, the fertiliser made of bird poo that was very valuable in the 19th century. The USA claimed some islands in the Pacific because of the guano deposits.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what story the speaker tells about guano. Are you ready?
Guano was recognised as an extremely effective fertiliser (bird poo). This is becasue it naturally contains very high amounts of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. At the time, it was the best a farmer could get to ensure good crops.
Guano was discovered in Peru and the locals collected it and sold it for quite a high price. It wasn’t known to exist anywhere else.
A law that permitted US citizens to claim any island with guano deposits as US territory.
The islands were mined for guano until the 20th century, when synthetic ammonia became cheaper and more widely available.
Nowadays, the islands form one of the world’s largest marine reserves.
The United States is made up of 50 states. Everyone knows this. But less well known are the other territories under US control without quite being a part of the USA.
Perhaps the most interesting example are the Pacific Remote Islands, a group of seven islands, atolls and reefs in the Central Pacific that cover an area three times larger than California. The story of how they came to be under US jurisdiction is quite unique.
It all started with bird poo. Or guano, to use the technical term. This naturally occurring substance is only found in very specific climates, at a relatively high altitude, in dry weather, and near the sea, where millions of years of accumulated seabird droppings make rich deposits.
In the nineteenth century, guano was recognised as an extremely effective fertiliser. This is becasue it naturally contains very high amounts of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. At the time, it was the best a farmer could get to ensure good crops.
Guano was discovered in Peru and the locals collected it and sold it for quite a high price. It was known as “white gold”, and it sold for about $160 a kilo. It wasn’t known to exist anywhere else.
American politicians were not happy with this monopoly, so they passed a law that permitted US citizens to claim any island with guano deposits as US territory. Historians see this as an experiment in imperialism – taking over land without armies and wars.
Whatever the justification, it worked. The USA took control of important parts of the Pacific in this way. The islands were mined for guano until the 20th century, when synthetic ammonia became cheaper and more widely available.
Nowadays, the islands form one of the world’s largest marine reserves. A protected area home to many unique species of wildlife – including the birds whose guano made it all possible in the first place.
LISTENING 22 – SURVIVAL SHOWS
It’s about survival reality shows and how they’re quite fake as the producers are more interested in making something controversial than something authentic.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what the speaker says about survival reality shows. Are you ready?
Reality TV shows are more interested in getting viewers than telling the truth.
A way of cheating the audience comes with camera trickery.
Producers would much rather select crazy, controversial participants than real survival experts.
Could you survive in the wilderness, far from civilisation, without modern technology? It’s a question that we all find interesting, and that might be why survival reality shows are so popular nowadays. From the jungle, to the desert, via the cold of Alaska, there’s something for everyone with an interest in survival.
However, these shows may not provide the best answer to the question. Like most reality TV shows, they are more interested in getting viewers than telling the truth. Let’s take a look at the process of making a survival reality show.
A good example comes from Bear Grylls, in Man vs Wild, one of the most popular survival shows, broadcast all over the world. In this show, Bear Grylls goes through seemingly awful situations such as sleeping in a camel’s stomach to survive the cold desert night. In reality, it turns out, he spent almost every night sleeping in a hotel. As soon as the cameras were switched off, he went straight to his comfy, modern bed.
Another way of cheating the audience comes with camera trickery. When the survival expert lights a fire in thirty seconds, you are probably seeing an hour of work by a real expert, who doesn’t appear on camera, condensed into a short clip made to look easy. The same goes for building shelters, hunting, fishing and so on. Many programmes employ specialists who do these things off camera, and then the presenter steps in at the last moment to explain how they did it.
The final point to make concerns survival reality shows involving multiple people, such as Ultimate Survival Alaska. In these shows, the producers would much rather select crazy, controversial participants than real survival experts. It’s understandable really. Audiences want drama and tension and conflict, so the makers of reality shows do everything they can to provide it. This includes casting people who are likely to argue, fight and generally create tense moments of TV.
This doesn’t mean survival shows don’t have a purpose. It’s always fun to imagine what we would do in such a desperate situation. But just remember that you might not be getting the best, most realistic survival advice.
LISTENING 23 – LEARNING TO CODE
It’s about the pros and cons of learning to code. The speaker says it’s a good idea if you want to be employable.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what pros and cons the speaker gives of learning to code. Are you ready?
Pros:
- The software industry is so important nowadays, and big companies are always looking for talented coders. It’s paid well.
- Coding gives insight into how computers, apps, and all programs work, which can help most people in their jobs and daily lives.
- Coding was now one of the most popular new hobbies among young people
Cons:
Businesspeople might prefer to focus on the ideas and the human side of things, and pay someone else to do the coding.
Simply following a trend might not be the best path to success.
20 years ago it was common career advice to learn a trade. Working as a plumber, electrician, carpenter and so on was seen as a safe route to a guaranteed job. Careers advice nowadays is quite different, focusing on skills and transferable abilities.
One of the most highly-valued skills is coding. Many people in business insist that if there’s one thing to do to help your career, it’s learn to code.
The first argument presented is that the software industry is so important nowadays, and big companies are always looking for talented coders. The average annual wage for programmers in Silicon Valley is about $80,000. And obviously, the software industry is set to be even more crucial in the future.
Another advantage of learning to code is that, even if you don’t end up working for Google or Apple, you can gain a better understanding of the technology that surrounds us. Coding gives insight into how computers, apps, and all programs work, which can help most people in their jobs and daily lives.
Still not convinced? What if I told you coding was now one of the most popular new hobbies among young people? Free online courses, forums and even real-life meet-ups are all there for people to code in their free time, in the comfort of their own home.
Of course, coding might not be for everyone. Businesspeople, for example, might prefer to focus on the ideas and the human side of things, and pay someone else to do the coding.
It should also be remembered that simply following a trend might not be the best path to success. If everyone else is learning to code, shouldn’t you do something different to stand out from the crowd?
Like with everything, there are pros and cons. But if you’re thinking of ways to make yourself employable, learning to code has to be near the top of the list.
LISTENING 24 – SCURVY
It’s about a disease called scurvy which killed many sailors in the 18th Century. The cure (Vitamin C in oranges and lemons) was found by a doctor who carried out the world’s first clinical trial.
Now listen to the talk again. This time make some notes as you listen, if you want to. Then I’ll ask you what problem and solution the speaker identified. Are you ready?
Problem:
- Ships were dirty places, with no fresh water and hundreds of men living in small, cramped conditions. Causing diseases like typhus, cholera and tuberculosis.
- Symptoms of scurvy include extreme tiredness and depression, discoloured gums and tongue, fever, convulsions and eventually death.
- On some long expeditions, more than half of the crew who started the journey ended up dead.
Solution:
Some doctors thought drinking seawater was the answer, others claimed eating garlic was the best remedy.
The scientific community accepted oranges and lemons were the best cure as it helped many patients.
For sailors in the British Navy in the eighteenth century, the most dangerous enemy was not the French, the Spanish, the native Indians, the sharks, the pirates or even the bad weather. What killed by far the most men at sea was disease.
Ships were dirty places, with no fresh water and hundreds of men living in small, cramped conditions. Typhus, cholera and tuberculosis were all common.
But the disease that killed the most seamen was scurvy. Now we know this disease is caused by a lack of vitamin C, but at the time, in the 1700s, diet was not considered an important factor in disease.
Symptoms of scurvy include extreme tiredness and depression, discoloured gums and tongue, fever, convulsions and eventually death.
On some long expeditions, more than half of the crew who started the journey ended up dead due to scurvy. It was a serious problem for the British Navy who turned to scientists in search of an answer.
Many solutions were suggested, but with mixed results. Some doctors thought drinking seawater was the answer, others claimed eating garlic was the best remedy.
It wasn’t until the Scottish doctor James Lind conducted a famous experiment in 1753, that the scientific community accepted oranges and lemons were the best cure.
Doctor Lind’s revolutionary idea was to carry out the world’s first clinical trial. He selected a group of men suffering from scurvy and gave each of them a different potential cure. The only men to recover were those that ate oranges and lemons. In fact they recovered so quickly, that they then helped to look after the other patients who had been given ineffective medicine.
Clinical trials are now an essential part of the healthcare industry. Deaths from scurvy in the developed world today are almost zero, but it does still occur in some places, especially among refugees and in migrant camps, where malnutrition is a serious problem.
