English LanguageICSE Class 9 · Listening Skills

ICSE Class 9 Listening Skills: Notes, Signpost Words and the Objective Test

Updated 18 October 2026 · Fact-checked

In the school-based listening assessment a passage of about 300 words is read aloud twice, first at normal speed (about 110 words a minute) and then more slowly. You may make brief notes and then answer an objective test on paper. Write key words, numbers and names, listen for signpost words, and check each option against your notes, not your memory.

Get the gist first, fill gaps on the second hearing, use short symbols for notes, and listen for signpost words like however and finally.

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Understand The Aural Test: Notes, Signposts and Objective Questions (ICSE Class 9)

What happens. The chapter page says listening is assessed in school, not in the written board paper. Class IX has three assessments in the year. Listening carries 10 of the 20 internal marks for English Language, with 10 for speaking.

Reading and notes. The passage of about 300 words is read twice. The first reading gives the gist. The second, slower, reading lets you fill gaps. You cannot write every word, so note key words, numbers, names and lists, using symbols such as an arrow for leads to, an up arrow for increase, and "&" for and.

Signposts. Speakers use words to show structure: firstly, another reason, however, as a result, for example, finally, in short. "However" warns of a contrast, "as a result" introduces an effect and "finally" marks the last item.

Objective questions. Typical items test facts and details, the main idea and purpose, sequence, cause and contrast, and vocabulary or inference. Traps include options that use words you heard but in the wrong relationship, close numbers (13 and 30), negatives such as "NOT mentioned", and options that are too extreme.

Grading. The chapter page lists four criteria, each graded from I (best) to IV: understanding, recall, vocabulary and context. Assessment is by the subject teacher and an external examiner.

Habits. Sit alert, avoid writing sentences in full and keep your eyes on your notes during the second reading to confirm answers.

The Aural Test: Notes, Signposts and Objective Questions (ICSE Class 9): key facts

The test: About 300 words
Read twice
First at about 110 words a minute
Then slower; Per the chapter page.
Marks: Listening 10
Speaking 10
Total 20; English Language internal assessment.
Notes: Key words
Numbers
Names
Symbols; Not full sentences.
Criteria: Understanding
Recall
Vocabulary
Context; Grades I to IV.

How to answer The Aural Test: Notes, Signposts and Objective Questions (ICSE Class 9) questions

Use this for the aural test.

1Listen for the topic and main idea on the first reading.
2Jot numbers, names and key words with symbols.
3On the second reading confirm details and listen for signpost words.
4Read each question twice, especially negatives.
5Test every option against your notes and eliminate distractors.

The Aural Test: Notes, Signposts and Objective Questions (ICSE Class 9) in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

A railway announcement

Suppose a station announcement says the platform has changed, then gives a new platform number and a new time.

Which details should be noted first and why?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Numbers and times are easy to forget.
The words "has changed" signal the main point.
Jot platform number and time.

Answer: Note the new platform number and time first, as numbers are the details most often tested.

Memory hook: Numbers first.

Tricks to remember The Aural Test: Notes, Signposts and Objective Questions (ICSE Class 9)

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

N-N-N
Numbers, Names, Now (key words).
Use it when: What to jot.
However means turn
However warns of a contrast.
Use it when: Signposts.
Notes beat memory
Check options against notes.
Use it when: Objective test.

The Aural Test: Notes, Signposts and Objective Questions (ICSE Class 9): solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Speed of reading · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

The first reading is at normal speed of about:
(a) 60 words a minute (b) 110 words a minute (c) 200 words a minute (d) 300 words a minute

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Chapter page says about 110 (1).

Answer: (b) about 110 words a minute.

Example 2: Which details to note (2 marks) · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

Name two kinds of detail that should be written down at once during the reading.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Numbers or dates (1)
Names or lists (1).

Answer: Numbers and dates, and names and lists, because they are easy to forget and often tested.

Example 3: Using symbols (3 marks) · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Rewrite as brief notes: "Prices rose sharply because of the poor harvest, but later fell as imports increased."

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Use arrows (1)
Cause and effect (1)
Contrast signpost (1).

Answer: Prices up (b/c poor harvest); later down (b/c imports up). The symbols save time and keep the cause and the contrast.

Example 4: Signpost (3 marks) · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

A speaker says: "Many students prefer online notes; however, a few still prefer paper." What does "however" signal, and what question might follow?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Contrast (1)
Opposing view (1)
Possible question (1).

Answer: It signals a contrast between the majority view and a minority one. A question may ask which group prefers paper notes.

Example 5: Spot the distractor (4 marks) · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

A speaker says the library will open 30 new books each month. An option says "Library will open 13 new books a month". Explain how you avoid choosing it.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Close numbers (1)
Check notes (1)
Use signposts (1)
Eliminate (1).

Answer: Numbers like 13 and 30 sound alike, so I rely on the figure I wrote down during the reading and reject the option that does not match my note.

Where students lose marks in The Aural Test: Notes, Signposts and Objective Questions (ICSE Class 9)

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Writing full sentences
The notes cannot keep pace.
Wrong working
The speaker said that the number of members rose.
Right working
members up 40 -> 65
Do this: Use key words and symbols.
Usually costs: Marks for recall
Mistake: Trusting memory over notes
Options reuse words.
Wrong working
Choosing the option with a familiar word.
Right working
Checking against notes.
Do this: Test every option.
Usually costs: 1 mark
Mistake: Missing a negative
NOT questions reverse the answer.
Wrong working
Choosing a true statement.
Right working
Choosing the false one.
Do this: Underline NOT.
Usually costs: 1 mark

Exam tips

Note numbers, names and key words only.
Listen for signpost words.
Use the second reading to confirm details.
Read negatives twice.
Check options against notes.

Practice questions on The Aural Test: Notes, Signposts and Objective Questions (ICSE Class 9)

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
How many times is the passage read?
(a) once (b) twice (c) three times (d) four times
Hint
See the chapter page.
Answer
(b) twice.
Q2 · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level
How many assessments are held in Class IX, and how many marks does listening carry? (2 marks)
Hint
Chapter page.
Answer
Three assessments in the year; listening carries 10 of the 20 internal marks.
Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Name three signpost words and say what each signals. (3 marks)
Hint
Contrast, effect, last item.
Answer
However signals a contrast, as a result signals an effect and finally marks the last point.
Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Write brief notes for this line: "In 2019 the club had 40 members; by 2022 it had 65, mainly because of the new coach." (3 marks)
Hint
Use numbers and an arrow.
Answer
Club members: 2019 = 40 -> 2022 = 65 (b/c new coach).
Q5 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Give two reasons why a "NOT true" question should be read twice. (3 marks)
Hint
Think of negatives and distractors.
Answer
The negative reverses the answer, and three options will be true statements that look plausible, so careless reading picks the wrong one.
Q6 · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency
A student writes complete sentences while listening and misses the second half of the passage. Identify the fault and advise a better method, mentioning the use of the second reading. (4 marks)
Hint
Think of speed and notes.
Answer
Writing full sentences cannot keep pace with about 110 words a minute. Instead note key words, numbers and names with symbols, and use the slower second reading to fill gaps and confirm details.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.Words in the passage?Show answer
About 300.
2.Speed of first reading?Show answer
About 110 words a minute.
3.Marks for listening?Show answer
10 of the 20 internal marks.
4.How many assessments in Class IX?Show answer
Three.
5.What type of test follows?Show answer
Objective.
6.Who assesses?Show answer
The subject teacher and an external examiner.

The Aural Test: Notes, Signposts and Objective Questions (ICSE Class 9): frequently asked questions

Is listening in the written board paper?

No; it is assessed in school.

May I make notes?

Yes, brief notes.

Do I see the passage?

No.