Effects of Noise Reading Answers

Dec 17, 2022

Effects of Noise Reading Answers have 13 questions that have to be answered in 20 minutes. Effects of Noise Reading Answers comprise question types, namely-. select the appropriate paragraph and yes/no/not given. This IELTS topic has been taken from the book E-ENG-school IELTS Reading Test With Answers Key. Candidates must understand the IELTS reading passage to identify keywords that will help them to answer the questions. More IELTS Reading topics like Effects of Noise Reading Answers are available online. Students can access and practice them at IELTS Reading Practice papers.

Check: Get 10 Free IELTS Sample Papers
Check: Register for IELTS Coaching - Join for Free Trial Class Now

Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Effects of Noise Reading Answers

In general, it is plausible to suppose that we should prefer peace and quiet to noise. And yet most of us have had the experience of having to adjust to sleeping in the mountains or the countryside because it was initially ‘too quiet’, an experience that suggests that humans are capable of adapting to a wide range of noise levels. Research supports this view. For example, Glass and Singer (1972) exposed people to short bursts of very loud noise and then measured their ability to work out problems and their physiological reactions to the noise. The noise was quite disruptive at first, but after about four minutes the subjects were doing just as well on their tasks as control subjects who were not exposed to noise. Their physiological arousal also declined quickly to the same levels as those of the control subjects.

But there are limits to adaptation and loud noise becomes more troublesome if the person is required to concentrate on more than one task. For example, high noise levels interfered with the performance of subjects who were required to monitor three dials at a time, a task not unlike that of an airplane pilot or an air-traffic controller (Broadbent, 1957). Similarly, the noise did not affect a subject’s ability to track a moving line with a steering wheel, but it did interfere with the subject’s ability to repeat numbers while tracking (Finkelman and Glass, 1970).

Probably the most significant finding from research on noise is that its predictability is more important than how loud it is. We are much more able to ‘tune out’ chronic background noise, even if it is quite loud than to work under circumstances with unexpected intrusions of noise. In the Glass and Singer study, in which subjects were exposed to bursts of noise as they worked on a task, some subjects heard loud bursts and others heard soft bursts. For some subjects, the bursts were spaced exactly one minute apart (predictable noise); others heard the same amount of noise overall, but the bursts.

Noise	Unpredictable Noise	Predictable Noise	Average
Loud noise	40.1	31.8	35.9
Soft noise	36.7	21A	32.1
Average	38.4	29.6	-

Table 1 : Proofreading Errors and Noise

occurred at random intervals (unpredictable noise). Subjects reported finding the predictable and unpredictable noise equally annoying, and all subjects performed at about the same level during the noise portion of the experiment. But the different noise conditions had quite different after-effects when the subjects were required to proofread written material under conditions of no noise. As shown in Table 1 the unpredictable noise produced more errors in the later proofreading task than predictable noise; and soft, unpredictable noise actually produced slightly more errors on this task than the loud, predictable noise.

Apparently, unpredictable noise produces more fatigue than predictable noise, but it takes a while for this fatigue to take its toll on performance.

Predictability is not the only variable that reduces or eliminates the negative effects of noise. Another is controlling. If the individual knows that he or she can control the noise, this seems to eliminate both its negative effects at the time and its after-effects. This is true even if the individual never actually exercises his or her option to turn the noise off (Glass and Singer, 1972). Just the knowledge that one has control is sufficient.

The studies discussed so far exposed people to noise for only short periods and only transient effects were studied. But the major worry about noisy environments is that living day after day with chronic noise may produce serious, lasting effects. One study, suggesting that this worry is a realistic one, compared elementary school pupils who attended schools near Los Angeles’s busiest airport with students who attended schools in quiet neighborhoods (Cohen et al., 1980). It was found that children from noisy schools had higher blood pressure and were more easily distracted than those who attended the quiet schools. Moreover, there was no evidence of adaptability to the noise. In fact, the longer the children had attended the noisy schools, the more distractible they became. The effects also seem to be long-lasting. A follow-up study showed that children who were moved to less noisy classrooms still showed greater distractibility one year later than students who had always been in the quiet schools (Cohen et al, 1981). It should be noted that the two groups of children had been carefully matched by the investigators so that they were comparable in age, ethnicity, race, and social class.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 1-3

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Write the correct letter in boxes 1-3 on your answer sheet.

The writer suggests that people may have difficulty sleeping in the mountains because

humans do not prefer peace and quiet to noise.
they may be exposed to short bursts of very strange sounds.
humans prefer to hear a certain amount of noise while they sleep.
they may have adapted to a higher noise level in the city.

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: And yet most of us have had the experience of having to adjust to sleeping in the mountains or the countryside because it was initially ‘too quiet’, an experience that suggests that humans are capable of adapting to a wide range of noise levels.
Keywords: having to adjust to sleeping,mountains, ‘too quiet’, capable of adapting to a wide, range of noise levels
Keyword Location: paragraph 1
Explanation: The author points out that most of us have had to adjust to sleeping in the mountains (difficulty sleeping in the mountains). The countryside because it was originally 'too quiet'. An experience that demonstrates people are capable of adjusting to a wide variety of noise levels (humans adapt themselves to higher noise level when they live in the city). This is summarized as "The writer thinks that individuals may have problems sleeping… higher noise level in the city." As a result, the answer is D.

In noise experiments, Glass and Singer found that

problem-solving is much easier under quiet conditions.
physiological arousal prevents the ability to work.
bursts of noise do not seriously disrupt problem-solving in the long term.
the physiological arousal of control subjects declined quickly.

Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: For example, Glass and Singer (1972) exposed people to short bursts of very loud noise and then measured their ability to work out problems and their physiological reactions to the noise.
Keywords: subjects were doing just as well on their tasks
Keyword Location: paragraph 1
Explanation: According to the author, Glass and Singer (1972) subjected participants to short bursts of extremely loud noise. Then examined their ability to solve tasks as well as their physiological reactions to the noise. The noise was highly distracting at first, but within approximately four minutes. The participants were doing exactly as well as controlling individuals who had not been exposed to noise. As a result, the subjects/people who participated in the studies acclimated to the noise after a while. It did not affect/disrupt their problem-solving skills in the long run. As a result, the solution is C.

Researchers discovered that high noise levels are not likely to interfere with the

successful performance of a single task.
tasks of pilots or air traffic controllers.
ability to repeat numbers while tracking moving lines.
ability to monitor three dials at once.

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: Similarly, noise did not affect a subject’s ability to track a moving line with a steering wheel
Keywords: limitations to adaptation, and loud noise
Keyword Location: paragraph 2
Explanation: According to the author, there are limitations to adaptation, and loud noise becomes more bothersome when a person is needed to focus on more than one job. Noise, for example, did not impair a subject's ability to follow a moving line with a steering wheel. It did impair the subject's ability to repeat numbers while tracking. As a result, we may infer that loud noise may not interfere with the effective completion of a single action. Such as steering a wheel, does impact the job when it must be performed several times. As a result, the answer is A.

Questions 4-8

Complete the summary using the list of words and phrases, A-J, below.
Write the correct letter, A-J, in boxes 4-8 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.

no control over
unexpected
intense
the same amount of
performed better than
performed at about the same level as
no
showed more irritation than
made more mistakes than
different types of

Glass and Singer (1972) showed that situations in which there is intense noise have less effect on performance than circumstances in which _________ noise occurs.

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: soft, unpredictable noise actually produced slightly more errors on this task than the loud, predictable noise.
Keywords: unexpected intrusions of noise
Keyword Location: paragraph 3
Explanation: As demonstrated by the Glass and Singer study, we are better capable of ignoring (tuning out) chronic background noise. Even if it is severe noise, then we are working in conditions with sudden intrusions of noise. As a result, the correct answer is B.

Subjects were divided into groups to perform a task. Some heard loud bursts of noise, others soft. For some subjects, the noise was predictable, while for others its occurrence was random. All groups were exposed to ________noise.

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: others heard the same amount of noise overall, but the bursts
Keywords: subjects heard loud bursts and others heard soft bursts, predictable noise, unpredictable noise
Keyword Location: paragraph 3
Explanation: In Glass and Singer's experiment, individuals were subjected to bursts of noise while working on a task. Tasks like some subjects heard loud bursts, while others heard gentle bursts. Some individuals heard the same amount of noise overall. The word 'overall' informs us that the quantity of noise was the same throughout the experiment and all groups were treated to the same amount of noise. But the bursts came at random intervals (predictable noise) (unpredictable noise). This demonstrates that, despite variances in noise kinds, all groups were exposed to the same amount of noise. As a result, the answer is D.

The predictable noise group __________ the unpredictable noise group on this task.

Answer: F
Supporting Sentence: Subjects reported finding the predictable and unpredictable noise equally annoying, and all subjects performed at about the same level during the noise portion of the experiment.
Keywords: all subjects performed at about the same level, performed at about the same level as the
Keyword Location: paragraph 3
Explanation: According to the author, "subjects reported finding both predictable and unexpected noise …the noise section of the experiment". The predictable noise group performed at roughly the same level as the unexpected noise group on this assignment summarizes the text. As a result, the answer is F.

In the second part of the experiment, the four groups were given a proofreading task to complete under conditions of no noise. They were required to check written material for errors.The group which had been exposed to unpredictable noise ______ the group which had been exposed to predictable noise. The group which had been exposed to loud predictable noise performed better than those who had heard soft, unpredictable bursts.

Answer: I
Supporting Sentence: As shown in Table 1 the unpredictable noise produced more errors in the later proofreading task than predictable noise
Keywords: unpredictable noise produced more errors in the later proofreading task than predictable noise
Keyword Location: paragraph 3
Explanation: "But the varied noise circumstances had significantly distinct after-effects… under conditions of no noise," the author continues. As demonstrated in Table 1, unpredictable noise created more errors than predictable noise in the later proofreading test. The soft, unpredictable noise produced somewhat more errors on this task than loud, predictable noise. This means that the group exposed to unexpected noise made more mistakes than the group exposed to predictable noise. As a result, the answer is I.

The results suggest that _________ noise produces fatigue but that this manifests itself later.

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: Apparently, unpredictable noise produces more fatigue than predictable noise, but it takes a while for this fatigue to take its toll on performance.
Keywords: unpredictable, fatigue, unexpected
Keyword Location: paragraph 4
Explanation: The author highlights how random or unexpected noise causes greater tiredness than predicted noise, but that this weariness takes time to take its toll on performance. "The results show that sudden loudness… presents itself later," states the paragraph. As a result, the correct answer is B.

Questions 9-14

Look at the following statements (Questions 9-14) and the list of researchers below.
Match each statement with the correct researcher(s), A-E.
Write the correct letter, A-E, in boxes 9-14 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.

-	List of Researchers
A	Glass and Singer
B	Broadbent
C	Finkelman and Glass
D	Cohen et al.
E	None of the above

___________Subjects exposed to noise find it difficult at first to concentrate on problem-solving tasks.

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: The noise was quite disruptive at first, but after about four minutes the subjects were doing just as well on their tasks as control subjects who were not exposed to noise.
Keywords: Glass and Singer exposed, The noise was quite disruptive at first
Keyword Location: paragraph 1
Explanation: Glass and Singer subjected volunteers to short bursts of very loud noise in 1972. Then assessed their ability to solve puzzles and their physiological reactions to the noise. The noise was initially highly distracting, making it difficult for the individuals to focus. After around four minutes, the subjects were doing their duties effectively. As a result, the answer is A.

__________ Long-term exposure to noise can produce changes in behaviour which can still be observed a year later.

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: A follow-up study showed that children who were moved to less noisy classrooms still showed greater distractibility one year later than students who had always been in the quiet schools (Cohen et al, 1981).
Keywords: Cohen et al, less noisy classrooms, showed greater distractibility
Keyword Location: last paragraph
Explanation: The author describes a follow-up study conducted in 1981 by Cohen et al. He found that children who were relocated to less loud classes still exhibited more distractibility. They produce changes in behavior in one year later than students who had always been in the quiet schools. As a result, the answer is D.

__________ The problems associated with exposure to noise do not arise if the subject knows they can make it stop.

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: (Glass and Singer, 1972). Just the knowledge that one has control is sufficient.
Keywords: individual, eliminate both its negative effects at the time and its after-effects, Glass and Singer
Keyword Location: paragraph 5
Explanation: The author contends that if the individual, or subjects, are aware that they can regulate or stop the noise. This appears to remove both its harmful effects at the moment and its after-effects (exposure to noise does not arise). This is true even if the individual never uses his or her choice to turn off the noise, as Glass and Singer discovered in 1972. As a result, the answer is A.

________ Exposure to high-pitched noise results in more errors than exposure to low-pitched noise.

Answer: E
Supporting Sentence: no refresh line to support this question.
Keywords: no reference of any research
Keyword Location: no keyword location.
Explanation: Because there is no evidence that exposure to high-pitched noise causes more mistakes than exposure to low-pitched noise, the answer is E.

____________ Subjects find it difficult to perform three tasks at the same time when exposed to noise.

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: For example, high noise levels interfered with the performance of subjects who were required to monitor three dials at a time, a task not unlike that of an aeroplane pilot or an air-traffic controller (Broadbent, 1957).
Keywords: Broadbent, interfered, performance of subjects who were required to monitor three dials at a time
Keyword Location: paragraph 2
Explanation: According to paragraph 2, a research conducted by Broadbent in 1957 found that excessive noise levels interfered (made it difficult). With the performance of individuals who were supposed to watch three dials at the same time (perform three tasks at the same time). As a result, the correct answer is B.

______________ Noise affects a subject’s capacity to repeat numbers while carrying out another task.

Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: but it did interfere with the subject’s ability to repeat numbers while tracking (Finkelman and Glass, 1970).
Keywords: Finkelman and Glass in 1970
Keyword Location: paragraph 2
Explanation: According to the author, a 1970 research by Finkelman and Glass discovered that noise interfered (damaged). The subject's ability to repeat numbers while tracking (repeat numbers while carrying out another task). As a result, the solution is C.

Read More IELTS Reading Samples