Noise in Air Reading Answers

Aug 13, 2024

The discussed topic is an academic reading answers topic. Noise in air Reading Answers have a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the questions you have to tell whether the statement is true or false. In the next set of questions, you have to choose the correct choice from the passage

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognise synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers, which feature topics such as Noise in air Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

Section 1

NOISE IN AIR

In self-imposed solitary confinement, 22-year-old Tom Wonnacott, a Princeton graduate student, spent four days lying in a lightless, soundproofed isolation chamber. Unable to see or hear, he also wore thick gloves to restrict his sense of touch. Wonnacott volunteered to undergo this experience to help US-based psychologists find out what happens to people isolated from the outside world and deprived of the normal use of their senses. While over a longer period such extremes of silence in conjunction with sensory deprivation are harmful, there are many today who are in search of quieter areas.

An overabundance of noise has always been a significant environmental issue for man. In ancient Rome, rules existed to ensure that the noise emitted from the large iron wheels of wagons which rolled over the stones on the pavements and caused disruption of sleep and annoyance was minimized by allowing people to travel only during certain times. The same rules existed in Medieval Europe. To ensure inhabitants were given the best chance at a peaceful night's sleep, in some cities, horse-drawn carriages and horseback riding were not allowed at night time. However, when today's noise problems are compared with the noise pollution problems of the past they are almost incomparable.

An immense number of vehicles of various shapes and sizes are regularly driven around and through most of the world's cities and countryside. Loud. large diesel engines power the enormous trucks that roll around highways day and night. Aircraft and trains add to the environmental noise scenario. In industry, machinery emits high noise levels and amusement parks and pleasure vehicles distract leisure time and relaxation. One hundred years ago, environmental experts predicted that in the 21st century, there would be a shortage of water and silence. They were correct. Silence is scarce. More and more silence is drowned out by sound. A lack of knowledge about the effects of noise pollution on humans in comparison to other pollutants has been lacking as an area of research. Although it has been generally regarded that noise pollution is primarily a 'luxury' problem - for those developed countries able to afford the purchase price of large quantities of loud, noisy machinery - it is a fact that due to bad planning and poor construction of buildings, noise exposure is often higher in developing countries.

This means that regardless of the economic status of a particular country, the effects of noise are just as widespread and the long-term consequences for health are the same. Therefore, practical action plans based upon proper scientific evaluation of available data on the effects of noise exposure, with the express purpose of limiting and controlling the exposure of people to environmental noise are a most worthwhile undertaking. It has been well established that exposure to loud noises for extended periods causes trauma to the inner ear and often results in irreversible hearing loss When it initially receives sound, the human ear amplifies it by a factor of 20. In 1965, in a remote part of Ghana, scientists went about studying the impact of 'insignificant' exposure to industrial noise and transportation. In tandem, the Ghanese group was compared with a control group in the industrial USA. Several startling conclusions were drawn from the experiments.

For example, both locations revealed that ageing is an almost insignificant cause of hearing loss. Instead, it was shown that chronic exposure to moderately high levels of environmental noise led to hearing loss. Cardiovascular complaints also emerged among those with prolonged exposure to industrial noise above 70 dBA. In fact, over a single eight-hour period, it was shown that participants experienced a rise in blood pressure thus indicating noise pollution contributes to human stress levels. If this was not alarming enough, also noted was an increase in the incidence of heart disease.

The findings from various noise studies had the effect of changing the perspectives of many of the world's governments. Whereas noise had been considered a 'nuisance' rather than an environmental problem, laws were made to protect citizens against it. In the United States and Ghana, federal standards for highway and aircraft noise were introduced. State governments created noise regulations about building codes, urban planning and road construction. In Canada and the EU, noise laws are the domain of local governments. Activities in those countries deemed mandatory such as the collection of rubbish or some medical services are the only allowed exceptions to what otherwise are quiet local neighbourhood zones. Typically,

quiet times in neighbourhoods are between 6 am and 10 pm with restricted higher decibel levels after these hours. What happens if these quiet times are violated? Unfortunately, the enforcement of noise laws has proven problematic for many local governments with enforcement agencies often not following up on noise complaints. For persistent nuisances, individuals may seek compensation through the local courts and in some cities, police are authorised to impound such things as stereos and cars. These are extreme cases; most issues are handled by negotiation between the emitter and the receiver.

Questions 14 - 20

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?

TRUE- if the statement is true

FALSE if the statement is false

NOT GIVEN: if the information is not given in the passage

14. Noise Pollution is a relatively new pollution

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “.......An overabundance of noise has always been a significant environmental issue for man. In ancient Rome, rules existed to ensure that the noise emitted from the large iron wheels of wagons......”

Keywords: always, been

Keyword Location: para 2, line 1-2

Explanation: The passage clearly states that noise pollution has been an issue since ancient times, such as in ancient Rome. Therefore, the statement that noise pollution is a relatively new issue is false.

15. Experts forecasted that water and noise pollution would be major future problems.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “......One hundred years ago, environmental experts predicted that in the 21st century, there would be a shortage of water and silence.......”

Keywords: predicted, shortage

Keyword Location: para 3, line 5-6

Explanation: The passage mentions that experts predicted both a shortage of water and silence, indicating that they foresaw these as major future problems. This makes the statement true.

16. Noise pollution seems to be a bigger problem in richer, developed countries.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “......It is a fact that due to bad planning and poor construction of buildings, noise exposure is often higher in developing countries.......”

Keywords: exposure, higher

Keyword Location: para 4, line 4-5

Explanation: The passage indicates that noise pollution can be a bigger problem in developing countries due to poor planning and construction, which makes the statement that it is a bigger problem in richer countries false.

17. Noises that enter the human ear are heard louder than they really are.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “......When it initially receives sound, the human ear actually amplifies it by a factor of 20.......”

Keywords: amplifies, factor

Keyword Location: para 5, line 3-4

Explanation: The passage states that the human ear amplifies sound, making it louder than it initially is. This supports the statement, making it true.

18. There is a strong relationship between hearing loss and age.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “....... Several startling conclusions were drawn from the experiments. For example, both locations revealed that ageing is an almost insignificant cause of hearing loss......”

Keywords: aging, insignificant

Keyword Location: para 5, line 7-8

Explanation: The passage explicitly states that ageing is an insignificant cause of hearing loss, so the statement about a strong relationship between hearing loss and age is false.

19. Loud noise exposure studies have caused government changes.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “.......The findings from various noise studies had the effect of changing the perspectives of many of the world's governments......”

Keywords: studies, changing

Keyword Location: para 6, line 1-2

Explanation: The passage notes that findings from noise studies influenced government perspectives and led to changes in laws and regulations. This makes the statement true.

20. In Canada, police monitor the level of noise in local neighbourhoods.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The passage does not mention police involvement in monitoring noise levels in Canada, so the statement is "Not Given."

Questions 21 - 22

Choose TWO letters, A

The list of problems below can be caused by exposure to high noise levels.

Which TWO are mentioned by the writer of the text?

A. increased ear sensitivity

B. reduced reaction time

C. increased ageing of the body

D. heart disease

E. stomach cancer

F. sleep apnea

G. increased blood pressure

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “......If this was not alarming enough, also noted was an increase in the incidence of heart disease.......”

Keywords: disease, noise

Keyword Location: para 5, lines 12-13

Explanation: The passage mentions that prolonged exposure to high noise levels was linked to an increase in heart disease. Hence D is the correct answer.

Answer: G

Supporting statement: “......Over a single eight-hour period, it was shown that participants experienced a rise in blood pressure thus indicating noise pollution contributes to human stress levels.......”

Keywords: pressure, noise

Keyword Location: para 5, line 10-11

Explanation: The passage states that exposure to high noise levels causes an increase in blood pressure. Hence G is the correct answer.

Questions 23 - 26

Classify the following features as applying to?

Write the correct letter A, B or C.

A. people from the USA

B. people from Ghana

C. both people from the USA and Ghana

23. individuals participated in a noise study

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “......In 1965, in a remote part of Ghana, scientists went about studying the impact of 'insignificant' exposure to industrial noise and transportation. In tandem, the Ghanese group was compared with a control group in the industrial USA.......”

Keywords: study, Ghana

Keyword Location: para 5, line 5-7

Explanation: The passage describes a noise study involving participants from both Ghana and the USA. Hence C is the correct answer.

24. conducted a silent study

Answer: A

Supporting statement: “.......In a self-imposed solitary confinement, 22-year-old Tom Wonnacott, a Princeton graduate student, spent four days lying in a lightless, sound-proofed isolation chamber......”

Keywords: USA, Princeton

Keyword Location: para 1, line 1-2

Explanation: The passage mentions that a Princeton graduate student from the USA conducted a study involving self-imposed silence and isolation. Since this study was conducted by someone from the USA, A is the correct answer.

25. introduced air traffic regulations

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “......In the United States and Ghana, federal standards for highway and aircraft noise were introduced........”

Keywords: regulations, USA

Keyword Location: para 6, line 4-5

Explanation: The passage indicates that both the USA and Ghana introduced regulations to control aircraft noise, meaning that both countries implemented air traffic regulations. Therefore, C is the correct answer.

26. the relationship between industrial noise and blood pressure

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “.......For example, both locations revealed that aging is an almost insignificant cause of hearing loss. Instead, it was shown that chronic exposure to moderately high levels of environmental noise led to hearing loss.......”

Keywords: pressure, USA

Keyword Location: para 5, line 7-10

Explanation: The passage discusses the relationship between industrial noise and health issues, including cardiovascular complaints (which are related to blood pressure), in both the USA and Ghana. This makes C the correct answer.

Read More IELTS Reading Related Samples