The Mozart Effect Reading Answers

Dec 29, 2022

The Mozart Effect Reading Answers has 13 questions that need to be answered in 20 minutes. The Mozart Effect Reading Answers IELTS topic is about phenomena mozart effect. The Mozart Effect Reading Answers comprises three types of questions-write the correct letter, complete the summary and true/false/not given. Candidates are required to read the IELTS Reading passage and answer which paragraph contains the given information. Candidates are supposed to read the IELTS reading passage carefully to complete the summary using no more than one word for each answer. Candidates are required to answer whether the given statement is true, false or not given as per the details provided in the passage. Candidates can undertake IELTS Reading practice papers to practise more on different topics.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

The Mozart Effect Reading Answers

Music has been used for centuries to heal the body. In the Ebers Papyrus (one of the earliest medical documents, circa 1550 BC), it was recorded that physicians chanted to heal the sick (Castleman, 1994). In various cultures, we have observed singing as part of healing rituals. In the world of Western medicine, however, using music in medicine lost popularity until the introduction of the radio. Researchers then started to notice that listening to music could have significant physical effects. Therapists noticed music could help calm anxiety, and researchers saw that listening to music, could cause a drop in blood pressure. In addition to these two areas, music has been used with cancer chemotherapy to reduce nausea, during surgery to reduce stress hormone production, during childbirth, and in stroke recovery (Castleman, 1994 and Westley, 1998). It has been shown to decrease pain as well as enhance the effectiveness of the immune system. In Japan, compilations of music are used as medication of sorts. For example, if you want to cure a headache or migraine, the album suggested is Mendelssohn’s "Spring Song”, Dvorak's “Humoresque”, or part of George Gershwin’s "An American in Paris” (Campbell, 1998). Music is also being used to assist in learning, in a phenomenon called the Mozart Effect.
Frances H. Rauscher, PhD, first demonstrated the correlation between music and learning in an experiment in 1993. His experiment indicated that a 10-minute dose of Mozart could temporarily boost intelligence. Groups of students were given intelligence tests after listening to silence, relaxation tapes, or Mozart’s "Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major” for a short time. He found that after silence, the average IQ score was 110, and after the relaxation tapes, the score rose a point. After listening to Mozart’s music, however, the score jumped to 119 (Westley, 1998). Even students who did not like the music still had an increased score in the IQ test. Rauscher hypothesized that “listening to complex, non-repetitive music, like Mozart's, may stimulate neural pathways that are important in thinking” (Castleman, 1994).
The same experiment was repeated on rats by Rauscher and Hong Hua Li from Stanford. Rats also demonstrated enhancement in their intelligence performance. These new studies indicate that rats that were exposed to Mozart’s showed “increased gene expression of BDNF (a neural growth factor), CREB (a learning and memory compound), and Synapsin I (a synaptic growth protein) ” in the brain’s hippocampus, compared with rats in the control group, which heard only white noise (e.g. the whooshing sound of a V radio tuned between stations).
How exactly does the Mozart Effect work? Researchers are still trying to determine the actual mechanisms for the formation of these enhanced learning pathways. Neuroscientists suspect that music can actually help build and strengthen connections between neurons in the cerebral cortex in a process similar to what occurs in brain development despite its type.

When a baby is born, certain connections have already been made - like connections for heartbeat and breathing. As new information is learned and motor skills develop, new neural connections are formed. Neurons that are not used will eventually die while those used repeatedly will form strong connections. Although a large number of these neural connections require experience, they must also occur within a certain time frame. For example, a child born with cataracts cannot develop connections within the visual cortex. If the cataracts are removed by surgery right away, the child’s vision develops normally. However, after the age of 2, if the cataracts are removed, the child will remain blind because those pathways cannot establish themselves.

Music seems to work in the same way. In October of 1997, researchers at the University of Konstanz in Germany found that music actually rewires neural circuits (Begley, 1996). Although some of these circuits are formed for physical skills needed to play an instrument, just listening to music strengthens connections used in higher-order thinking. Listening to music can then be thought of as “exercise” for the brain, improving concentration and enhancing intuition.
If you’re a little skeptical about the claims made by supporters of the Mozart Effect, you’re not alone. Many people accredit the advanced learning of some children who take music lessons to other personality traits, such as motivation and persistence, which are required in all types of learning. There have also been claims of that influencing the results of some experiments.
Furthermore, many people are critical of the role the media had in turning an isolated study into a trend for parents and music educators. After the Mozart Effect was published to the public, the sales of Mozart CDs stayed on the top of the hit list for three weeks. In an article by Michael Linton, he wrote that the research that began this phenomenon (the study by researchers at the University of California, Irvine) showed only a temporary boost in IQ, which was not significant enough to even last throughout the course of the experiment. Using music to influence intelligence was used in Confucian civilization and Plato alluded to Pythagorean music when he de- jj scribed its ideal state in The Republic. In both of these examples, music did not cause any overwhelming changes, and the theory eventually died out. Linton also asks, “If Mozart’s music were able to improve health, why was Mozart himself so frequently sick? If listening to Mozart’s music increases intelligence and encourages spirituality, why aren’t the world’s smartest and most spiritual people Mozart specialists?” Linton raises an interesting point, if the Mozart Effect causes such significant changes, why isn’t there more documented evidence?
The “trendiness’’ of the Mozart Effect may have died out somewhat, but there are still strong supporters (and opponents) of the claims made in 1993. Since that initial experiment, there has not been a surge of supporting evidence. However, many parents, after playing classical music while pregnant or when their children are young, will swear by the Mozart Effect.

A classmate of mine once told me that listening to classical music while studying will help with memorisation. If we approach this controversy from a scientific aspect, although there has been some evidence that music does increase brain activity, actual improvements in learning and memory have not been adequately demonstrated.

Section 2

Solution with Explanation

Questions (1-5)

Reading Passage has eight paragraphs A-H.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter A-H in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.

A description of how music affects the brain development of infants

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: Neuroscientists suspect that music can actually help build and strengthen connections between neurons in the cerebral cortex in a process similar to what occurs in brain development despite its type.
Keyword: neurons, cerebral cortex, brain development
Keyword Location: Paragraph D, line 3
Explanation: As per the neuroscientists, music can aid in the establishment of neural connections in a baby's developing brain, as stated in the third line of paragraph D. Additionally, improve the connections between neurons as infants' developing brains. Hence, the correct answer is paragraph D.

Public’s first reaction to the discovery of the Mozart Effect

Answer: G
Supporting Sentence: After the Mozart Effect was published to the public, the sales of Mozart stayed on the top of the hit list for three weeks
Keyword: Mozart effect, public, published
Keyword Location: Paragraph G, line 2
Explanation: In the second sentence of paragraph G, it is stated that Mozart's publication remained at the top for three weeks. We can assume that when the Mozart Effect was initially discovered, the general public responded favourably. Following the release of The Mozart Effect, Mozart's sales remained at the top of the charts for three weeks. Therefore, the right answer is paragraph G.

The description of Rauscher’s original experiment

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: Frances H. Rauscher, PhD, first demonstrated the correlation between music and learning in an experiment in 1993.
Keyword: Rauscher, experiment
Keyword Location: Paragraph B, line 1
Explanation: The first sentence of paragraph B of the passage contains details about Rauscher's original experiment. It dealt with how music and learning related to one another. In a 1993 experiment, Frances H. Rauscher, PhD, demonstrated the relationship between music and learning for the first time. Thus, paragraph B is the right answer.

The description of using music for healing in other countries

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: In Japan, compilations of music are used as medication of sorts
Keyword: Japan, few countries
Keyword Location: Paragraph A, line 9
Explanation: Few nations use music to promote healing, as stated in paragraph A. Japan is one nation that uses music for therapeutic purposes (medication of sorts). And, because paragraph A contains the details of the given statement, thus the right answer is paragraph A.

Other qualities needed in all learning

Answer: F
Supporting Sentence: many people accredit the advanced learning of some children who take music lessons to other personality traits, such as motivation and persistence, which are required in all types of learning.
Keyword: personality, traits
Keyword Location: Paragraph F, 2nd last line
Explanation: According to the second-to-last sentence of paragraph F, the author claims that music confers additional personality qualities. For instance, persistence and motivation, both of which are crucial to learning. So, the correct answer for this statement is paragraph F.

Questions (6-8)

Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN ONE WORD from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 6-8 on your answer sheet.

During the experiment conducted by Frances Rauscher, subjects were exposed to the music for a 6________ period of time before they were tested. And Rauscher believes the enhancement in their performance is related to the 7__________ nature of Mozart’s music. Later, a similar experiment was also repeated on 8_____________

Question 6:

Answer 6: short
Supporting Sentence: Groups of students were given intelligence tests after listening to silence, relaxation tapes, or Mozart’s “Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major” for a short time.
Keyword: time, Frances Rauscher
Keyword Location: Paragraph B, line 3
Explanation: According to the third sentence of paragraph B, a group of students were exposed to different types of music during the experiment. The experiment was carried out by Frances Rauscher for a short period of time. It included brief periods of stillness, relaxation recordings, or Mozart. Hence, the right answer ‘Short’.

Question 7:

Answer 7: complex
Supporting Sentence: Rauscher hypothesized that “listening to complex, non-repetitive music, like Mozart's, may stimulate neural pathways that are important in thinking
Keyword: pathways, important, performance
Keyword Location: Paragraph B, last line
Explanation: In the final sentence of paragraph B, it is stated that Rauscher proposed that "listening to complex, non-repetitive music". Such as Mozart's, may stimulate cerebral circuits that are crucial for thinking. Thus, the correct answer is ‘Complex’.

Question 8:

Answer 8: rats
Supporting Sentence: The same experiment was repeated on rats by Rauscher and Hong Hua Li from Stanford. Rats also demonstrated enhancement in their intelligence performance.
Keyword: experiment, repeated
Keyword Location: Paragraph C, line 1
Explanation: In the first sentence of paragraph C, it is stated that Stanford researchers Rauscher and Hong Hua Li conducted the same experiment on rats. The intelligence performance of rats also showed improvement. Therefore, we can assume that the right answer is ‘Rats’.

Questions (9-13)

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

All kinds of music can enhance one’s brain performance to somewhat extent.

Answer: True
Supporting Sentence: Neuroscientists suspect that music can actually help build and strengthen connections between neurons in the cerebral cortex in a process similar to what occurs in brain development despite its type
Keyword: strengthen, brain
Keyword Location: Paragraph A, line 2
Explanation: Neuroscientists believe that music can truly aid in the development and reinforcement of neural connections in the cerebral cortex. It has been stated in the second line of paragraph A. This occurs by a process like that of brain growth. The specific genre of music that improves (helps to develop and strengthen) brain function is not specified. All genres of music must be beneficial, we can assume. Thus, the given statement is true.

There is no neural connection made when a baby is born.

Answer: False
Supporting Sentence: when a baby is born, certain connections have already been made – like connections for heartbeat and breathing. As new information is learned and motor skills develop, new neural connections are formed.
Keyword: baby, born, connection
Keyword Location: Paragraph A, line 3
Explanation: According to the third line of paragraph A, a baby is born with some connections already established, such as those for breathing and heartbeat. New brain connections are created as a result of learning new knowledge and improving motor skills. Connections are already established when the kid is born, according to the author. It is untrue to say that a baby's birth has no impact on the formation of brain connections. Hence, the given assertion is false.

There are very few who question the Mozart Effect.

Answer: False
Supporting Sentence: if you’re a little skeptical about the claims made by supporters of the Mozart Effect, you’re not alone
Keyword: Mozart, skeptical
Keyword Location: Paragraph F, line 1
Explanation: You're not the only one, as per the first sentence of paragraph F, if you're a little dubious about the assertions made by proponents of the Mozart Effect. So it is clear that the validity of Mozart's Effect is not universally accepted. Therefore, the provided statement is false.

Michael Linton conducted extensive research on Mozart’s life.

Answer: Not Given
Explanation: There is no information regarding the question in the paragraph.

There is not enough evidence in support of the Mozart Effect today.

Answer: True
Supporting Sentence: if we approach this controversy from a scientific aspect, although there has been some evidence that music does increase brain activity, actual improvements in learning and memory have not been adequately demonstrated
Keyword: evidence
Keyword Location: Paragraph H, last line
Explanation: The Mozart Effect, which is a phenomena, claims in the last line of paragraph H that music is also employed to help with learning. But it is acknowledged that adequate evidence for memory improvement is lacking. So, the provided assertion is true.