The IELTS Reading section includes different passages that test how well you understand information, find details, and identify ideas written in different ways. Effects of Noise is one such IELTS Reading passage.
The Effects of Noise IELTS Reading Answers covers a passage about how noise can affect people, their health, and their daily lives. The questions test your ability to find information, understand the writer’s ideas, and connect details from the passage.
The passage includes different types of IELTS Reading questions. In this article, you will find:
The Effects of Noise IELTS Reading passage
Questions with answers and simple explanations
Answer keys for each question type
Important keywords and paraphrased ideas
Common mistakes to avoid
Read the passage carefully and focus on the meaning rather than trying to understand every difficult word. Look for keywords, synonyms, and information that directly supports your answer.
Preparing for the IELTS exam? Get started with upGrad’sfree IELTS course and practise with useful lessons and guidance at your own pace.
Effects of Noise IELTS Reading Passage
Before solving the Effects of Noise IELTS Reading Answers, read the passage once to understand what it is about. The IELTS Reading Test passage explains how people react to noise and how they can sometimes get used to it. It also looks at how predictable noise, loud noise, and long-term exposure can affect people's performance.
Effects of Noise
A
In general, people may prefer peace and quiet to noise. However, humans can adjust to different levels of noise. For example, some people may find it difficult to sleep in the mountains or countryside at first because it is too quiet. After some time, they can get used to it. Research by Glass and Singer (1972) also supports this idea. They exposed people to short bursts of very loud noise and tested their ability to solve problems. The noise was disturbing at first, but after about four minutes, the people performed as well as those who had not heard the noise. Their physical response to the noise also quickly went back to normal.
B
There are, however, limits to how much people can adapt to noise. Loud noise can cause more problems when a person has to concentrate on more than one task. For example, high noise levels affected people who had to watch three dials at the same time. This type of task is similar to the work of an aeroplane pilot or an air-traffic controller. In another study, noise did not affect a person's ability to track a moving line with a steering wheel. However, it made it harder for the person to repeat numbers while doing the tracking task.
C
One of the most important findings from noise research is that predictability may be more important than how loud the noise is. People may be able to ignore regular background noise, even when it is quite loud. However, unexpected noise can make it harder to work. In the Glass and Singer study, people worked while being exposed to bursts of noise. Some heard loud noise and others heard soft noise. For some people, the noise happened at regular one-minute intervals, making it predictable. For others, the same type of noise happened at irregular times, making it unpredictable.
Noise condition
Unpredictable Noise
Predictable Noise
Loud noise
40.1
31.8
Soft noise
36.7
27.4
Average
38.4
29.6
Table 1: Proofreading Errors and Noise
D
People said that predictable and unpredictable noise were almost equally annoying while they were hearing it. Their performance was also quite similar during the noise part of the study. However, the different noise conditions made a difference when people later had to correct and proofread written material without any noise. As the table shows, unpredictable noise caused more mistakes in the later proofreading task than predictable noise. Soft and unpredictable noise caused only slightly more mistakes than loud and predictable noise.
E
Unpredictable noise seems to cause more discomfort than predictable noise, but this effect may take some time to appear. Predictability is not the only factor that can reduce the negative effects of noise. Control is another important factor. When people know that they can control the noise, its negative effects may become smaller while they are working and after they finish the task. This can happen even when they decide not to turn the noise off. Simply knowing that they have the choice to control the noise can be enough to reduce its negative effects.
F
The studies discussed above show that short periods of noise may cause only temporary effects. However, living with noise every day for a long period can have more serious and lasting effects. One study compared children who attended schools near a busy airport in Los Angeles with children who studied in quieter areas. The children in the noisy schools had higher blood pressure and were more easily distracted. They also did not seem to get used to the noise. In fact, the longer they attended the noisy schools, the more distracted they became. A follow-up study one year later found that children who had moved to quieter schools were still more easily distracted than children who had always studied in quiet schools. The researchers carefully compared the two groups based on factors such as race, age, ethnic background and social class.
Effects of Noise IELTS Reading Answers Questions 27–29
Questions 27–29 are multiple-choice questions. You need to choose the correct answer from four options. Read the question first, find the related part of the passage, and then check all the options before choosing your answer. IELTS Exam says these questions test your understanding of specific details and main ideas in the text.
Questions 27–29
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Question 27
The writer suggests that people may have difficulty sleeping in the mountains because
A. humans do not prefer peace and quiet to noise. B. they may be exposed to short bursts of very strange sounds. C. humans prefer to hear a certain amount of noise while they sleep. D. they may have adapted to a higher noise level in the city.
Answer: D. They may have adapted to a higher noise level in the city.
The first paragraph says that people may find it difficult to sleep in the mountains or countryside because it is initially too quiet. This suggests that they may already be used to higher noise levels in cities. So, D is the best answer.
Answer: D
Question 28
In noise experiments, Glass and Singer found that
A. problem-solving is much easier under quiet conditions. B. physiological arousal prevents the ability to work. C. bursts of noise do not seriously disrupt problem-solving in the long term. D. the physiological arousal of control subjects declined quickly.
Answer: C. Bursts of noise do not seriously disrupt problem-solving in the long term.
Glass and Singer exposed people to short bursts of loud noise. The noise disturbed them at first, but after about four minutes, they performed as well as the people who had not heard the noise. This shows that the noise did not seriously affect their problem-solving ability in the long term.
Answer: C
Question 29
Researchers discovered that high noise levels are not likely to interfere with the
A. successful performance of a single task. B. tasks of pilots or air traffic controllers. C. ability to repeat numbers while tracking moving lines. D. ability to monitor three dials at once.
Answer: A. Successful performance of a single task.
The second paragraph says that noise did not affect a person's ability to track a moving line with a steering wheel. However, it did affect the person's ability to repeat numbers while doing the tracking task. This means noise was more of a problem when more than one task had to be done. Therefore, A is correct.
Answer: A
Effects of Noise Reading Answers 27–29
Below are the effects of noise IELTS Reading answers key:
Question
Answer
Key idea
27
D
People may be used to higher noise levels in cities
28
C
Noise did not seriously affect problem-solving in the long term
29
A
Noise was less likely to affect a single task
Effects of Noise IELTS Reading Answers Questions 30–34
Questions 30–34 ask you to complete a summary using the words and phrases given in the box. This type of IELTS Reading question checks how well you understand details and main ideas from one part of the passage. The answers can be selected from the given list, and the same option may be used more than once.
Questions 30–34
Complete the summary using the list of words and phrases, A–J, below.
NB: You may use any letter more than once.
A. no control over B. unexpected C. intense D. the same amount of E. performed better than F. performed at about the same level as G. no H. showed more irritation than I. made more mistakes than J. different types of
Question 30
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. unexpected
The passage says that people can often ignore regular background noise, even when it is loud. However, unexpected noise can make it harder to work. This matches the word unexpected.
Answer: B
Question 31
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. the same amount of
The passage explains that some people heard noise at regular times, while others heard it at random times. However, both groups heard the same amount of noise overall. The timing was different, but the total amount was the same.
Answer: D
Question 32
The predictable noise group ______ the unpredictable noise group on this task.
Answer: F. performed at about the same level as
The passage says that all the subjects performed at the same level during the noise part of the experiment. So the predictable noise group performed at the same level, as the unpredictable noise group.
Answer: F
Question 33
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.
Answer: I. made more mistakes than
The passage says that unpredictable noise caused errors in the later proofreading task than predictable noise. So the group exposed to noise made more mistakes, than the group exposed to predictable noise.
Answer: I
Question 34
The group which had been exposed to loud predictable noise performed better than those who had heard soft, unpredictable bursts. The results suggest that ______ noise produces fatigue but that this manifests itself later.
Answer: B. unexpected
The passage explains that unpredictable noise causes more fatigue than predictable noise, but the effect may appear later. Therefore, unexpected noise is the correct answer.
Answer: B
Effects of Noise Reading Answers 30–34
Below are the effects of noise IELTS Reading answers key:
Question
Answer
Key idea
30
B
Unexpected noise affects performance more
31
D
All groups heard the same amount of noise
32
F
Both groups performed at about the same level
33
I
Unpredictable noise caused more mistakes
34
B
Unexpected noise can cause later fatigue
Effects of Noise IELTS Reading Answers Questions 35–40
Questions 35–40 are Matching Features questions. You need to match each statement with the researcher who conducted the study or gave the finding. You can use a researcher more than once, so read each statement carefully before choosing an answer.
Questions 35–40
Look at the following statements and the list of researchers below.
Match each statement with the correct researcher(s), A–E.
NB: You may use any letter more than once.
A. Glass and Singer B. Broadbent C. Finkelman and Glass D. Cohen et al. E. None of the above
Question 35
Subjects exposed to noise find it difficult at first to concentrate on problem-solving tasks.
Answer: A. Glass and Singer
Glass and Singer exposed people to short bursts of very loud noise and tested their ability to work out problems. The noise was disruptive at first, so the subjects found it harder to concentrate. This matches the statement in Question 35.
Answer: A
Question 36
Long-term exposure to noise can produce changes in behaviour which can still be observed a year later.
Answer: D. Cohen et al.
The final part of the passage talks about children who studied in noisy schools. A follow-up study found that children who later moved to quieter classrooms were still more easily distracted one year later. This study was carried out by Cohen et al.
Answer: D
Question 37
The problems associated with exposure to noise do not arise if the subject knows they can make it stop.
Answer: A. Glass and Singer
The passage explains that people had fewer negative effects from noise when they knew they could control it. They did not even have to turn the noise off. Simply knowing that they could stop it was enough. This finding came from Glass and Singer.
Answer: A
Question 38
Exposure to high-pitched noise results in more errors than exposure to low-pitched noise.
Answer: E. None of the above
The passage does not give a study showing that high-pitched noise causes more errors than low-pitched noise. Since none of the researchers mentioned this finding, E is the correct answer.
Answer: E
Question 39
Subjects find it difficult to perform three tasks at the same time when exposed to noise.
Answer: B. Broadbent
Broadbent's 1957 study looked at people who had to monitor three dials at the same time. The passage says that high noise levels affected their performance. This connects the statement with Broadbent.
Answer: B
Question 40
Noise affects a subject's capacity to repeat numbers while carrying out another task.
Answer: C. Finkelman and Glass
The passage says that noise did not affect the ability to track a moving line with a steering wheel. However, it did affect the ability to repeat numbers while tracking. This finding came from Finkelman and Glass.
Answer: C
Effects of Noise Reading Answers 35–40
Below are the effects of noise IELTS Reading answers key:
Question
Answer
Researcher
35
A
Glass and Singer
36
D
Cohen et al.
37
A
Glass and Singer
38
E
None of the above
39
B
Broadbent
40
C
Finkelman and Glass
How to Approach Effects of Noise IELTS Reading Answers
IELTS Reading Answers can become easier to solve when you use a method. I find that you do not have to understand every word in the passage. Focus on the question locate the part of the text and then examine the meaning carefully. IELTS Reading Answers also recommend practicing skills such, as skimming and scanning to find information quickly.
1. Read the questions first:
Before reading the passage in detail, look at the questions. This gives you an idea of what information you need to find. Underline important words such as names, numbers, places, and key ideas.
2. Know the question type:
The Effects of Noise passage uses different types of questions. Read the instructions before you start each group. This helps you understand whether you need to choose an option, complete a summary, or match information. IELTS Academic Reading includes all of these task types.
3. Find keywords in the passage
Look for important words from the question in the passage. The exact word may not always be there, so also look for synonyms or words with a similar meaning. This is where scanning can save time.
4. Read around the keyword
Do not choose an answer as soon as you find one matching word. Read the full sentence and a few lines around it. Sometimes the sentence before or after the keyword gives the information you actually need.
5. Watch out for paraphrasing
IELTS often gives the same idea in different words. For example, “predictable noise” and “noise at regular intervals” express a similar idea in this passage. Look for the meaning, not just the exact words.
6. Be careful with multiple-choice options
Read all the options before selecting an answer. Some options may contain words from the passage but still be wrong. Check which option matches the complete meaning of the text.
7. Match researchers with their findings
For questions about researchers, first find the researcher's name in the passage. Then read the information connected to that name. Do not choose an answer only because you recognise the researcher's name.
8. Check the summary before choosing an answer
For Summary Completion questions, read the whole sentence with the blank. Think about what type of word or phrase is needed. Then check which option fits both the grammar and the meaning.
9. Do not use your own knowledge
The topic of noise may seem familiar, but your answer must come from the passage. IELTS specifically advises test takers not to use outside knowledge when answering Reading questions.
10. Keep track of your time
IELTS Academic Reading gives you 60 minutes for 40 questions. Try not to spend too long on one difficult question. If you are stuck, move on and come back to it later.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Effects of Noise IELTS Reading
The Effects of Noise IELTS Reading passage contains spots that make it easy to pick a wrong answer. I notice that most mistakes happen because students search for a matching word ignoring the whole meaning. The IELTS test also cautions about distractors words that belong to an answer but appear inside the passage.
Common mistake
Why it can cause problems
What to do instead
Choosing an answer because of one matching word
A word from an option may appear in the passage but still be a distractor.
Read the full sentence and check its meaning.
Confusing loud and unpredictable noise
The passage discusses both, but they do not always have the same effect.
Check whether the question is talking about noise level or timing.
Ignoring the table
Some answers depend on the proofreading results shown in the table.
Look at the numbers and compare the two noise conditions.
Using your own knowledge about noise
What you already know may not match the information in the passage.
Choose answers only from the passage.
Looking only for exact words
IELTS questions can use different words for the same idea.
Look for synonyms and paraphrased information.
Choosing an option too quickly
More than one option may sound correct at first.
Read all the options before making your choice.
Mixing up researchers
Several researchers are mentioned in the passage.
Find the researcher's name first, then read the finding linked to it.
Missing the word limit
An answer can be marked wrong when it does not follow the instructions.
Read the instructions before completing each gap.
Spending too much time on one question
You may lose time for questions that are easier.
Move on and return to the question later.
Want to practise more IELTS Reading passages? Check out these answer guides covering a range of topics and question types:
The Effects of Noise IELTS Reading Answers can help you check your responses and understand where each answer comes from in the passage. The passage shows how different types of noise can affect people's focus, performance, and behaviour.
While practising this passage, keep a few simple points in mind:
Read the question carefully before searching for the answer.
Look for synonyms and paraphrased ideas, not only exact words.
Check the full sentence before choosing an option.
Do not use your own knowledge to answer a Reading question.
Pay attention to names, numbers, and details in the passage.
Check the table when a question refers to research results.
Read all answer options before selecting one.
Keep an eye on the time during your IELTS Reading practice.
Regular practice can help you become faster at finding information and more comfortable with different IELTS Reading question types.
What is the Effects of Noise IELTS Reading passage about?
The Effects of Noise IELTS Reading passage looks at how noise can affect people in different situations. It uses research studies to explain how people respond to noise while working and over longer periods. It also discusses the effect of noisy environments on children. The passage is useful practice for understanding research-based IELTS texts.
Is Effects of Noise a difficult IELTS Reading passage?
The passage can feel difficult because it includes several research studies, names, and detailed findings. Some questions also require you to connect a particular finding with the right researcher. The answers may not always use the same words as the passage. Reading the questions carefully can make the passage easier to handle.
What vocabulary should I learn from the Effects of Noise passage?
The passage includes useful words related to research, behaviour, concentration, and sound. Words such as predictable, unpredictable, exposure, distractibility, physiological, and adaptation can be useful for IELTS. Try to understand these words from their context instead of only memorising their meanings. This can also help you recognise similar words in other Reading passages.
How can I improve my IELTS Reading score with this passage?
Use the passage as a proper practice test instead of checking the answers as you go. Once you finish, review every wrong answer and find the exact part of the passage that supports the correct answer. Think about why you made the mistake. This can help you improve more than simply counting your correct answers.
Why does IELTS Reading use research-based passages?
Research-based passages test your ability to understand information written in an academic style. You may need to follow a study, understand a finding, or connect information from different parts of a text. You do not need to know the research before taking the test. The answer should come from the information given in the passage.
Are the researchers' names important in Effects of Noise IELTS Reading?
Researchers' names can be useful clues, especially when you have to match a finding with the correct researcher. However, recognising a name is not enough to select an answer. You should read the information connected to that researcher and compare it with the statement. This can help you avoid confusing similar studies.
Can I skip difficult words in IELTS Reading?
Yes, you do not need to understand every word in a Reading passage. A difficult word may not be important for the question you are answering. Try to understand the general meaning from the words around it and continue reading. You can come back to the word later if you find that it is needed.
How should I review my wrong answers after IELTS Reading practice?
Start by finding the sentence or paragraph that contains the information for the question. Then compare that information with the answer you selected. Ask yourself whether you missed a keyword, misunderstood the sentence, or chose an option because it looked similar. This simple review can help you avoid making the same mistake again.
Is Effects of Noise useful for IELTS Academic Reading preparation?
Yes, the passage can be useful practice for students preparing for IELTS Academic Reading. It contains research findings, comparisons, and detailed information that require careful reading. It can also help you practise finding information across different paragraphs. Use it with other passages so that you practise a wider range of topics.
How can I practise IELTS Reading without getting bored?
Try not to practise the same type of passage every time. You can choose topics related to science, history, technology, society, or the environment to keep your practice varied. Set a time limit for some practice sessions so they feel closer to the real test. After finishing, spend a few minutes reviewing your mistakes.
Where can I find more IELTS Academic Reading practice?
The official IELTS website provides sample questions and preparation resources for IELTS Academic Reading. These materials can help you understand the test format and the types of questions you may see. You can also use trusted IELTS preparation websites for extra practice. Always check the source before relying on an online answer key.
upGrad Abroad Editorial Team |4976 articles published
We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education ...
Refer Your Friend & Earn upto ₹15000
Help your friend upgrade to a Global Career and earn rewards together.
