Cambridge IELTS 21 · Academic · Test 1 · Passage 2
Why We Need Silence — IELTS Reading Answers
All 13 answers for Why We Need Silence, Cambridge IELTS 21 Academic Reading Test 1 Passage 2, with paragraph references and explanations.
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Why We Need Silence answer key at a glance
Questions 14–26. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this passage tests
The passage reviews research on noise, silence and flotation tanks, moving from public-health data to individual therapy. The three question sets ask you to locate information by paragraph (14-17), complete a summary (18-21) and match statements to four named researchers (22-26).
Questions 14–17: Matching Information
Strategy: Scan for the idea, not the exact words. The answer is a paragraph letter, and one paragraph may be used more than once unless the instructions say otherwise.
examples of strategies to decrease the noise that the public are exposed to
“'By providing recommendations for quieter buses, reducing noise from roads and also controlling noise from aircraft, they were able to make the city quieter,' says Antonio.”
Paragraph C lists London's quieter buses, noise-reducing road coatings, a leaf-blower ban and fines for noisy vehicles.
data indicating the extent of the problem of excessive noise
“A report from the European Environment Agency concluded that noise was an ongoing and widespread issue in Europe, with at least 1 in 5 people consistently exposed to levels considered harmful to health”
Paragraph B cites the European Environment Agency report and its '1 in 5 people' exposure figure.
a description of physiological changes in our bodies when we hear sudden noises
“To help ensure loud or unexpected noises get the attention they deserve, our internal chemistry alters in response to them. Our blood pressure goes up, muscles tense and glands release hormones that prepare us for fight or flight”
Paragraph A describes blood pressure rising, muscles tensing and glands releasing hormones.
evidence that a relatively quiet environment can be more beneficial than a totally silent one
“In a recent study, he found that participants reported more relaxation and less boredom when they sat quietly in an outdoor garden compared with a completely silent room”
Paragraph G reports Pfeifer's study in which a garden beat a completely silent room.
Questions 18–21: Summary Completion
Strategy: Read the summary as a paragraph first to establish the logic, then locate the missing idea in the passage. With a lettered list, confirm the grammar fits.
“'But it is the ability to focus on the breath that helps people reach a relaxed or meditative state.'”
'The ability to focus on the breath' is what helps people reach a relaxed or meditative state.
“To further explore flotation tanks as a therapeutic tool, Feinstein and his colleagues recruited 50 people with a variety of conditions related to stress and had them answer a questionnaire prior to and following a flotation session”
Fifty volunteers 'answer[ed] a questionnaire prior to and following a flotation session'.
“Participants reported decreases in muscle tension, pain and symptoms of their conditions after a single, 1-hour float, alongside an increase in feelings of relaxation and overall wellbeing”
Participants reported 'an increase in feelings of relaxation and overall wellbeing'.
“Float sessions uniquely decreased activity in the default mode network (DMN), a collection of brain regions commonly linked with depression”
The default mode network is 'a collection of brain regions commonly linked with depression'.
Questions 22–26: Matching Features
Strategy: Match the statement to the named person or thing. Names can repeat, so check each option against what that person actually says.
Options for Questions 22–26
- ANick Antonio
- BJustin Feinstein
- CTal Dotan Ben-Soussan
- DEric Pfeifer
It is unpleasant and upsetting for people to be placed in a silent environment against their will.
“'When people do not want silence, it can be very distressing.'”
Ben-Soussan says silence imposed on people who do not want it 'can be very distressing'.
The trend towards creating quieter urban locations is likely to increase in the coming years.
“'People are seeing the benefits of these more quiet environments in their cities,' Antonio says. 'I expect we will see much more of this in the future.'”
Antonio says 'I expect we will see much more of this in the future'.
When our body's senses are completely deprived of input, our minds compensate for this by creating the illusion of images and sounds.
“While some people experience altered perception in the tanks, involving subtle humming sounds and visual effects, these effects are benign and do not detract from the benefits of the experience, says Justin Feinstein, a clinical neuropsychologist.”
Feinstein explains that the brain 'tries to fill the void', producing humming sounds and visual effects.
Even a short amount of silent time can have a positive impact.
“Second, Pfeifer believes we don't need a lot of silence to gain benefits. 'You don't need to spend hours in silence,' he says. 'It is likely better to have more frequency of silence for a few minutes at a time than a longer period of silence only once a week”
Pfeifer recommends 'more frequency of silence for a few minutes at a time'.
External and internal quietness makes us more conscious of events occurring in our surroundings and helps us react appropriately to these events.
“'When we find ways to be quiet, we are not only quiet in our environment, but quiet in our inner selves,' she explains. 'This allows us to be more aware of what is happening around us and what the situation may require from us so we can provide [a more] adequate response.'”
Ben-Soussan says quietness makes us 'more aware of what is happening around us' so we can respond adequately.
Learn the question types in this passage
Traps in this passage
- Matching Information asks for the paragraph letter, not a word from the paragraph. Write one letter per question.
- Paragraph C is a list of separate city measures. Scan for the category ('strategies to reduce noise'), not for a single keyword.
- Matching Features reuses letters: option C is correct twice, for Questions 22 and 26.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Why We Need Silence passage come from?
It is Passage 2 of Cambridge IELTS 21 Academic Reading Test 1, and it covers Questions 14–26.
What question types appear in Why We Need Silence?
The passage is tested with Matching Information, Summary Completion, Matching Features. Each type is explained on this page, alongside the answers.
Are these reading answers reliable?
Every answer is paired with the sentence that proves it, so you can check each one against the passage yourself. Use the page after a timed attempt, not instead of one.
Cambridge IELTS is published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Band9Prep is not affiliated with Cambridge. This page is an independent study aid: it gives the answer key, the passage evidence and an explanation so you can review an attempt you have already made.