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The Mozart Effect Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

The IELTS Reading section is not just a test, but a crucial evaluation of your ability to understand and analyse written English. It covers a range of texts, from simple factual information to more detailed analytical discussions. A good IELTS Reading score is a testament to your excellent comprehension and analytical skills. 


 

The reading section consists of 40 questions spread over three passages. You are given 60 minutes to complete it and must balance speed and accuracy.


 

The passage concerns music's therapeutic and cognitive effects on the human body and mind. It explores the historical use of music in healing across various cultures and its decline until the advent of the radio. 


 

The ‘Mozart Effect’ Reading passage delves into scientific studies, such as the Mozart Effect, which suggests that listening to music, mainly Mozart, can temporarily enhance intellectual capacity and cognitive functions.


 

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1. The Mozart Effect Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below. This approach can help manage time effectively during a reading comprehension activity or exam.   

                          

 

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2. The Mozart Effect Reading Questions with Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Mozart Effect

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1.

The Mozart Effect Reading Passage

General Instructions
General Instructions for IELTS Reading:

  • You will have 60 minutes to complete the entire reading test.
  • The test consists of three reading passages with a total of 40 questions.
  • The texts may be taken from books, magazines, journals, or newspapers.
  • You will receive an answer sheet and should write your answers on it.
  • The questions will be in different formats, such as multiple-choice, matching, sentence completion, and summary completion.
  • The reading passages will increase in difficulty as you progress through the test.
  • You cannot bring any electronic devices, including mobile phones, into the test room.

 

 

 

 

The Mozart Effect Reading Passage

 

 

Paragraph A: Musicals have often been used to treat the body for generations. Doctors sang to heal the sick, as per the Ebers (approximately 1550 BC), another of the oldest health records (Castleman, 1994). Singing has been observed as an element of healing procedures in different civilisations. However, until the invention of the radio, the use of music in healing went into decline in modern medicine. After that, researchers began to realise that playing music had substantial bodily consequences. Music has been shown to relieve stress, and researchers have shown that music might lower blood pressure. Music is often used to relieve nausea during cancer chemotherapy, after surgery to minimise stress on the endocrine system, during pregnancy, and during the rehabilitation process (Castleman, 1994; Westley, 1998). It has been demonstrated to reduce pain while also improving the defence system's efficiency. In Japan, music collections are used as a kind of therapy. For example, if you have a migraine or headache, Mendelssohn's "Spring Song," Dvorak's "Humoresque," or a section of George Gershwin's "An American in Paris" are all recommended albums (Campbell, 1998). In a concept known as the "Magnolia Effect," music is also employed to aid learning.


 

Paragraph B: In a 1993 experiment, Frances H. Rauscher, Ph.D., proved the link between music and learning. His research showed that a 10-minute dosage of Mozart could increase intellectual capacity momentarily. After listening to quiet relaxation tapes or Mozart's "Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major" for a brief period, groups of students took IQ tests. He discovered that after quiet, the average intelligence level remained at 110, and then after relaxing tapes, the score increased by one point. But, upon playing Mozart's music, the index rose to 119. (Westley, 1998). Even pupils who disliked the music saw an improvement in their IQ scores. "Listening to complex, non-repetitive music, such as Mozart's," Rauscher proposed (Campbell, 1998). Songs can also be used to promote learning in a phenomenon known as The Mozart Effect.


 

Paragraph C: Rauscher and Hong Hua Li of Stanford conducted the same study on rodents. Rats also showed an improvement in their intellectual abilities. According to these recent studies, rats exposed to Mozart's music had "enhanced gene transcription of BDNF (a neuronal transcription factor), CREB (a memory and cognitive molecule), and Synapsin I (a synap­tic growth protein)" in the hippocampus in comparison to rodents subjected to white noise (for instance, the whooshing sound of a V radio tuned between stations).


 

Paragraph D: The exact mechanisms for the creation of these improved learning pathways are still being investigated by researchers. Regardless of its kind, neuroscientists believe that music can help create and maintain links among neurons in the cerebral cortex. Certain connections, such as those for heartbeat and breathing, have already been created when a newborn is born. New brain connections are generated as new evidence is acquired and mechanical abilities are developed. Neurotransmitters that are not frequently used perish, whereas those that are frequently used create strong connections. Although many of these brain connections require expertise, they must also develop within a specific time window. A youngster born with cataracts, for example, is unable to form connections in the visual brain. The child's vision develops normally if the cataracts are treated by the operation as soon as possible. Whereas if cataracts are removed just after the age of two, the child will stay blind since those routes can not form themselves.


 

Paragraph E: Music appears to work in a similar way. A study by the University of Konstanz in Germany discovered in October 1997 that music truly rewires brain networks (Begley, 1996). While some of these networks are established for the physical abilities required to perform music, simply listening to music develops higher-order cognitive connections. Music might thus be considered "brain training," as it improves focus and intuition.


 

Paragraph F: You're not alone if you're sceptical of the allegations made by proponents of The Mozart Effect. Numerous people attribute certain children's superior learning to other personality attributes like desire and perseverance, which are essential across all kinds of training. There've been allegations that this had an impact on the outcomes of other studies. Several people are also suspicious of the media's role in turning a single survey into a trend among families and teaching staff. After the official disclosure of The Mozart Effect, revenues for Mozart remained at the top of the charts for 3 weeks. In an essay, Michael Linton said that the study that started this phenomenon (research by scientists at the University of California, Irvine) only demonstrated a brief increase in intelligence, which was not large enough to endure the entire experiment. Music was employed to promote intelligence in Confucian civilisation, and Plato referred to Pythagorean music in The Republic when describing its ideal condition.


 

Paragraph G: Music couldn't generate any significant changes in either of these cases, and the hypothesis ultimately died out. Linton wonders. If hearing Mozart's music boosts IQ and promotes divinity, why aren't the world's greatest and most religious people Mozart experts? "Why hasn't there been more recorded proof if The Mozart Effect generates such major effects, as Linton suggests?"


 

Paragraph H: Although the "popularity" of the hypothesis has faded, there are many other proponents (and detractors) of the assertions made in 1993. There hasn't been a flood of evidence to back it up since that initial experiment. Many families, meanwhile, swear by The Mozart Effect after listening to classical music while pregnant or when their infants are infants. According to a student, playing music while reading will aid me in memorising. If we look at this debate from a scientific viewpoint, while there is some proof that music increases activity in the brain, real benefits in cognitive performance have yet to be proved.



 

Also Read: IELTS Reading Tips & Tricks

2.

Plant Thermometer Trigger Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Mozart Effect

Questions and Answers 1-5
Complete the table below.

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

 

 

1. A description of how music affects the brain development of infants

2. The public’s first reaction to the discovery of The Mozart Effect

3. The description of Rauscher’s original experiment

4. The description of using music for healing in other countries

5. Other qualities needed in all learning

 

The Mozart Effect Reading Answers with Explanation (1-5)

 

Type of question: Matching Information In this task, you must match specific information or statements with parts of the passage. You will be given a set of statements and asked to find the section in the passage that contains information that matches each statement.


How to best answer:


 

  • Read the statements carefully: Understand what each statement is saying.
  • Identify keywords: Note important keywords and phrases in each statement.
  • Scan the passage: Locate sections where the keywords or related information will likely be found.
  • Match information: Find the part of the passage that provides information matching each statement.
  • Verify accuracy: Ensure that the information in the passage accurately matches the statement.

 

1. D

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D: "New brain connections are generated as new evidence is acquired and mechanical abilities are developed."


Explanation: This line indicates how new brain connections are formed, highlighting music's role in brain development, including in infants.

 

2. F

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F: "After the official disclosure of The Mozart Effect, revenues for Mozart remained at the top of the charts for 3 weeks."


Explanation: This line shows that Mozart's music was extremely popular following the announcement, suggesting a positive public reaction.


 

3. B

 

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph B: "In a 1993 experiment, Frances H. Rauscher, Ph.D., proved the link between music and learning."


Explanation: This line introduces Rauscher's original experiment, establishing the correlation between music and learning.

 

4. A

 

Reference:

Paragraph A: "In Japan, music collections are a kind of therapy."


Explanation: This line illustrates how music is used for healing in Japan, showing its therapeutic application in other countries.

 

 

5. F

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F: "Numerous people attribute certain children's superior learning to other personality attributes like desire and perseverance, which are essential across all kinds of training."


Explanation: This line explains that motivation and persistence are crucial for learning, indicating other qualities needed in all learning.


  

Questions and Answers (6-8)
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1? In boxes (6-8) on your answer sheet, write.

  • 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_____________

 

 

The Mozart Effect Reading Answers with Explanation (6-8)

 

Type of Question: Summary Completion 


In this task, your goal is to complete a summary using information from the passage. You will receive a summary with some blanks and instructions on how to fill those blanks.


 

How to best answer:

 

  • Read the summary carefully: Understand the context and the overall meaning.
  • Identify keywords: Note keywords and phrases near the blanks.
  • Scan the passage: Find sections related to the identified keywords and phrases.
  • Match information: Locate exact words or phrases in the passage that best fill the blanks in the summary.
  • Ensure coherence: Confirm that the completed summary makes sense and accurately reflects the passage.

 

6. Brief

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph A "After listening to quiet relaxation tapes or Mozart's 'Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major' for a brief period, groups of students took IQ tests."


Explanation: This line confirms that during Rauscher's experiment, subjects were exposed to the music briefly before testing

 

7. Complex

 

 

Reference:

 

 Paragraph B "Listening to complex, non-repetitive music, such as Mozart's."


Explanation: Rauscher hypothesised that the complex nature of Mozart’s music could enhance performance by stimulating neural pathways.


 

8. Rats

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph C "Rauscher and Hong Hua Li of Stanford conducted the same study on rodents."


Explanation: This paragraph mentions that Rauscher and Hong Hua Li later repeated a similar experiment on rats.


 

Questions and Answers (9-13)
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 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

 

 

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

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

11. There are very few who question The Mozart Effect.

12. Michael Linton conducted extensive research on Mozart’s life.

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



 

The Mozart Effect Reading Answers with Explanation (9-13)

 

Type of question: True, False, Not given. 

 

In this task, you need to evaluate a statement to determine whether it matches the information in the passage (True), contradicts the passage (False), or if there is insufficient information to decide (Not Given).

 

How to best answer:

 

  • Carefully read the statement: Make sure you understand exactly what the statement is saying.
  • Pay attention to details: Note specifics such as dates, numbers, and unique information.
  • Scan the passage: Locate the section where relevant information will likely be found.
  • Look for evidence: Find information in the passage that supports or contradicts the statement.

 

9. True

 

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph E: "While some of these networks are established for the physical abilities required to perform music, simply listening to music develops higher-order cognitive connections." 

 

Explanation: This statement suggests that various types of music can enhance brain performance by developing cognitive connections.


 

10. False

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph D: "Certain connections, such as those for heartbeat and breathing, have already been created when a newborn is born." 

 

Explanation: This line indicates that some neural connections are present at birth, contradicting the statement that no connections are made.


 

11. False

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph F: "You're not alone if you're sceptical of the allegations made by proponents of The Mozart Effect."

 

Explanation: This indicates that there are many sceptics of The Mozart Effect, making the statement that very few question it false.
 

12. Not Given

 

Reference:

 

Not applicable

 

Explanation: The passage does not mention Michael Linton conducting extensive research on Mozart’s life hence, this information is not given.
 

13. True

 

Reference:

 

Paragraph H: "There hasn't been a flood of evidence to back it up since that initial experiment." 

 

Explanation: This line confirms that there is still insufficient evidence to support The Mozart Effect today.



 

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FAQs

Q: Will I lose marks for punctuation mistakes in my IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Yes, punctuation errors can result in a loss of marks in your IELTS Reading test. IELTS assesses language proficiency, so accurate punctuation, spelling, grammar, tense, and vocabulary use is essential. It's crucial to be mindful of these aspects to demonstrate strong language skills during the test.

Q: Is there a negative marking in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans.  No, there is no penalty for incorrect answers in the IELTS Reading test. Correct answers earn one mark, while incorrect answers do not deduct points. Given this, it's advisable not to skip any questions, as attempting more questions can enhance your overall score.

Q: Can I cancel or reschedule my IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Yes, it is possible to reschedule your IELTS examination. However, it's important to note that you cannot reschedule the Reading section independently. If necessary, you'll need to reschedule the entire IELTS test. This can be done through the official website of IELTS IDP India.