Noisy Humans Drown Out Sounds of Nature in Protected Areas

Where did scientists at Colorado State University and the U.S. National Park Service analyze noise levels for a study?

• in cities across the U.S.

• in rural areas across the U.S.

• in federal, state, and local parks

• in areas by the ocean

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The levels of noise in many protected areas has been raised above the level of background noise. What is one cause of this increased noise the text describes?

• Some animals have become louder.

• There are aircraft and road traffic nearby.

• Background noise has dropped.

• The number of thunderstorms has increased.

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Noise pollution can be harmful to wildlife in protected areas. What evidence from the text supports this conclusion?

• The number of flights over the Grand Canyon has increased, with sound levels in spots reaching as high as 76 decibels.

• The noises humans make has raised the noise levels in two-thirds of protected areas in the U.S.

• Natural sounds like birds warbling and the wind rustling in the trees can have benefits for humans.

• Noise pollution can muffle the sound of calls among wild birds, hindering their ability to hunt for food.

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How might the noise that humans make be affecting humans?

• It may be negatively affecting our moods.

• It may be improving our cognitive abilities.

• It may be causing people trauma.

• It may be causing increased traffic.

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What is the main idea of this article?

• Natural sounds have benefits for humans, and can lower stress, elevate mood, and boost cognitive abilities.

• Noise pollution from humans is invading protected natural areas, with negative effects on wildlife and people there.

• Noise pollution can have negative effects on wildlife, like deafening fish, scaring off animals, and muffling the calls birds make.

• While sounds in cities often exceed 65 decibels, sounds in natural settings are usually not higher than 40 decibels.

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Please read these sentences from the text:

"They calculated that the sounds people make [...] have raised the levels above natural background noise in two-thirds of U.S. protected areas, with adverse consequences for wildlife and for the 300 million or so people who seek the tranquil hush of park lands every year. 'The din of modern life extends into protected areas,' said acoustic biologist Megan McKenna[.]"

Based on these sentences, what does the word "din" mean?

• stress

• nature

• quiet hush

• loud noise

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Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.

Psychologists are discovering that natural sounds have benefits for humans, _______ lowering stress, elevating mood, and boosting cognitive abilities.

• therefore

• such as

• however

• consequently

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What kinds of human noises are extending into protected areas?

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Why might the increase of noise in natural areas be a problem, according to scientists studying wildlife? Support your answer with at least two details from the text.

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If humans took steps to reduce the amount of noise pollution in natural areas, what could some possible effects be? Support your answer with at least two details from the text.

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