(MCQ) Why does your voice change as you get older?

1. Why were castrati’s voices special?

• A. They had high and low voices.

• B. They sang like women.

• C. They could sing very high notes.

• D. They had deep, strong voices.

Answer explanation

Time: 0:08–0:14
Full Script: “Italians were captivated by a type of male singer whose incredible range contained notes previously thought impossible for adult men.”
Answer: C
Explanation: Castrati were known for being able to sing extremely high notes that adult male voices couldn’t usually reach.

2. Why were the castrati castrated before puberty?

• A. To stop them from growing tall.

• B. To make their voices louder.

• C. To prevent their voices from deepening.

• D. To help them breathe better.

Answer explanation

Time: 0:19–0:25
Full Script: “To prevent their voices from breaking, these singers had been castrated before puberty, halting the hormonal processes that would deepen their voices.”
Answer: C
Explanation: Castration before puberty stopped the hormonal changes that normally cause voices to become deeper.

3. What part of the body holds the vocal cords?

• A. The larynx

• B. The throat

• C. The lungs

• D. The nose

Answer explanation

Time: 1:12–1:18
Full Script: “The larynx is a complex system of muscle and cartilage that supports and moves the vocal cords.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The larynx (voice box) is the part that supports and moves the vocal cords.

4. What do the vocal folds do to make sound?

• A. They grow and get longer.

• B. They close and open with air.

• C. They stop moving.

• D. They move the tongue.

Answer explanation

Time: 1:34–1:42
Full Script: “The folds are apart when we’re breathing, but when we speak, they slam shut. Our lungs push air against the closed folds, blowing them open and vibrating the tissue to produce sound.”
Answer: B
Explanation: The folds open and close with the airflow to create vibration, which makes sound.

5. How can we change the pitch of our voice?

• A. By eating healthy food.

• B. By closing our mouth tightly.

• C. By changing how fast we push air.

• D. By moving our tongue.

Answer explanation

Time: 1:53–1:58
Full Script: “By pushing air faster or slower, we change the frequency and amplitude of these vibrations, which respectively translate to the pitch and volume of our voices.”
Answer: C
Explanation: Faster airflow = higher pitch; slower airflow = lower pitch.

6. When does the first big change in voice happen?

• A. When a person is born

• B. During puberty

• C. In old age

• D. When learning to sing

Answer explanation

Time: 2:29–2:32
Full Script: “During puberty, the first major shift starts, as your voice begins to deepen.”
Answer: B
Explanation: The first big change happens during puberty as the larynx grows.

7. What causes the voice to get deeper during puberty?

• A. The lungs get bigger

• B. Vocal folds grow longer

• C. The nose changes shape

• D. The throat gets dry

Answer explanation

Time: 2:35–2:47
Full Script: “This happens when your larynx grows in size, elongating the vocal folds and opening up more room for them to vibrate. These longer folds have slower, larger vibrations, which result in a lower baseline pitch.”
Answer: B
Explanation: Longer vocal folds vibrate slower, which makes the voice deeper.

8. What is presbyphonia?

• A. A disease of the lungs

• B. The change in voice during puberty

• C. The weakening of the voice with age

• D. A singing technique

Answer explanation

Time: 3:39–3:44
Full Script: “...and eventually we experience the symptoms associated with aging larynxes, known as presbyphonia.”
Answer: C
Explanation: Presbyphonia is the name for the voice weakening caused by aging.

9. What happens to the vocal folds as people age?

• A. They grow longer

• B. They become stronger

• C. They open more easily

• D. They get stiff and weak

Answer explanation

Time: 3:45–3:52
Full Script: “First, the collagen in our folds stiffens and the surrounding elastin fibers atrophy and decay. This decreased flexibility increases the pitch of older voices.”
Answer: D
Explanation: Aging makes the folds less flexible and weaker, affecting voice quality.

10. What is the voice compared to in the video?

• A. A muscle

• B. A machine

• C. A computer

• D. A musical instrument

Answer explanation

Time: 4:30–4:34
Full Script: “But when kept in good condition, your voice box is a finely tuned instrument...”
Answer: D
Explanation: The voice is described as a musical instrument because of its control and range.