B2 — Upper Intermediate
Some people enjoy the peace of the countryside, while others prefer the noise of city.
However, studies show that too much noise can increase stress and anxiety.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about making the cities feel quieter.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260521
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “to dress loud“ mean? “Indians talk loud, celebrate loud and dress loud.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “soundscape” mean? “Similar soundscapes are now helping city dwellers relax in other cities too, including Tokyo and Barcelona.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “counterintuitive” mean? “So, the art installation was really to make this park a little quieter by adding some quiet noises. So, it’s counterintuitive, but you can make a park less noisy by adding some calmer sounds.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
- What are your thoughts on this: “Too much noise can increase stress and anxiety.”?
- Should the noise be limited in cities? Share your thoughts.
- What can be done to tackle the noise pollution problem in cities?
- How do sounds/noises around you affect you?
- Do you prefer a quiet town or a busy city? Why?