Lesson
Traffic Noise Linked to Parkinson's Risk
Read this news story in English at three levels, easy, standard, and advanced (B1–C1) — with vocabulary and a comprehension quiz.
A study finds that long-term exposure to road traffic noise may increase the risk of Parkinson's disease. A quiet home area may help reduce this risk.
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Standard — Natural English
51 words · ~1 min readEasy version (A2–B1)
A new study shows that living near busy roads can increase the risk of Parkinson's disease. For every 11.5 decibels of noise, the risk goes up by 3%. Having a quiet part of your home may help reduce this risk.Standard version (B1–B2)
Research indicates that long-term exposure to road traffic noise can raise the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study found that for every increase of 11.5 decibels in noise levels, the risk rises by 3%. However, having a quieter area in the home may lessen this risk, according to the findings.Advanced version (C1–C2)
A significant study has established a correlation between prolonged exposure to road traffic noise and an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. Specifically, for every 11.5 decibel rise in noise levels, the risk of developing the disease increases by 3%. The research suggests that having a quieter section of the home may mitigate this risk. This study, which followed 3.1 million Danish participants over 18 years, highlights the potential health impacts of noise pollution, marking one of the first investigations into its link to neurological disorders.Lesson audio
Standard level
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Test your understanding
01What is the main health risk associated with road traffic noise?
02How much does the risk of Parkinson's disease increase for every 11.5 decibel rise in noise levels?
03What may help reduce the risk associated with road traffic noise?
04How many Danish participants were included in the study?
Discussion
How can communities reduce noise pollution to improve public health?
Vocabulary
exposure word
the state of being affected by something
“Long-term exposure to noise can harm health.”
risk word
the possibility of something bad happening
“There is a risk of developing Parkinson's disease.”
decibel word
a unit used to measure the intensity of sound
“The noise level increased by 11.5 decibels.”
mitigate word
to make something less severe or serious
“A quiet part of the home may mitigate noise effects.”
pollution word
the presence of harmful substances in the environment
“Noise pollution can affect people's health.”