Revising with Headphones On
B2 First · Open Cloze · Cambridge Ready original exercise
For questions 1–8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning.
Many students like to have music playing in the background while they revise. Some say it helps them to concentrate, but others find it impossible (0) ___ think with any noise at all. So who is right? The answer seems to vary (1) ___ person to person. Most researchers agree that songs with lyrics are harder to ignore (2) ___ instrumental music. Our brains automatically try to follow the words, (3) ___ makes it difficult to focus on what we are reading. Calm music without words, (4) ___ the other hand, may help some people to cut themselves (5) ___ from the noise around them, such as traffic or a noisy family. Personality seems to play a part too. Introverts tend to be more easily disturbed (6) ___ background sounds than extroverts are. If you are not sure which type you are, try a simple experiment. Revise one topic with music and another (7) ___ it, then test yourself and compare how much you remember (8) ___ each case.
Revising with Headphones On
Available as a free printable PDF worksheet with an optional answer key.