Synaesthesia - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 2 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 4 · Questions 31–40
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Questions
Questions 31–40 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q31 | B | This happens automatically - the sensation can't be managed | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that these sensory feelings happen by themselves without the person trying, and they are impossible to control or change. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people with synaesthesia are unable to stop or change how their senses respond to things. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the transcript states that the condition happens automatically and cannot be managed. This means the person does not decide to have these feelings; they just happen. Choice A is incorrect because the speaker mentions that things like the color of a letter often vary from person to person. Choice C is incorrect because the speaker explicitly describes the condition as harmless. |
| Q32 | A | A common response from individuals who learn for the first time that they have synaesthesia is one of surprise to discover that other people don't experience the same thing | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that when people first realize they have synaesthesia, they are shocked to find out that other people's senses do not work the same way as theirs. Answer Explanation: The answer means that many people with this special condition assume that everybody else has the same experiences as they do. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the text explains that people are often surprised to learn that others do not see or feel the world in the same way. This shows they believed their way of seeing things was universal. We can ignore choice B because the text says they rarely talk about their condition in a bad or negative way. Choice C is not mentioned in the text at all. |
| Q33 | B | To estimate the numbers of people with synaesthesia, one group of researchers sat people in front of a computer and showed them letters and numbers in black. Participants were asked to choose a colour for each character they saw. A small proportion of participants, namely those with synaesthesia, consistently described the same characters as having the same colours. On the basis of the results, researchers were able to predict that synaesthesia affects about one per cent of the population | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that researchers used a computer test to count how many people have synaesthesia. Because of this test, they could guess that about 1% of all people have this condition. Answer Explanation: The answer means that a specific study figured out roughly what percentage of the total population has synaesthesia. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the transcript describes a specific study where researchers tested people using computers. By observing how a small group of participants reacted to letters and numbers, the researchers were able to 'predict' or 'estimate' that synaesthesia affects about one percent of the 'population' (the total group of people). This matches the idea of estimating the 'proportion' (a part of a whole) mentioned in the answer choice. |
| Q34 | C | Synaesthesia takes many different forms but the most common is to see or feel a colour in relation to letters and numbers. It's commonplace for people to identify A with red, B with blue, and so on. Some people will actually see a colour, but in most cases it's a question of feeling or sensing the colour. However, it's just as commonplace to see days, months, letters and numbers spatially, that is in lines or circles, for example | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that many people with this condition connect letters and numbers to certain colors. It then says it is also very normal (commonplace) for people to see these things in shapes like lines or circles. Answer Explanation: The answer says that people with this condition see letters and numbers as colors or in specific patterns like lines or circles. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the talk explains two main ways people with synaesthesia see letters and numbers. First, it says the most common form is seeing or feeling a colour for them. Then, it explains that it is also very common to see them spatially. 'Spatially' means seeing them in organized positions, like in a line or a circle. |
| Q35 | B | This doesn't mean that people with synaesthesia always agree on what they sense. Two synaesthetes will often argue over the colour of a letter, for example | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that people with this condition do not always have the same feelings or see the same things. For instance, two people might have a disagreement or fight because they see a letter as different colors. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people who have this condition do not always see the same colors for things, which can cause them to have different opinions or arguments. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the text mentions that people with synaesthesia often have different experiences. For example, the lecturer states that two people with the condition might argue about what color a specific letter is. This shows they do not always see the same thing, leading to disagreements. |
| Q36 | A | The sensation may be a feeling on the tip of the tongue or at the back of the throat and will differ from person to person | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the way a person feels these tastes can happen in different spots in the mouth and changes depending on the individual person. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people who have this condition do not all have the same taste experience when they see words. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the lecturer explains that 'word-taste synaesthesia' results in taste sensations that vary among individuals. While one person might taste something sweet, another might feel a sensation in a different part of their mouth or throat. The use of the word 'differ' and the phrase 'from person to person' directly supports the idea that their experiences are not identical or similar, but rather unique to each individual. |
| Q37 | A | Some researchers believe we are all born with the condition and that it's most prevalent in our early years but it then tends to become less noticeable as we enter childhood | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that some scientists think people start life with this condition. It is very common in the first years of life, but it becomes harder to see or feel as people grow up into children. Answer Explanation: The answer means that very young babies might all have this special condition starting from the time they are born. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker talks about a theory that everyone is born with synaesthesia. The text uses the phrase 'early years' to describe the time when people are infants (babies). It says the condition is 'most prevalent' (most common) during this time, even though it usually fades away as children get older. |
| Q38 | A | This won't necessarily be a close family member and the condition may be traceable back to previous generations or to an extended family member such as a cousin or uncle | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the person in the family with synaesthesia might not be a close relative. It could be someone from a past generation or a more distant relative, like a cousin or an uncle. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people in a family who have this condition are not always near relatives like a mother, father, or sister. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker says that while the condition runs in families, the relative with the condition does not have to be a 'close' family member. It can be someone from the 'extended' family, like a cousin or an uncle, or even someone from past generations. The 40 percent mentioned in the talk refers to how many synaesthetes know someone in their family with the condition, not the percentage of the family that has it. |
| Q39 | C | There is evidence that synaesthetes are often creative and will often have artistic hobbies or interests. Researchers think this is not necessarily because synaesthesia makes them naturally more talented in this area but the fact that they have multiple sensory experiences generates an interest in, for example, art or music | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that many people with synaesthesia choose to spend their time on art or music because their mixed senses make them very interested in those fields. It clarifies that while they are creative, it does not mean they are born with more talent than others; they simply have a strong interest. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people who have this condition are frequently curious about or enjoy things like art and music. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text says that people with synaesthesia often have hobbies or interests related to art. This happens because experiencing many senses at the same time makes them interested in these things. The text clearly states this is about their 'interest' and 'hobbies' rather than how skilled or 'talented' they are, which makes choice C the best fit. Choice B is incorrect because the researcher says they are not necessarily more talented. Choice A is incorrect because the text does not say anyone 'advised' or told them to have these hobbies. |
| Q40 | B | However, we now have a much greater interest in how the brain helps us make sense of the world, and the study of synaesthesia is one way for us to discover more about this | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that scientists are now very interested in how the brain helps people understand things. It says that by looking at synaesthesia, scientists can learn more about the brain. Answer Explanation: The answer means that scientists think studying this condition is helpful for learning how the human brain works. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker explains that scientific views have changed. In the past, people did not think this condition was important for science. Now, researchers have a lot of interest in how the brain works, and they believe studying synaesthesia is a good way to find out more information about it. |
Transcript
Lecturer: Today we're going to look at a fascinating condition that challenges the idea that we all see and experience the world around us in a similar way. For example, what do you see when I mention a day of the week or a month? What colour is the letter A? Or the number 10? If you often find yourself having more than the normal sense sensations, you too could have a condition known as synaesthesia.
Synaesthesia is a harmless but fascinating condition which is often described by psychologists as the joining of the senses. We normally experience our senses individually, so we see a colour or hear a word, whereas people with synaesthesia will find two or more senses being stimulated at the same time by a single stimulus. Some people will see or feel a colour when they hear a sound. Others will experience a taste or smell when another sense is stimulated. This happens automatically - the sensation can't be managed.
People often go through life unaware that they have the condition. A common response from individuals who learn for the first time that they have synaesthesia is one of surprise to discover that other people don't experience the same thing. It's a normal part of life for them and they will rarely describe the symptoms negatively.
To estimate the numbers of people with synaesthesia, one group of researchers sat people in front of a computer and showed them letters and numbers in black. Participants were asked to choose a colour for each character they saw. A small proportion of participants, namely those with synaesthesia, consistently described the same characters as having the same colours. On the basis of the results, researchers were able to predict that synaesthesia affects about one per cent of the population. This number has been confirmed in other research.
Synaesthesia takes many different forms but the most common is to see or feel a colour in relation to letters and numbers. It's commonplace for people to identify A with red, B with blue, and so on. Some people will actually see a colour, but in most cases it's a question of feeling or sensing the colour. However, it's just as commonplace to see days, months, letters and numbers spatially, that is in lines or circles, for example. People might say they see Monday up high, Tuesday just below Monday, Wednesday on the left, Thursday on the right, and so on.
This doesn't mean that people with synaesthesia always agree on what they sense. Two synaesthetes will often argue over the colour of a letter, for example. But patterns emerge if a large enough sample of people are observed, providing clear evidence of this condition despite individual variations.
Colour and spatial synaesthesia are amongst the most common forms of the condition but they are by no means the only way people experience it. One of the more interesting combinations is word-taste synaesthesia. This occurs when words lead the person to experience tastes or certain taste sensations. So a person's name might have the flavour of a particular sweet, places might be associated with the taste of particular snacks. Taste needs to be seen in a wider context here. The sensation may be a feeling on the tip of the tongue or at the back of the throat and will differ from person to person.
Some researchers believe we are all born with the condition and that it's most prevalent in our early years but it then tends to become less noticeable as we enter childhood. It's a fascinating thought that as infants we experience the world around us through our senses in a different way than as adults. However, testing this hypothesis will be challenging, bearing in mind the difficulty of getting feedback from young infants!
Research also points to the fact that synaesthesia runs in families. In fact, as many as 40 per cent of synaesthetes, as they are called, know of someone in the family with a similar condition. This won't necessarily be a close family member and the condition may be traceable back to previous generations or to an extended family member such as a cousin or uncle.
There is evidence that synaesthetes are often creative and will often have artistic hobbies or interests. Researchers think this is not necessarily because synaesthesia makes them naturally more talented in this area but the fact that they have multiple sensory experiences generates an interest in, for example, art or music.
So that's synaesthesia. Apart from its intrinsic interest, for psychologists it's a fascinating indication that we may all experience the world around us in different ways. Once upon a time, these findings would have been regarded as highly subjective, lacking evidence and not of any scientific worth. However, we now have a much greater interest in how the brain helps us make sense of the world, and the study of synaesthesia is one way for us to discover more about this.