Sound

Exercise 41.4

Answer these questions.

1. What is more likely to make a dull thud – a person falling out of bed onto a carpeted floor in the room above you or a heavy metal box falling onto a stone floor?
   Answer

   A person falling out of bed onto a carpeted floor in the room above you – something metal on stone would make a sharp noise rather than a dull thud.

2. Who is more likely to have shrill voices – primary schoolchildren or old age pensioners?
   Answer

   Primary schoolchildren – as shrill suggests high-pitched voices.

3. If waves are crashing on the beach, are they more likely to be little waves or big waves?
   Answer

   Big waves – as crashing suggests a big sound.

4. If you hear a piercing cry, is it more likely to be from a machine or from a bird?
   Answer

   From a bird.

5. What is more likely to make an ear-splitting noise – a group of motorbikes roaring past or a large waterfall in a fast-running river?
   Answer

   A group of motorbikes roaring past. A large waterfall will make a loud noise but it won’t be as sudden or as unpleasant as it would need to be in order to be called ear-splitting.