Practice exam page 154

When we hear the word pollution, most people think of air pollution. However, there is another
kind of pollution which is called noise pollution. We are constantly surrounded by sounds that
awake us, put us to sleep, entertain us, and annoy us. Most people who live in big cities have
become accustomed to the noise which surrounds them night and day. The fact is that their ears
are immune to the racket around them which surprises me. Indeed, I’m always surprised when I
see teenagers who are wearing radio earphones from which loud rock music bombards their
eardrums.

I remember the time when I was visiting my friend, Reza, who is a student in New York
University. His apartment was on Fifth Avenue which is one of the busiest streets in Manhattan.
Nevertheless, he has slept like a baby every night in spite of the ambulance and police sirens at
3:00 in the morning. Even his dog that slept besides his bed never woke up.

I enjoyed visiting New York City which is a fascinating place. However, I prefer a small town
where at night, only the soft sound of crickets can be heard.