Q.6 Listening to music during exercise improves exercise performance and
reduces discomfort. Scientists researched whether listening to music while
studying can help students learn better and the results were inconclusive.
Students who needed external stimulation for studying fared worse while
students who did not need any external stimulation benefited from music.
Which one of the following statements is the CORRECT inference of the
above passage?
(A) Listening to music has no effect on learning and a positive effect on physical
exercise.
(B) Listening to music has a clear positive effect both on physical exercise and on
learning.
(C) Listening to music has a clear positive effect on physical exercise. Music has a
positive effect on learning only in some students.
(D) Listening to music has a clear positive effect on learning in all students. Music
has a positive effect only in some students who exercise.

Listening to music boosts exercise performance by reducing discomfort, but its impact on studying varies by individual student needs, with inconclusive overall results. The correct inference from the passage is option (C).

Passage Analysis

The passage states that music clearly improves exercise outcomes through enhanced performance and less discomfort. For studying, research yields inconclusive results: students needing external stimulation perform worse, while those not needing it benefit.​

Option Breakdown

• (A) Incorrect. This claims no effect on learning, but the passage notes benefits for some students despite overall inconclusiveness.​

• (B) Incorrect. Learning lacks a “clear positive effect” due to inconclusive results and mixed outcomes.​

• (C) Correct. Music shows a clear positive exercise effect; for learning, it benefits only some students (those not needing stimulation).​

• (D) Incorrect. It reverses facts—learning lacks a clear positive effect for all, and exercise benefits apply broadly, not just “some”.​

Introduction: Music’s Dual Role in Exercise and Studying

Listening to music during exercise improves performance by boosting endurance, motivation, and reducing perceived discomfort through distraction and synchronization. Studies confirm ergogenic benefits like lower fatigue and higher power output during workouts. However, effects on studying remain inconclusive, varying by student traits like need for external stimulation.​

Benefits for Exercise Performance

Research shows music enhances physical tasks across endurance, sprinting, and resistance training. It diverts attention from pain, elevates mood, and syncs movements for better efficiency. Preferred tracks amplify these gains, making workouts more enjoyable and effective.​

Mixed Results for Studying and Learning

Background music’s study impact depends on cognitive style: those needing stimulation (e.g., extroverts) fare worse due to overload, while others benefit via arousal or focus. Overall results stay inconclusive, rejecting broad “Mozart effect” claims. Working memory capacity moderates outcomes—higher capacity aids multitasking with music.​

Correct Inference from Passage

For exam questions like CSIR NET, the passage’s key inference matches option (C): clear exercise positives, but learning benefits only some students. This aligns with evidence separating physical ergogenic effects from variable cognitive ones.​