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Listening to birds singing has a positive [affect / effect] on our mental health and well-being. Birdsong is [one / once] of the most beautiful sounds in nature. Conversely, [noise / noisy] from traffic is annoying and can increase our [stressful / stress] . A new study from the University of Surrey in the UK suggests that the noise [for / from] traffic may reduce the positive effects [to / of] birdsong on our mood. Environmental [psychologist / psychology] Dr Eleanor Ratcliffe said: "Traffic noise undoubtedly affects the psychological benefits of natural soundscapes." She said we need to [believe / think] more carefully about adding [green / greens] spaces to towns, "so that people enjoy such areas to the fullest". She also suggested [slowing / lowering] speed limits near parks.

More than 1,500 people [gave / took] part in the study. They listened to nine [difference / different] soundscapes of natural sounds and traffic noise. The people then answered questions about how relaxed and [refresh / refreshed] they felt after listening to the sounds. The researchers [found / located] that listening to birdsong benefitted well-being. However, [ever / even] at low levels, traffic noise reduced [feelings / feels] of well-being. Researcher Dr Melissa Marselle said the modern [world / worlds] is noisy. She said we need to investigate the impact [to / of] traffic noise on nature's sounds and whether it negatively affects [them / their] benefits. She added that we need to identify more quiet outdoor spaces to help people who are [feeling / felt] stressed.