Why don't we sleep?
Read Why don't we sleep? and check the IELTS Reading answers. Fifty-six million prescriptions for sleeping medication were handed out by doctors in America last year. Yet remarkably little is being done to understand insomnia's root causes. Socially and economically, the undertreatment of sleepless…
Passage preview
Fifty-six million prescriptions for sleeping medication were handed out by doctors in America last year. Yet remarkably little is being done to understand insomnia's root causes. Socially and economically, the undertreatment of sleeplessness is hugely expensive. The Institute of Medicine, an independent scientific advisory group, estimates nearly 20 percent of all major accidents on the road are associated with driver sleepiness. The loss in terms of productivity within the workplace is even higher, costing billions. Then there are the softer costs which remain unmeasured but still exist; for example, the damaged relationships with others. If other medical problems were causing such widespread harm, governments would act, but US authorities contribute only about $230 million a year for the funding of sleep research, comparable to the amount that the manufacturers of popular sleeping pills spent in three months on advertising. Currently most medical school students get no more than four hours of training on sleep disorders; some get none.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- conclusive adjective
Serving to settle an issue or terminate any further doubt; final
The DNA evidence provided conclusive proof that the suspect was present at the scene.
- deprivation noun
The damaging lack of material benefits or basic necessities, such as sleep
Sleep deprivation can lead to significant cognitive impairment and increased risk of accidents.
- diagnostic adjective
Concerned with the identification of the nature of an illness or other problem
The clinic utilizes advanced diagnostic tools to identify rare neurological disorders in children.
- hygiene noun
Conditions or practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease, especially cleanliness
Establishing a consistent bedtime routine is a key component of good sleep hygiene.
- impedes verb
Delays or prevents someone or something by obstructing them; hinders
The lack of funding significantly impedes the progress of the medical research project.
- insomnia noun
Habitual sleeplessness or the inability to sleep for adequate periods
Stress and poor sleep hygiene are common factors that contribute to chronic insomnia in adults.
- intermediate adjective
Coming between two things in time, place, order, character, or degree
The student moved from the beginner level to the intermediate stage within six months.
- narcolepsy noun
A condition characterized by an extreme tendency to fall asleep whenever in relaxing surroundings
Patients with narcolepsy may experience sudden sleep attacks during daily activities like driving or eating.
- physiological adjective
Relating to the branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms
The athlete underwent tests to measure the physiological effects of training at high altitudes.
- redundant adjective
No longer needed or useful; superfluous to requirements
The system update identified and removed redundant files to improve overall processing speed.
Answers with explanations
- 14. prescriptions
The summary requires a noun that doctors gave to their patients. The text explicitly states that 56 million **prescriptions** for medication were handed out. The word is plural and fits grammatically to show the massive scale of the medical response to the problem.
- 15. accidents
The blank requires a noun related to 'serious traffic'. The text notes that 20 percent of all major **accidents** on the road are linked to sleepiness. 'Road' links to 'traffic', making 'accidents' the correct one-word factual extraction for the completion.
- 16. productivity
The summary describes a considerable effect on the 'company' (workplace). The blank requires a noun describing what is affected. The text explicitly highlights the loss in terms of **productivity** within the workplace. This word directly captures the economic impact mentioned in the prompt.
- 17. training
The blank requires a noun identifying what is given at medical schools. The passage explicitly states that medical school students get no more than four hours of **training** on sleep disorders. This perfectly bridges the concepts of medical education and its insufficiency.
- 18. H
To find a mention of different cultural approaches to treating insomnia, we scan for regional or traditional methods. Paragraph H explicitly discusses acupuncture and its long-standing role in **Asian medicine**. This directly satisfies the prompt's request for cultural variations in medical treatments.
- 19. E
The question asks for indications that sleep positively affects health. Paragraph E explicitly details physiological benefits, stating that researchers suggest sleep helps **boost the immune system** and **control infection**. This provides the direct medical evidence of health benefits required by the question.
- 20. C
The prompt looks for the effects of different kinds of sleep on mental performance. Paragraph C explicitly contrasts how people who engaged in **REM sleep** performed better in grammar, while those who slept deeply were better at memorization. This clearly distinguishes mental outcomes based on sleep type.
- 21. B
The question asks why various species sleep in different ways. Paragraph B explains that while mammals sleep, some **insects and reptiles** only half sleep in order to remain aware of predators. This directly explains the evolutionary variances in animal sleeping patterns.
- 22. D
The prompt looks for the suggestion that sleep deletes insignificant information. Paragraph D discusses Giulio Tononi's theory that the sleeping brain deletes **redundant or unnecessary** synapses, helping us forget what is not important. This directly matches the concept of removing insignificant data.
- 23. G
The question seeks a description of the brain's response to a lack of breathing. Paragraph G explains the mechanics of sleep apnea: when tissue shuts off the air passage, the brain realizes it lacks oxygen and **sends a signal** to wake up. This details the exact biological response.
- 24. B
The statement claims we sleep as a reaction to body signals. In the passage, **William Dement** explicitly states that the only solid reason we sleep is 'because we get sleepy.' This directly connects his name to the concept of yielding to the body's natural exhaustion signals.
- 25. C
The statement claims insomniacs are easily recognizable. **Clete Kushida** notes that he can 'spot most people's sleep problems right at the intake interview' just by observing their exhaustion and behavior. This directly attributes the claim of easy recognition to him.
- 26. E
The statement notes that therapy does not always yield good quality sleep. **John Winkelman** is quoted saying that many sufferers continue to struggle and are 'not super-satisfied with their sleep' despite undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy. This explicitly links him to the limitations of therapy.