[originaltext]W: Hello Jerry. You look sleepy!M: Yes, I stayed up late last ni

W: Hello Jerry. You look sleepy!
M: Yes, I stayed up late last night. 1 had an exam this morning.
W: But research has shown that not getting enough sleep can have a negative effect on our ability to learn.
M: Really?
W: Yes. Researchers from Boston College in the USA have found the lack of sleep is a significant factor in lowering the achievement of school pupils. The findings could be relevant to any of us who are trying to learn something.
M: You’re right.
W: And the most interesting fact is that it is more of a problem in wealthier countries such as the United States, England, France and Saudi Arabia.
M: You’re talking about computers and TVs in their bedrooms and using smartphones?
W: Yes, they’re tempted by all this technology instead of just getting their heads down and having a good night’s sleep. The survey found 80% of 13- and 14-year-olds in the US were identified by their teachers as being affected by the lack of sleep. The international average was 57%.
M: That’s a serious problem.
W: William Myers, Principal at South River High School says this is a challenge for teachers because if teachers don’t make their classes more engaging, they would see a decline in their performance. They would see students who were sleepy, maybe heads down at the end of the day. So they have to put a lot of work into keeping students alert and excited about school.
M: That’s quite a challenge then!
W: Yes, this research looked at the link between the amount students sleep and their test results. Not surprisingly it found children with more sleep achieve higher test results in maths, science and reading. There is a lesson there for all of us — I think I’ll just shut my eyes, and have 40 winks.
M: You mean a short, light sleep?
W: Yes. Scientists believe the lack of sleep causes your brain to run on empty. It struggles to absorb and retain ideas.
M: I feel like that now.
W: Besides, doctors find the lack of sleep can also lead to health problems such as obesity — that’s when someone is dangerously overweight — and to mood swings — that’s changes in how someone feels or behaves. So, what is the solution to all of this?
M: Well, the school day in some countries starts later, allowing teenagers a bit of a lie in. And others have a break in the afternoon — like a siesta. But the real solution is for students to go to bed earlier.
W: This research has also highlighted another problem. Because teachers are simplifying their lessons to take account of the students who are sleepy, there’s concern that pupils who are getting enough sleep are losing out in these adjusted lessons. So everyone suffers.
This is the end of Conversation One. Questions 1 to 5 are based on Conversation One.
1. What is the relationship between sleeping and learning?
2. Why do students from wealthy countries sleep less?
3. Among 13- and 14-year olds throughout the world, how many lack sleep?
4. According to William, why is it a challenge for teachers?
5. What is the real solution to allowing students to sleep more?