The Importance of Sleep For Teenagers

Most teenagers do not get enough sleep, and this is becoming a major problem. Scientists have done a lot of research on this topic, and they have discovered some important facts. Sleep is not just about resting - it plays a significant role in health, learning, and emotional well-being.

Experts estimate that teenagers need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep each night. However, studies show that many young people only sleep for 6 or 7 hours. Why does this happen? There are several factors that affect teenage sleep patterns. First, the teenage body naturally wants to go to sleep later and wake up later than children or adults. This is a normal part of development. Second, many teenagers have busy schedules with homework, sports, and social activities. Third, using phones and computers late at night makes it harder to fall asleep.

The data from sleep studies is very clear about the consequences of not getting enough rest. Teenagers who don't sleep well often have difficulty concentrating in class. They may feel tired and irritable during the day. Their grades can suffer because the brain needs sleep to process and remember new information. Sleep is when the brain organizes everything we have learned during the day.

Understanding the function of sleep helps us see why it is so important. During sleep, the body repairs itself and produces hormones that help with growth. The brain also uses this time to strengthen memories and remove unnecessary information. Without enough sleep, these important processes cannot happen properly.

Some schools have started to respond to this problem by changing their start times. Instead of beginning classes at 8:00 or 8:30 in the morning, they start at 9:00 or even later. This simple change can make a big difference. Research indicates that when schools start later, students get more sleep, their attendance improves, and they perform better in their studies.

Parents and teenagers can also take steps to improve sleep quality. Creating a regular sleep schedule is important - going to bed and waking up at the same time each day helps the body develop good habits. It is also helpful to define a "wind-down" time before bed, perhaps 30 minutes, when you stop using electronic devices and do something relaxing instead, like reading or listening to calm music.

Teenagers should involve their families in making these changes. If everyone in the household understands the importance of sleep, it becomes easier to establish good routines. For example, families might agree to have "device-free" time in the evenings, or they might make sure the bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool - the ideal environment for sleeping.

Getting enough sleep is not a luxury - it is a basic need. Just like eating healthy food and exercising, sleep is essential for a healthy and successful life. When teenagers understand this and make sleep a priority, they often notice improvements in many areas of their lives, from school performance to relationships with friends and family.

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Glossary

Academic Words from Sublist 1 (used in the text):

1. major (adjective) - very large or important
o Example: Traffic is a major problem in big cities.

2. research (noun) - careful study to discover new information
o Example: She is doing research on animal behavior.

3. significant (adjective) - important; large enough to matter
o Example: There has been a significant change in the weather.

4. estimate (verb) - to guess the size or amount of something
o Example: We estimate that 100 people will come to the party.

5. factors (noun, plural) - things that influence or cause a result
o Example: Many factors affect house prices.

6. data (noun) - information or facts
o Example: The data shows that more people are buying electric cars.

7. process (verb) - to deal with or organize information
o Example: It takes time to process all this information.

8. function (noun) - the purpose or role of something
o Example: The function of the heart is to pump blood.

9. processes (noun, plural) - series of actions or steps
o Example: The body has many natural processes.

10. respond (verb) - to react or answer
o Example: How did she respond to your question?

11. indicates (verb) - shows or points to something
o Example: Research indicates that exercise is good for the brain.

12. define (verb) - to explain the meaning of something; to describe clearly
o Example: Can you define the word "ecology"?

13. involve (verb) - to include someone or make them part of something
o Example: The project will involve all members of the team.

14. establish (verb) - to create or set up something; to make something certain
o Example: The school was established in 1995.

15. environment (noun) - the conditions or surroundings
o Example: A quiet environment is best for studying.

16. areas (noun, plural) - parts, regions, or subjects
o Example: He needs to improve in several areas of his work.
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Comprehension Questions

Answer these questions about the text:
1. How many hours of sleep do teenagers need each night?
2. What are three factors that affect teenage sleep patterns?
3. What happens to the brain during sleep?
4. How have some schools responded to the sleep problem?
5. What is meant by "wind-down" time according to the text?
6. What conditions make an ideal environment for sleeping?
7. According to the text, what improvements might teenagers notice when they get enough sleep?
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Vocabulary Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Gaps

Complete these sentences using words from the glossary:
1. Air pollution is a __________ problem in many cities around the world.
2. The __________ of the stomach is to digest food.
3. Can you __________ what "academic" means?
4. Several __________ influence student motivation, including family support and teacher quality.
5. Scientists collect __________ before making conclusions.
6. I __________ the trip will cost about €500.
7. The school was __________ more than 100 years ago.
8. This discovery is very __________ for medical science.
9. We need to __________ quickly to customer complaints.
10. The project will __________ students from three different schools.
11. A peaceful __________ helps people concentrate better.
12. Studies __________ that reading before bed helps you sleep better.
13. She has improved in many __________ of her English.
14. The brain needs time to __________ new information.
15. Learning a language involves many different __________.

Exercise 2: Match the Word to the Definition

Match each word (1-6) with its definition (a-f):
1. major
2. estimate
3. factor
4. function
5. establish
6. involve

a) to include someone or make them part of something
b) very large or important
c) to create or set up something
d) the purpose or role of something
e) to guess the size or amount
f) something that influences a result


Exercise 4: Collocations
Match the words on the left with the words on the right to make common phrases:
1. major a) factors
2. significant b) problem
3. collect c) data
4. several d) a routine
5. respond to e) change
6. establish f) a question

Exercise 5: Choose the Correct Word

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence:

1. The (function/process) of the lungs is to help us breathe.
2. Several (factors/areas) can affect your exam results.
3. The research (indicates/involves) that exercise improves mood.
4. We need to (establish/estimate) clear rules for the classroom.
5. Creating a good learning (environment/data) is important for students.

Exercise 6: True or False

Read these sentences and decide if they are True (T) or False (F) based on the reading text:

1. Teenagers need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep each night. _____
2. Most teenagers get enough sleep. _____
3. The brain processes and remembers information during sleep. _____
4. All schools now start later to help students sleep more. _____
5. Using phones late at night makes it easier to fall asleep. _____
6. A regular sleep schedule can help improve sleep quality. _____
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Discussion Questions

Talk about these questions with a partner or write your answers:
1. How many hours do you usually sleep each night? Is it enough?
2. What factors make it difficult for you to get enough sleep?
3. Do you think schools in your country should start later? Why or why not?
4. What do you do to relax before going to bed?
5. Have you noticed a difference in your performance when you sleep well compared to when you don't?
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Extension Activity: Writing Task

Write a short paragraph (80-100 words) giving advice to a friend who is having trouble sleeping. Try to use at least 4 of the academic words from this lesson. Underline the academic words you use.
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Answer Key

Comprehension Questions:
1. Between 8 and 10 hours
2. The teenage body naturally wants to sleep later; busy schedules with homework, sports, and social activities; using phones and computers late at night (any three)
3. It organizes everything learned during the day, strengthens memories, and removes unnecessary information
4. Some schools have changed their start times to later in the morning (9:00 or later)
5. A 30-minute period before bed when you stop using electronic devices and do something relaxing
6. Dark, quiet, and cool
7. School performance and relationships with friends and family

Exercise 1:
1. major 2. function 3. define 4. factors 5. data 6. estimate 7. established 8. significant 9. respond 10. involve 11. environment 12. indicate 13. areas 14. process 15. processes

Exercise 2: 1-b, 2-e, 3-f, 4-d, 5-c, 6-a

Exercise 4: 1-b, 2-e, 3-c, 4-a, 5-f, 6-d

Exercise 5:
1. function 2. factors 3. indicates 4. establish 5. environment

Exercise 6:
1.T 2. F 3. T 4. F 5. F 6. T