The Mystery of Dreams

Everyone dreams, but scientists are still trying to understand why. Dreams have fascinated people throughout history, and many ancient cultures believed they had special meanings. Today, researchers use modern technology to investigate what happens in the brain during sleep, and their findings are helping us understand this mysterious part of our lives.

When we sleep, our brains go through different phases. The most interesting phase is called REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement), when most dreaming happens. During this time, the brain is very active, almost as active as when we are awake. Scientists can select people to study in sleep laboratories, where they maintain careful records of brain activity, eye movements, and other physical changes.

One important question is: what function do dreams have? Some researchers believe that dreams help us process emotions and memories from the day. Others think dreams allow the brain to practice different scenarios - like rehearsing for future situations. For example, if you dream about being chased, your brain might be preparing you to deal with danger, even though no real danger exists.

Dreams can have a big impact on how we feel when we wake up. A good dream can leave you feeling happy and energized, while a nightmare can make you feel anxious or upset. Some people try to achieve control over their dreams through a practice called "lucid dreaming," where you become aware that you are dreaming while still asleep. With practice, some people can even design what happens in their dreams.
The text of dreams - their stories and images - is often strange and illogical. You might dream that you are flying, or that you are back in school even though you graduated years ago. The elements of dreams don't follow normal rules. People and places from different times in your life might appear together. Objects can change shape or size without reason.

Cultural differences affect how people think about dreams. In some societies, dreams are considered messages from spirits or gods. In others, they are seen purely as brain activity with no special meaning. These different traditions show how human beings from different backgrounds interpret the same experience in very different ways.

Modern research has also looked at the relationship between dreams and mental health. People who suffer from depression or anxiety often report having more nightmares or disturbing dreams. Some types of therapy now involve discussing dreams as a way to understand a person's emotional state. However, the link between dreams and mental health is complex and not fully understood yet.

Despite decades of research, dreams remain one of the great mysteries of human experience. We spend about two hours each night dreaming, which means we will spend about six years of our lives in this strange, unconscious state. As technology improves and scientists continue to conduct experiments, we may finally obtain answers to the age-old question: why do we dream?

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Glossary

Academic Words from Sublist 2 (used in the text):

1. cultures (noun, plural) - the customs, beliefs, and ways of life of particular groups of people
o Example: Different cultures have different wedding traditions.

2. investigate (verb) - to try to find out the facts about something
o Example: Police are investigating the crime.

. phases (noun, plural) - stages or periods in a process
o Example: The project has three phases.

4. select (verb) - to choose
o Example: Please select your favorite color from the list.

5. maintain (verb) - to keep something in good condition; to continue something
o Example: It's important to maintain good relationships with colleagues.

6. process (verb) - to deal with or handle information
o Example: The computer needs time to process the data.

7. scenarios (noun, plural) - possible situations or sequences of events
o Example: The company planned for different scenarios, including best and worst cases.

8. impact (noun) - an effect or influence
o Example: The new law had a big impact on small businesses.

9. achieve (verb) - to succeed in doing something, especially after trying hard
o Example: She achieved her goal of running a marathon.

10. design (verb) - to plan or create something
o Example: An architect designed the new building.

11. text (noun) - written or printed words; the content of something
o Example: The text of the message was very brief.

12. elements (noun, plural) - parts or components of something
o Example: Trust is an important element of friendship.

13. affect (verb) - to have an influence on something; to change something
o Example: Weather can affect our mood.

14. traditions (noun, plural) - customs or beliefs passed down through generations
o Example: Every family has its own traditions.

15. interpret (verb) - to explain the meaning of something; to understand something in a particular way
o Example: Different people interpret art in different ways.

16. involve (verb) - to include someone or something as a necessary part
o Example: The job involves a lot of traveling.

17. link (noun) - a connection between two things
o Example: Scientists found a link between exercise and happiness.

18. research (noun) - careful study to discover new information
o Example: Medical research has saved millions of lives.

19. conduct (verb) - to organize and carry out an activity or process
o Example: The university will conduct a survey of students.

20. obtain (verb) - to get or acquire something
o Example: You need to obtain permission before entering.
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Comprehension Questions

Answer these questions about the text:

1. What does REM stand for, and when does most dreaming happen?
2. According to the text, what are two theories about the function of dreams?
3. What is "lucid dreaming"?
4. Why does the text describe dreams as "strange and illogical"?
5. How do different cultures view dreams according to the text?
6. What connection does the text mention between dreams and mental health?
7. How much time do we spend dreaming each night, and how many years of our lives does this equal?
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Vocabulary Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Gaps

Complete these sentences using words from the glossary:
1. The police are __________ the cause of the fire.
2. Many __________ around the world celebrate the new year on different dates.
3. Weather can __________ our plans for outdoor activities.
4. The project will be completed in three __________.
5. Please __________ the best answer from the options given.
6. Regular exercise can have a positive __________ on your health.
7. There is a strong __________ between smoking and lung disease.
8. The course will __________ both theory and practical work.
9. Different people __________ the same situation in different ways.
10. Scientists will __________ more experiments next year.
11. It's difficult to __________ information when you're tired.
12. The company needs to __________ good relationships with customers.

Exercise 2: Match the Word to the Definition

Match each word (1-6) with its definition (a-f):
1. achieve
2. design
3. obtain
4. select
5. conduct
6. impact

a) to get or acquire something
b) to plan or create something
c) to organize and carry out an activity
d) an effect or influence
e) to succeed in doing something
f) to choose


Exercise 4: Collocations

Match the words on the left with the words on the right to make common phrases:

1. conduct a) an impact
2. maintain b) research
3. achieve c) a goal
4. have d) a link
5. find e) relationships
6. different f) cultures

Exercise 5: Context Practice

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence:

1. The medicine can (affect/impact) your ability to drive.
2. The company will (conduct/maintain) interviews next week.
3. We need to (achieve/obtain) a visa before traveling.
4. Traditional (cultures/traditions) are important to many families.
5. Scientists are trying to (investigate/interpret) the data from the experiment.

Exercise 6: Gap-Fill (Using Word Forms)

Complete these sentences using the correct form of the word in brackets:

1. The __________ (investigate) took three months to complete.
2. Her __________ (achieve) in science are impressive.
3. The book contains many __________ (tradition) stories.
4. The new policy will __________ (impact) thousands of workers.
5. This problem has several __________ (element) that we need to consider.
6. The __________ (design) of the building won an award.
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Questions

Talk about these questions with a partner or write your answers:

1. Do you usually remember your dreams? What kind of dreams do you have?
2. Do you think dreams have special meanings, or are they just random brain activity?
3. In your culture, how do people interpret dreams?
4. Have you ever had a dream that had an impact on your mood the next day?
5. Would you like to be able to control your dreams through lucid dreaming? Why or why not?
6. What other mysteries about the human brain would you like scientists to investigate?
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Extension Activity: Writing Task

Write a short paragraph (100-120 words) describing an interesting or unusual dream you have had. Try to use at least 5 of the academic words from this lesson. Underline the academic words you use.
Alternative task: If you don't remember your dreams, write about why you think we dream and what function dreams might have.
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Answer Key

Comprehension Questions:

1. Rapid Eye Movement; during REM sleep
2. Dreams help us process emotions and memories; dreams allow the brain to practice different scenarios (rehearse for future situations)
3. A practice where you become aware that you are dreaming while still asleep (and can potentially control what happens)
4. Because the elements don't follow normal rules - people and places from different times appear together, objects change shape or size without reason
5. In some societies, dreams are considered messages from spirits or gods; in others, they are seen purely as brain activity with no special meaning
6. People with depression or anxiety often have more nightmares or disturbing dreams; some therapy involves discussing dreams to understand emotional state
7. About two hours each night; about six years of our lives

Exercise 1:
1. investigating 2. cultures 3. affect 4. phases 5. select 6. impact 7. link 8. involve 9. interpret 10. conduct 11. process 12. maintain

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

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

Exercise 5:
1. affect 2. conduct 3. obtain 4. traditions 5. interpret

Exercise 6:
1. investigation 2. achievements 3. traditional 4. impact 5. elements 6. design