Sleeping on the job Reading Answers

Apr 9, 2024

Sleeping on the job Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. Sleeping on the job Reading Answers have a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the questions you have to fill in the blanks, choose the correct options from the list, tell whether the statements are true of false.

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers, which feature topics such as Sleeping on the job Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

Section 1

Sleeping on the job

North Americans are a group who do not take naps. Generally, Afternoon naps denote inefficiency and laziness. Latin American and some European cultures have a similar perspective. Taking naps during noon and 4:00 p.m. is common in nearby companies of Mexico and Greece. Recent research suggests that 15 - 30 minutes rest at work in the evening will serve employees to be more conscious, energetic and happier in what they are doing. They also become optimistic and carry the task more confidently. Still, napping on the work has not become normalised. In the academic world, there is a serious debate happening on the topic of “power napping” benefits.

Some data reports that by estimating the standard of eight hours of sleep per night, the average American has 500 hours of sleep debt or sleep deficit. The National Sleep Foundation in America conducted a survey in which it is found that two out of every three Americans have less than 7 hours of sleep per night during the business week. 40 percent of people claim that fatigue disturbs their everyday lives. Exhaustion is considered as a major issue in contemporary culture by William Anthony, a professor of psychiatry at Boston University. He claims that after drunkenness, sleeping is the leading cause of car crashes. Professor Anthony says that “We have a clear message”.Citizens should be allowed to sleep after their breaks. It is reasoned based on productivity. They will not be efficient if they are tired and asleep on the job.

Majorly for safety reasons, most employers motivate employees to sleep at work. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs both the New York subway system and the two commuter railroads, is permitting its bus and train technicians to take power sleep. One more railway starts to allow its train drivers to sleep about 45 minutes, during which trains are delayed when specified off-main-line locations and when emergency responders have been alerted. Some international airlines permit airline pilots to sleep in the cockpit, when they are not on service. United States’ airline companies still have not agreed to this procedure.

According to the Encyclopedia of Sleep and Dreaming, taking naps in mid afternoon is regarded as a biologically-based inclination and so the habit of sleeping at night is formed. If the required sleep limit is disrupted or disturbed for some reason, a nap acts as an adjustment. Additionally, it could reduce sleepiness and boost metabolism. Many experiments suggest that the nap zone occurs between midday and 3:00 p.m. To solve this problem, several people use caffeine or sugar. But, the employer's mood and efficiency will improve, if they are permitted to take naps.

Workers could have the ability to focus better and complete assignments without taking a single day out. Still, Workers take naps without authorization, though some businesses started to implement the naps for employees to increase productivity. One of the US companies is constructing a 2,000 square foot building for nap which can be filled upto 20 of its employees at any given time. Even a Japanese firm in their corporate offices, sets up tents and gives eyeshades and earplugs and permits workers to take naps during the workday. According to Professor Anthony, napping will not be one of the operational activities. It will have a great influence on productivity. Smart managers identified that workers need rest in order to perform well in their work.

There is also a belief that company naptime is just a way to keep employees to work for longer periods of time. On the other side, nap days come so frequently as work hours become more flexible for certain employees. Office hours are being there till employees awake. About 11 million Americans are teleworking and forty million spending bonus full or part time. Production hours are also increasing which takes their toll. As a consequence, Americans sleep little and work more hours. By understanding this, companies arrange quick naps for employees in the middle of the day for the benefit of the companies.

Section 2

Questions and Answers

Question 1
Circle the correct answer A-D.

According to the passage, which of the following statements is supported by recent research?
Napping is an indicator of laziness.
Two thirds of Americans sleep too much.
Napping in the workplace is a current trend.
Short naps at work increase productivity.

Answer: D
Supporting statement:“........ Recent research suggests that 15 - 30 minutes rest at work in the evening will serve employees to be more conscious, energetic and happier in what they are doing.......”
Keywords: employees, energetic
Keyword Location: para D, line 4
Explanation: The passage indicates that recent research supports the idea that short naps at work increase productivity.

Questions 2-6

Do the following statements reflect the claims of the writer in Passage 1? Write:
YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

The number one cause of car accidents is fatigue.

Answer: NO
Supporting statement:“.......Professor Anthony says that “We have a clear message”.Citizens should be allowed to sleep after their breaks. It is reasoned based on productivity.........”
Keywords: sleep, productivity
Keyword Location: para 2, line 8
Explanation: While fatigue is considered a significant issue, the passage does not state that it is the number one cause of car accidents.

People who nap in the afternoon are lazy.

Answer: NO
Supporting statement:“........According to the Encyclopedia of Sleep and Dreaming, taking naps in mid afternoon is regarded as a biologically-based inclination and so the habit of sleeping at night is formed.......”
Keywords: nap, inclination
Keyword Location: para 4, line 1
Explanation: The passage suggests that napping in the afternoon is a biologically-based inclination rather than a sign of laziness.

A nap in the middle of the day can improve your mood.

Answer: YES
Supporting statement:“....... If the required sleep limit is disrupted or disturbed for some reason, a nap acts as an adjustment.........”
Keywords: nap, adjustment
Keyword Location: para 4, line 3
Explanation: The passage indicates that taking a nap in the middle of the day can improve mood.

People who nap regularly live longer.

Answer: NOT GIVEN
Explanation: The passage does not provide information about the relationship between regular napping and longevity.

The majority of Americans sleep at least eight hours a night.

Answer: NO
Supporting statement:“.......Some data reports that by estimating the standard of eight hours of sleep per night, the average American has 500 hours of sleep debt or sleep deficit. ........”
Keywords: night, deficit
Keyword Location: para 2, line 1
Explanation: The passage suggests that the majority of Americans do not sleep for the recommended eight hours per night

Questions 7-9

Choose one phrase from the list in the box (A-F) to complete each of the following sentences.

Humans are biologically programmed to ..

Answer: F
Supporting statement:“........According to the Encyclopedia of Sleep and Dreaming, taking naps in mid afternoon is regarded as a biologically-based inclination and so the habit of sleeping at night is.......”
Keywords: habit , night
Keyword Location: para 4, line 2
Explanation: The passage suggests that humans are biologically programmed to fall asleep in the afternoon.

Employees of some progressive companies are encouraged to ...

Answer: B
Supporting statement:“......."Some international airlines permit airline pilots to sleep in the cockpit, when they are not on service........”
Keywords: cockpit, service
Keyword Location: para 3, line 6
Explanation: The passage suggests that employees of some progressive companies are encouraged to have a nap during breaks.

Traditional employers are likely to ...

Answer: E
Supporting statement:“....... Still, napping on the work has not become normalised. In the academic world, there is a serious debate happening on the topic of “power napping” benefits. .......”
Keywords: world, benefits
Keyword Location: para 1, line 7
Explanation: The passage suggests that traditional employers are likely to resist the trend toward napping.

drink coffee to stay awake during the afternoon
have a nap during breaks
fall asleep when they are bored
sneak naps without permission
resist the trend toward napping
fall asleep in the afternoon

Questions 10-11

Complete the following sentences using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the Passage.

In the transportation, industry napping is a matter of 10..

Answer: SAFETY
Supporting statement:“......Majorly for safety reasons, most employers motivate employees to sleep at work. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs both the New York subway .........”
Keywords:Authority, subway
Keyword Location: para 3, line 1
Explanation: The passage suggests that napping in the transportation industry is motivated by safety concerns.

On some airlines, pilots can sleep in the cockpit if 11 ....

Answer: NOT ON DUTY
Supporting statement:“.......Some international airlines permit airline pilots to sleep in the cockpit, when they are not on service. United States’ airline companies still have not agreed to this procedure. ........”
Keywords: service, procedure
Keyword Location: para 3, line 6
Explanation: The passage suggests that pilots can sleep in the cockpit if they are not on duty.

Questions 12-13

Circle the correct answer A-D.

According to the writer, in America the workplace is becoming ...

less flexible.
more exciting.
less demanding.
more stressful.

Answer: D
Supporting statement:“.......As a consequence, Americans sleep little and work more hours. By understanding this, companies arrange quick naps for employees in the middle of ........”
Keywords: companies , middle
Keyword Location: para 6, line 6
Explanation: The passage suggests that the workplace in America is becoming more stressful.

According to the writer, what is the main reason why employers support the idea of naps at work?

for health reasons
to promote safety
to increase productivity
to encourage creativity

Answer: C
Supporting statement:“.......Majorly for safety reasons, most employers motivate employees to sleep at work. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs both the New York subway ........”
Keywords: sleep, Authority
Keyword Location: para 3, line 1
Explanation: The passage indicates that employers support the idea of naps at work to increase productivity.