Waking Numbness or Sleep Paralysis Reading Answers

Jan 18, 2023

Waking Numbness or Sleep Paralysis Reading Answers is an academic reading topic is a brief discussion about sleep paralysis and how does it affect a good sleeping of a person. The given IELTS topic has originated from the book named “Cambridge IELTS 10 Student's Book with Answers”. The topic named Waking Numbness or Sleep Paralysis Reading Answers comes with 14 different wide range of questions. Three different types of questions are included in this topic, such as, True/False/Not Given, choose the correct letter, and complete the following sentences in one word. The candidates should thoroughly read the IELTS reading passage to recognize the synonyms and identify the keywords and answer the questions below. IELTS reading practice papers can be taken into consideration by the candidates in order to score a good score in the reading section in which similar topics like Waking Numbness or Sleep Paralysis Reading Answers has been included.

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Section 1

Read the passage to answer the following questions

Waking Numbness or Sleep Paralysis Reading Answers

Waking numbness or sleep paralysis

Image yourself waking up and not being able to move, not even your finger. The room is pitch dark but you can sense somebody in the room - someone malicious standing next to your bed or even sitting on your chest, stopping you from breathing.

Such bizarre phenomenon is commonly referred to as waking numbness, or more ominously "sleep paralysis" (SP). People think of it as something supernatural, thus spawning many superstition around it. In the older times the cause was believed to be demons, or incubi - an evil spirit with a physical appearance of a human male. Some cultures believed the cause to be malicious magical rituals or curses aimed at the person suffering from this state.

According to official data at least five percent of people experienced this state at some point in their lives. Some go through it only once whereas there are individuals that face the symptoms fairly regularly. Whether you belong to one group or another, there is good news for you: this state is harmless for both your life and your health.

This state is very similar to rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, the stage when you see dreams. The purpose of this state is to prevent you from making any abrupt movements thus ensuring a long uninterrupted sleep. In case of sleep paralysis the brain wakes up while the body is still sleeping. Until the body wakes up, you are left motionless. Alternatively you might experience being able to move your body, but the delay between your impulse to move it and the actual movement feels unbearably long.

The symptoms are not limited to numbness of body. One can experience feel of imminent danger, horror, stifling pressure, one can feel like it is difficult to breathe or as if they are being choked. Palpitation, or accelerated heart rate is also rather common. Some report having an illusion of involuntary body movement, like turning over to one side or to one's stomach/back, even though in reality the person lies still. Voices, unnatural sounds and noises, approaching footsteps are often reported by patients suffering from sleep paralysis. Hallucinations are not unheard of either - silhouettes of ghosts or people. The latter can be held accountable for the popular evil spirit myth.

Sleep paralysis can often be caused by sleeping on one's back. Sleeping on your body side drastically lowers chances of experiencing most of the symptoms. It can be caused by various sleep disturbances (such as insomnia or narcolepsy). It can only be triggered by waking up naturally. If the person is woken up abruptly, be it a bright light or an alarm-clock ringing then sleep paralysis does not take place.

There is no surefire way to battle this condition. A common recommendation is to establish a sleeping routine and follow it religiously. Some break sleep paralysis by rolling their eyes, moving their tongue or right thumb on their right hand (or their left hand for lefties). Others are more successful with relaxing completely and remaining calm - this reduces the negative emotional impact and the state gradually recedes. Brain activity has also been reported to help - thinking about something complex or running calculations in your head seems to aid in overcoming the numbness.

Using your pharynx to pronounce something is a good way to break the state too- since you can't open your mouth it will come out as incomprehensible moaning, but it is likely to help.

Research has shown that analytically minded people are less susceptible to the negative effect of the state. When they happen to suffer from it they feel less depressed after the occurrence because they are usually not superstitious - they do not allow negative emotions caused by beliefs connected with evil spirits. As the scientists explained this, the type of people above tend to explain everything from the scientific point of view, whereas people that rely on intuition are more likely to base their conclusions on a less rational basis.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 14-17

Do the following statements agree with the information in Reading Passage 2? Write ...

TRUE - if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE - if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN - if there is no information on this

Question 14. People nowadays believe sleep paralysis to be caused by the supernatural

Answer: FALSE
Supporting sentence: Such bizarre phenomenon is commonly referred to as waking numbness, or more ominously "sleep paralysis" (SP).
Keyword : bizarre phenomenon, waking numbness, sleep paralysis
Keyword location: paragraph 2, lines 1-2
Explanation: Lines 1-2 of paragraph 2 portrays to imagine awakening with no ability to move, not even a finger. Even though the room is completely black, one can feel someone there. Someone evil, standing next to your bed or even sitting on our chest and preventing us from breathing. This strange occurrence is sometimes referred to as "waking numbness" or, scarier, "sleep paralysis" (SP). People view it as supernatural, which gives rise to several superstitions. In earlier times, demons or incubi, evil spirits that resembled human males physically were thought to be the reason. Therefore, the above statement is a FALSE one.

Question 15. Five percent of people suffer from sleep paralysis symptoms regularly

Answer: FALSE
Supporting sentence: According to official data at least five percent of people experienced this state at some point in their lives.
Keyword : official data, five percent, experienced, some point in their lives
Keyword location: paragraph 3, lines 1-2
Explanation: The first two lines of paragraph 3 says that a curse or wicked magical rites directed at the person. The person experiencing this state were the causes, according to several cultures. At least 5% of people, according to government statistics, have gone through this stage at some point in their life. Some people only experience it once, whereas others have the symptoms very frequently. There is excellent news for everyone: this state is risk-free for your life and health, regardless of which group you identify with. Therefore, the given assertion can be regarded as a FALSE one.

Question 16. Sleeping paralysis can make people see things voiding sleeping on the back helps to avoid the state

Answer: TRUE
Supporting sentence: This state is very similar to rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, the stage when you see dreams.
Keyword : similar, rapid eye movement (REM), stage, see dreams
Keyword location: paragraph 4, lines 1-2
Explanation: The fourth paragraph states that the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, during which dreams can be seen, and this condition are quite similar. This state's goal is to keep one from making any sudden movements, allowing them to sleep for a long period of time without interruption. The brain awakens in cases of sleep paralysis while the body is still asleep. A person is immobile until the body awakens. Alternately, one can feel as though they can move their body, but the time it takes between their urge and the actual movement is excruciatingly slow. So, the above statement can be regarded as TRUE.

Question 17. Sleeping on the back raises the chances of sleep paralysis occurrence

Answer: TRUE
Supporting sentence: Sleep paralysis can often be caused by sleeping on one's back.
Keyword : Sleep paralysis, caused, sleeping, one's back
Keyword location: paragraph 6, line 1
Explanation: Line 1 of paragraph 6 states that it's common for sleeping on one's back to result in sleep paralysis. The likelihood of developing most of the symptoms is dramatically reduced when one sleep on somebody's side. It may result from several types of sleep disruptions (such as insomnia or narcolepsy). It can only be started by naturally waking up. A sudden awakening, such as from a bright light or an alarm clock, prevents sleep paralysis from occurring. Thus, we can clearly conclude that this statement is a TRUE one.

Questions 18 and 19

Choose the correct letter A-D

Question 18. Symptoms of waking numbness do not include

Anxiety
Pounding heart
Nausea
Hallucinations

Answer: C
Supporting sentence: One can experience feel of imminent danger, horror, stifling pressure, one can feel like it is difficult to breathe or as if they are being choked.
Keyword : experience, imminent danger, difficult to breathe, choked
Keyword location: paragraph 5, lines 1-3
Explanation: Lines 1-3 of paragraph 5 states that the body numbness is just one of the symptoms. One may feel as though they are in immediate danger, terrified, under intense pressure, having trouble breathing, or as though they are being suffocated. Additionally typical is palpitation, or an increased heart rate. Despite lying still, some people claim to have the illusion of an involuntary body movement, such as flipping over to one side or to their stomach or back. However, the description of nausea as the symptom of waking numbness has not been mentioned in the passage. Thus, option C is the right choice.

Question 19. According to the passage

SP can be dangerous
SP is biologically redundant
There are ways to dispel the state
Smarter people do not suffer from SP

Answer: C
Supporting sentence: Research has shown that analytically minded people are less susceptible to the negative effect of the state.
Keyword : Research, analytically minded people, less susceptible, negative effect
Keyword location: paragraph 9, lines 1-2
Explanation: Lines 1-2 of paragraph 9 portrays that the analytical thinkers are less vulnerable to the state's detrimental effects, according to research. Because they are typically not superstitious, they do not let unpleasant feelings created by ideas related with evil spirits. When they experience it, they feel less depressed after the event. As the scientists explained, those who rely on intuition are more likely to get their findings from sources. The sources that are less reasonable than those who explain everything from a scientific point of view. Hence, option C is the right answer.

Questions 20-27

Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

Sleep paralysis is a (20)............. of not being able to move or (21).............. right

after one wakes up. It has certain (22)............... surrounding it — most of them

dating back to the ancient times. Biologically, this phenomenon is (23)...............

you from waking caused by involuntary body movements. Other typical

symptoms of this (24)............. include (25)............., struggling for (26).............

Despite of it, a person with sleep paralysis faces no (27)......... from it.

Question 20:

Answer: STATE
Supporting sentence: Image yourself waking up and not being able to move, not even your finger.
Keyword : Image, waking up, able to move, finger
Keyword location: paragraph 1, line 1
Explanation: Line 1 of paragraph 1 says to take a moment to consider waking up unable to move a finger at all. The space is pitch black, but one can sense someone there. Someone evil may be sitting on our chest, standing next to our bed, or even breathing for us. Some people refer to this bizarre event as "waking numbness" or, even scarier, "sleep paralysis" (SP). There are various superstitions as a result of how people perceive it to be supernatural. In the past, demons or incubi, evil spirits that physically resembled human males, who were supposed to be the cause. So sleep paralysis is a state of not being able to move.

Question 21:

Answer: SPEAK
Supporting sentence: The room is pitch dark but you can sense somebody in the room - someone malicious standing next to your bed or even sitting on your chest, stopping you from breathing.
Keyword : somebody, malicious, chest, stopping you from breathing.
Keyword location: paragraph 1, lines 1-3
Explanation: Lines 1-3 of the first paragraph depicts to imagine a scenario. The room is completely dark, yet a person can still feel someone there. It may be a bad person sitting on one’s chest or standing next to their bed, halting your breathing. This strange occurrence is sometimes referred to as "waking numbness" or, scarier, "sleep paralysis" (SP). People view it as supernatural, which gives rise to several superstitions. In earlier times, demons or incubi-evil spirits that resembled human males physically were thought to be the reason. Some cultures thought that evil magical rituals or curses directed at the person experiencing this state were the cause. So sleep paralysis is a states that prohibits a person from moving or speaking.

Question 22:

Answer: SUPERSTITIONS
Supporting sentence: Such bizarre phenomenon is commonly referred to as waking numbness, or more ominously "sleep paralysis" (SP). People think of it as something supernatural, thus spawning many superstition
around it.
Keyword : bizarre phenomenon, sleep paralysis, supernatural, superstition around it
Keyword location: paragraph 2, lines 1-3
Explanation: The second paragraph says that awakening numbness, or the more sinister "sleep paralysis," is the name given to this strange occurrence (SP). People view it as supernatural, which gives rise to several superstitions. In earlier times, demons or evil spirits that resembled human males. They were thought to be the reason. Some cultures thought that evil magical rituals or curses directed at the person experiencing this state were the cause. At least 5% of people, according to government statistics, have gone through this stage at some point in their life. Some people only experience it once, whereas others have the symptoms very frequently.

Question 23:

Answer: STOP
Supporting sentence: It can only be triggered by waking up naturally.
Keyword : triggered, waking up, naturally.
Keyword location: paragraph 6, lines 3-4
Explanation: Lines 3-4 of paragraph 6 suggests that sleeping on one's back is frequently the cause of sleep paralysis. The likelihood of developing most of the symptoms is dramatically reduced when a person sleep on another one’s body side. It may result from several types of sleep disruptions (such as insomnia or narcolepsy). It can only be started by naturally waking up. A sudden awakening, such as from a bright light or an alarm clock, prevents sleep paralysis from occurring.

Question 24:

Answer: DISEASE
Supporting sentence: The symptoms are not limited to numbness of body.
Keyword : symptoms, limited, numbness of body
Keyword location: paragraph 5, line 1
Explanation: The first part of paragraph 5 suggests that body numbness is just one of the symptoms of sleep paralysis. One may feel as though they are in immediate danger, terrified, under intense pressure, having trouble breathing, or as though they are being suffocated. Additionally typical is palpitation, or an increased heart rate. Despite lying still, some people claim to have the illusion of an involuntary body movement, such as flipping over to one side or to their stomach or back. These paragraph states the adverse effects of this particular disease.

Question 25:

Answer: FEAR
Supporting sentence: One can experience feel of imminent danger, horror, stifling pressure
Keyword: experience, imminent danger, horror, stifling pressure
Keyword location: paragraph 5, lines 1-3
Explanation: Lines 1-3 of paragraph 5 explains that it is possible to feel like one is in immediate danger, horrified, under intense pressure, having trouble breathing. Also, it can be like they are being suffocated. Additionally typical is palpitation, or an increased heart rate. Despite lying still, some people claim to have the illusion of an involuntary body movement, such as flipping over to one side or to their stomach or back. Patients with sleep paralysis frequently describe hearing voices, strange noises, and approaching footsteps.

Question 26:

Answer: BREATH
Supporting sentence: One can experience feel of imminent danger, horror, stifling pressure, one can feel like it is difficult to breathe or as if they are being choked.
Keyword : experience, difficult to breathe, being choked
Keyword location: paragraph 5, lines 1-3
Explanation: The first three lines of paragraph 5 explains that one may feel a sense of impending danger, terror, suffocating pressure, difficulty breathing. Also, they can experience a feeling that if they are being choked. Additionally typical is palpitation, or an increased heart rate. Despite lying still, some people claim to have the illusion of an involuntary body movement, such as flipping over to one side or to their stomach or back. Patients with sleep paralysis frequently describe hearing voices, strange noises, and approaching footsteps.

Question 27:

Answer: DANGER
Supporting sentence: Whether you belong to one group or another, there is good news for you: this state is harmless for both your life and your health.
Keyword : belong, group, good news, harmless for both your life and your health
Keyword location: paragraph 3, lines 3-4
Explanation: The third and fourth lines of paragraph 3 portrays that according to government data, at least 5% of people have experienced this situation. They had experienced it at some point throughout their life. Some people only experience it once, whereas others have the symptoms very frequently. There is excellent news for everyone: this state is risk-free for one’s life and health, regardless of which group they identify with. The rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, during which dreams can be seen, and this condition are quite similar. This state's goal is to keep a person from making any sudden movements, allowing them to sleep for a long period of time without interruption. The brain awakens in cases of sleep paralysis while the body is still asleep. The person may be in an immobile state until their body awakens.