Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever felt tired during class because of not sleeping enough? If so, what did you do? If not, how do you stay rested?
- Do you use a phone or watch shows before sleeping? If so, does it make you sleep late? If not, what do you do instead?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- adolescent /ad-l-ES-uhnt/
- delay /dih-LEY/
- artificial /ahr-tuh-FISH-uhl/
- judgment /JUHJ-muhnt/
- specialist /SPESH-uh-list/
[noun] – a young person who is developing into an adult
The adolescent joined a school club to meet new friends.
[verb] – to make something happen at a later time
Rain may delay the football match this afternoon.
[adjective] – made by people, often as a copy of something natural
The flowers on the table are artificial, not real.
[noun] – the ability to make good decisions or to form opinions
He used good judgment to cross the busy street safely.
[noun] – someone with a lot of knowledge in a subject
The eye specialist helped the child see better.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Many teenagers in the United States are not getting enough sleep, based on new health reports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared that adolescents need eight to ten hours of rest each night. However, almost 80% of teens do not meet this number. This problem has become more common in recent years and is causing serious effects. These include lower school performance, poor mental health, and danger to physical safety. The issue is especially visible during early school mornings. Experts say that using screens like phones or watching shows at night delays sleep. This bad habit, called poor sleep hygiene, has become a persistent concern for health professionals.
To solve this problem, sleep experts suggest removing electronic devices from bedrooms and following a regular bedtime. Research says artificial light before sleep lowers melatonin, the hormone that helps the body feel sleepy. Reading books, taking warm showers, or having quiet time before bed may help. When sleep is not enough, teens may face strong mood swings, poor focus in school, and impaired judgment. Some may also be at risk of accidents or injuries. Medical experts emphasize the need for more education about the consequences of sleep loss. Specialists in child health recommend intervention from families and schools to help teens build better sleep habits.
To solve this problem, sleep experts suggest removing electronic devices from bedrooms and following a regular bedtime. Research says artificial light before sleep lowers melatonin, the hormone that helps the body feel sleepy. Reading books, taking warm showers, or having quiet time before bed may help. When sleep is not enough, teens may face strong mood swings, poor focus in school, and impaired judgment. Some may also be at risk of accidents or injuries. Medical experts emphasize the need for more education about the consequences of sleep loss. Specialists in child health recommend intervention from families and schools to help teens build better sleep habits.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What group of people is not getting enough sleep in the United States?
- How many hours of sleep do adolescents need each night?
- What percentage of teens do not meet the needed sleep hours?
- What problems can poor sleep cause in school?
- What do experts say about screens before bedtime?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever gone to school with little sleep? If so, how did you feel? If not, how do you stay rested?
- Have your parents or teachers ever talked about sleep habits? If so, what did they say? If not, who do you talk to about sleep?
- Do you agree that using phones before bed makes sleeping hard?
- Why might early school start times make sleep problems worse?
- Why is sleep important for safety, like avoiding accidents?