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O 1 READ the article about sleeping. What are sleep researchers trying to find out?
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The Mysteries of Sleep

Sleeping takes up about one-third of our lives, and most people need seven to

nine hours of sleep a night. Why do we need so much sleep? After decades of research,
scientists still don’t have an answer, but they do have some theories.
Sleep seems to benefit both the mind and the body. According to some researchers,

sleeping may improve our memory. It might be that the sleeping brain helps us
remember important things by letting us forget unimportant things. Other research
suggests that the body repairs damaged cells during sleep. Therefore, not sleeping may
slow the healing process when we get injured. There is also a theory that sleep helps

protect us from infection.
Although theories on sleep differ, researchers agree on its importance. Sleep is a

necessary part of living a healthy life. Unfortunately, conditions such as insomnia are
common. In the United States, for example, one-fifth of the population has difficulty
sleeping. Working long hours and managing the stresses of modern life are common

causes of sleeping problems.
Not getting enough sleep can have serious consequences, including traffic accidents

and low productivity at work. Some people are trying to find solutions. In Spain, for

example, businessman Ignacio Buqueras y Bach thinks that watching late-night television
is a problem. In his opinion, TV networks should consider changing their schedules so

that people can spend more time sleeping. Now, prime-time! programs don’t end until

midnight or later. Buqueras y Bach’s words are relevant? for people throughout the world:

“Every once in a while we have to close our eyes. Were not machines.”

‘prime time: the hours, usually in the evening, when
the largest number of people are available to
watch television or listen to the radio

2relevant: important or appropriate

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