Homework GAD April 23rd

Your homework is to read the following text and answer the questions below.
Also, Nathan has posted a new entry in his blog, go and check it out and see what is he asking for this time.

Night Shift

Many people have jobs that are not very interesting, but a lot of people have to work at night, and this is very difficult. When everybody else is getting ready to go out, they have to go to work, and this outs a lot of psychological stress on them. It is also not very healthy because the human body is designed to be active in the day and to rest in the dark. If this cycle is reversed it can have a bad effect on a person's health. So, why do people do night shifts?

Nowadays, many businesses have to offer a 24 hour service, like hotels, delivery companies, some supermarkets open all night and all day, call centres and hospitals. It is true that some people only need a few hours to sleep at night, but the majority need eight hours. Humans are most active in the middle of the day, and the time when they are least able to concentrate and be efficient is between 2am and 4 am.

This is the worst time to drive, or to do anything that needs concentration. The body finds it very difficult to adapt to the opposite cycle. Things are not likely to get better in the future because more and more companies are working 24 hour cycles to keep in step with our 24 hour society.  

1. What is the writer's main aim in writing the text?
a. To describe the importance of work.
b. To say how working at night can be harmful.
c. To help people change their way of life.
d. To advise people to sleep more. 

2. What does the writer say about night jobs?
a. You get better working conditions.
b. There is a variety of them.
c. It is easier than working during the day.
d. Many people refuse to work at night. 

3. What would a reader learn about sleep from the text?
a. Everybody needs the same amount.
b. It's difficult to change your sleeping needs. 
c. People sleep better in the early morning.
d. Many people need more than 11 hours' sleep.

4. What does the writer say about the future?
a. Fewer people will work during the day.
b. People will demand fewer services.
c. People will work longer hours.
d. Some jobs will always be done at night.

5. Which of the following could also be a title for this text?
a. Society is changing but our bodies are not!
b. A good night's sleep can change your life!
c. A worker that sleeps more, works more!
d. The loneliest jobs in the world!

The following image shows the effects of night shifts on one's health. Have you ever worked the night shift?