The Reading / Listening - Sleeping Temperature - Level 3

The key for older people to sleep well at night could be how hot or cold their room is. Researchers say the best way to get a good night's sleep is to make sure the bedroom is between 20-25º Celsius. The researchers are from Harvard University and the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research in the USA. They asked 50 people aged 65 and older to wear a sleep monitor for a year and a half. The researchers found that the quality of sleep worsened when the room temperature was outside the 20-25-degree range. They also observed that 20ºC was the best temperature. The lead researcher said: "Sleep tends to come easier and is often deeper and more restful in a cooler environment."

The research is full of surprising information. It reported that temperature could affect sleep as much as experiencing pain or drinking alcohol before bedtime. The researchers found a 5-10 per cent drop in sleep quality when the temperature was lower than 20ºC or higher than 25ºC. They said poor sleep can lead to health issues. These include an inability to think clearly, mood swings, and higher levels of stress. Other problems include an increased chance of getting diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The researchers said people should create, "a more comfortable home environment" to sleep well. They also highlighted, "the potential impact of climate change on sleep quality in older adults".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Sleeping Temperature - Level 0,  Sleeping Temperature - Level 1   or  Sleeping Temperature - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12451731/The-secret-good-sleep-Dont-let-things-hot-bedroom-Researchers-discover-ideal-temperature-restful-night.html
  • https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/what-s-the-best-temperature-for-sleep-researchers-suggest-this-range/ar-AA1fTzHP
  • https://metro.co.uk/2023/08/28/the-best-way-to-get-a-good-nights-sleep-for-older-people-19406931/


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. SLEEPING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about sleeping. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       key / sleep / hot / cold / researchers / monitor / quality / temperature / range / cooler
       information / pain / alcohol / bedtime / mood swings / stress / climate change / sleep
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. SLEEP LESSONS: Students A strongly believe we should all take lessons on how to sleep better; Students B strongly believe that's not necessary. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. TEMPERATURE: How important is temperature for these things? Why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Importance

Why?

Sleeping

 

 

Studying

 

 

At the beach

 

 

Swimming pool

 

 

Tea

 

 

Winter

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. HOT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "hot". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things for a good night's sleep at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Temperature
  • Pyjamas
  • Music
  • Darkness
  • Exercise
  • Reading
  • Milk
  • Counting sheep

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. key a. Be likely to have or show a feeling or action.
      2. way b. An organization having a particular purpose, especially one that is involved with science, education, or a profession.
      3. institute c. A device used for observing, checking, or keeping a record of something.
      4. aging d. A thing that gives a way of doing or understanding something.
      5. monitor e. The area of differences between an upper and lower limit.
      6. range f. A method, style, or manner of doing something.
      7. tend to g. The process of change in someone as they get older.

    Paragraph 2

      8. affect h. The state of being unable to do something.
      9. drop i. An action of dropping.
      10. lead to j. The action of one thing changing another thing.
      11. inability k. Have an effect on; make a difference to.
      12. mood swings l. A sudden change of your level of happiness, sadness, anger, etc.
      13. potential m. End in a particular event or action.
      14. impact n. Possible; likely

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. People need a key to get a better night's sleep.     T / F
  2. People wore sleep monitors for 18 months.     T / F
  3. Researchers say 25ºC is the best temperature to sleep well.     T / F
  4. Researchers say a warmer environment is best for a good night's sleep.   T / F
  5. Researchers say drinking alcohol before bedtime helps you sleep.     T / F
  6. Poor sleep can make it difficult for us to think clearly.     T / F
  7. Poor sleep can lead to heart disease.     T / F
  8. Researchers say climate change will not affect how well we sleep.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. key
  2. best
  3. make sure
  4. observed
  5. lead
  6. affect
  7. issues
  8. chance
  9. create
  10. potential
  1. head
  2. problems
  3. optimum
  4. risk
  5. answer
  6. possible
  7. noticed
  8. make
  9. influence
  10. ensure

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. The key for older people to sleep
  2. how hot or cold
  3. the best way to get a good
  4. They asked 50 people aged
  5. room temperature was outside the
  6. drinking alcohol
  7. an inability
  8. an increased chance of
  9. cardiovascular
  10. the potential impact
  1. 20-25-degree range
  2. 65 and older
  3. getting diabetes
  4. their room is
  5. diseases
  6. night's sleep
  7. of climate change
  8. to think clearly
  9. well at night
  10. before bedtime

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
monitor
restful
way
quality
tends
key
sure
range

The (1) _____________________ for older people to sleep well at night could be how hot or cold their room is. Researchers say the best (2) _____________________ to get a good night's sleep is to make (3) _____________________ the bedroom is between 20-25º Celsius. The researchers are from Harvard University and the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research in the USA. They asked 50 people aged 65 and older to wear a sleep (4) _____________________ for a year and a half. The researchers found that the (5) _____________________ of sleep worsened when the room temperature was outside the 20-25-degree (6) _____________________. They also observed that 20ºC was the best temperature. The lead researcher said: "Sleep (7) _____________________ to come easier and is often deeper and more (8) _____________________ in a cooler environment."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
create
quality
chance
clearly
impact
surprising
lead
drinking

The research is full of (9) _____________________ information. It reported that temperature could affect sleep as much as experiencing pain or (10) _____________________ alcohol before bedtime. The researchers found a 5-10 per cent drop in sleep (11) _____________________ when the temperature was lower than 20ºC or higher than 25ºC. They said poor sleep can (12) _____________________ to health issues. These include an inability to think (13) _____________________, mood swings, and higher levels of stress. Other problems include an increased (14) _________________ of getting diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The researchers said people should (15) _____________________, "a more comfortable home environment" to sleep well. They also highlighted, "the potential (16) _____________________ of climate change on sleep quality in older adults".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The key for older people to sleep well at night could be how hot or cold ______
     a.  their room be
     b.  their room is
     c.  their room miss
     d.  their roomies
2)  Researchers say the best way to get a ______
     a.  good nights sleep
     b.  good nightlife sleep
     c.  good night sleep
     d.  good night's sleep
3)  They asked 50 people aged 65 and older to wear ______
     a.  a sleep monitor
     b.  a sleep money tour
     c.  a sleep monitors
     d.  a sleep monitored
4)  sleep worsened when the room temperature was outside the ______
     a.  20-25-degree grange
     b.  20-25-degree derange
     c.  20-25-degree arrange
     d.  20-25-degree range
5)  Sleep tends to come easier and is often deeper and more restful in ______
     a.  a cooler environmental
     b.  a cooler environmentally
     c.  a cooler environment
     d.  a cooler environments

6)  They said poor sleep can lead ______
     a.  to healthy issues
     b.  two health issues
     c.  to health issues
     d.  to health issue
7)  These include an inability to think clearly, mood swings, and higher ______
     a.  level of stress
     b.  levels of stress
     c.  levels off stress
     d.  levels of stressed
8)  problems include an increased chance of getting diabetes ______
     a.  and cardiovascular diseases
     b.  end cardiovascular decease
     c.  end cardiovascular desist
     d.  and cardiovascular diseased
9)  people should create a more comfortable home environment ______
     a.  to sleepy well
     b.  to sleep wells
     c.  to sleep well
     d.  to sleep welled
10)  They also highlighted the potential impact of climate change on sleep quality ______
     a.  in old are adults
     b.  in olden adults
     c.  in older adults
     d.  in old all adults

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The (1) ____________________ people to sleep well at night could be how hot or cold their room is. Researchers say the best (2) ____________________ a good night's sleep is to make sure the bedroom is between 20-25º Celsius. The researchers are from Harvard University and the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research in the USA. They asked 50 people aged 65 and (3) ____________________ a sleep monitor for a year and a half. The researchers found that the quality of sleep (4) ____________________ room temperature was outside the 20-25-degree range. They also observed that 20ºC was the best temperature. The lead researcher said: "Sleep (5) ____________________ easier and is often deeper and more restful (6) ____________________ environment."

The research (7) ____________________ surprising information. It reported that temperature could affect sleep as much as experiencing pain or (8) ____________________ bedtime. The researchers found a 5-10 per cent drop in sleep quality when the temperature was lower than 20ºC or higher than 25ºC. They said poor sleep can (9) ____________________ issues. These include an inability to think clearly, (10) ____________________ higher levels of stress. Other problems include an increased chance of getting diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The researchers said people should create, "a more comfortable home environment" (11) ____________________. They also highlighted, "the potential impact of climate change on sleep (12) ____________________ adults".

Comprehension questions

  1. Who might sleep better in a room with the right temperature?
  2. What is the best temperature range in which to sleep?
  3. How many people took part in the research?
  4. For how long did the people wear a sleep monitor?
  5. What is the best temperature for a good night's sleep?
  6. What does the article say the research is full of?
  7. What does the article say poor sleep can lead to?
  8. What might poor sleep lead to higher levels of?
  9. What kind of diseases might we get if we do not sleep well?
  10. What environmental factor could possibly affect sleep quality?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who might sleep better in a room with the right temperature?
a) children
b) older adults
c) people in hot countries
d) people in cold countries
2) What is the best temperature range in which to sleep?
a) 20-30ºC
b) 15-25ºC
c) 15-30ºC
d) 20-25ºC
3) How many people took part in the research?
a) 50
b) 60
c) 65
d) 80
4) For how long did the people wear a sleep monitor?
a) 6 months
b) 24 months
c) 18 months
d) 10 months
5) What is the best temperature for a good night's sleep?
a) 19ºC
b) 20ºC
c) 21ºC
d) 22ºC

6) What does the article say the research is full of?
a) surprising information
b) facts
c) numbers and degrees
d) temperatures
7) What does the article say poor sleep can lead to?
a) a bad night's sleep
b) oversleeping
c) health issues
d) sleeping in
8) What might poor sleep lead to higher levels of?
a) stress
b) adrenalin
c) sleepiness
d) accidents
9) What kind of diseases might we get if we do not sleep well?
a) cardiovascular diseases
b) deadly diseases
c) uncurable diseases
d) curable diseases
10) What environmental factor could possibly affect sleep quality?
a) pollution
b) our pillow
c) noise
d) climate change

Role play

Role  A – Temperature
You think temperature is the best way to get a good night's sleep. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): music, counting sheep or reading.

Role  B – Music
You think music is the best way to get a good night's sleep. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): temperature, counting sheep or reading.

Role  C – Counting Sheep
You think counting sheep is the best way to get a good night's sleep. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): music, temperature or reading.

Role  D – Reading
You think reading is the best way to get a good night's sleep. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): music, counting sheep or temperature.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'sleeping'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'temperature'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • key
    • sure
    • asked
    • worsened
    • best
    • cooler
    • full
    • pain
    • lower
    • other
    • more
    • change

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Sleeping Temperature

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'sleeping'?
    3. How well do you sleep?
    4. Why is sleeping so important?
    5. What things might stop you from sleeping?
    6. At what temperature is it best to sleep?
    7. What advice do you have for people who cannot sleep?
    8. How hot or cold is your bedroom?
    9. What's the best number of hours to sleep each night?
    10. How differently do we sleep at different ages?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'temperature'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Have you ever tried to sleep while in pain?
    5. What do you do if it's too hot to sleep?
    6. What do you do it it's too cold to sleep?
    7. How does sleep affect stress?
    8. How could you make your bedroom better to sleep in?
    9. How might climate change affect sleep?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    The key for (1) ____ people to sleep well at night could be how hot or cold their room is. Researchers say the best way to get a good (2) ____ sleep is to make sure the bedroom is between 20-25º Celsius. The researchers are from Harvard University and the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research in the USA. They asked 50 people (3) ____ 65 and older to wear a sleep monitor for a year and a (4) ____. The researchers found that the quality of sleep worsened when the room temperature was outside the 20-25-degree (5) ____. They also observed that 20ºC was the best temperature. The lead researcher said: "Sleep tends to come easier and is often deeper and more restful (6) ____ a cooler environment."

    The research is full of surprising information. It reported that temperature could (7) ____ sleep as much as experiencing pain or drinking alcohol before bedtime. The researchers found a 5-10 per cent (8) ____ in sleep quality when the temperature was lower than 20ºC or higher than 25ºC. They said poor sleep can (9) ____ to health issues. These include an inability to think clearly, mood swings, and higher levels of stress. Other problems include an increased (10) ____ of getting diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The researchers said people should create, "a more (11) ____ home environment" to sleep well. They also highlighted, "the potential impact of climate change on sleep quality (12) ____ older adults".

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     older     (b)     olden     (c)     oldest     (d)     oldie    
    2. (a)     nightlife     (b)     night's     (c)     night     (d)     nights    
    3. (a)     aging     (b)     ages     (c)     aged     (d)     age    
    4. (a)     halves     (b)     halve     (c)     halfway     (d)     half    
    5. (a)     campaign     (b)     drive     (c)     range     (d)     effort    
    6. (a)     at     (b)     in     (c)     on     (d)     by    
    7. (a)     infect     (b)     affect     (c)     effect     (d)     reflect    
    8. (a)     tear     (b)     drop     (c)     gain     (d)     quality    
    9. (a)     far     (b)     up     (c)     lead     (d)     hurt    
    10. (a)     opportunity     (b)     win     (c)     problems     (d)     chance    
    11. (a)     comforting     (b)     comforted     (c)     comfort     (d)     comfortable    
    12. (a)     by     (b)     to     (c)     at     (d)     in

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Harvard iytviUsner
    2. wear a sleep rmnotoi
    3. the quality of sleep ensdwreo
    4. outside the 20-25-degree ganre
    5. They also sveerbdo that
    6. in a cooler intnvoemern

    Paragraph 2

    1. drinking oolahcl
    2. an ltniibayi to think clearly
    3. an increased chance of getting eibstaed
    4. a more mftabcloore home
    5. the einttpaol impact
    6. tlceami change

    Put the text back together

    (...)   to health issues. These include an inability to think clearly, mood swings, and higher levels of stress. Other problems
    (  1  )   The key for older people to sleep well at night could be how hot or cold their room
    (...)   researcher said: "Sleep tends to come easier and is often deeper and more restful in a cooler environment."
    (...)   The research is full of surprising information. It reported that temperature could affect sleep as
    (...)   20-25º Celsius. The researchers are from Harvard University and the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute
    (...)   for Aging Research in the USA. They asked 50 people aged 65 and older to wear a sleep monitor for a year
    (...)   highlighted, "the potential impact of climate change on sleep quality in older adults". 
    (...)   create, "a more comfortable home environment" to sleep well. They also
    (...)   much as experiencing pain or drinking alcohol before bedtime. The researchers found a 5-10 per cent drop in sleep
    (...)   outside the 20-25-degree range. They also observed that 20ºC was the best temperature. The lead
    (...)   and a half. The researchers found that the quality of sleep worsened when the room temperature was
    (...)   include an increased chance of getting diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The researchers said people should
    (...)   is. Researchers say the best way to get a good night's sleep is to make sure the bedroom is between
    (...)   quality when the temperature was lower than 20ºC or higher than 25ºC. They said poor sleep can lead

    Put the words in the right order

    1. well   .   for   The   people   to   older   sleep   key
    2. good   to   sleep   .   get   way   night's   The   a
    3. sleep   that   the   Researchers   worsened   .   of   found   quality
    4. best   was   They   observed   the   that   20ºC   temperature   .
    5. cooler   restful   in   Deeper   a   more   environment   .   and
    6. surprising   full   is   research   The   information   .   of
    7. sleep   .   temperature   affect   could   It   reported   that
    8. sleep   Poor   can   health   lead   to   issues   .
    9. include   an   increased   of   getting   diabetes   .   chance   Problems
    10. of   on   climate   change   impact   The   quality   .   sleep

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The key for older people to sleep good / well at night could be how hot or cold their room be / is. Researchers say the best way to do / get a good night's sleep is to make unsure / sure the bedroom is between 20-25º Celsius. The researchers are from / for Harvard University and the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research in the USA. They asked 50 people age / aged 65 and older to wear a sleep monitor for a year and / end a half. The researchers found that the quality of sleep worsened when the room temperature was outside the 20-25-degree ranger / range. They also observed that 20ºC was the best temperature. The lead / steel researcher said: "Sleep tends to come easier and is often deeper / deepen and more restful in a cooler environment."

    The research is fill / full of surprising information. It reported that temperature could affect / effect sleep as much as experiencing pained / pain or drinking alcohol before bedtime. The researchers found a 5-10 per cent drop / drip in sleep quality when the temperature was lower / allowed than 20ºC or higher than 25ºC. They said poor sleep can lead to healthy / health issues. These include an inability to think clearly, mood swings, and higher levels of stress. Other problems include an increased chance / change of getting diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The researchers said people should crate / create, "a more comfortable home environment" to sleep well. They also lowlighted / highlighted, "the potential impact of climate change on sleep quality in older / olden adults".

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    Th_  k_y  f_r  _ld_r  p__pl_  t_  sl__p  w_ll _t  n_ght  c__ld  b_  h_w  h_t  _r  c_ld  th__r  r__m  _s.  R_s__rch_rs  s_y  th_  b_st  w_y  t_  g_t _  g__d  n_ght's  sl__p  _s  t_  m_k_  s_r_  th_  b_dr__m  _s  b_tw__n  20-25º  C_ls__s.  Th_  r_s__rch_rs _r_  fr_m  H_rv_rd  _n_v_rs_ty _nd  th_  H_nd_ _nd _rth_r  M_rc_s  _nst_t_t_  f_r _g_ng  R_s__rch  _n  th_  _S_.  Th_y _sk_d  50  p__pl_ _g_d  65 _nd  _ld_r  t_  w__r _  sl__p  m_n_t_r  f_r _  y__r _nd _  h_lf.  Th_  r_s__rch_rs  f__nd  th_t  th_  q__l_ty  _f  sl__p  w_rs_n_d  wh_n  th_  r__m  t_mp_r_t_r_  w_s  __ts_d_  th_  20-25-d_gr__  r_ng_.  Th_y _ls_  _bs_rv_d  th_t  20ºC  w_s  th_  b_st  t_mp_r_t_r_.  Th_  l__d  r_s__rch_r  s__d:  "Sl__p  t_nds  t_  c_m_  __s__r _nd  _s  _ft_n  d__p_r _nd  m_r_  r_stf_l  _n _  c__l_r  _nv_r_nm_nt."

    Th_  r_s__rch  _s  f_ll  _f  s_rpr_s_ng  _nf_rm_t__n.  _t  r_p_rt_d  th_t  t_mp_r_t_r_  c__ld _ff_ct  sl__p _s  m_ch _s  _xp_r__nc_ng  p__n  _r  dr_nk_ng _lc_h_l  b_f_r_  b_dt_m_.  Th_  r_s__rch_rs  f__nd _  5-10  p_r  c_nt  dr_p  _n  sl__p  q__l_ty  wh_n  th_  t_mp_r_t_r_  w_s  l_w_r  th_n  20ºC  _r  h_gh_r  th_n  25ºC.  Th_y  s__d  p__r  sl__p  c_n  l__d  t_  h__lth  _ss__s.  Th_s_  _ncl_d_ _n  _n_b_l_ty  t_  th_nk  cl__rly,  m__d  sw_ngs, _nd  h_gh_r  l_v_ls  _f  str_ss.  _th_r  pr_bl_ms  _ncl_d_ _n  _ncr__s_d  ch_nc_  _f  g_tt_ng  d__b_t_s _nd  c_rd__v_sc_l_r  d_s__s_s.  Th_  r_s__rch_rs  s__d  p__pl_  sh__ld  cr__t_,  "_  m_r_  c_mf_rt_bl_  h_m_  _nv_r_nm_nt"  t_  sl__p  w_ll.  Th_y _ls_  h_ghl_ght_d,  "th_  p_t_nt__l  _mp_ct  _f  cl_m_t_  ch_ng_  _n  sl__p  q__l_ty  _n  _ld_r _d_lts".

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the key for older people to sleep well at night could be how hot or cold their room is researchers say the best way to get a good nights sleep is to make sure the bedroom is between 2025 celsius the researchers are from harvard university and the hinda and arthur marcus institute for aging research in the usa they asked 50 people aged 65 and older to wear a sleep monitor for a year and a half the researchers found that the quality of sleep worsened when the room temperature was outside the 2025degree range they also observed that 20c was the best temperature the lead researcher said sleep tends to come easier and is often deeper and more restful in a cooler environment

    the research is full of surprising information it reported that temperature could affect sleep as much as experiencing pain or drinking alcohol before bedtime the researchers found a 510 per cent drop in sleep quality when the temperature was lower than 20c or higher than 25c they said poor sleep can lead to health issues these include an inability to think clearly mood swings and higher levels of stress other problems include an increased chance of getting diabetes and cardiovascular diseases the researchers said people should create a more comfortable home environment to sleep well they also highlighted the potential impact of climate change on sleep quality in older adults

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Thekeyforolderpeopletosleepwellatnightcouldbehowhotorcoldtheirr
    oomis.Researcherssaythebestwaytogetagoodnight'ssleepistomake
    surethebedroomisbetween20-25ºCelsius.Theresearchersarefrom
    HarvardUniversityandtheHindaandArthurMarcusInstituteforAgingR
    esearchintheUSA.Theyasked50peopleaged65andoldertowearaslee
    pmonitorforayearandahalf.Theresearchersfoundthatthequalityofsle
    epworsenedwhentheroomtemperaturewasoutsidethe20-25-degre
    erange.Theyalsoobservedthat20ºCwasthebesttemperature.Thelea
    dresearchersaid:"Sleeptendstocomeeasierandisoftendeeperandmo
    rerestfulinacoolerenvironment."Theresearchisfullofsurprisinginfor
    mation.Itreportedthattemperaturecouldaffectsleepasmuchasexperi
    encingpainordrinkingalcoholbeforebedtime.Theresearchersfounda
    5-10percentdropinsleepqualitywhenthetemperaturewaslowertha
    n20ºCorhigherthan25ºC.Theysaidpoorsleepcanleadtohealthissues.
    Theseincludeaninabilitytothinkclearly,moodswings,andhigherlevels
    ofstress.Otherproblemsincludeanincreasedchanceofgettingdiabete
    sandcardiovasculardiseases.Theresearcherssaidpeopleshouldcreat
    e,"amorecomfortablehomeenvironment"tosleepwell.Theyalsohighli
    ghted,"thepotentialimpactofclimatechangeonsleepqualityinolderad
    ults".

    Free writing

    Write about sleeping temperature for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    We should all sleep early, for seven hours, in a 20ºC room. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. SLEEPING: Make a poster about sleeping. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. SLEEPING LESSONS: Write a magazine article about having sleeping lessons at school so students understand the importance of sleep. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on sleeping. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas for getting a good sleep. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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