The Lack of Sleep - IELTS Reading Answers
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Explore detailed answers and explanations for the IELTS Reading passage “The Lack of Sleep”, including matching headings and True/False/Not Given questions, to improve reading comprehension, speed, and exam confidence.
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This article provides the answers and explanations for the IELTS Reading passage “The Lack of Sleep.” In this practice passage, candidates are tested on their ability to locate information, understand key ideas, and interpret details through question types such as True/False/Not Given, matching information, and summary completion.
By reviewing the answers and explanations provided below, you can learn effective strategies to identify keywords, manage your time, and improve accuracy in the IELTS Reading test. Practising with this passage will help you build confidence, enhance comprehension skills, and perform better on the actual exam. The IELTS reading passage, The lack of sleep consist the following question type,
- Matching Information
- True/False/Not Given
Matching Information
The matching information question has a list that contains information taken from the paragraphs. In this kind of question, the test-taker is required to match statements to paragraphs in the reading text. Sometimes the question might be tricky because the information given will be paraphrased. Therefore, the test-taker should read the paragraph to understand the idea behind it to answer the question.
True/False/Not Given
In the True/False/Not Given type of questions, there will be a list of facts, wherein the test-taker has to decide if the facts (statement) are true or false or Not Given. The test-taker should write true, If the statement agrees with the information, write false, if the statement disagrees with the information, and write Not Given, if there’s no information related to the statement.
Read the passage below and answer questions 28 – 40. Beyond the questions, you will find the answers along with the location of the answers in the passage and the keywords that help you find out the answers.
The Lack of Sleep - IELTS Reading Passage
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13, which are based on the Reading Passage below.
Section A
It is estimated that the average man or woman needs between seven-and-a-half and eight hours' sleep a night. Some can manage on a lot less. Baroness Thatcher, for example, was reported to be able to get by on four hours' sleep a night when she was Prime Minister of Britain. Dr Jill Wilkinson, senior lecturer in psychology at Surrey University and co-author of 'Psychology in Counselling and Therapeutic Practice', states that healthy individuals sleeping less than five hours or even as little as two hours in every 24 hours are rare, but represent a sizeable minority.
Section B
The latest beliefs are that the main purposes of sleep are to enable the body to rest and replenish, allowing time for repairs to take place and for tissue to be regenerated. One supporting piece of evidence for this rest-and¬repair theory is that production of the growth hormone somatotropin, which helps tissue to regenerate, peaks while we are asleep. Lack of sleep, however, can compromise the immune system, muddle thinking, cause depression, promote anxiety and encourage irritability.
Section C
Researchers in San Diego deprived a group of men of sleep between Sam and lam on just one night, and found that levels of their bodies' natural defences against viral infections had fallen significantly when measured the following morning. 'Sleep is essential for our physical and emotional well-being and there are few aspects of daily living that are not disrupted by the lack of it', says Professor William Regelson of Virginia University, a specialist in insomnia. 'Because it can seriously undermine the functioning of the immune system, sufferers are vulnerable to infection.'
Section D
For many people, lack of sleep is rarely a matter of choice. Some have problems getting to sleep, others with staying asleep until the morning. Despite popular belief that sleep is one long event, research shows that, in an average night, there are five stages of sleep and four cycles, during which the sequence of stages is repeated. In the first light phase, the heart rate and blood pressure go down and the muscles relax. In the next two stages, sleep gets progressively deeper. In stage four, usually reached after an hour, the slumber is so deep that, if awoken, the sleeper would be confused and disorientated. It is in this phase that sleep-walking can occur, with an average episode lasting no more than 15 minutes. In the fifth stage, the rapid eye movement (REM) stage, the heartbeat quickly gets back to normal levels, brain activity accelerates to daytime heights and above and the eyes move constantly beneath closed lids as if the sleeper is looking at something. During this stage, the body is almost paralysed. This REM phase is also the time when we dream.
Section E
Sleeping patterns change with age, which is why many people over 60 develop insomnia. In America, that age group consumes almost half the sleep medication on the market. One theory for the age-related change is that it is due to hormonal changes. The temperature rise occurs at daybreak in the young, but at three or four in the morning in the elderly. Age aside, it is estimated that roughly one in three people suffer some kind of sleep disturbance. Causes can be anything from pregnancy and stress to alcohol and heart disease. Smoking is a known handicap to sleep, with one survey showing that ex-smokers got to sleep in 18 minutes rather than their earlier average of 52 minutes.
Section F
Apart from self-help therapy such as regular exercise, there are psychological treatments, including relaxation training and therapy aimed at getting rid of pre-sleep worries and anxieties. There is also sleep reduction therapy, where the aim is to improve sleep quality by strictly regulating the time people go to bed and when they get up. Medication is regarded by many as a last resort and often takes the form of sleeping pills, normally benzodiazepines, which are minor tranquillizers.
Section G
Professor Regelson advocates the use of melatonin for treating sleep disorders. Melatonin is a naturally secreted hormone, located in the pineal gland deep inside the brain. The main function of the hormone is to control the body's biological clock, so we know when to sleep and when to wake. The gland detects light reaching it through the eye; when there is no light, it secretes the melatonin into the bloodstream, lowering the body temperature and helping to induce sleep. Melatonin pills contain a synthetic version of the hormone and are commonly used for jet lag as well as for sleep disturbance. John Nicholls, sales manager of one of America's largest health food shops, claims that sales of the pill have increased dramatically. He explains that it is sold in capsules, tablets, lozenges and mixed with herbs. It is not. effective for all insomniacs, but many users have weaned themselves off sleeping tablets as a result of its application.
The Lack of Sleep - IELTS Reading Questions
Questions 28-35
The passage has seven sections labelled A-G.
Which section contains the following information?
Write the correct letter A-G in boxes 28-35 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
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The different amounts of sleep that people require.
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An investigation into the results of sleep deprivation.
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Some reasons why people may suffer from sleep disorders.
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Lifestyle changes which can help overcome sleep-related problems.
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A process by which sleep helps us to remain mentally and physically healthy.
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Claims about a commercialised man-made product for sleeplessness.
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The role of physical changes in sleeping habits.
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The processes involved during sleep.
Questions 36-40
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?
In boxes 36-40 on your answer sheet, 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
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Sleep can cure some illnesses.
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The various stages of sleep occur more than once a night.
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Dreaming and sleep-walking occur at similar stages of sleep.
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Sleepers move around a lot during the REM stage of sleep.
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The body temperature rises relatively early in elderly people.
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The Lack of Sleep - IELTS Reading Answers
Let’s now review the answers to the questions from the passage in the reading section, The Lack of Sleep - IELTS Reading Answers, and assess your improvement for a high IELTS Reading band score.
28 Answer: A
Question type: Matching Information
Answer location: Section A
Answer explanation: The statement is supported by Section A, which mentions that the average man or woman needs between seven and a half and eight hours sleep a night. The last line in the same section demonstrates that healthy individuals sleeping less than five hours or even two hours every 24 hours are rare but represent a sizeable minority. These sentences suggest that people require different amounts of sleep. Thus, the answer is A.
29 Answer: C
Question type: Matching Information
Answer location: Section C
Answer explanation: We can find the keyword, “Deprived” in Section C, where it is described that a group of researchers in San Diego deprived a group of men of sleep between Sam and lam on just one night, and found that levels of their bodies natural defenses against viral infections had fallen significantly when measured the following morning. So, we understand that San Diego researchers found the effects of sleep deprivation in just one night. Hence, the relevant answer is C.
30 Answer: E
Question type: Matching Information
Answer location: Section E, line 6
Answer explanation: We find reference in the sixth line of section E, where it is quoted as, “Age aside, it is estimated that roughly one in three people suffer some kind of sleep disturbance. Causes can be anything from pregnancy, stress to alcohol, and heart disease.”
These quoted lines suggest that according to estimation, one in three people suffer some kind of sleep disturbance, with pregnancy, stress from alcohol, and heart disease being the most common causes. Here, sleep disturbance means sleep disorders. Thus, the information matches with the statement, so, the answer is E.
31 Answer: F
Question type: Matching Information
Answer location: Section F
Answer explanation: We can find traces for the statement in Section F, where it is mentioned that apart from self-help therapy such as regular exercise, there are psychological treatments, including relaxation training and therapy aimed at getting rid of pre-sleep worries and anxieties. There is also sleep reduction therapy where the aim is to improve sleep quality by strictly regulating the time people go to bed and when they get up.
These lines indicate some lifestyle changes like regular exercise, relaxation training, and sleep reduction therapy help overcome sleep-related problems. Thus, the statement matches with the information in Section F. So, the answer is F.
32 Answer: B
Question type: Matching Information
Answer location: Section B
Answer explanation: The introductory line in Section B states the primary purpose of sleep is to enable the body to rest and replenish, allowing time for repairs to take place and for tissue to be regenerated. Section B also illustrates the process of rest and repair therapy, wherein the production of the growth hormone somatotropin that helps tissue to regenerate, peaks while we are asleep. This also helps an individual to remain mentally and physically fit. Thus, the statement agrees with the information in Section F, so the answer is F.
33 Answer: G
Question type: Matching Information
Answer location: Section G, line 8
Answer explanation: We can track information for the statement in the eighth line of paragraph G, where it is mentioned that Melatonin pills contain a synthetic version of the hormone and are commonly used for jet lag and sleep disturbance. John Nicholls, sales manager of one of America’s largest health food shops, claims that sales of the pill have increased dramatically as it is sold in capsules, tablets, lozenges, and mixed with herbs.
We understand that melatonin pills are man-made pills used for sleep disturbances, and in recent times, the pills were sold in capsules, tablets, lozenges, and mixed with herbs. Thus, the statement matches the information in Section G, so the answer is G.
34 Answer: E
Question type: Matching Information
Answer location: Section E
Answer explanation: We can track the reference in section E, where the introductory line illustrates the change of sleeping patterns with age, where people over 60 experience insomnia. Most age groups in America consume half of the sleep medication, and one theory for the age-related change is due to hormonal changes. The temperature rise occurs at daybreak in the young, but at three or four in the morning in the elderly. As a result, hormonal changes are the physical changes affecting the sleeping patterns. Thus, theinformation matches with the statement, so the answer is G.
35 Answer: D
Question type: Matching Information
Answer location: Section D
Answer explanation: Section D hints at the given statement, where it is mentioned that lack of sleep is merely a matter of choice for many people as some have problems getting to sleep, while others stay asleep until the morning. However, according to the research, there are five stages of sleep and four cycles, during which the sequence of stages is repeated in an average night. Thus, we deduce from these lines that the process involved during sleep includes five stages of sleep and four cycles. So, the answer is D.
36 Answer: Not Given
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Answer location: –
Answer explanation: We find no information when we scan the reading passage for the keyword “Cure” and “some illness.” However, the reading passage depicts the role of sleep in our physical and mental health and so on. There’s no information regarding whether sleep can cure some illnesses. Thus, the answer is Not Given.
37 Answer: True
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Answer location: Section D
Answer explanation: We can find traces of the statement in Section D, which illustrates that according to the research, in an average night, there are five stages of sleep and four cycles, during which the sequence of stages is repeated. Thus we understand that five stages and four cycles of sleep occur more than once. So, the answer is True.
38 Answer: False
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Answer location: Section D, line 10
Answer explanation: We can track the supporting information for the statement in the tenth line of section D, where it is mentioned in stage 4 sleep is the deepest, which generally takes an hour, and in this phase, sleep-walking might occur with no more than 15 minutes. In contrast, the 5th stage, the rapid eye movement (REM) stage, is where the heartbeat quickly gets back to normal levels, brain activity accelerates to daytime heights and above, and the eyes move constantly beneath closed lids as if the sleeper is looking at something which can be a dream.
Therefore, we can deduce that sleepwalking occurs in the 4th stage, whereas dreaming in the 5th stage. So, the information contradicts the statement; the answer is False.
39 Answer: False
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Answer location: Section D, 2nd paragraph
Answer explanation: We find the keyword “REM” in the 2nd paragraph of section D, which illustrates the fifth stage, the rapid eye movement (REM) stage, where the heartbeat reaches to normal levels, brain activity speeds up to daytime heights and above, and the eyes move constantly beneath closed lids as if the sleeper is looking at something. In the REM stage, the body is paralyzed, which means the body stops functioning and moving. Thus, the information contradicts the statement, so the answer is False.
40 Answer: True
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Answer location: Section E, line 5
Answer explanation: We can track the information for the statement in the fifth line in Section E, where it is mentioned that the temperature rise occurs at daybreak in the young, but in the elderly, it usually occurs at three or four in the morning. Thus, the information agrees with the statement, so the answer is True.
Tips to Ace The Lack of Sleep - IELTS Reading Answers
Let us check out some quick IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+ to answer the types of questions in the Reading Answers.
Tips for Matching Information / Headings
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Scan for Keywords: Identify the keywords in the question and look for synonyms or paraphrased versions in the passage. Authors rarely use the exact words.
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Understand the Main Idea: Read the first and last sentences of each paragraph carefully—they often summarize the main idea needed for matching.
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Eliminate Wrong Options: Rule out headings that are clearly unrelated to the paragraph’s main topic before making your final choice.
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Look for Specific Details: Some headings may refer to examples, causes, or effects. Make sure the heading matches the paragraph’s focus, not just a minor detail.
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Be Flexible with Repetition: Some headings can be used for more than one paragraph. Don’t assume each heading is used only once.
Tips for True/False/Not Given Questions
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Focus on Exact Meaning: Compare the statement with the passage carefully. Check if it exactly agrees (True), contradicts (False), or is not mentioned (Not Given).
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Watch for Qualifiers: Words like some, always, never, usually can change the meaning. A statement with a qualifier may be False even if part of it appears in the text.
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Don’t Assume: Only use the information in the passage. Don’t rely on your own knowledge or opinions.
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Use Synonyms and Paraphrases: The text may not repeat the statement verbatim. Look for reworded versions of key terms.
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Double-Check Negatives: Be careful with negatives like not, rarely, few. They often trick candidates into choosing the wrong answer.
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The passage “The Lack of Sleep” helps IELTS candidates practise key reading skills such as identifying specific information, matching headings, and evaluating statements. By reviewing the answers and explanations, you can improve your ability to locate keywords, understand paragraph structure, and distinguish between True, False, and Not Given statements. Regular practice with such passages enhances reading speed, accuracy, and confidence for the IELTS Academic Reading test.
Keep practising with more IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests and answers on IELTSMaterial.com to improve your speed, accuracy, and overall performance.
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