15. What does the passage suggest about waking in the middle of the night?
Answer: A
Waking in the middle of the night may be a natural part of human sleep patterns.
The passage suggests that waking during the night is not necessarily a sign of sleep disturbance but may instead be a natural aspect of human sleep. Historical evidence indicates that people have experienced two distinct sleep periods, which implies that such waking is not uncommon or undesirable.
A) It may be a natural part of human sleep patterns
This option is correct, as the passage outlines research indicating that humans may naturally experience two sleep phases with periods of wakefulness in between. The findings from the 2015 study and historical references support the notion that waking at night was once considered normal and even beneficial.
B) It always indicates a serious sleep disorder
This option is incorrect. The passage argues against the idea that waking at night signifies a serious sleep disorder. Instead, it posits that this interruption can be a natural occurrence rather than a sign of a problem.
C) It results from drinking too much coffee
This option is also incorrect. The passage does not mention caffeine or coffee as a cause of waking during the night. Instead, it emphasizes the natural aspects of sleep patterns, suggesting that other factors may be at play.
D) It is unique to modern industrial societies
This option is incorrect. The passage provides historical context that shows waking in the middle of the night was common in earlier societies, thus indicating that it is not a phenomenon exclusive to modern industrial societies.
Conclusion
The correct answer, that waking in the middle of the night may be a natural part of human sleep patterns, is supported by historical evidence and modern research suggesting a two-phase sleep cycle. Other options fail because they either misinterpret the nature of nighttime awakenings or incorrectly link them to modern lifestyle factors. This reinforces the idea that these awakenings could be part of our innate sleep behavior, rather than a disorder or a result of contemporary living.