For centuries, people have advised those facing difficult choices to “sleep on it”. But is there scientific evidence to support this intuition? A growing body of research suggests that sleep plays a crucial role in complex decision-making, particularly when it involves integrating multiple pieces of information.
Dr. Rebecca Klein, a neuroscientist at the University of Lübeck, conducted a landmark study in which participants were asked to learn a complex card game with hidden rules. After a period of training, one group slept for eight hours, while another group stayed awake. The following day, the sleep group was twice as likely to have deduced the underlying pattern, even though they could not explicitly state the rule. Klein argues that sleep allows the brain to reorganise information, extracting meaning from raw data without conscious awareness. This process, known as “implicit learning”, is particularly active during slow-wave and REM sleep.
Urban gardening has seen a remarkable (17) ________ in recent years. Once considered a minor hobby, it is now a major (18) ________ movement in many cities. The benefits extend beyond fresh produce; green spaces improve mental well-being and foster a sense of (19) ________ among residents. Some cities have introduced (20) ________ policies to encourage rooftop and balcony planting. However, (21) ________ remain, such as limited space and soil contamination. Innovative solutions, including vertical gardens and hydroponics, offer a (22) ________ future for city farming. Community-led projects have proven particularly (23) ________ in reducing food deserts. With continued investment, urban agriculture could become a (24) ________ feature of sustainable cities. cambridge c1 test example
One key advantage is metalinguistic awareness—the ability to think about language as a system. (42) ____
Adults also benefit from a richer vocabulary in their first language, which helps them guess meanings in a new language more efficiently. (43) ____ For centuries, people have advised those facing difficult
A powerful call to action. Unlike many environmental documentaries, this one focuses on economic incentives for recycling, which I found refreshing. My only criticism is the overly dramatic narration.
17 growth 18 significant 19 community 20 innovative 21 obstacles 22 promising 23 effective 24 permanent The following day, the sleep group was twice
9 that 10 which 11 Although/Though 12 each/per 13 off 14 It 15 from 16 but
It is now widely accepted (9) ____ excessive smartphone use can have negative effects on mental health. Many people find themselves checking their phones repeatedly, even when there is no notification. This behaviour, (10) ____ is often compared to a compulsion, can disrupt sleep patterns and reduce productivity. (11) ____ the problem is recognised, few individuals take active steps to reduce their screen time. Experts suggest setting aside specific times (12) ____ day when phones are put away. Another strategy is to turn (13) ____ non-essential notifications, so that the device demands less attention. (14) ____ is important to note, however, that not all screen time is harmful; using a phone for work or meaningful communication differs significantly (15) ____ mindless scrolling. Ultimately, the goal is not to abandon technology (16) ____ to use it more intentionally. For questions 17–24, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some lines to form a word that fits in the gap.