Read the following passage about night shift workers and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to...

Read the following passage about night shift workers and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

[I] Shift work involves individuals working at various time throughout a 24-hour period, ensuring that there is always someone available to do the job. [II] Historically, shift work dates back to ancient times when guards protected cities and nomadic groups and members stay awake to safeguard against dangers. [III] Generally, only a few of them took turns staying awake to protect their groups, but this changed significantly during the 19th century. [IV]

In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution marked a turning point in history, with large factories and complex machinery requiring constant operation to maximise productivity and meet the growing demand for good. Workers were divided into dayshifts and night shifts. The 20th century saw a further rise in shift work due to rapid economic growth and increased demand for energy, healthcare and transportation, nurses, for instance, worked overnight to care for patients, while train and lorry drivers transported goods during the night. In addition, the introduction of electric lighting further facilitated night work, allowing factories to operate efficiently around the clock.

However, working night shifts presents challenges. While some people are night owls, most struggle with disrupted sleep patterns, leading to a variety of health issues. Several night shift workers have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke and even mental health disorders. Irregular hours can also affect family life and social relationships and young people find it challenging to balance their shift work with their studies.

To deal with those issues, many companies have introduced certain rules that require employees to take breaks regularly or work on flexible schedules. To illustrate, in some nations, night-shift drivers are not allowed to drive over four hours continuously. Besides, night-shift workers are encouraged to do physical exercises and deep breathing exercised to reduce the risk of health issues.

To ensure round-the-clock operation and uninterrupted service delivery in numerous sectors, night shift work is indispensable. However, this type of work is associated with substantial health risks and social isolation, both of which can have detrimental effects on workers’ mental and physical health. Consequently, companies and their night shift workers must follow necessary regulations to mitigate those risks.  

(Adapted from I learn smart world)

Question 31: Where in paragraph 1 does the following sentence best fit?

Night shift workers with their tireless efforts, have become indispensable to the global economy ever since.

A. [I]                        B. [II]                                C. [III]                                D. [IV]

Question 32: The word “them” in paragraph 1 refers to ____________.

A. nomadic groups        B. dangers                        C. group members                D. cities

Question 33: The word “facilitated” in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. encouraged                B. assisted                        C. ended                        D. prevented

Question 34: According to paragraph 2, which of the following is NOT a job that requires night shifts?

A. factory workers        B. train mechanics                C. nurses                        D. lorry drivers

Question 35: The phrase “night owls” in paragraph 3 could be best replaced by ____________.

A. those who have no difficulty sleeping at night        B. those who rarely work night shifts

C. those who enjoy staying up through the night        D. those who are obligated to work all night

Question 36: Which of the following best summarises paragraph 3?

A. Night-shift workers played a key role in the Industrial revolution in the 19th century.

B. Electric lighting contributed to the increasing role of night-shift workers.

C. The rise of new factories required new types of work schedules in the 19th and 20th centuries.

D. Economic expansion and technological advancements in the 19th century led to a higher demand for shift work.

Question 37: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Nigh-shifts first stared during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century.

B. Shift work first became more common because more employees were needed to supervise machines.

C. It is not compulsory for night-shift drivers to drive longer than four hours non-stop

D. Type 2 diabetes is the most common health condition in night-shift workers.

Question 38:  Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 5?

A. to maintain 24/7 operations and ensure uninterrupted services in many sectors, night shift work is crucial

B. Night shift work is essential in jobs related to maintenance and service delivery in different industries.

C. 24/7 operations and services in many sectors are crucial for night shift workers.

D. Night shift work has the most contributions to maintain 24/7 operations and services.

Question 39: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. There are certain rules that ensure the effectiveness of shift work.

B. Shift work doesn’t allow employees to work efficiently.

C. Shift work is very common in all age groups.

D. the night shift is among the most common causes of sleep problems.

Question 40:  Which of the following best summarises the passage?

A. Shift work has become increasingly important since the Industrial Revolution, but it comes with significant health issues and social drawbacks.

B. To deal with the drawbacks of shift work, employers and employees must implement strategies like regular breaks, flexible scheduling and healthy lifestyle practices.

C. Although shift work is essential for maintaining 24/7 operations, it disrupts natural sleep patterns, leading to various health issues, including cardiovascular problems and diabetes.

D.  Shift work, a modern phenomenon, has revolutionized the world’s economy, but it caused severe issues in many industries.