What Is Yawning?

Jennifer

Reading — Intermediate Level
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Activity

Read the text and answer the questions.

A yawn is a reflex consisting of the simultaneous inhalation of air and the stretching of the eardrums, followed by an exhalation of breath.

Yawning or oscitation most often occurs in adults immediately before and after sleep, during tedious activities and as a result of its contagious quality. It is commonly associated with tiredness, stress, sleepiness, boredom, or even hunger. In humans, yawning is often triggered by the perception that others are yawning . This is a typical example of positive feedback. This contagious yawning has also been observed in chimpanzees, dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles and can occur between members of different species. Approximately twenty psychological reasons for yawning have been proposed by scholars but there is little agreement on the primacy of any one.

During a yawn the tensor tympani muscle in the middle ear contracts. This creates a rumbling noise perceived as coming from within the head; however, the noise is due to the mechanical disturbance of the hearing apparatus and is not generated by the motion of air. Yawning is sometimes accompanied, in humans and other animals, by an instinctive act of stretching several parts of the body including the arms, neck, shoulders and back.

Source: Wikipedia
  1. Which naturally accompanies yawning?
  2. Who normally yawns ?
  3. Why is yawning contagious?
  4. Which is more likely to cause yawning?
  5. What part of the body is primarily affected by yawning?
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Discussion

Practice your writing skills by discussing the questions below

  1. When do you usually yawn?
  2. How do you feel after yawning?
  3. Is yawning good? Why? Why not?
    Jennifer

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