Jet Lag study: smart drug
TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE
2/12/2026
WARM-UP
Answer briefly. No overthinking.
Have you ever experienced jet lag?
Do you travel across time zones often?
Do you sleep well on planes?
VOCABULARY
ESSENTIAL (A1–B1)
internal – happening inside the body or system
Example: Your internal clock controls sleep.
dose – an amount of medicine taken at one time
Example: She took one dose before bed.
activate – to make something start working
Example: The alarm will activate automatically.
gene – part of DNA that controls characteristics
Example: A gene can influence eye color.
prototype – an early version of something new
Example: The company built a prototype of the device.
DEVELOPED (B2–C2)
simulated – created to imitate real conditions
Example: The astronauts trained in a simulated space environment.
circadian rhythm – the body’s natural 24-hour sleep-wake cycle
Example: Travel can disrupt your circadian rhythm.
sleep-wake cycle – the pattern of sleeping and waking
Example: Shift work affects the sleep-wake cycle.
experimental drug – a new medicine still being tested
Example: The experimental drug showed promising results.
advance the body clock – to move the internal time forward
Example: Light exposure can advance the body clock.
READING
INTRODUCTION
Jet lag disrupts the body’s internal clock. Scientists may have developed a new experimental drug that can help reset the circadian rhythm more quickly.
ARTICLE (ALL LEVELS)
Jet lag happens when your internal clock does not match the local time after traveling across time zones.
Scientists tested a new drug on mice with simulated jet lag. Just one dose helped them recover faster.
DEVELOPED ARTICLE (B1–C2)
The drug works by activating a specific gene called Per1, which helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.
When researchers activated this gene, the mice’s body clocks moved forward by two hours.
Because the drug can reliably advance the body clock, scientists say it could become a prototype treatment for jet lag and even sleep problems caused by shift work.
However, more research is needed before the experimental drug can be tested on humans.
COMPREHENSION CHECK
A1–A2
What does your internal clock control?
How many doses were given to the mice?
Did the drug help the mice recover faster?
B1–B2
What is the circadian rhythm?
How does the drug activate the gene?
Why are eastward flights harder for jet lag?
C1–C2
Why is moving the body clock forward more difficult than backward?
What are the limitations of testing on simulated jet lag in mice?
Why is this drug described as a prototype?
SPEAKING
A1–A2 — FOUNDATION
Language Support:
“I feel…”
“I usually…”
“It helps me…”
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
Have you experienced jet lag?
Do you sleep easily on planes?
Do you take medicine when traveling?
Do you prefer morning or night flights?
Does travel affect your mood?
Do you have a regular sleep-wake cycle?
Do you wake up easily?
Have you ever taken a sleeping pill?
Do you drink coffee to stay awake?
Do you feel tired after long trips?
Do you use earplugs on planes?
Do you travel often?
Do you adjust quickly to new time zones?
Do you follow a bedtime routine?
Do you think your internal clock is strong?
B1–B2 — EXPANSION
Language Support:
“In my opinion…”
“I believe that…”
“One reason is…”
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
Would you take an experimental drug for jet lag?
How do you usually recover from travel fatigue?
Should such drugs be widely available?
Can technology improve sleep quality?
How does shift work affect the circadian rhythm?
Is one dose enough for most medicines?
Do you trust medical research on animals?
What affects your energy levels most?
Should airlines help reduce jet lag?
Can light exposure activate alertness naturally?
Do you track your sleep?
Is jet lag worse when traveling east or west for you?
How long does recovery usually take?
Would business travelers benefit most?
Should sleep health receive more attention?
C1–C2 — DEPTH & REFLECTION
Language Support:
“This suggests that…”
“One implication is…”
“From a biological perspective…”
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
What ethical issues surround gene-targeting drugs?
Should sleep be medically regulated?
How reliable are results from simulated experiments?
Could frequent use of such drugs affect long-term health?
How does modern travel challenge human biology?
Should governments regulate “smart drugs”?
How might this research help shift workers?
Could manipulating a gene have unintended effects?
How does globalization increase sleep disruption?
Is productivity valued more than health in travel culture?
Should companies support employees’ sleep recovery?
Can natural methods replace medication?
How does sleep affect mental health?
Could this prototype drug change international business travel?
What does this research reveal about the power of genetics?
