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]