Dreams: Multiple Choice Vocabulary Test

Have you ever (1)________ why we dream? It seems such an easy question, but it is very difficult to answer. Most scientists agree that we don't yet know what purpose dreams (2)________. Given the amount of time we spend in a dreaming (3)________, this may at first seem baffling. However it isn't really surprising when we consider that science is still (4)________ the exact purpose and function of sleep itself. Scientists, have put forward a number of theories as to why we dream, but as yet no (5)________ consensus has emerge. Some experts are of the opinion that in all likelihood dreaming has no real purpose. They maintain that sleep probably has a biological function (allowing the body and brain to recuperate), but that dreaming is merely a mental (6)________, nothing but a sequence of images and feelings experienced (7)________ sleeping. "Other scientists, on the other hand, believe that dreaming is essential to mental, emotional and physical well-being. They suggest that dreams are (8)________ triggered by the feelings we experience while we are awake, such as fear, anger or love. This is why dreams are more frequent and intense following powerful emotional experiences, especially stressful or traumatic ones. According to this theory, such dreams allow the mind to make sense of the emotional experiences, (9)________ suggests that they help us both to reduce the distress caused by the trauma, and to cope better if further traumatic or stressful events (10) _____.