🍌 Why Bananas, Kiwi, and Sleep Might Be the Secret to Your TOEIC Score
🗝 Before you read:
Look at the article title and image. What do you think this article will be about?
Think your diet and sleep have nothing to do with your TOEIC score? Think again.
New studies show that foods rich in magnesium (like bananas) and antioxidants (like kiwifruit) can help support short-term memory, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality — all of which directly impact learning.
Bananas are especially helpful before studying. They boost glucose levels in a slow, steady way — giving your brain sustained energy without a crash. Kiwi fruit, on the other hand, is one of the few fruits clinically shown to help improve sleep quality when eaten before bed. These two natural, low-effort choices can prepare your mind for both input (study time) and consolidation (sleep).
But nutrition is only half the picture. According to Accelerated Learning Technologies (ALT), memory isn't just about how many times you repeat something — it's about how well your brain is primed to absorb and store information. That means your sleep quality, stress levels, and nutrition matter as much as your flashcard app or grammar drills.
For example, ALT-based study cycles recommend reviewing difficult material right before bed — and ensuring at least 7 hours of sleep. This helps lock that information into long-term memory during the brain’s natural nightly consolidation process.
In short: Want to score higher? Feed your brain. Rest your body. Smart study starts before you open your textbook.
📋 Understanding meaning
How well do recall and understand?
What nutrient found in bananas helps memory and learning?
What specific benefit does kiwi fruit provide before bed?
Why is steady glucose important for study sessions?
What does ALT say about the role of sleep in memory?
When is the best time to review difficult material?
What does the article say about the connection between health and learning?
✍️ Part 5 – Incomplete Sentences
Instructions: Choose the best answer to complete each sentence.
1. Bananas and kiwi _____ to help improve memory and learning ability.
A. shown
B. shows
C. are shown
D. show
2. Many learners don’t realize that rest and nutrition play an _____ role in language learning.
A. essential
B. usual
C. optional
D. advanced
✍️ Part 7 – Reading Comprehension
Reading Passage
Many learners think studying harder is the key to success, but Accelerated Learning research shows that smarter preparation — including rest and nutrition — is more effective. Students who add brain-friendly foods and improve their sleep routines tend to perform better on timed tests. These students also show better recall of vocabulary and fewer careless mistakes.
ALT coaches recommend reviewing difficult content close to bedtime, allowing sleep to strengthen those memories overnight. A balanced approach that includes physical health, not just study repetition, produces better long-term outcomes — both in test scores and confidence.
Questions
1. What is the main idea of the reading?
A. TOEIC is easier with flashcards.
B. Sleep and food can improve test scores.
C. Students should never eat before a test.
D. Grammar is more important than anything else.
2. What result is linked to better sleep and nutrition?
A. More panic during the test.
B. Fewer vocabulary questions.
C. Better memory and fewer mistakes.
D. Less time spent reading.
3. What is the benefit of reviewing content before sleeping?
A. It makes the test feel easier.
B. It helps consolidate memory overnight.
C. It allows the brain to skip information.
D. It improves grammar automatically.
4. What does ALT coaching emphasize beyond test practice?
A. Physical and mental preparation
B. Taking multiple exams
C. Speed and guessing
D. Studying at night only
🧠 Building Vocabulary
Match the meaning word
✍️ Part 6 – Text Completition
Instructions: Choose the sentence that best fits the blank in the message.
Email #1
Subject: Study Prep Tips
Hey team,
Before your next TOEIC practice test, make sure you’re getting enough sleep and eating well.
[ ]
If your brain isn’t rested and fueled, the practice won’t stick.
Best,
Yuko
🅐 Studying grammar every night is more important than eating fruit.
🅑 This includes adding foods like bananas and kiwis to your daily routine.
🅒 Practice tests alone are not useful.
🅓 You don’t need sleep to do well.
Email #2
Subject: Final Review Plan
Hi Ken,
Let’s go over the final vocabulary list after class.
[ ]
It might help your brain remember them more easily the next day.
Best,
Chloe
🅐 Try reviewing right before sleep.
🅑 Avoid learning any new words.
🅒 You should cancel tomorrow’s lesson.
🅓 Let’s skip that part for now.
🧠 Self-Reflection
The most important step in any lesson is not just completing the task, but making meaning from it. Take 2–3 minutes to reflect on your learning today. You don’t need perfect answers — just honest ones. This is how high performers grow.✍️ Write in a notebook, type below, or say it aloud — what matters is doing it.
What did I understand better after reading this article?
What mistakes or surprises helped me learn?
🧩 What new words or phrases did I discover?
🔁 How can I use these words in the next 7 days to help remember them?
What is one action I will take tomorrow to improve my TOEIC skills?
