Rhode Island: Distractions, drowsiness and emotions — Part 3 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “What are short bursts of sleep lasting only a few seconds called?” · “Which driver does the manual describe as more likely to fall asleep while driving?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Rhode Island Driver’s Manual" (April 2024), Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
All 19 questions in this practice test
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What are short bursts of sleep lasting only a few seconds called?
- Sleep apnea
- Narcolepsy
- Circadian lows
- Microsleeps
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Correct answer: Microsleeps
The manual calls short bursts of sleep lasting a few seconds microsleeps.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 20
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Drivers may underestimate their drowsiness and stay behind the wheel instead of stopping for what length of rest?
- 15 to 20 minutes
- 2 to 5 minutes
- 30 to 45 minutes
- 1 hour
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Correct answer: 15 to 20 minutes
The manual, citing the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, says drivers skip a rest of about 15 to 20 minutes.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 20
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What does the manual say about driving while drowsy and continued driving?
- It is a mild form of impairment that improves after the first hour of driving
- It improves once the windows are opened and fresh air comes in
- It is a dangerous form of impairment that does not improve with continued driving
- It improves if the radio is turned up and the driver sings along
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Correct answer: It is a dangerous form of impairment that does not improve with continued driving
Drowsiness does not get better by driving on; rest is what helps.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 20
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Sleep apnea is described in the manual as what?
- The inability to remain awake, even during the daytime
- Stoppage of breathing due to soft-tissue blockage of the airway
- Short bursts of sleep that last only a few seconds at a time
- The pattern of energy throughout a 24-hour period
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Correct answer: Stoppage of breathing due to soft-tissue blockage of the airway
The manual defines sleep apnea as stoppage of breathing caused by soft-tissue blockage of the airway.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 20
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Narcolepsy is described in the manual as what?
- Stoppage of breathing during sleep
- A short burst of sleep lasting a few seconds
- A pattern of low energy in the afternoon
- The inability to remain awake
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Correct answer: The inability to remain awake
The manual defines narcolepsy as the inability to remain awake.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 20
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If you often have difficulty sleeping at night, experience frequent daytime drowsiness, or snore every night, what does the manual say to do?
- Consult your physician
- Limit yourself to short trips
- Drive only at night
- Wait for the symptoms to pass
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Correct answer: Consult your physician
These can be signs of a sleep disorder, and the manual says to consult your physician.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21
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Most people experience “lows” in alertness between midnight and 6 a.m. and again between approximately what times?
- 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
- Noon and 2 p.m.
- 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
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Correct answer: 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The manual says most people have lows from midnight to 6 a.m. and from about 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21
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What is the body’s “circadian rhythm”?
- A short burst of sleep lasting a few seconds
- The pattern of energy throughout a 24-hour period
- The inability to remain awake
- The tiredness felt after a large meal
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Correct answer: The pattern of energy throughout a 24-hour period
The manual defines it as the pattern of energy through a 24-hour period.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21
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Which driver does the manual describe as more likely to fall asleep while driving?
- One who slept a full night and is on a short local trip
- One who drives mid-morning after a full night's sleep
- One who works late-night or early-morning shifts
- One who shares the driving with a companion driver
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Correct answer: One who works late-night or early-morning shifts
Shift workers are at increased risk of falling asleep at the wheel.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21
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Rotating-shift workers and people working more than how many hours a week need to be particularly careful about drowsy driving?
- 40 hours
- 60 hours
- 50 hours
- 80 hours
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Correct answer: 60 hours
The manual says rotating-shift workers and people working over 60 hours a week need to be particularly careful.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21
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Sun glare is a major factor in what, which can also contribute to fatigue?
- Hearing loss
- Muscle strain
- Motion sickness
- Eyestrain
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Correct answer: Eyestrain
The manual says sun glare is a major factor in eyestrain and can contribute to fatigue.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21
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Which of these does the manual list as something that can make a driver more likely to become drowsy?
- Overeating
- Wearing sunglasses
- Taking periodic breaks
- Sleeping eight hours the night before
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Correct answer: Overeating
Overeating, drinking alcohol, drug use or a warm passenger compartment can all make a driver drowsier.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21
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According to the manual, on which kind of road is a driver much more likely to doze off?
- A winding road with many curves, hills and signals
- A busy street with frequent signals
- An empty, straight road with no signals or billboards
- A road lined with billboards and shops
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Correct answer: An empty, straight road with no signals or billboards
An empty, straight road offers little stimulation to keep a driver mentally alert.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21
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What does the manual say about warning signs before falling asleep at the wheel?
- Drowsiness always gives several minutes of warning
- There may be no warning before falling asleep
- A driver always yawns before falling asleep
- Only drivers over 30 miss the warning signs
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Correct answer: There may be no warning before falling asleep
The manual notes that half of drivers who crashed after falling asleep detected no signs of drowsiness.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21
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Which of these physical signs is listed as a warning sign of drowsy driving?
- Feeling unusually energetic
- Gripping the wheel very tightly
- Seeing objects more sharply than usual
- Yawning repeatedly or rubbing your eyes
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Correct answer: Yawning repeatedly or rubbing your eyes
Repeated yawning and eye rubbing are warning signs of drowsiness.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21
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Which of these is a warning sign of drowsy driving?
- Trouble remembering the last few miles driven
- Noticing every sign along the road ahead
- Feeling calm and relaxed after a meal
- Passing slower vehicles more often
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Correct answer: Trouble remembering the last few miles driven
Not remembering the last few miles, or missing exits or signs, is a drowsiness warning sign.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21
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Which of these driving behaviors is listed as a warning sign of drowsy driving?
- Staying exactly centered in the lane and following at a safe distance
- Checking the mirrors every few seconds
- Drifting from your lane, following too closely, or hitting a shoulder rumble strip
- Keeping a longer following distance than usual
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Correct answer: Drifting from your lane, following too closely, or hitting a shoulder rumble strip
Lane drifting, following too closely and hitting a rumble strip are signs of drowsiness.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21
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How many hours of sleep per night do sleep experts recommend for adults?
- 4 to 5 hours
- 7 to 9 hours
- 5 to 6 hours
- 10 to 12 hours
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Correct answer: 7 to 9 hours
The manual says experts recommend 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night for adults.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21
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How many hours of sleep per night do sleep experts recommend for teens?
- 4 to 6 hours
- 5 to 7 hours
- 11 to 12 hours
- 8 to 10 hours
Show answer
Correct answer: 8 to 10 hours
The manual says experts recommend 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night for teens.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21