The central idea of "Why are yawns contagious? We asked a scientist" by Teresa Carey is that yawning has a social and biological significance that promotes group cohesion among social animals. The question-and-answer text structure supports this idea by systematically addressing common inquiries about yawning, such as why it occurs and why it seems to spread among individuals in social settings. For instance, the article explains that yawning might be linked to brain temperature regulation and alertness, reinforcing the idea that yawning serves a critical role in communication and social bonding. By posing questions and providing detailed scientific explanations in response, the text engages the reader and deepens their understanding of the phenomenon.
Use the passage "Why are yawns contagious? We asked a scientist" by Teresa Carey to answer the question.
In 3–5 sentences, identify a central idea and analyze how the question-and-answer text structure develops this idea. Provide specific evidence from the text to support your answer.
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