Actual English 11 – Sleeping Habits

Reference: http://home.ebse.co.kr/actualenglish/

Actual English

https://my.pcloud.com/publink/show?code=XZgDQx7Z0gytVQUJE55sRMvNn0gRgf8Dk72k

 

W: Oh gosh, Peter, you look more tired than usual. What’s going on?

M: I haven’t got (gotten) a lot of sleep lately. “Ah, to sleep, perchance to dream…” Well… having babies.

(“To sleep, perchance to dream” is a famous quote from the play, HAMLET – in the “To be or not to be” speech. “to sleep” means to ‘die’. “perchance (perhaps; possibly) to dream” means ‘the possibility of an afterlife’. Thoughts of death and a dreamy afterlife – would give him some peace from all of his troubles. He’s implying that he might dream while he sleeps…. And to dream, you need to be able to SLEEP!

W: You’re a bit of a night owl, aren't you?

M: Normally, I’m a night owl, but the kids like to get up very early. And, you know, after they finally go to bed, then we start to make dinner and prepare for the next day.

W: Oh, that’s nice. On the off chance you get to go to bed, do you dream usually?

off chance: a slight chance

M: I don’t often remember my dreams. The only time I really remember them is when I take a nap in the afternoon, which is rare.

W: Oh, a siesta? I think ten minute naps are good, but once it hits that 30 minute mark, I tend to get groggy when I get up.

M: Well, maybe you can control your dreams.

W: If I could, I’d love to. But, yeah I don't get to sleep much these days; I’ve got too much work going on.

M: Do you have insomnia as well?

W: I have developed insomnia, because of my sleeping habits. I don’t get to bed at the same time each day. Um, any recommendations for any good natural cures for insomnia?

M: Some people say some warm milk, or just getting some exercise and sunlight during the day will help you.

W: That’s all good, but I think getting to bed at the same time each day would be the best.

M: Yeah, I can’t wait to go to bed tonight.

 

• siesta: see-es-tuh (rest or nap taken in Spain and Latin America)
• groggy: grog-ee (dazed & weakened – from lack of sleep) syn. sluggish, lethargic
• insomnia: in-som-nee-uh (inability to fall asleep) syn. sleeplessness
• off chance: a slight chance The sun is shining, but take an umbrella with you on the off chance that it might rain. I got a new suit on the off chance of getting the job.
• a ~ minute nap My mother often takes a 20 minute nap after lunch. I would give anything for an hour nap right now.
• hit the something mark: to reach a certain point or level Once my nap hits the 30 minute mark, I feel much better. The temperature hit the 39 degrees centigrade mark this summer. It was unbearable hot. His debts hit the 300 million won mark.

 

Actual Story

https://my.pcloud.com/publink/show?code=XZu1Qx7ZhVwpN3E68WyStXFzDEDOQSMCftX0

(Actual Interview Question: Talk about your sleeping habits.)

 

At night, I tend to be a restless sleeper. I don’t really get a good night’s rest. I’m not sure why, but ever since I can remember I would toss and turn a lot at night. I DO know that when I exercise, however, I do get much better sleep at night. I sleep like a baby at those times. Some other sleeping habits that I have, I tend to sleep or go to bed early. Um, around ten o’clock my eyes start getting drowsy and groggy and I’m usually in bed by eleven and in that sense, I’m more of an early bird rather than a night owl. I like to wake up early in the morning because I believe that the early bird gets the worm. But other than that, I am not a very deep sleeper so I need to find more ways where I can get a good night’s rest.

I tend to be a restless sleeper. I don’t really get a good night’s rest. When I exercise I get much better sleep at night. I sleep like a baby at those times. I’m usually in bed by eleven and I’m more of an early bird rather than a night owl. I am not a very deep sleeper so I need to find more ways where I can get a good night’s rest.