DAILY ROUTINE
I'm in the first year at the university, where I'm studying English. My elder sister, Betty, is studying history at the same university. Betty can organise her time wisely, whereas I do not know what order I should do things in. I find it hard to get up on time, and usually I do not get enough sleep. I have to wind two alarm-clocks to make sure I do not oversleep.
My sister, an early riser, is awake by 7 o'clock, refreshed and full of energy. While I'm wandering round the kitchen, fighting the urge to go back to bed, my sister manages to have a quick shower, make her bed, put on make up, do her hair, eat a full breakfast and set off to the university. It takes me an hour and a half to get ready. I have a hasty bite and rush out of the house. Even if I catch a bus at once I still arrive at the university 15 minutes late, which always makes me feel guilty.
My studies keep me busy all day long. I have 14 hours of English a week. I also have lectures and seminars. At lunchtime I meet up with my sister and we have a snack at the university cafe. After classes I make myself go to the library where I spend about six hours a week reading for my seminars.
My sister and I come home tired. I always find excuses to put my homework off. Unlike me, my sister manages to do the housework and get down to homework. I like the idea of going to bed early, but quite often I have to sit up late, brushing up on my grammar and vocabulary, though I feel sleepy. My sister says that keeping late hours ruins one's health. Of course, I agree.
As my sister and I do not get any time off during the week, we try to relax on the weekends. One of my greatest pleasures is to lie in bed and read my favourite books. My sister is a sporty person. To keep herself fit, Betty goes for a run in the park; from time to time she works out in the gym.
I hate staying in, and sometimes on Saturday night my sister takes me out to a concert or a play. Sometimes we go to a party or to a disco. But more often than not I end up catching up on my studies and my sister goes out. I wonder how I manage to spoil my leisure time.
Every Monday when I awaken I think I should start a new life. I honestly think that I must become well-organised and correct my daily routine. I make plans to go to keep-fit classes, to do shopping with my sister, to do the cleaning and to do a hundred other good things. But then I remember that I have to call on my school friend in the evening, and I put off my plans till next Monday. It is always better to start a new life in a week.
Exercise 10. Speak about your daily activities using the patterns given below.
1. I'm not a TV addict/ardent reader, etc. but cartoons/novels, etc. I do enjoy.
2. I don't like cleaning my teeth/watching newsreels, etc. but I do.
3. I find it hard to sit still long enough/to work in the library, etc.
4. It can be a bit frustrating not being allowed to touch anything/to go to a disco, etc.
Exercise 14. Tell about your daily routine when a child. Compare it with your present daily routine. Think about the following points: studies, everyday activities, leisure activities, food/clothes, likes/dislikes. Use the following phrases:
|
|
|
When a child, I used to..., but now I...
I never used to...
I spent most of my time..., but now I...
I was/am keen on...
I was/am a... addict.
I couldn't/can't live without...
The best treat of all was/is...
I found... enjoyable, but now
I find... boring/interesting.
I've decided to give up...
But I'm not going to give up...
Exercise 16. Pair work: Talk about your busiest day. Ask the following and more:
1. What's your busiest day?
2. What do you usually do?
3. What time do you get up?
4. Where do you usually have breakfast, lunch?
5. What do you usually do after classes?
6. What time do you usually go home?
7. What do you do at the end of the day?
8. What do you do in your spare time?
9. What time do you usually go to bed?
10. What activities do you enjoy? Which do you dislike?
