Exercise 10. Speak about your daily activities using the patterns given below

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 windtwo alarm-clocksto make sure I do not oversleep.

My sister, an early riser, is awakeby 7 o'clock, refreshedand 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 breakfastand set off tothe university. It takes me an hour and a half to get ready. I have a hasty biteand rush outof the house. Even if I catch a busat once I still arrive at the university 15 minutes late,which always makes me feel guilty.

My studies keep me busyall day long. I have 14 hours of Englisha week. I also have lecturesand seminars. At lunchtimeI meet up with my sister and we have a snackat 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 houseworkand 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 hoursruins one's health. Of course, I agree.

As my sister and I do not get any timeoff during the week, we try to relaxon the weekends. One of my greatest pleasures is to lie in bedand read my favourite books. My sister is a sportyperson. To keep herself fit,Betty goes for a run inthe 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 partyor to a disco.But more often than not I end up catching up on my studiesand my sister goes out.I wonder how I manage to spoil my leisure time.

Every Monday when I awakenI think I should start a new life.I honestly think that I must become well-organisedand correct my daily routine.I make plans to go to keep-fit classes,to do shoppingwith my sister, to do the cleaningand to do a hundred other good things. But then I remember that I have to call onmy 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: