Sleep

Sleep

Answer the questions

Think about your sleep habits

• Did you go to bed after midnight last night?

• Have you had a nightmare recently?

• Did you oversleep this morning?

• Do you use an alarm clock to wake up?

• Do you like sleeping?

• Have you ever fallen asleep in public?

• Do you sleepwalk?

Multiple Choice

Dolphins do not sleep

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Cows sleep and dream standing up.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

It is impossible to sleep with your eyes open.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Fish close their eyes to sleep.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Sleep can be divided into different stages.

• True

• False

People and their sleeping habits

Philip – I have a strange habit of falling asleep when I watch the television and it usually happens when I am watching something I am really interested in! The television seems to hypnotise me and I doze off really easily. Then when I go upstairs to bed I find I can’t sleep and I usually listen to the radio for hours and hours during the night.

People and their sleeping habits

Clare – I have an eight month old baby and a 3 year old so I don’t get much sleep at the moment. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I had a whole night’s sleep. Last night I think I had about 5 hours as the baby woke up three times. I go to work in the day so it can be difficult to stay awake when I haven’t slept much

People and their sleeping habits

Rachel – I love sleeping and really need to have about 9 hours sleep a night. I know some people survive on 4 or 5 but if I only have that much I am in a bad mood all day! Sleeping well is so important. I think most people don’t realise how important it is to being happy.

People and their sleeping habits

Angelo – I work at night as a nurse. I go to work at 8pm and finish at 6am. I do that for four days then I have two days free. I have two daughters so it means that I can collect them from school and spend some time with them in the day. I have to sleep in the daytime when I can. At first it was difficult to get used to working nights and I found it hard to sleep in the day. Now I switch off the telephone, have heavy curtains to block out the light and I sleep quite well. My body has adjusted.

People and their sleeping habits

Tony – I usually sleep well but recently I’ve been having very strange dreams and they’re beginning to disturb me. They always involve people I know in boats or aeroplanes! I didn’t mind travelling before but now it makes me nervous.

People and their sleeping habits

Rebecca – I read in the paper the other day that most children in Britain don’t sleep enough. They watch TV until late in the evening and then they are really tired at school. I’m a teacher and sometimes in the classes after lunch the students look as if they are about to fall asleep. They yawn a lot and look quite exhausted!

Answer the questions

• Do you ever fall asleep in front of the TV?

• Did you sleep well when you were a young child?

• How many hours sleep do you need?

• How many jobs can you think of that have to work at night? Are there any advantages to working at night? Would you like to do it?

• Do you usually remember your dreams?

• Have you ever fallen asleep in a class?