Timothy Ostrander

Chapter 1 Sleep

The need for sleep is something we share with all our fellow creatures, but humans’ sleeping needs and preferences seem to vary quite a bit. For example, some people need a lot of sleep, while others seem to get along fine on five or six hours a night. Some people follow the maxim of “early to bed, early to rise,” and turn in by 9:00 p.m. Others are called “night owls” because they prefer to stay up late. These “night people” might only get five or six hours of sleep on a week night, but they feel that they function better at night and are often very productive during the evening hours. Night owls sleep in the next morning when it is possible; when it isn’t, they try to find time to take a nap if they need it. A night owl is often tired and cranky at the breakfast table, while a bright and cheery morning person is ready to face the day even before having a cup of coffee. In the evening, though, a morning person will be ready to head for bed at just the time a night owl starts to feel energetic.

A children’s bedtime prayer begins, “Now I lay me down to sleep,” but getting to sleep is not easy for everyone. People differ not only with regard to when and how long they sleep, but also how easily they are able to doze off. A woman might have no trouble dropping off, and fall asleep almost as soon as her head hits the pillow. Her husband, on the other hand, might lie awake for hours mulling over the problems of the day. He may toss and turn, eventually interfering with his wife’s slumber unless she is already sound asleep. If she is a light sleeper, his movements will awaken her, and both of them will have a sleepless night. And if both of them lose sleep on a regular basis, it could be a strain on their marriage.

People who are usually wide awake while others sleep, or who can’t seem to settle down even if they feel sleepy, are said to suffer from insomnia. Insomniacs envy those who are able to go right to sleep and often try different methods, such as using sleeping pills, to achieve their goal of slumber. Some experts suggest doing something to relax and unwind before going to bed, and many recommend following a regular routine at bedtime. The latter technique can be especially helpful for children. If a bath, a bedtime story, and a lullaby precede parents’ “good night” each evening, children come to accept bedtime as natural and inevitable.

Once a person has fallen asleep, of course, the final concern is staying asleep. Unless a person is a heavy sleeper, the engine of a passing car may disturb his sleep, not to mention the snoring of a spouse. And if an insomniac does wake up in the middle of the night, his troubles begin all over again.

Chapter 1 Sleep

The need for sleep is something we share with all our fellow creatures, but humans’ sleeping needs and preferences seem to vary quite a bit. For example, some people need a lot of sleep, while others seem to get along fine on five or six hours a night. Some people follow the maxim of “early to bed, early to rise,” and turn in by 9:00 p.m. Others are called “night owls” because they prefer to stay up late. These “night people” might only get five or six hours of sleep on a ...

Introduction

Good Chats is unique as an advanced English conversation textbook, because it directly applies to oral communication the most contemporary and widely used English idioms and turns of phrase. In order to identify the related formulaic expressions associated with each of the topics presented in this book, the authors researched an extensive number of current periodicals geared toward general readership. The introductory reading passages were subsequently created to place these expressions within a frame of reference from which students can ascertain usage and derive meaning. Each topic was selected on the basis of its high interest to upper level students and serves as a point of departure for lively and meaningful conversation.

Participatory dialogs are another outstanding feature of Good Chats. The extensive dialog questions are designed to be both guided and open, as the acronym G.O.O.D. represents. To initiate a natural discussion, students are given specific questions which draw upon their own experiences and knowledge pertaining to the topic. The questions provide grammatical forms on which responses may be modeled. However, since there are no exclusively “right” answers, discussion can remain open and widely variable, allowing each individual to choose how far to extend his or her response.

A new feature of this 4th edition of Good Chats is “Practicing the Expressions.” In this section, students deliberately use the chapter’s formulaic expressions to initiate conversation. Whereas the two “Chats” promote smooth, extended discourse, “Practicing the Expressions” actively reviews the new phrases introduced in the chapter.

Further suggestions on how to use Good Chats are provided in the following section “Using the Textbook.”

Introduction

Good Chats is unique as an advanced English conversation textbook, because it directly applies to oral communication the most contemporary and widely used English idioms and turns of phrase. In order to identify the related formulaic expressions associated with each of the topics presented in this book, the authors researched an extensive number of current periodicals geared toward general readership. The introductory reading passages were subsequently created to place these express...

Introduction v
Using the Textbook vii
Chapter 1 Sleep 1
Chapter 2 Family 11
Chapter 3 Friends 25
Chapter 4 Dating 37
Chapter 5 Raising Kids 49
Chapter 6 Beauty 63
Chapter 7 Childhood 75
Chapter 8 Sports 87
Chapter 9 Food 99
Chapter 10 Work 111
Chapter 11 Time 123
Chapter 12 Mobile Computing 137
Chapter 13 Money 153
Chapter 14 Values 165
Additional Activities 179

Introduction v
Using the Textbook vii
Chapter 1 Sleep 1
Chapter 2 Family 11
Chapter 3 Friends 25
Chapter 4 Dating 37
Chapter 5 Raising Kids 49
Chapter 6 Beauty 63
Chapter 7 Childhood 75
Chapter 8 Sports 87
Chapter 9 Food 99
Chapter 10 Work 111
Chapter 11 Time 123
Chapter 12 Mobile Computing 137
Chapter 13 Money 153
Chapter 14 Values 165
Additional Activities 179