Speaking Boost · B2 · Lesson 22 of 50
Speaking Boost B2 · Block 5: Health and the Body

What happens when we sleep?

Every night your brain goes through a cycle of lighter and deeper sleep, repeated about every ninety minutes. Learn to talk about sleep with the first conditional and time clauses, and to give practical advice.

1

Warm-up

5 min
1.1

Sleep and routine

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

  1. How many hours do you usually sleep?
  2. Do you have a bedtime routine?
  3. Do you ever take naps in the afternoon?
  4. What do you do when you can't fall asleep?
  5. Do you use your phone before bed?
  6. How do you feel when you sleep badly?
2

Words and phrases

12 min
2.1

New words

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about how you sleep.

2.2

Which word?

Choose the word that fits.

  1. A normal sleep lasts about ninety minutes.
  2. People with find it hard to fall asleep.
  3. A short after lunch can restore energy.
  4. A regular bedtime helps you sleep better.
  5. If I , I'll be late for work.
  6. A comfortable can improve your sleep.
  7. Try to before bed with a book or a bath.
  8. Avoid in the afternoon if you sleep badly.
2.3

Opposites and pairs

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

  1. a nap is a
  2. insomnia is a problem with
  3. to oversleep = to sleep
  4. a routine is things you do
  5. to unwind = to
  6. caffeine is in
2.4

Useful phrases

Use these phrases to talk about conditions and results.

  • If you sleep badly, you...Якщо ти погано спиш, ти...If you sleep badly, you'll feel tired.
  • Unless you go to bed early,...Якщо ти не ляжеш рано,...Unless you go to bed early, you'll be tired.
  • As long as you...,Якщо тільки ти...,As long as you sleep eight hours, you'll be fine.
  • In case I oversleep,...На випадок, якщо просплю,...I'll set two alarms in case I oversleep.
  • When I wake up,...Коли я прокинуся,...When I wake up, I'll have a coffee.
  • I'll go to bed as soon as...Я ляжу, щойно...I'll go to bed as soon as I finish.
  • If I can't sleep,...Якщо я не засну,...If I can't sleep, I'll read a book.
  • You'll feel better if...Тобі стане краще, якщо...You'll feel better if you rest.
3

Read and react

8 min
3.1

The sleep cycle

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

What happens when we sleep?

Sleep is not a simple "off" switch. During the night the brain moves through several stages, which are repeated in cycles of about ninety minutes, although the exact length varies from person to person and from night to night.

A cycle usually begins with light sleep, when we are easily woken. Then comes deep sleep, which is important for physical recovery. After that comes REM sleep, the stage in which vivid dreams are most common and the brain is very active. A typical night includes four to six cycles. Earlier in the night there is usually more deep sleep, and later there is more REM sleep.

How much do we need? Most health organisations say that adults should get seven hours or more, although individual needs differ. If we regularly sleep less, we may find it harder to concentrate, our mood can suffer, and over time our health may be affected.

Experts offer some practical advice. If you keep a regular routine, you'll fall asleep more easily. Unless you stop using screens before bed, the blue light and the stimulation may keep you awake. You should also avoid caffeine in the afternoon, and you can unwind with a book or a bath.

How many hours do you usually sleep?

3.2

True or false?

  1. A sleep cycle lasts about ninety minutes, though this varies.
  2. Deep sleep is the stage when vivid dreams are most common.
  3. A typical night includes four to six cycles.
  4. Most health organisations say adults should sleep seven hours or more.
  5. The text says that caffeine helps you sleep.
3.3

What do you think?

  1. Why do you think sleep is so often ignored?
  2. What will happen if people sleep less for years?
  3. How could employers and schools help people sleep better?
  4. Which of the tips in the text would be easiest for you?
4

Grammar for speaking

10 min
4.1

Grammar for speaking

First conditional

If + Present Simple, will + base verb. It describes a real or likely future situation. Unless means if … not.

If you sleep badly, you'll feel tired. Unless you go to bed early, you'll be exhausted. If I can't sleep, I'll read a book.

Time clauses, as long as, in case

After when, as soon as, before, after and until use the Present Simple, not will. As long as means only if. In case means because something may happen.

I'll call you when I wake up. As long as you rest, you'll be fine. I'll set two alarms in case I oversleep.

Block 5 review

Use the grammar from this block.

modals of deduction (L21)

Common mistakes: if + Present Simple, never will after if; and unless = if … not. ✗ If you will sleep badly → If you sleep badly. ✗ Unless you don't rest → Unless you rest.

4.2

Choose the right form

  1. If you
    badly, you'll feel tired.
  2. you go to bed early, you'll be exhausted.
  3. I'll call you when I
    .
  4. As long as you
    , you'll be fine.
  5. I'll set two alarms
    I oversleep.
  6. If I
    sleep, I'll read a book.
  7. She'll feel better
    she takes a nap.
  8. I'll go to bed as soon as I
    .
4.3

Fix the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

  1. If you will sleep badly, you'll be tired. →
  2. Unless you don't rest, you'll be ill. →
  3. I'll call you when I will wake up. →
  4. If I oversleep, I be late. →
  5. I'll take an umbrella if it will rain. →
  6. As soon as he will arrive, we'll start. →
4.4

Talk about it

Answer in detail. Use the first conditional, unless, as long as and in case.

  1. What will happen to you if you sleep too little?
  2. What will you do tonight if you can't fall asleep?
  3. What do you do as soon as you wake up?
  4. Do you set an alarm in case you oversleep?
  5. What routine helps you sleep best?
  6. What advice would you give to someone with insomnia?
5

Three people and their sleep, and a short talk

8 min
5.1

Three people and their sleep

Three people sleep very differently. Say what will happen if each one keeps the same habits. Who sleeps best? Who needs the most help? What advice would you give each one?

Person 1

Adam, 20

  • Is a student
  • Stays up late with his phone
  • Has an exam next week
  • Sleeps in at weekends
Person 2

Lucy, 36

  • Is a nurse
  • Works nights
  • Takes naps in the afternoon
  • Sets two alarms
Person 3

Prof Gray, 62

  • Studies sleep
  • Goes to bed at the same time every night
  • Avoids screens before bed
  • Says routine is the key
5.2

Mini-talk: sleep and habits

Your teacher will time you.

  1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
  2. Part 1: your usual sleep and routine.
  3. Part 2: what will happen if you sleep less (first conditional).
  4. Part 3: advice for a friend who sleeps badly.
2:00
6

Personal questions

10 min
6.1

Part I: Me

  1. What time do you usually go to bed?
  2. Do you sleep deeply or lightly?
  3. What will you do tonight before bed?
  4. Do you take naps?
  5. Do you wake up easily?
  6. What do you do if you can't sleep?
  7. Do you dream a lot?
  8. How do you feel if you sleep less than seven hours?
6.2

Part II: Other people

  1. Who in your family sleeps the longest?
  2. Who goes to bed the latest?
  3. Who snores?
  4. Who wakes you up in the morning?
  5. Who do you know that has insomnia?
  6. Who can sleep anywhere?
6.3

Part III: A bit deeper

  1. Should school start later?
  2. Will sleep become a luxury in the future?
  3. Is a nap at work a good idea?
  4. Should phones be banned in bedrooms?
  5. Is it healthy to sleep in at weekends?
7

Roleplay

12 min
7.1

Giving sleep advice

You

Adviser

A friend (your teacher) sleeps badly. Help him:
  • ask about his routine
  • explain what will happen if he doesn't change
  • give three tips
  • agree on a plan
Speak for at least 2 minutes in total. Use the first conditional and unless.
Your teacher

Friend

Says things like:
  1. I can't fall asleep.
  2. I use my phone in bed.
  3. Will it get worse?
  4. OK, I'll try.
7.2

Planning a busy week

You

Planner

You and a colleague (your teacher) plan a busy week with little sleep. Decide:
  • say what will happen if you work late
  • use unless and as long as
  • suggest a break
  • make a plan
You do most of the talking. Use: If ..., we'll ... · Unless ... · As long as ...
Your teacher

Colleague

Says things like:
  1. We have a deadline on Friday.
  2. I can work late every day.
  3. Will we be too tired?
  4. What's our plan?
8

Homework

at home

Your homework score

Do all four exercises, then press Check all homework. Correct answers will appear next to your mistakes.

– / 30
H1

Complete with a word

cycleinsomnianaproutineoversleepmattressunwindcaffeine
  1. A normal sleep lasts about ninety minutes.
  2. People with find it hard to fall asleep.
  3. A short after lunch can restore energy.
  4. A regular bedtime helps you sleep better.
  5. If I , I'll be late for work.
  6. A comfortable can improve your sleep.
  7. Try to before bed with a book or a bath.
  8. Avoid in the afternoon if you sleep badly.
H2

Choose the correct form

  1. If it , we'll stay at home.
  2. I'll phone you when I .
  3. you hurry, you'll miss the train.
  4. As long as you , you'll improve.
  5. I'll take a coat in case it cold.
  6. If she hard, she'll pass.
  7. We'll start as soon as he .
  8. If I tired, I'll take a nap.
H3

Correct or incorrect?

Decide if each sentence is grammatically correct.

  1. If you sleep badly, you'll feel tired.
  2. If you will sleep badly, you'll be tired.
  3. Unless you go to bed early, you'll be tired.
  4. Unless you don't rest, you'll be ill.
  5. I'll call you when I wake up.
  6. I'll take an umbrella if it will rain.
  7. I'll set two alarms in case I oversleep.
H4

Match the two halves

  1. If you sleep badly,
  2. Unless you go to bed early,
  3. As long as you sleep eight hours,
  4. I'll set two alarms
  5. When I wake up,
  6. If I can't sleep,
  7. You'll feel better

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© Yevheniia Kolesnykova, Academy of Languages. All rights reserved. No copying or reuse without written permission.