ESL Podcast 575 – Being an Early or Late Riser

Spiro: Hey, watch out!

Nancy: Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there. I thought I would be the only person up at the crack of dawn. What are you doing sitting on the stoop at this ungodly hour?

Spiro: I’m trying to turn over a new leaf.

Nancy: What do you mean?

Spiro: I’m in the habit of staying up until all hours of the night. I hardly ever get enough sleep and walk around all day sleep-deprived. I’m trying to see if I can make the switch from being a night owl¹ to an early riser. I’m hoping the new hours will make me a changed man.

Nancy: That sounds very commendable², but that still doesn’t answer my question. What are you doing sitting out here?

Spiro: I’m waiting for the coffee shop to open.

Nancy: Can you eat breakfast this early in the morning?

Spiro: No, but I can drink coffee, lots and lots of coffee.

Nancy: You’ll definitely be the first one in line.

Spiro: I guess what they say is true: the early bird gets the worm.

Nancy: I don’t know about worms, but the early bird will definitely get the first dose of caffeine!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 owl   

n.猫头鹰，枭

参考例句：

• Her new glasses make her look like an owl.她的新眼镜让她看上去像只猫头鹰。
• I'm a night owl and seldom go to bed until after midnight.我睡得很晚，经常半夜后才睡觉。

2 commendable   

adj.值得称赞的

参考例句：

• The government's action here is highly commendable.政府这样的行动值得高度赞扬。
• Such carping is not commendable.这样吹毛求疵真不大好。