Describe a time when you were sleepy but had to stay awake. You should say:
- when it was and where you were?
- Why were you sleepy?
- Why do you have to stay awake?
- And how did you stay awake at that moment?
Sample 1
Well, many times, it is seen that people are helpless, and due to their helplessness, they have to do something which they don’t want to do. A similar experience was experienced when I had to keep myself awake even though I was feeling sleepy.
It happened last Sunday when I was at home, and I received a phone call from my guests, who informed us of their arrival on the same day. I was so tired because, on that day, every member of my family was at home, so it took a lot of time to prepare breakfast and lunch and do the cleaning.
Moreover, my daughter was preparing for her exam, so I had to teach her. These things made me tired, and I felt lifeless. I had to keep myself awake because I didn’t want to let them feel that they were unwanted guests at my home.
I wanted to make their stay comfortable and prepare delicious food to maintain healthy relationships with them. Also, they were coming after a long period of time. So it will not look nice to mistreat them. Interestingly,
I had to keep myself awake after consuming a couple of cups of coffee. Initially, I disdained consuming coffee because it can escalate my blood pressure, but I had to take it to not to feel sleepy. I kept myself awake until they reached my home. It was the time when I was feeling sleepy, but I had to stay awake because of a healthy relationship with my guests.
Sample 2
My profession as a nurse has always been the aspect that breeds sleeping challenges though sleep is essential. There was an unforgettable period in the year 2015 during my last external clinical as a student nurse in a reputable hospital in Tema, Ghana.
It was during those night shifts in the maternity ward. Being a person who is naturally active during the day and sleepy during the night, having to go against that cycle felt like some indirect punishment on me and my well-being.
Unfortunately, as per the nature of the work, there were clients or patients to be nursed and, most importantly, women who had come to deliver. Honestly, it wasn’t easy for me at all, but I had to force my eyes open by keeping busy on assigned duties and assisting the midwives on duty as and when needed and also attending to newborn babies.
Sample 3
It was last Sunday afternoon, and I was feeling quite lazy. I had a heavy meal at my cousin’s place, making me feel drowsy. I had my favourite dish, biryani, and it induces good sleep after.
My cousin is a very good cook, and she made the biryani so tasty that I had more portions of it than usual. It would have been awesome had I gotten to sleep on Sunday; however, I had to return home to complete my office work.
I received a call from one of my clients, and I had to support him by resolving the issue. I convinced my mother to brew strong coffee to keep me awake and complete the work. Indeed, coffee did wonders, and I could complete the work by the evening. Later, I went to the mall and enjoyed the rest of the weekend.
Follow-ups of Describe a Time when You Were Sleepy but Had to Stay Awake: Recent IELTS Speaking Topic
Question 1:- On what occasions do people need to stay awake even when tired?
Answer 1:- Well, people have to stay awake when unexpected guests come to their home, and most of the time, people awake themselves for preparing their interviews as well as for the entrance exam and also to praise God by reciting hymns throughout the night.
Answer 2:- Though sleep is essential, there are inevitable situations that require one to stay awake. For example, certain professions like health and security, during chaos, disasters and even war or an individualistic monitoring assignment on persons and things.
Answer 3:- There could be a couple of scenarios where people usually stay awake even when tired. Long-distance relationships in different time zones could be a perfect example where one partner has to stay awake and communicate with the other partner who is having a day there. Also, students who are preparing for their entrance exams stay up late for preparation and revision even though they are tired.
Question 2:- How do they keep awake when they are tired?
Answer 1:- People keep themselves awake by consuming coffee or tea or even strolling outside while waiting at night. Moreover, they watch movies and some other entertainment programs to keep themselves awake.
Answer 2:- Individually, people have various approaches to dealing with sleepiness. At the same time, others can do with music, others by staying on the phone or computer or having a chit-chat with loved ones. We can also go strolling, get busy with work, or play games.
Answer 3:- Coffee is my booster, giving me the energy and strength to stay active. I also usually walk and do some warm-up exercises to stay awake.
Question 3:- Why do people feel tired a lot nowadays?
Answer 1:- People feel tired more nowadays because they have a hectic schedule, do overwork, and don’t even take a nap during the day, so these things make them tired. I think fast food consumption is also responsible for making them inactive.
Answer 2:- Industrialization is the order of the day in the contemporary world, making jobs more demanding for both genders. People mostly wake up early, leave for work, and come back late..coupled with their daily worries. Emotional and financial instability also contribute to stress and constant fatigue, as exhibited more often nowadays.
Answer 3:- Because of multitasking. In earlier times, men used to go to the office, and women used to work at home, but now both genders are equally doing the multitasking of cooking, office work, cleaning, etc., which is quite a hectic schedule. There is no proper rest, and good nutrient food is ignored and replaced by quick junk ready-to-make food. One of the main factors is a sedentary lifestyle and less physical workout, which makes a person more tired.
Question 4:- What kind of people lack sleep?
Answer 1:- Mostly, people suffering from insomnia don’t sleep even during the day or at night. Apart from it, students who are preparing for their exams or any other entrance do not have enough sleep. I must admit that housewives also lack sleep because of many responsibilities on their shoulders like cleaning, cooking and rearing children.
Answer 2:- Mostly, people who lack sleep are health workers, security services and even military personnel on assignments. Another aspect is people dealing with health complications like pain and Insomnia. And others who are likely to be nocturnal.
Answer 3:- People working night shifts, such as corporate officials working in CET/US time zones, watchmen and security guards, and 24/7 chemist store workers, are some examples of people who work at night, which may impact good slee
Follow Us on IELTSFever Twitter for more updates
Pages Content
