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This episode’s vocabulary
- To/A lie in (noun/phrasal verb) - the time you/to remain in bed after the normal time for getting up.
- Brunch (noun) - a late morning meal eaten instead of breakfast and lunch.
- Frenetic (adj.) - fast and energetic in a rather wild and uncontrolled way.
- To take smth for granted (phrase) - to never think about something because you believe it will always be available or stay exactly the same
- Frivolous (adj.) - not having any serious purpose or value.
- To go amiss (phrase) - to be unhelpful or inappropriate
- Hoo-ha (idiom) - a state or condition of excitement, agitation, or disturbance.
- Intermission (noun) - a pause or break.
- The daily grind (noun) - the difficult, routine, or monotonous tasks of daily work.
We have also added these words to a “Quizlet” set for you to study and revise in your free time: bit.ly/quizlets04e13
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Questions and Answers
Maria: Rory, what do you usually do on the weekend?
Rory: Normally it's just a case of sleeping and recovering from all the work and working out during the week. So I get to have a lie in on Saturday and then I can... Oh, I can study and I can have brunch as opposed to breakfast. So those are the big things. And then usually I get to see my friends in the evening.
Maria: Do you like to work on the weekends?
Rory: Well, I used to, but now I study and see my friends. It's a lot less frenetic and more relaxing than before.
Maria: Do you feel that weekends now are more important to you than when you were a child?
Rory: Probably. I think now I realize how limited the time is. And when you're younger you kind of take the weekend for granted, don't you? So, yes definitely. And I think most people realize that when they're older as well.
Maria: What would your ideal weekend be like?
Rory: Well, I feel like they're already ideal, to be honest. Because I spend all morning in bed, basically. And then I'll wake up and work out and I'll have brunch or lunch, and then I go shopping. And then I can study and I get to see my friends in the evening like I said. So it works out fairly well for me.
Maria: Is it important to make the most out of your weekend?
Rory: Oh yeah. 100 percent. I actually feel quite strongly about this. I don't like wasting time on frivolous nonsense at weekends. And it's important to make the best use of the time that you have. I don't think anybody goes to their deathbed wishing they'd spent more time at work like: Oh I wish I'd spent more time in the office rather than hanging out with my friends or doing something fun with my family at the weekend.
Maria: Which is your favorite part of the weekend?
Rory: I think probably early afternoon on Saturday. I guess that's when I look and feel my best probably after I sleep and finish the gym.
Maria: Do you think your weekends are long enough?
Rory: Well, basically yes. Although, I think everybody wants more time, don't they? The odd long weekend probably wouldn't go amiss but the two and a half days that I usually get is quite fine and I can go back to work. So it's not such a big deal.
Maria: How important do you think it is to have free time on the weekends?
Rory: Well, it's essential for the reasons that I mentioned, isn't it? I think that you're supposed to use this time to relax, aren't you? So it's it's really important, isn't it?
Maria: In your country do men and women usually do the same kind of things on the weekend?
Rory: Probably yes. Before the whole hoo-ha with the pandemic most people went out and spent time with their friends and family. I don't think there's a big difference between what men and women did... Maybe in terms of activities, like, women would be more likely to get a manicure or something. But I think most people just want to have a nice time at the weekend.
Maria: Why do you think many people consider the weekend to be important?
Rory: Well it's important to have this, kind of, intermission between workweeks, otherwise they all blur into one and that can really stress you out. I think it's also an important escape from the daily grind, more broadly speaking.
Maria: What are you going to do next weekend?
Rory: Well it's a good question! If I feel better then I'll go out with my friends. But if not then I suppose I'll better stay home and study.
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