Morning Routine
Amy and Paul talk about what is their typical morning routine and what they like to eat for breakfast.
Paul: Hi, Aimee.
Aimee: Hi.
Paul: How are you?
Aimee: I'm all right. Thanks. How are you?
Paul: Yeah, pretty good. I was thinking the other day about routine. I mean, do you follow like a strict routine?
Aimee: Not really. I'm pretty laid-back, I think.
Paul: I see.
Aimee: Work days, you have to follow a routine, I guess because you have to get ready, you have to get out the door. But on days off, I just do what I feel like pretty much. Pretty relaxed.
Paul: Well, that I think is important isn't it, to relax on your days off. But like on a work day, so what do you do first in the morning?
Aimee: I think probably what everybody does first. I have to go to the bathroom.
Paul: Okay. I mean, what do you do after that? Do you make yourself a hot drink?
Aimee: I wash my face and brush teeth, pretty much, and then cajole my daughter into getting on with her morning routine as well, making sure she's ready.
Paul: I see. So you've got to get two people ready.
Aimee: Yes, I do. How about you?
Paul: I just need to worry about myself really. I think that's enough, you know.
Aimee: Is that a big task?
Paul: Yeah. Well, I always have a cup of tea in the morning. First thing, I always put the kettle on and make a hot drink. And I usually try to eat like a good breakfast, not just a piece of toast or something but maybe some eggs, scrambled eggs and maybe some bacon and some toast. Yeah, I try to leave the house with a full stomach.
Aimee: Yeah, that's good. I try to do that as well. Sometimes, we're pretty rushed and breakfast is sometimes eaten in the car. But we do get full stomachs eventually.
Paul: Right, right.
Aimee: Do you ever have fruit with your breakfast?
Paul: I don't. I know some people eat like a grapefruit. Actually, occasionally, I have a banana.
Aimee: Hmm.
Paul: Yeah, because I just find it's really easy, and convenient, and quick.
Aimee: I agree.
Paul: But stuff like, you know, grapefruits and oranges, you have to peel them. Yeah, I just don't have the time really in the morning.
Aimee: Too much like hard work?
Paul: Yeah. But if I stay in like if I'm on a holiday in a hotel and they have like a nice breakfast, I always try to eat fruit. So I always try to eat a bit of everything actually.
Aimee: When it's there in front of you, ready.
Paul: When it's made for you, yeah.
Aimee: I do that, too, definitely.
Paul: Yeah.
strict routine

Do you follow like a strict routine?
A strict routine is something you do regularly without fail. Notice the following:
- He follows a strict workout routine.
- I am too lazy to follow a strict diet.
laid-back

I'm pretty laid-back, I think.
Laid-back means relaxed and easy-going. Notice the following:
- My dad is laid-back, but my mom is strict.
- I think our teacher is too laid-back.
day off

But on days off, I just do what I feel like.
A day off is a day you do not have to work or go to school. Notice the following:
- For most people, Sunday is a day off.
- Tomorrow is my day off, so I will go to the beach..
cajole

I have to cajole my daughter into getting ready.
When you cajole someone, you persuade them into doing something. Notice the following:
- He cajoled me into dancing with him.
- My parents cajoled me into going to college.
put the kettle on

I always put the kettle on and make a hot drink.
When you put the kettle on, you heat up water. It refers to having tea or coffee. Notice the following:
- Shall I put the kettle on?
- Let's put the kettle on and have some tea.
rushed

We're pretty rushed in the morning.
When you are rushed, you are in a hurry. Notice the following:
- I am always rushed in the morning.
- I hate to feel rushed on vacation.
Vocabulary Quiz
cajole • kettle • rushed
Related Lessons
Other Lessons
About the Teacher / Creator
Hello, and welcome to elllo. My name is Todd Beuckens. I've been an ESL teacher for 25 years. I created elllo to provide teachers and students free audio lessons and learning materials not usually found in commercial textbooks.
Contact Me Here