Sleepy in South Korea - 6 Minute English

How many hours do you sleep? Not many, if you live in South Korea, which might be one of the most stressed and tired nations on earth. It is a place where people work and study longer hours and get less sleep than anywhere else. Neil and Sam talk about sleeplessness and teach you related vocabulary.

This week's question
In the 1960s, American man, Randy Gardner, set the world record for staying awake for the longest period. Do you know what that time was? Was it:
a) 64 hours
b) 164 hours, or
c) 264 hours?
Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary
go out like a light
go to sleep very quickly

switch off
stop thinking about something and think about something else

agitated
get worried or upset

encroach
gradually take over

side-effects
unpleasant and unexpected result from taking medication

sleepwalking
moving around and doing things while still asleep

To download the audio and a transcript, go to our webpage at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220203

[Cover: Getty Images]

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