was trying to fall asleep

[diamondcutter]

Cait, 11, was trying to fall asleep when her eight year old brother Doug came into her room. He looked around but seemed really out of it. Then Doug went back into the hallway and stood there looking straight up at the light.

(from the English test paper, 2020 Henan province, China, Senior High School Entrance Examinations)

In the first sentence, I wonder if the use of “was trying to fall asleep” is common, and I’d like to know if it means “was on the point of falling asleep” or “wanted to fall asleep”.

 

[tzfujimino]

Off-topic
Out of curiosity, are you a teacher, diamondcutter?

 

[tzfujimino]

I think it's more like "Cait was making some effort to sleep."

 

[Skrej]

I'm not sure what you mean by common, but it's a natural way to discuss the situation.

Cait wanted to go to sleep but was having difficulty doing so, at least partially because her brother interrupted her. https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/members/146092-tzfujiminohttps://www.usingenglish.com/forum/members/146092-tzfujimino

 

[Tarheel]

I tried (and failed) to go to sleep. I tried, but I couldn't get to sleep.

So here I am.