New Year’s Day
Part 1: Listen and Read: Listen to the recording, answer the questions, and then read along with the audio recording.
New Year’s Day is the day when people celebrate the beginning of a new year. On New Year’s Eve, family and friends often get together for dinner or have a party to welcome in the new year. People often count down the hours, minutes, and seconds before the new year arrives, and they sometimes set off fireworks or play loud music. New Year’s Day is a time of new beginnings, so people often make new year’s resolutions—promises or goals they hope to accomplish during the coming year. Such resolutions often include losing weight, getting in shape, or eating a healthy diet. Other resolutions might deal with improving one’s relationship with a family member or friend. Sometimes, these resolutions are short lived, that is, people don’t follow through on their plans. However, the new year gives people opportunities to change and improve their lives.
How do people in your hometown celebrate the new year? What foods do they prepare, what activities do they participate in, and what meaning does this day have for them?
Making new year’s resolutions is a common practice for many people around the world. Use the Internet to search for the most common new year’s goals and research what factors contribute to a person’s ability to achieve their new plans.