General Listening Quiz

1. 1. New Year’s is the most exciting holiday of the year.
   2. Fireworks are the best way to celebrate New Year’s.
   3. People should always stay up until midnight on New Year’s Eve.
   4. Special food is an important part of New Year’s celebrations.
   5. Making New Year’s resolutions is a good idea.
   6. It’s better to celebrate New Year’s with friends than family.
   7. Watching the countdown on TV is boring.
   8. Every country should have its own New Year’s traditions.
   9. You don’t need a party to enjoy New Year’s.
   10. The way you start the year affects the rest of the year.

“turn over a new leaf” = change personal habits
“I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf; I’m going to exercise three times a week and not play so many video games.”

“ring in the new year” = celebrate the new year
“We’re going to ring in the new year at my sister’s house next week.”

Listen to the recording and answer the questions. (See transcript)

Here are some words that appear in the recording:

• will probably (future): very likely
  – We will probably have a party tonight.
• prefer to (verb): rather
  – I prefer to call her on the phone. I don’t want to text her.
• used to (verb): something that happened again and again in the past
  – Maria used to stay up late on New Year’s Eve.
• tasty (adjective): having a good flavor
  – These cookies are really tasty. Who made them?
• plenty of (quantifier): a lot of
  – We have plenty of food and cookies for dinner tonight.
• greasy (adjective): with a lot of fat and grease
  – This meat is very greasy. I think I’ll eat something else .
• unhealthy (adjective): not doing well; likely to make sick
  – This food is very unhealthy. Your lifestyle is unhealthy, too. You should eat better and get more exercise.
• opportunity (adverb): chance
  – This holiday is a great opportunity for friends and family to get together and celebrate.
• careless (adjective): not careful
  – Don’t be careless and drink and drive after the party. Ask someone to drive you home.

What things did you do with family and friends to ring in the new year? What special foods did you eat? Do people in your country have any special traditions they do on that day?

Choose a country you want to learn about and study more. Use the internet to find answers to these questions:

• What is the name of the country?
• What unique activities do people do on this day to celebrate the new year?
• What special clothing do people wear?
• What special foods do people eat?
• Do people give or send any special gifts to family and friends? If so, explain them.