EnglishClub

Pre-listening vocabulary

• celebrate: to honour a holiday with a party or ceremony
• festive: cheerful and exciting, especially because of a holiday
• resolution: a goal for the new year
• improve: to become better in some way
• take place: to happen
• introduce: to put something new into use

Listening activity

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Gapfill exercise

The Origin of the New Year’s Celebration

Today, New Year’s is a festive holiday celebrated all the world. The tradition began 4,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia, where the people celebrated each year with an 11-day . Even back then, people made New Year’s resolutions. They believed that making to improve themselves helped to make sure the gods would stay with the kingdom. During that time, the celebration took place in March, but a new was introduced over 1,000 years later in Ancient Rome. Since then, New Year’s has mostly been celebrated on January 1st.

Comprehension questions

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Discussion/essay questions

1. Do you have any resolutions this year? How do you plan to achieve them?

Transcript

The Origin of the New Year’s Celebration
Today, New Year’s is a festive holiday celebrated all around the world. The tradition began 4,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia, where the people celebrated each year with an 11-day festival. Even back then, people made New Year’s resolutions. They believed that making promises to improve themselves helped to make sure the gods would stay happy with the kingdom. During that time, the celebration took place in March, but a new calendar was introduced over 1,000 years later in Ancient Rome. Since then, New Year’s has mostly been celebrated on January 1st.