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New Year's resolutions difficult to keep (2nd January, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The start of every New Year is when we all make plans to change our life for the better over the forthcoming twelve months. Psychiatry professor Jayashri Kulkarni says: "January 1 is a 'magical' date and a vow made on this day is much more powerful than one made on August 26, for example." So, we all make a list of things to quit, start or change. Unfortunately, most of these promises are, more often than not, broken by January 31st. They are usually the identical resolutions that were not fulfilled from the previous year, and the years prior to that. The website usa.gov says people, "tend to make the same resolutions year after year, even though they have a hard time sticking to them".

Research shows 45 per cent of us make a New Year’s resolution. The most common vows include losing weight, volunteering to help others, quitting smoking, saving money, and getting fit. Others include eating healthier food, drinking less alcohol, and going on a trip. However, research also shows that most of us are not so good at sticking to these. A study from the University of Scranton reveals that 71 per cent of us stick to our annual promises for the first two weeks; six months later, less than 50 percent are still on track to keep their resolutions. Most people who give up on their resolutions do so because of a lack of willpower and the use of the 'escape clause' that they will 'try again next year'.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.science20.com/the_conversation/symbolic_gestures_the_magical_thinking_of_new_years_resolutions-151909
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/01/01/top-new-years-resolutions-for-2015/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/01/bad-new-years-resolutions_n_6401180.html

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about New Year's resolutions. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

plans / change / forthcoming / twelve months / magical / powerful / identical / hard / most common / volunteering / quitting smoking / healthier food / annual / willpower

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. CHANGE: What do you want to change this year? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

	Changes?	Why?
Hobby
Health
Money
Friends
World
Food

4. 2015: Students A strongly believe 2015 will be the best year ever; Students B strongly believe it won't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. PROMISES: Rank these with your partner. Put the hardest to keep at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• save money

• quit a bad habit

• get fit

• be nice to everyone

• lose weight

• volunteer

• recycle more

• study English more

6. NEW YEAR: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the term "New Year". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	A professor of psychiatry said January1 was a magical date.	T / F
b.	The professor said August 26 was the worst date to make promises.	T / F
c.	The article says most resolutions are broken in January.	T / F
d.	A website said most people make new resolutions every year.	T / F
e.	Around 45% of us make a New Year's resolution.	T / F
f.	One of the most common resolutions is to do voluntary work.	T / F
g.	Around 71% of us keep resolutions for over 3 weeks.	T / F
h.	The article said people give up because they get bored.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	start	a.	widespread
2.	forthcoming	b.	regrettably
3.	vow	c.	yearly
4.	unfortunately	d.	promise
5.	hard	e.	approaching
6.	common	f.	shows
7.	fit	g.	get out
8.	reveals	h.	tough
9.	annual	i.	in good shape
10.	escape	j.	beginning

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	we all make plans to change our life	a.	include losing weight
2.	over the forthcoming	b.	sticking to them
3.	these promises are, more often	c.	clause
4.	and the years prior	d.	twelve months
5.	have a hard time	e.	their resolutions
6.	The most common vows	f.	at sticking to these
7.	getting	g.	for the better
8.	most of us are not so good	h.	fit
9.	still on track to keep	i.	to that
10.	escape	j.	than not, broken

GAP FILL

The start of every New Year is when we all make plans to change our life for the (1) ____________ over the forthcoming twelve months. Psychiatry professor Jayashri Kulkarni says: "January 1 is a '(2) ____________ ' date and a (3) ____________ made on this day is much more powerful than one made on August 26, for example." So, we all make a list of things to (4) ____________, start or change. Unfortunately, most of these promises are, more often than not, broken by January 31st. They are usually the (5) ____________ resolutions that were not fulfilled from the previous year, and the years (6) ____________ to that. The website usa.gov says people, "(7) ____________ to make the same resolutions year after year, even though they have a hard time (8) ____________ to them".

vow
better
tend
identical
magical
sticking
quit
prior

Research shows 45 per cent of us make a New Year's resolution. The most (9) ____________ vows include losing weight, volunteering to help others, quitting smoking, saving money, and getting (10) ____________. Others include eating healthier food, drinking (11) ____________ alcohol, and going on a trip. However, research also shows that most of us are not (12) ____________ good at sticking to these. A study from the University of Scranton reveals that 71 per cent of us stick to our (13) ____________ promises for the first two weeks; six months later, less than 50 per cent are still on (14) ____________ to keep their resolutions. Most people who give up on their resolutions do so because of a (15) ____________ of willpower and the use of the '(16) ____________ clause' that they will 'try again next year'.

annual
less
common
lack
fit
escape
so
track

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	we all make plans to change our life for the better over the ______
	a. forthcoming twelve months b. fourth coming twelve months c. fourth come in twelve months d. forth come in twelve months
2)	January 1 is a 'magical' date and a vow made on this day is ______
	a. much more powerful b. much most powerful c. much more powerfully d. much most powerfully
3)	Unfortunately, most of these promises are, more often ______
	a. than non, broken b. than rarely, broken c. than never, broken d. than not, broken
4)	They are usually the identical resolutions that were not fulfilled ______ year
	a. from the previously b. from the impervious c. from the previous d. from the perilous
5)	make the same resolutions year after year, even though they have a hard time ______
	a. sticking of them b. sticking to them c. sticking on them d. sticking in them
6)	volunteering to help others, quitting smoking, saving money, ______
	a. and getting fit b. and getting fits c. and getting flit d. and getting filth
7)	71 per cent of us stick to our annual promises for the ______
	a. firstly two weeks b. firsts two weeks c. first two weeks d. firsthand two weeks
8)	six months later, less than 50 per cent are ______
	a. still on track b. still in track c. still un track d. still an track
9)	Most people who give up on their resolutions do so because of ______
	a. a lack of willpower b. a lack for willpower c. a lack off willpower d. a lack by willpower
10)	and the use of the ______
	a. 'escapism clause' b. 'escaped clause' c. 'escapee clause' d. 'escape clause'

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The start of every New Year is when we all make plans to change our life for the better (1) ___________________ twelve months. Psychiatry professor Jayashri Kulkarni says: "January 1 is a 'magical' (2) ___________________ on this day is much more powerful than one made on August 26, for example." So, we all make a list of (3) ___________________ start or change. Unfortunately, most of these promises are, more often than not, broken by January 31st. They are usually the (4) ___________________ that were not fulfilled from the previous year, and the years prior to that. The website usa.gov says people, "(5) ___________________ same resolutions year after year, even though they (6) ___________________ sticking to them".

Research shows 45 per cent of us make a New Year's resolution. The most (7) ___________________ losing weight, volunteering to help others, quitting smoking, saving money, and getting fit. Others (8) ___________________ food, drinking less alcohol, and going on a trip. However, research also shows that most of (9) ___________________ at sticking to these. A study from the University of Scranton reveals that 71 per cent of us stick to our (10) ___________________ the first two weeks; six months later, less than 50 per cent are (11) ___________________ keep their resolutions. Most people who give up on their resolutions do so because of a lack of willpower and the use of (12) ___________________ that they will 'try again next year'.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Who is Jayashri Kulkarni?
2.	What date did Jayashri Kulkarni contrast January 1 with?
3.	When are most New Year's resolutions broken by?
4.	According to the article, what are identical each year?
5.	What did the website usa.gov say people have a hard time doing?
6.	How many of us make a New Year's resolution?
7.	Who do many people resolve to help?
8.	How long do 71% of us stick to our resolutions?
9.	How many people continue their resolutions up to six months?
10.	What kind of clause do people use to stop their resolution?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Who is Jayashri Kulkarni?	6.	How many of us make a New Year's resolution?
	a) a computer scientist b) a psychiatry professor c) a gossip columnist d) an astrologist		a) 45% b) 44% c) 43% d) 42%
2.	What date did Jayashri Kulkarni contrast January 1 with?	7.	Who do many people resolve to help?
	a) December 25 b) March 14 c) January 31 d) August 26		a) those with no resolutions b) the lonely c) other people d) the poor
3.	When are most New Year's resolutions broken by?	8.	How long do 71% of us stick to our resolutions?
	a) January 31 b) August 26 c) March 14 d) January 2		a) two weeks b) two days c) 12 days d) 12 weeks
4.	According to the article, what are identical each year?	9.	How many people continue their resolutions up to six months?
	a) the stars and planets b) the Moon and Sun c) resolutions d) the weight people want to lose		a) less than 50% b) 55% c) 60% d) more than 65%
5.	What did the website usa.gov say people have a hard time doing?	10.	What kind of clause do people use to stop their resolution?
	a) getting fit b) sticking to resolutions c) finding a good resolution d) losing weight		a) a legal clause b) a grammatical clause c) a legal clause d) an escape clause

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Lose weight

You think the most difficult resolution is to lose weight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so difficult. Also, tell the others which is the easiest of these (and why): save money, be nice to everyone or get fit.

Role B – Save money

You think the most difficult resolution is to save money. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so difficult. Also, tell the others which is the easiest of these (and why): lose weight, be nice to everyone or get fit.

Role C – Be nice to everyone

You think the most difficult resolution is to be nice to everyone. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so difficult. Also, tell the others which is the easiest of these (and why): save money, lose weight or get fit.

Role D – Get fit

You think the most difficult resolution is to get fit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so difficult. Also, tell the others which is the easiest of these (and why): save money, be nice to everyone or lose weight.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'new' and 'year'.

new

year

Share your findings with your partners.

Make questions using the words you found.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

better
date
list
31
prior
hard

45
money
good
71
50
escape

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about New Year's resolutions in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	What are the most common resolutions in your country?
c)	How difficult would it be for you to save money this year?
d)	How difficult would it be for you to get fit this year?
e)	What do you think this year will be like for you?
f)	What things would you like to stop doing this year?
g)	What would you say about your willpower?
h)	What resolution should your best friend try, and why?
i)	What do you think of the "I'll try again next year" escape clause?
j)	What questions would you like to ask the psychiatry professor?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'resolution'?
c)	What do you think of the idea of New Year's resolutions?
d)	What New Year's resolutions do you make?
e)	Are you good or bad at keeping New Year's resolutions?
f)	What is special about the New Year period?
g)	How do you celebrate the New Year?
h)	How was last year for you?
i)	What one thing would you like to change about last year?
j)	Why do people have a hard time sticking to New Year's resolutions?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

The start of every New Year is when we all make plans to change our (1) ____ for the better over the forthcoming twelve months. Psychiatry professor Jayashri Kulkarni says: "January 1 is a 'magical' date and a vow (2) ____ on this day is much more powerful than one made on August 26, for example." So, we all make a list of things to quit, start or change. Unfortunately, most of these promises are, more often than (3) ____, broken by January 31st. They are usually the (4) ____ resolutions that were not fulfilled from the previous year, and the years (5) ____ to that. The website usa.gov says people, "(6) ____ to make the same resolutions year after year, even though they have a hard time sticking to them".

Research shows 45 per cent of us make a New Year's resolution. The most (7) ____ vows include losing weight, volunteering to help others, quitting smoking, saving money, and getting (8) ____. Others include eating healthier food, drinking less alcohol, and going on a trip. However, research also shows that most of us are not so good at sticking (9) ____ these. A study from the University of Scranton reveals that 71 per cent of us stick to our annual promises for the first two weeks; six months later, less than 50 per cent are still (10) ____ track to keep their resolutions. Most people who give up on their resolutions (11) ____ so because of a lack of willpower and the (12) ____ of the 'escape clause' that they will 'try again next year'.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	livelihood	(b)	life	(c)	living	(d)	lifetime
2.	(a)	done	(b)	made	(c)	had	(d)	been
3.	(a)	no	(b)	none	(c)	never	(d)	not
4.	(a)	identikit	(b)	identical	(c)	identically	(d)	identified
5.	(a)	priority	(b)	prayer	(c)	prowl	(d)	prior
6.	(a)	fend	(b)	mend	(c)	tend	(d)	rend
7.	(a)	common	(b)	commoner	(c)	commonly	(d)	commonest
8.	(a)	fitness	(b)	fits	(c)	fit	(d)	fitly
9.	(a)	below	(b)	up	(c)	on	(d)	to
10.	(a)	on	(b)	in	(c)	to	(d)	up
11.	(a)	do	(b)	quit	(c)	give	(d)	fail
12.	(a)	use	(b)	user	(c)	used	(d)	uses

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	over the oimhtrnfcog twelve months
2.	htrycsiyap professor
3.	usually the nielatcdi resolutions
4.	not ldlfuifel
5.	from the resivupo year
6.	the years rpiro to that
Paragraph 2
7.	the most cmonmo vows
8.	ntngrlveieuo to help others
9.	eating hraltihee food
10.	stick to our naulna promises
11.	because of a lack of lwwrpieol
12.	escape cealsu

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	weight, volunteering to help others, quitting smoking, saving money, and getting fit. Others include eating healthier
( )	food, drinking less alcohol, and going on a trip. However, research also shows that most of us are not so
( )	resolutions year after year, even though they have a hard time sticking to them".
( )	this day is much more powerful than one made on August 26, for example." So, we all make a list of
( )	willpower and the use of the 'escape clause' that they will 'try again next year'.
( )	of us stick to our annual promises for the first two weeks; six months later, less than 50 per cent are still on
( )	Research shows 45 per cent of us make a New Year's resolution. The most common vows include losing
( 1 )	The start of every New Year is when we all make plans to change our life for the better over the forthcoming
( )	track to keep their resolutions. Most people who give up on their resolutions do so because of a lack of
( )	twelve months. Psychiatry professor Jayashri Kulkarni says: "January 1 is a 'magical' date and a vow made on
( )	things to quit, start or change. Unfortunately, most of these promises are, more often than not, broken by
( )	good at sticking to these. A study from the University of Scranton reveals that 71 per cent
( )	year, and the years prior to that. The website usa.gov says people, "tend to make the same
( )	January 31st. They are usually the identical resolutions that were not fulfilled from the previous

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	for life our change to plans make all We better the .
2.	day is much more powerful A vow made on this .
3.	often are of broken than , these not more promises Most , .
4.	were from year that fulfilled previous Resolutions not the .
5.	though they have a hard time sticking to them Even .
6.	common most The weight losing include vows .
7.	us of Most these to sticking at good so not are .
8.	to our annual promises for the first two weeks Stick .
9.	their who resolutions give up Most on people .
10.	clause' 'escape the of use the and willpower of lack A .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The start of every / all New Year is when we all make plans to change our life for the better over the oncoming / forthcoming twelve months. Psychiatry professor Jayashri Kulkarni says: "January 1 is a 'magical' date and a vow / view made on this day is much more powerfully / powerful than one made on August 26, for example." So, we all make a list of things to quit / quieten, start or change. Unfortunately, most of these promises / promised are, more often than never / not, broken by January 31st. They are usually the identical / identically resolutions that were not fulfilled from the previous year, and the years prior / prayer to that. The website usa.gov says people, "tend to make the same resolutions year after year, even though they have a hard time stuck / sticking to them".

Research shows 45 per cent of us / we make a New Year's resolution. The most common vows include lost / losing weight, volunteering to help another / others, quitting smoking, saving money, and getting fit / fitness. Others include eating healthier food, drinking less alcohol, and going / gone on a trip. However, research also shows that most of us are not so good at striking / sticking to these. A study from the University of Scranton reveals that 71 per cent of us stick to our annul / annual promises for the first two weeks; six months later, less than 50 per cent are still on / in track to keep their resolutions. Most people who give up on their resolutions do so because of a lack / lick of willpower and the use / used of the 'escape clause' that they will 'try again next year'.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

Th_ st_rt _f _v_ry N_w Y__r _s wh_n w_ _ll m_k_ pl_ns t_ ch_ng_ __r l_f_ f_r th_ b_tt_r _v_r th_ f_rthc_m_ng tw_lv_ m_nths. Psych__try pr_f_ss_r J_y_shr_ K_lk_rn_ s_ys: "J_n__ry 1 _s _ 'm_g_c_l' d_t_ _nd _ v_w m_d_ _n th_s d_y _s m_ch m_r_ p_w_rf_l th_n _n_ m_d_ _n __g_st 26, f_r _x_mpl_." S_, w_ _ll m_k_ _ l_st _f th_ngs t_ q__t, st_rt _r ch_ng_. _nf_rt_n_t_ly, m_st _f th_s_ pr_m_s_s _r_, m_r_ _ft_n th_n n_t, br_k_n by J_n__ry 31st. Th_y _r_ _s__lly th_ _d_nt_c_l r_s_l_t__ns th_t w_r_ n_t f_lf_ll_d fr_m th_ pr_v___s y__r, _nd th_ y__rs pr__r t_ th_t. Th_ w_bs_t_ _s_.g_v s_ys p__pl_, "t_nd t_ m_k_ th_ s_m_ r_s_l_t__ns y__r _ft_r y__r, _v_n th__gh th_y h_v_ _ h_rd t_m_ st_ck_ng t_ th_m".

R_s__rch sh_ws 45 p_r c_nt _f _s m_k_ _ N_w Y__r's r_s_l_t__n. Th_ m_st c_mm_n v_ws _ncl_d_ l_s_ng w__ght, v_l_nt__r_ng t_ h_lp _th_rs, q__tt_ng sm_k_ng, s_v_ng m_n_y, _nd g_tt_ng f_t. _th_rs _ncl_d_ __t_ng h__lth__r f__d, dr_nk_ng l_ss _lc_h_l, _nd g__ng _n _ tr_p. H_w_v_r, r_s__rch _ls_ sh_ws th_t m_st _f _s _r_ n_t s_ g__d _t st_ck_ng t_ th_s_. _ st_dy fr_m th_ _n_v_rs_ty _f Scr_nt_n r_v__ls th_t 71 p_r c_nt _f _s st_ck t_ __r _nn__l pr_m_s_s f_r th_ f_rst tw_ w__ks; s_x m_nths l_t_r, l_ss th_n 50 p_r c_nt _r_ st_ll _n tr_ck t_ k__p th__r r_s_l_t__ns. M_st p__pl_ wh_ g_v_ _p _n th__r r_s_l_t__ns d_ s_ b_c__s_ _f _ l_ck _f w_llp_w_r _nd th_ _s_ _f th_ '_sc_p_ cl__s_' th_t th_y w_ll 'try _g__n n_xt y__r'.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the start of every new year is when we all make plans to change our life for the better over the forthcoming twelve months psychiatry professor jayashri kulkarni says "january 1 is a 'magical' date and a vow made on this day is much more powerful than one made on august 26 for example" so we all make a list of things to quit start or change unfortunately most of these promises are more often than not broken by january 31st they are usually the identical resolutions that were not fulfilled from the previous year and the years prior to that the website usagov says people "tend to make the same resolutions year after year even though they have a hard time sticking to them"

research shows 45 per cent of us make a new year's resolution the most common vows include losing weight volunteering to help others quitting smoking saving money and getting fit others include eating healthier food drinking less alcohol and going on a trip however research also shows that most of us are not so good at sticking to these a study from the university of scranton reveals that 71 per cent of us stick to our annual promises for the first two weeks six months later less than 50 per cent are still on track to keep their resolutions most people who give up on their resolutions do so because of a lack of willpower and the use of the 'escape clause' that they will 'try again next year'

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

ThestartofeveryNewYeariswhenweallmakeplanstochangeourlifefort
hebetterovertheforthcomingtwelvemonths.PsychiatryprofessorJay
ashriKulkarnisays:"January1isa'magical'dateandavowmadeonthisd
ayismuchmorepowerfulthanonemadeonAugust26,forexample."So,
weallmakealistofthingstoquit,startorchange.Unfortunately,mostoft
hesepromisesare,moreoftenthannot,brokenbyJanuary31st.Theyar
eusuallytheidenticalresolutionsthatwerenotfulfilledfromtheprevious
year,andtheyearspriortothat.Thewebsiteusa.govsayspeople,"tendt
omakethesameresolutionsyearafteryear,eventhoughtheyhaveahar
dtimestickingtothem".Researchshows45percentofusmakeaNewYea
r'sresolution.Themostcommonvowsincludelosingweight,volunteeri
ngtohelpothers,quittingsmoking,savingmoney,andgettingfit.Other
sincludeeatinghealthierfood,drinkinglessalcohol,andgoingonatrip.H
owever,researchalsoshowsthatmostofusarenotsogoodatstickingtot
hese.AstudyfromtheUniversityofScrantonrevealsthat71percentofus
sticktoourannualpromisesforthefirsttwoweeks;sixmonthslater,lesst
han50percentarestillontracktokeeptheirresolutions.Mostpeoplewho
giveupontheirresolutionsdosobecauseofalackofwillpowerandtheuse
ofthe'escapeclause'thattheywill'tryagainnextyear'.

FREE WRITING

Write about New Year's resolutions for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Everyone should make and keep five New Year's resolutions. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about New Year's resolutions. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS: Make a poster about New Year's resolutions. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. WILLPOWER: Write a magazine article about willpower. Include imaginary interviews with people who have a lot of willpower and with people who have little willpower.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to a psychiatry expert. Ask him/her three questions about New Year's resolutions and how to keep them. Give him/her three of your ideas. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

F

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	start	a.	beginning
2	forthcoming	b.	approaching
3.	vow	c.	promise
4.	unfortunately	d.	regrettably
5.	hard	e.	tough
6.	common	f.	widespread
7.	fit	g.	in good shape
8.	reveals	h.	shows
9.	annual	i.	yearly
10.	escape	j.	get out

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	A psychiatry professor
2.	August 26
3.	January 31st
4.	Resolutions
5.	Sticking to resolutions
6.	45%
7.	Other people
8.	Two weeks
9.	Less than 50%
10.	An escape clause

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

9.

a

10.

d

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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New Year's resolutions difficult to keep (2nd January, 2015)

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