Daniel's New Year's Resolutions

Last year wasn’t the best year for Daniel. His birthday
was on 1st January, so he celebrated it on New Year’s Eve
with all his friends and family. His parents threw him
a huge party and everyone had a whale of a time. He
promised himself he’d have the best year of his life, but he
didn’t keep his promise!

He told himself that he’d try his hardest at school and get
good grades throughout the year, but he never studied for
an exam! He thought he knew all the content and answers
but in the end, he had to repeat all his subjects because his
grades were so low. He also promised his mum that he’d be
nicer to her, but all he did was cause arguments and behave
badly at home. Another resolution that he made was to
walk the dog every day after school, but surprise, he didn’t
do it! He broke that resolution after one week as he’s such
a couch potato, and his sister was the one who had to take
the dog for a walk in the park.

However, Daniel is determined to change this year, and really turn

over a new leaf. Now he’s 15, he knows he needs to be more mature
and pull his socks up. He wants to study at university in the future,
so now is the time to change. Firstly, he’s going to do his homework
on time for all his subjects and try to be on better terms with his
teachers. That way, he can prepare for university life in advance. He
also wants to buy some new football boots so he can practise in his
free time, so he’ll need to save some money. He’s already saved some
of his pocket money, and he’s promised himself that he’ll save £200
over the course of the year. He’s certain that his parents will be really
proud of him if he manages to stick to his resolutions.

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There are many acronyms associated with English language teaching. These include (but are not limited to) ELT, TEFL, EFL, ELL, EAL and ESOL. While the term ESL may not fully represent the linguistic
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 Daniel's New Year's Resolutions

Questions
Activity 1: Answer the questions

1. What New Year’s Resolutions did Daniel make last year?

2. Why didn’t he keep each one?

3. What promises has Daniel made to himself for this year?

4. Do you think he’ll keep them? Why? Why not?

Activity 2: Idioms

1. What do you think ‘have a whale of a time’ means?

2. What is a ‘couch potato’?

3. What does ‘turn over a new leaf’ mean?

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 Daniel's New Year's Resolutions

4. What does ‘pull your socks up’ mean?

5. If you want to be on ‘better terms’ with someone, what does it mean?

Activity 3: Answer the sentences with ‘true’ or ‘false’. Correct the sentences that
are false.

1. Daniel didn’t have to repeat any of his school subjects last year.

2. Daniel’s sister had to take the dog for a walk because he’s so lazy.

3. Daniel wants to buy himself a new computer so he’s going to save money.

4. Daniel is determined to change his behaviour this year.

5. Daniel doesn’t want to get on well with his teachers.

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 Daniel's New Year's Resolutions

Answers
Activity 1: Answer the questions

1. What New Year’s Resolutions did Daniel make last year?

To study for all his exams, be nicer to his mum and take the dog for a walk every day.

2. Why didn’t he keep each one?

He thought he knew all the content for his exams, he caused arguments with his mum
and his sister had to walk the dog.

3. What promises has Daniel made to himself for this year?

He wants to save money and do all his homework on time.

4. Do you think he’ll keep them? Why? Why not?

Students’ own answers.

Activity 2: Idioms

1. What do you think ‘have a whale of a time’ means?

To have lots of fun.

2. What is a ‘couch potato’?

Someone who is very lazy.

3. What does ‘turn over a new leaf’ mean?

To change your behaviour for the better.

4. What does ‘pull your socks up’ mean?

To start working or studying harder.

5. If you want to be on ‘better terms’ with someone, what does it mean?

To have a friendly relationship with someone.

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 Daniel's New Year's Resolutions

Activity 3: Answer the sentences with ‘true’ or ‘false’. Correct the sentences that
are false.

1. Daniel didn’t have to repeat any of his school subjects last year.

False. Daniel had to repeat all his school subjects last year.

2. Daniel’s sister had to take the dog for a walk because he’s so lazy.

True.

3. Daniel wants to buy himself a new computer so he’s going to save money.

False. Daniel wants to buy himself some new football boots so he’s going to save money.

4. Daniel is determined to change his behaviour this year.

True.

5. Daniel doesn’t want to get on well with his teachers.

False. Daniel wants to get on well with his teachers.

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