Watch the following video to check it!

Read this summary and start doing an exercise about it.

Now, do these activities to practice.

Task 1: We usually make the same resolutions every year. Watch this video about Ellen’s New Year’s Resolutions and put in order, from 1 to 6, the ideas she mentions:

Task 2: At the end, she tells us her conclusions. Fill the gaps with the information you hear about the New Year’s Day:

You’re off ____________ (1)

People are _____________ (2)

Nothing is on TV (a parade that lasts_______________ (3))

__________ (4), smoke, ___________ (5)

Tell people you know about your resolutions (lose _____________ (6))

Do ______________ (7) you want

keys:

Task 1: The correct order is: 5 - 2 - 1 - 4 - 6 - 3

Task 2: (1) work; (2) at home; (3) three hours; (4) drink; (5) eat; (6) weight; (7) whatever

Notes:

Procrastinators: people that leave things they have to do for later

Go shopping down to the wire: Wait for going shopping until the last minute

Mark the following sentences as True or False:

a) Diane doesn’t like shopping on Christmas Day because of the crowds

b) Only five per cent will finish their shopping by Christmas day

c) Some people use their holidays for shopping

d) One woman gets what she wants fifteen minutes before her kids wake up

e) Some people prefer going to the malls to see some stores just for fun

f) They prefer two-stop shopping

g) K-mart has any gift book you can imagine

h) If you want you can shop on Christmas day at 3 in the morning

j) There you can find inflatable fountains and crumb pots

k) Things the day before Christmas are cheaper

l) Drugstores close late that day

Key (only the false ones): 

a) because there are less crowds

d) five minutes

e) some stores they had never considered

j) inflatable beds, fondue fountains and crumb pots

k) more expensive

l) early

If you want, put the lines of its lyrics in order:

A-     Here we are as in olden days,

B-     Through the years

C-    Make the Yule-tide gay,

D-    From now on,

E-     Faithful friends who are dear to us

F-     If the Fates allow

G-    Our troubles will be far away

H-     Our troubles will be out of sight

I-        Gather near to us once more

J-      From now on

K-     Hang a shinning star upon the highest bough

L-      And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

M-    Have yourself a merry little Christmas

N-     Have yourself a merry little Christmas

O-    Let your heart be light

P-     Happy golden days of yore

Q-   We all will be together

Key:

1- M/N; 2- O; 3- D/J; 4- H; 5- M/N; 6- C; 7- D/J; 8- G; 9- A; 10- P; 11- E; 12- I; 13- B; 14- Q; 15- F; 16- K; 17- L

That is...

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on, 
our troubles will be far away.

Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.

Through the years 
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.  

1- What can happen to you if you breathe the air of the village?

2- What do people think about plants in the area?

3- What have the village leaders done on this respect?

4- Why do villagers stay there?

5- What's the typical colour of a good day there?

6- What cares does the ill man require and which are his symptoms?

7- What about children at school?

http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/active-passive.html

"I think…"

"I feel that…"

"In my opinion…"

"As far as I'm concerned…"

"As I see it…"

"In my view…"

"I tend to think that…"

Giving a strong opinion

"I'm absolutely convinced that…"

"I'm sure that…"

"I strongly believe that…"

"I have no doubt that…"

English expressions for asking someone's opinion

"What do you think?"

"What's your view?"

"How do you see the situation?"

Speaking Tip

Try to practise using these expressions, so that your speech sounds more varied!

http://www.ego4u.com/en/business-english/grammar/passive