New Year’s Resolutions
Special Accents:
Host: It’s the tradition of many people around the world to set personal goals or “resolutions” at the start of a new year. Listen in now as I speak to a few individuals “On the Street” about their New Year’s resolutions.We’re outside of a restaurant here in Atlanta, Georgia—or “Hotlanta” as it’s known among the locals, and we’re talking to individuals about their New Year’s resolutions. We’ve found some willing participants, and so we’ll ask them a few questions. Thanks for talking to Stateside Sounds, a Subscription to Better English. Can you give us your names first?
Todd: Todd.
Kimberly: Kimberly.
Brandon Brandon.
Host: Thank you for answering a few questions about resolutions. Let’s start with the most basic. The New Year’s just begun, have you made any resolutions this year?
Todd: I did. Uh . . . I made a resolution to read more books this year.
Host: That’s good. Kimberly, how about you?
Kimberly: Not yet. That’s something that I’m going to work on.
Brandon I’m perfect.
Host: You’re perfect already. Is that what I understood?
Brandon Yeah.
Host: Very good. How old are you, Brandon?
Brandon Fifteen.
Host: Fifteen. I understand, now, because you are in high school. Is that right?
Brandon Yeah.
Host: High schoolers don’t need New Year’s resolutions.
Brandon No.
Host: OK. Excellent. Well, what kind of resolutions in a normal year would you make? Kimberly, you said you hadn’t made any yet.
Kimberly: Well, I wanted to get in better shape and try to exercise a lot more. Umm . . . I attempted one week to do it, but it wasn’t like a formal resolution where I wrote it
down and made it a major goal. But it’s still kind of hanging over me, and I know it’s something that I need to do.
Host: And that you want to do. Well, how long would you say most people stick with their New Year’s Day resolutions?
Kimberly: Maybe a month.
Host: About a month? So what value do you see that there is in making resolutions if people generally don’t stick with them?
Kimberly: Well, I think it’s good to just kind of step back and reevaluate your life and . . . umm . . . think about things that you need to change—and hopefully things will stick, but they don’t always.
Host: Todd, what do you think about that?
Todd: I agree. I think it’s a good time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished in the past year, (and) what you look forward to accomplishing in the year to come. Umm, so whether or not you actually achieve your goal or meet your resolution, I think it’s a healthy activity to engage in.
Host: So would you normally set other goals during the course of the year and not just at New Year’s?
Todd: I do. Umm, I set goals throughout the year, but I think . . . uh . . . the New Year is a good excuse to . . . to start something that you’ve been procrastinating.
Host: Very good. So, Brandon, turning back to you. You said you don’t have any New Year’s resolutions because you are perfect. What about schoolwork? I mean, you have homework and grades. Do you have any particular goals as far as your schooling or athletics or anything?
Brandon I want to get good grades so I can get into college, and I want to do well at swimming, but …
Host: What does . . . what does “good grades” mean?
Brandon Umm . . . all A’s, unless it’s a really hard class and a B.
Host: All A’s and a B, that’s good. And to get into a good university, what kind of a grade point average do you have to have?
Brandon Depends. Probably over 3.5 at least.
Host: So your resolution might be to score over a 3.5?
Brandon Right.
Host: Am I putting words in your mouth?
Brandon Yeah.
Host: Yes, OK. Good. Well, I wish all of you good luck in your New Years’ resolutions and again want to thank you for talking to Stateside Sounds.
locals = the people of a particular place or city
high schooler = student in high school
to get in shape = to get into good physical condition; to become healthy and fit (usually by exercising-running, walking, lifting weights, playing sports, etc.)
attempted (to attempt) = to try
kind of = expression used to say something less directly or to soften a statement. Note: this can also be a poor speaking habit if it’s used too much.
hanging over me = something I still want to do or need to do; something I’m still thinking about
to stick with = to continue to do; to stay with something
to step back = to stop or pause what you are doing to reconsider or rethink how to do it
to reflect = to think about; to meditate
engage (to engage) = to participate; to be involved
procrastinating (to procrastinate) = to not do something when one should; to delay or put off doing something
as far as = in this case, “regarding” or “with respect to”; also commonly used in “as far as I know,” which indicates that one does not have full knowledge of something
putting words in your mouth = giving an answer for someone
New Years Day Resolutions in the class room
Hi. In the classroom today you will learn a little about New Year’s Day and New Year's resolutions.
New Year's Day is the first day of the year.
On the modern calendar, it is celebrated on January 1st.
New Year's Day is often celebrated with fireworks.
Many people spend time thinking about the previous year.
Still other people think about changes to be made in the New Year.
These changes are called resolutions.
A resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to themselves.
These are a few of the most popular New Year’s resolutions.
- Workout and get fit
- Pay off debt and save money
- Take a trip
- Relax more
- Get a better education
- Get a better job
- Drink less alcohol
- Quit smoking
- Volunteer to help others
If you miss one day of your New Year’s resolution, don’t get discouraged.
Simply continue on with your resolution the next day.
Happy New Year.
Until next time.
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