Take Away English-New Year 新年

Everyone is getting excited about the New Year

New Year in the UK usually starts with a celebration on New Year’s Eve (31st December). Some people spend the evening at home with their family, or have a party for friends at their house.

Others go to a pub to celebrate, or spend the evening in a large public space, for example Trafalgar Square in London.

The beginning of the New Year is signified¹ by the chiming of Big Ben, the famous London clock, at midnight, which is also shown on TV for those who are staying in.

In Scotland, New Year is called Hogmanay, and for some people, it’s a bigger celebration than Christmas. In big cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow there are street parties with around 100,000 people, enjoying music, entertainment and fireworks at midnight.

One Scottish tradition which is now popular throughout the UK as well as in the USA, is the singing of a traditional folk song. ‘Auld lang syne’, reminds us to think of old friends and remember the good times of the past, as we look to the future.

Although New Year’s Eve involves drinking alcohol for many people, New Year’s Day signals the start of a healthier life, as some people make New Year’s resolutions.

Often these are connected with fitness² and health, for example giving up smoking or drinking, taking more exercise or losing weight. Other people make a resolution to improve their life in other ways, such as spending more time with family, learning something new, or getting out of debt.

Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to stick to your resolutions, especially if they are related to saving money. The January sales can provide shopaholics with far too much temptation.

Almost every shop is full of special offers and bargains, which can make it hard to just go window shopping.

GLOSSARY 词汇表
pub 酒吧, 酒馆 chiming 打钟报时 folk song 民间歌曲 signals 发信号，预示 resolutions 决心 giving up 放弃 debt 债务 sales 大减价 temptation 吸引，诱惑 bargains 交易，好买卖	signified 意味着，象征 street parties 花街联欢 alcohol 酒 healthier 更健康 fitness 体质 spending more time with 多花时间 （和家人在一起） to stick to 坚持 shopaholics 购物狂 special offers 特价优惠 window shopping 逛商店

 

1 signified   

符号义，所指

参考例句：

• This decision signified a radical change in their policies. 这个决定表明了他们的政策发生了根本的变化。
• She was in complete disagreement,and signified this fact immediately. 她完全不同意，并且立即表明了这一事实。

2 fitness   

n.适合，适当，健康，健身

参考例句：

• They're doing exercises to improve their fitness.他们为增强体质而做体操。
• No one questions her fitness for the job.没人怀疑她能胜任这项工作。