My New Year's resolutions

北师大贵阳附中 罗跃梅

难词探意

assign/ə'saɪn/v.分配；分派

New Year for me is a new beginning.Every time,on New Year's Eve,I would write down a list of a few resolutions for the coming year.I would review them a year later,before the beginning of the next new year,to see ifthose goals were achieved.

However,my plans would rarely come to life—no wonder!With the New Year celebration,holidays and family outings,it was hard to remember about them after holidays.It is like making a wish and hoping it will come true.This year I've decided to take a different approach to my New Year's resolutions.

I have noted down a few resolutions that I would like to take this year and stick to them.The most important of all is to be organized.I never have the habit of organizing my work and therefore end up with incomplete homework and projects.So this year I plan to be more systematic and organized,so that I finish my work on time and do not put off the works assigned to me.

Secondly,I would like to be a good reader,which must come first before any other resolution.I have been fully aware that reading makes a full man,but I hardly take the time to read,even if I have time.So this time I have decided that I would spent some time in a day reading a book that would enrich my knowledge and develop my interest in reading.

Another area that I would like to improve myself is dealing with the excess time spent on the Internet.Hours together I sit in front of the system,though I know it is just wasting my time.I have decided to cut down the time I use for surfing and make it more productive,rather than just visiting social networking sites and chatting.Along with the Internet,the other electronic item that has addicted me is the cellphone.I spent hours talking over the phone not realizing the harmful effects it causes,and it wastes my time and money.I have decided to cut it down only for essentials like my poor mathematics and to spend more quality time with my classmates.

This time,I am determined to stick to my resolutions and get myself corrected to be a much better person,both for myself and to the society.

Reading

Check

1.Which word can describe the author's emotion at his previous resolutions?

A.Amazed.

B.Excited.

C.Hopeful.

D.Disappointed.

2.What is the author's first consideration for this year's resolutions?

A.Being specific.

B.Being organized.

C.Being periodic.

D.Being measurable.

3.Which of the following is the author's first specific resolution of this year?

A.To be a good reader.

B.To spend time wisely.

C.To surf the Internet less.

D.To be with classmates more.

4.What could the author be according to the text?

A.A worker.

B.A parent.

C.A student.

D.A singer.

Cultural

Background

用Smart原则制订新年计划

同制订其他计划一样，制订新年计划应突出Smart原则。

S——Specific。目标要有明确性，具体、翔实。

M——Measurable。目标可以衡量，可以评价。

A——Acceptable。目标要具有可接受性，符合自己的能力。

R——Realistic。目标要符合实际，能通过积极努力得以实现。

T——Timed。目标要分阶段实施，限定时间完成。

主题应用·语库构建

Ⅰ.热词积累

1.节日的起源与变迁

originate from起源于

date back to追溯到

outlaw宣布……不合法

forbid禁止

make a comeback回归

regain its popularity重新流行起来

fall on(节日、生日等)正当……；适逢……

2.节日活动

gather聚集

get together聚集

set off fireworks燃放烟花

family reunions家人团聚

temple fairs庙会

give red packets/envelopes发红包

lucky money压岁钱

kick off the celebration开始庆祝

have customary foods吃传统食物

flock to聚集到

drive away evil驱除恶鬼

reflect on old times and look forward to the future反思旧时光，展望未来

attend a ceremony出席仪式

display of fireworks烟火表演

dress up穿上盛装；乔装打扮；装扮

exchange gifts交换礼物

be dressed in beautiful costumes穿上漂亮的服装

watch China's annual Spring Festival Gala观看中国一年一度的春节联欢晚会

one of the biggest New Year's Eve celebrations in the world世界上最大的除夕庆祝活动之一

3.其他

ensure the next 12 months will be filled with luck确保接下来的12个月充满幸运

hold a sacred place in our hearts在我们的心中占据神圣的位置

drive away evil spirits in the New Year在新年里赶走邪恶的灵魂

stand for peace and prosperity代表和平与繁荣

get the new year underway开始新的一年

wish a prosperous new year祝新年发财

launch fireworks燃放烟花

New Year's resolutions新年决心

in memory of/in honor of为纪念……

Ⅱ.美句背诵

1.Around the world,cultures welcome the change of the calendar with unique New Year's traditions of their own.世界各地的文化都用自己独特的新年传统来辞旧迎新。

2.It is thought to be lucky to wear special underwear on New Year's Eve.人们认为在除夕穿上特别的内衣是幸运的。

3.It means letting go of the past year and making way for better things in the new year.这意味着放下过去的一年，开启新的一年。

4.Taking a walk around the block with an empty suitcase before midnight is believed to make travel dreams in the new year come true.人们相信，在午夜前带着一个空手提箱在街区散步可以让旅行梦想在新的一年实现。

5.Different traditions stand for each nation's customs,history as well as beliefs.As long as these traditions live,they will make each nation unique and the world a colorful place with multiculturalism.不同的传统代表着每个国家的习俗、历史和信仰。只要这些传统存在，它们将使每个国家独特，世界也将成为一个包含多元文化的丰富多彩的地方。

6.Firecrackers exploded in alleyways,lighting up the night and adding to the already great excitement of exploring a large city with a different culture.鞭炮在小巷里爆炸，照亮了夜空，增添了探索一个具有不同文化的大城市本来就有的巨大兴奋。