HOME / VOCABULARY EXERCISES / NEW YEAR'S DAY 1

New Year's Eve/Day vocabulary exercise (ESL)

Choose the best response to complete each sentence.

1. New Year's Day (January 1st) is the first day of the year in the Gregorian (schedule/calendar).

2. New Year's Eve (December 31) is a time for (party/parties) and celebrations. These celebrations culminate with the (ringing/calling) in of the new year at midnight.

3. Many cities around the world have (spectacular/spectacled) fireworks displays at midnight on New Year's Eve. Some of the best known are in Sydney, New York, and London.

4. In New York City, a lot of people (gather/collect) on Times Square to watch the traditional "ball-dropping" ceremony (right/correct) before midnight.

5. A new year's (resolution/resolve) is a decision one makes to change something in the new year, for example - quitting smoking, losing weight, etc.

6. Many people don't follow (through/around) on these (resolutions/resolves).

7. It is quite common to (cheer/toast) the new year with champagne.

8. New Year's Day is an official holiday in many countries. People are most likely given the day off work to (recover/refurbish) from the previous night's parties.

9. In the time before (and after) New Year's Day, many radio and tv stations (broadcast/publish) various "best of the year" lists. Numerous magazines and newspapers (broadcast/publish) the same types of lists.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sometimes the new year is celebrated in unexpected and offbeat ways. Here are some of these quirky traditions from around the world:

1. Spain: Eating 12 grapes
You eat one grape for each clock chime at midnight.
Each grape represents good luck for one month of the new year.

2. Denmark: Smashing plates
People throw old dishes at friends' doors on New Year's Eve.
More broken plates = more friends and good fortune.

3. Scotland: First-footing
The first person to enter your home after midnight determines your luck.
Traditionally, a tall, dark-haired man brings the best fortune.

4. Colombia: Suitcase running
People run around the block with empty suitcases to attract travel in the new year.

5. Brazil: Jumping seven waves
At the beach, people jump seven ocean waves and make wishes.
Often paired with wearing white for peace.

6. Japan: 108 bell Rings
Buddhist temples ring bells 108 times to cleanse human sins and desires.
The sound is meant to purify the soul for the new year.

TRY OUR OTHER HOLIDAY VOCABULARY EXERCISES:

Australia Day (Australia)
Hanukkah
St. Nicholas Day
Christmas 1
Christmas (Visual matching) 1
Christmas (Visual matching) 2
St. Stephen's Day
New Year's Eve/New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Day
Valentine's Day
Presidents Day
St. Patrick's Day
April Fools' Day
Anzac Day (Australia/NZ)
Easter
Cinco De Mayo
Victoria Day (Canada)
Mother's Day/ Father's Day
Memorial Day
Canada Day
Independence Day (USA)
Ramadan
Labor Day
Halloween
Thanksgiving 1
Thanksgiving 2

Tired of ads? Sign up for our ad-free PREMIUM EDITION for lots of great content!