Views #847 | Low-Intermediate 4

New Year's Resolutions

Sabriya and Fred share what promises they will try to make for the new year.
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Fred: Hi, Sabriya. So tell me, in Oman do you guys have the same culture, the same traditions as we do? Do you celebrate New Year's?

Sabriya: Yes, we do. It's not one of the big events known in Oman but we do celebrate New Year and we follow the same calendar as you guys do.

Fred: Oh, is that right? So, as New Year's is almost coming soon, do you have any New Year's Resolution?

Sabriya: Well, for the past maybe three or four years I've been trying to have different resolutions but I never manage to stick to them or keep them. However, this year, I think I've made my mind up on a resolution which I plan to keep and that is to limit or actually lessen my phone bill.

Fred: Lessen your phone bill. Wow. I can't imagine how big the phone bill was before if you want to change it.

Sabriya: Oh, my goodness it was so big. I mean, you know, you know how much I love talking on the phone so, yes, it was quite big and I intend to, you know, discipline myself a lot more. So what about you Fred?

Fred: What about my New Year's Resolution?

Sabriya: Yes.

Fred: Wow! My New Year's resolution... I would say more my New Year's resolutions. I have many, but I think I have to focus on one or two of them to make it happen, so number one, I think as many people out there, I would like to quit smoking.

Sabriya: Good for you.

Fred: Thank you very much.

Sabriya: Good for you.

Fred: Will you support me?

Sabriya: Definitely. No doubt about it. I will personally support you.

Fred: Thank you very much for all your support. I think it's gonna be very good for me. Not only because this is bad for my health, but you know, it's just something that I think will give me a lot of confidence if I'm able to to do this, to quit. I will say I am strong and confident in myself and I can do this. Now, my other New Year's resolution would be... I love my grandmother so much, but as I don't live close to her anymore, I feel that I'm losing a bit in my relationship with her, and so I would like to call her every week.

Sabriya: That is very sweet. That is so cute. I think that's something we should all have.

Fred: Thank you very much.

Sabriya: To have grandmothers and mothers and call them all the time.

Learn vocabulary from the lesson!

same as you guys

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We follow the same calendar as you guys.

The phrase 'same as you guys' is an informal expression that means the 'same as you'.  Notice the following:

  1. We have the same pollution problems as you guys.
  2. We are going to the same place as you guys.

resolutions

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I've been making different resolutions.

When we make 'New Year's resolutions,' we decide to do something positive or stop doing something negative in the new year.  Notice the following:

  1. I never make resolutions.
  2. My New Year's resolution is to lose weight.

stick to them

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I never to stick to them.

To 'stick to something' means to keep doing it, even if it is very difficult.  Notice the following:

  1. I don't make resolutions because I never manage to stick to them.
  2. Once we make resolutions, it's often difficult to stick to them.

made my mind up

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I've made my mind up.

To 'make my mind up' means we have made a decision about something.  Notice the following:

  1. I've made my mind up to study Business.
  2. After thinking carefully, he made his mind up.

losing a bit

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I feel that I'm losing a bit.

Here, the phrase 'losing a bit' is similar in meeting to 'missing something'.  Notice the following:

  1. I'm losing a bit not spending more time by my family.
  2. He's losing a bit by not practicing English at every opportunity.

Vocabulary Quiz

as you guys • resolutions • stick to
her mind • losing a bit
  1. Are you going to make any this year?
  2. Don't you feel you are by not living near a big city?
  3. He lives in the same neighborhood .
  4. You need to decide on a plan and it.
  5. As soon as she makes up there is no arguing with her.
Answer the following questions about the interview.

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