New Year’s Celebrations
Reading and Writing 5 Activities
Activity 1
Reading
For each question, choose the correct answer.
New Year’s Celebrations
Carlos Jack Lucas
1. Who celebrates New Year’s Eve by eating
food at midnight? A B C
2. Which person wears special clothes to
A B C
celebrate New Year’s Eve?
3. Who spends New Year’s Eve watching
A B C
fireworks by the river?
4. Who goes into the sea for good luck? A B C
5. Which person stays on the beach all
A B C
night?
6. Who eats dinner at a restaurant? A B C
7. Who makes a promise to change A B C
something in their life?
Disclaimer: This resource has been made for the purpose of teaching English language learners. We know that students can be learning English in many different places, in many different ways and at any age,
so we try to keep these resources as general as possible.
There are many acronyms associated with English language teaching. These include (but are not limited to) ELT, TEFL, EFL, ELL, EAL and ESOL. While the term ESL may not fully represent the linguistic
backgrounds of all students, it is the most widely recognised term for English language teaching globally. Therefore, we use the term ‘ESL’ in the names of our resources to make them easy to find but they are
suitable for any student learning to speak English.
Page 1 of 5 visit [Link]
New Year’s Celebrations KET Reading and Writing
Carlos
Every New Year’s Eve, my family and I go for a meal at our favourite restaurant
in town. Then, we do something that is typical in Spain. At midnight, we eat 12
grapes—one for each bell sound at midnight. We believe it brings good luck for
each month of the new year. Last year, it was difficult to eat them all in time
because we were laughing so much, but we did it! After that, we celebrated with
friends and stayed up until the early morning.
Jack
In England, New Year’s Eve is all about fireworks and celebrations with friends.
At midnight, many people watch fireworks, either at home or in big cities like
London, where thousands of people watch by the River Thames. Some people also
make New Year’s plans, where they promise to do something like eat healthier or
exercise more in the new year. Last year, I went to a party with friends, and we
watched the fireworks in London together before staying up to sing songs and
celebrate.
Lucas
For New Year’s Eve, my friends and I go to the beach. In Brazil, many people
wear white clothes on this night because people believe that it brings peace and
makes people happy. We also watch fireworks by the ocean, and some people
jump in the water for good luck. Last year, we stayed at the beach until the sun
was shining, dancing and celebrating with everyone.
Page 2 of 5 visit [Link]
New Year’s Celebrations KET Reading and Writing
Activity 2
Grammar
Complete the sentences with a verb from the box and ‘going to’.
buy (not) study start (not) play
eat watch visit travel
1. We our friends at the weekend.
2. He video games after dinner.
3. What you in the supermarket?
4. I to Mexico for two months next summer.
5. My sister a new hobby next month.
6. they at the new restaurant tonight?
7. Ellie for her exam next week.
8. they the football match on Saturday?
Activity 3
Write 5 sentences about your plans for the New Year using ‘going to’.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Page 3 of 5 visit [Link]
New Year’s Celebrations KET Reading and Writing
Activity 4
Reading
Read the text and for each question, choose the correct answer.
New Year’s Eve in New York City
New Year’s Eve is a special time in New York City. Every year, thousands of
people travel 1 Times Square to celebrate. At midnight, a big ball
2 down from a tall building, and everyone counts the last seconds of
the year. It is a very exciting 3 . People come from all over the world
to see it.
Many people arrive at Times Square early in the day to get a good place. They
4 warm clothes because it can be very cold. At the celebration,
there is music, dancing, and fireworks. Some people eat hot dogs and drink hot
chocolate while they wait for midnight.
In New York, people normally make a wish for the new year. People
5 their plans for the New Year and hope for good things. It is a
great time to 6 new friends and enjoy the fun.
1. A at B in C to
2. A drop B drops C dropped
3. A time B hour C minute
4. A wear B put C get
5. A talk B speak C tell
6. A make B have C do
Page 4 of 5 visit [Link]
New Year’s Celebrations KET Reading and Writing
Activity 5
Writing
You want to invite your English friend, Sally, to a New Year’s Eve party.
Write an email to Sally.
In your email:
• Invite Sally to the New Year’s Eve party.
• Say where the party will be.
• Say what time the party will start.
Write 25 words or more.
Page 5 of 5 visit [Link]
New Year’s Celebrations KET Reading and Writing
Answers
Activity 1
1 A
2 C
3 B
4 C
5 C
6 A
7 B
Activity 2
1 are going to visit
2 isn’t going to play
3 are you going to buy
4 am going to travel
5 is going to start
6 are they going to eat
7 isn’t going to study
8 are they going to watch
Page 1 of 2 visit [Link]
New Year’s Celebrations KET Reading and Writing
Activity 3
Students' own answers.
Activity 4
1 C
2 B
3 A
4 A
5 C
6 A
Activity 5
Students' own answers.
Page 2 of 2 visit [Link]