Do the Preparation task first. Then listen to the audio. Next go to each Task and do the activity. If you need help, you can read the Transcript at any time.
Preparation
Before you listen
We suggest you do the vocabulary activity below before you listen. Then listen to the episode and do the first task to check your understanding. Finally, practise some vocabulary and grammar.
Transcript
Audio script
Johnny: So, after our successful Christmas, what are we going to do for New Year’s Eve?
Sarah: When is New Year’s Eve?
Harry: Tomorrow!
Sarah: New Year already! Christmas has only just finished!
Magda: Strictly speaking, Sarah, it still is Christmas – Christmas goes on until January 6th. New Year’s Eve is part of Christmas.
Sarah: Wow, it never ends...
Carlos: I can cook again! Is there a special dinner for New Year in Britain?
Harry: Not really
Johnny: In China there are lots of processions in the streets. Are there processions here?
Olivia: Not really
Sarah: In China New Year is a very important holiday. Is it very important in Britain?
Fadi: Not really.
Johnny: So what do people do for New Year?
Harry: Depends... some people have parties, some people go to a pub or a club and drink a lot.
Olivia: Some people go and stand outside – quite a lot of people go to Trafalgar Square in the centre of London...
Johnny: Let’s do that!
Harry: No way! It’s too cold!
Fadi: And usually raining!
Olivia: And too chaotic!
Sarah: Do people drink a lot?
Harry: Some do.
Sarah: I hate drinking beer.
Harry: A lot of people stay at home and watch TV.
Olivia: Then sing a song at midnight
Sarah: What’s the song?
Olivia: It’s a Scottish song really... (sings a bit of Auld Lang Syne)
Sarah: That’s nice. What do the words mean?
Olivia: Erm, well, no one really knows...
Harry: Some people know.
Fadi: In Scotland, probably!
Johnny: So what shall we do, then?
Sarah: I don’t want to go to a pub and get drunk.
Fadi: We could go to a club – I know some great places – we can go out dancing till dawn! Great music, lots of girls...
Olivia: You and your girlfriends...
Fadi: OK, OK... Let’s forget that idea then.
Harry: No, it’s not for me... I don’t think Bindyu would like it...
Fadi: Come on Harry, you can’t let Bindyu organise your life!
Harry: She doesn’t organise my life! I like being with her, and I like doing the things she wants to do...
Fadi: I’ve lost you, mate!
Harry: I think you need a girlfriend too!
Fadi: Hey! No way! I’ve got lots of girls...!
Johnny: Oh yeah? How come I’ve never met them?
Fadi: Well, erm, hey, erm... you know how it is...
Johnny: I think we should have a procession...
Olivia: Where?
Magda: Just around the café.
Tony: What’s that? A procession in my café?! Forget it! Anyway, I close early on New Year’s Eve, so you lot will need to find something else to do.
Johnny: We have to decide now then – what are we going to do on New Year’s Eve?
Harry: I’m going to see Bindyu. I think we’ll stay at home.
Olivia: I’m going to stay at home too. My sister’s going to a party with her husband, so I have to look after my nephew Joe.
Fadi: Now you tell me!
Olivia: Sorry... listen – why don’t you come round?
Fadi: Erm... OK then...
Carlos: Sarah... erm... I... er... would you like to come out with me?
Sarah: I can’t leave my friend Magda on her own!
Johnny: And hang on – what about me, too!?
Olivia: Ok, everyone... I guess you can all come to my house, but only until midnight! Then you all have to go home!
All: Hooray! Great idea! Happy New Year!!!
Hell Gehad
In the context of Chinese New Year or other events, a 'procession' is a group of people walking on the street together in an organized way as part of a celebration or ceremony. For example, when a football team wins a championship, sometimes they are in a sort of procession in the streets of their home city. Nowadays, the footballers are often in a bus of some sort, but if they were walking, it would be a procession. In Chinese New Year, people often dress as lions or dragons and walk or dance in the street accompanied by fireworks -- this is a kind of procession, too.
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team