Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.
Preparation
Write about your New Year's resolutions for the coming year. Before you start, plan what you are going to include and think about who is going to read it.
My New Year's resolutions
by Darren
I like to start every year with my New Year's resolutions. Then I read them next 1 January and see how well I did!
Here are my resolutions this year.
1. Get fit!!
I say this every year but I hope writing it in public will make it more real. I'm aiming for three runs a week – I think I can do it! I think a fitness tracking app might help me achieve it. Or I could find a running partner. If anyone who's reading this wants to be my partner, let me know!
2. Save 10 per cent of my salary a month
Having no savings is starting to worry me and 10 per cent is realistic. It's not too much, but it's not too little that I won't see it add up. I'll put the money into a special bank account that will make it grow … Actually, I don't know much about that so maybe my next resolution should be to find out how to invest money!!
3. Cook more
I'd like to start inviting friends for dinner and cooking for them. I think once a month is a good plan. By the end of the year I want to have five dishes I can cook really well so people will say, 'Have you ever had Darren's delicious cooking?' Who wants to be my first guest?
Tips
- Before you start a writing task, make a plan. First, write down lots of ideas you could include. Then choose the best and most interesting ones.
- Don't write all your ideas in one section. Make one section for each idea. Write a heading for each section to show the reader what it's about.
- Think about who is going to read the text and choose the style accordingly. For your classmates, use an informal and clear style.
- Keep your reader interested by talking directly to them, e.g. by asking a question.
- When you have finished your writing, read it and check it for mistakes.
Hello Nikolaos,
I don't think there is a reason for this, to be honest. You could think about there being other skies around other planets while space is an abstract concept, but I'm not sure it is helpful or accurate. It's rather simply a case of convention through use, in my opinion.
We often use the with meteorological phenomena: the rain, the wind, the clouds etc.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Nikolaos
I agree with Peter's explanation: as far as I know, this is just a convention that has evolved over time. As he suggests, one could come up with arguments for why we say 'the sky' but not 'the space', but it's probably not that useful since in the end it appears to be a question of use.
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team