4. Write a short summary of a festival you know about. Read your summary to a partner.

LESSON 2

LISTENING

1. Think about last New Year's Eve. Work with a partner and ask and answer these questions.

a) Where were you? b) Who were you with? c) What did you do?

2. What do you know about Chinese New Year? Decide whether you think the statements below are true or false.

a) New Year takes place in early January.

b) Just before New Year, people clean their houses to sweep away bad luck.

c) Some people also put up red decorations to frighten away bad luck.

d) The traditional New Year's Eve dinner is Peking duck.

e) People usually spend New Year's Eve with their friends.

f) On New Year's Eve people stay in and watch television.

g) At midnight on New Year's Eve people set offfireworks and firecrackers.

3. Listen to Hua and check your ideas. Correct the statements that are false.

4. Work with a partner. Rewrite the statements in Exercise 2 with information about New Year's Eve celebrations in your country.

VOCABULARY

5. Underline the correct verbs in the following extract from the interview about Chinese New Year.

'I'm going to help my mother to (1) do / make the housework. We're going to sweep away all the bad luck and (2) do / make room for good luck to come in.'

6. Complete the questions with the correct form of do or make.

a) Do you always_____________New Year's resolutions?

b) Who usually______________the cooking in your house?

c) Have you ever_____________a promise that you haven't kept?

d) Are you_____________any type of training course at the moment?

e) When was the last time you______________a wish? Did it come true?

f) When you________________the shopping do you usually a list first?

7. Ask your partner the questions.

8. Work with a partner. Decide whether the nouns in the box collocate with do or make. Use your dictionary if necessary.

a comment a decision a degree a job a mistake a noise a profit a suggestion an excuse arrangements money progress some decorating some exercise some research some skiing something clear sure the ironing your homework

SPEAKING & READING

9. Work with a partner. Discuss when and why people have the following types of party.

• a housewarming party • an 18th birthday party • an office party

• a farewell/leaving party • a surprise party • a fancy dress party

What other types of party can you think of?

10. What do you think makes a good party? Write a list and agree on the three most important 'ingredients'.

Read the article and find out how many of your ideas are mentioned. Do you agree with the other ideas?

How to throw the best party ever? (and enjoy it)

A theme Fancy dress can be a great ice-breaker, but only if everybody dresses up. So if you want your guests to dress up, make it dear when you send invitations. Nobody wants to be the one dressed as a gorilla, if everyone else is in their most glamorous party clothes.

Create a good atmosphere if you’re having the party at home, you need to push back the furniture and change a few light bulbs. Soft lighting is important to get people in the mood - and it makes them look better too. Balloons, candles and fairy lights all add to the party atmosphere.

The right people Invite more people than you want at the party, and make sure you invite some party animals to get the dancing started and some good mixers who’ll mingle with the guests. Try to avoid inviting ex-partners or people who dislike each other for other reasons.

A warm welcome When your guests arrive at your door, a warm welcome will make them feel special. They’ll also need somewhere to put their coats.

More than enough good food and drink There’s nothing worse than running out of food or drink. And don’t forget to stock up on the chopped carrots to keep the vegetarians happy.

Music First, you’ll need somewhere to dance. So make sure that sofa is out of the way. Next, you’ll need a good variety of music - something for everyone. You may be into old hardcore acid house techno rave music, and it’s your party so you can do what you like, but you may find that nobody else is dancing.

Games Are you over twelve? So stop it.

Three golden rules

1 Delegate! You can’t do everything. You’ll need four helpers: someone to meet and greet the guests; someone to take care of the bar; someone to take care of the food; and someone to do the music.

2 Don’t worry about the mess! It’s no fun for party guests to see the host running around holding a dustpan and brush.

3 Enjoy yourself!