GRAMMAR: “Looks Right… But Isn’t”
Read the two sentences. Choose the one that sounds more natural in English.
A) I stayed home on the New Year.
B) I stayed home for New Year.
Answer: B
Why: “For New Year” is commonly used for the holiday period. “On” is usually for specific days or dates.
Explain why some people open windows or doors at midnight.
Correct answer: To let the old year out.
Why: Symbolic fresh start.
Explain in simple words what this sentence means:
“I’m taking it easy today.”
Correct answer: Relaxing, no stress
Why: It means low effort and rest.
Choose the word that best fits the meaning:
Feeling emotionally empty after excitement ends.
Answer: Flat
Why: Flat describes low emotional energy, not physical tiredness.
Which Roman leader introduced January 1 as New Year's Day?
Before Julius Caesar, the Roman calendar was inaccurate and out of sync with the seasons.
In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar, which reformed the entire time-keeping system.
As part of this reform, January 1 was set as the official start of the new year.
January was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, transitions, and doors - a symbol that matched the idea of looking back at the past and forward to the future.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb.
I didn’t feel like ___ out on New Year’s Eve.
Answer: going
Why: Feel like is followed by a verb + -ing, not the base form.
Explain why people wear new clothes on New Year’s Eve.
Correct answer: To attract luck and new energy.
Why: New clothes = new beginning.
Paraphrase the sentence using different words.
“I’m not in the mood for celebrating.”
Correct answer: I don’t feel like celebrating.
Why: Mood refers to emotional readiness.
Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
After the holidays, I felt completely ___.
A) loud
B) drained
C) shiny
Correct answer: drained
Why: Drained means all energy is gone.
What was the primary symbol of New Year’s celebrations in the USSR, introduced during the 1930s?
In the early USSR, religious holidays were discouraged, and the Christmas tree was banned because it was linked to Christianity.
In the 1930s, the Soviet government reintroduced the tree but removed its religious meaning and turned it into a secular symbol of New Year instead.
The New Year Tree became a child-focused, state-approved celebration symbol with decorations, gifts, and public events, allowing people to celebrate without religious context, which fit Soviet ideology.
Does this sentence contain a mistake? If so, correct it.
“I was very boring at the party.”
Answer: I was very bored at the party.
Why:
Boring = describes things
Bored = describes feelings
Explain the idea behind eating special food at midnight.
Correct answer: Food brings luck, money, or health.
Why: Food symbolizes future success.
Explain this phrase.
“I need to sleep it off.”
Correct answer: Rest until I feel better.
Why: Time + sleep helps recovery.
Complete the sentence with one abstract word.
January feels like a ___ between two lives.
Correct answer: Transition
Why: It describes a change period, not a final state.
What country is the first to celebrate the New Year each year?
Kiribati.
Kiribati is very close to the International Date Line.
This line shows where a new day begins.
Because of its position, Kiribati enters the New Year before other countries.
Does this sentence contain a mistake? If so, correct it.
“I’m not used to celebrate New Year alone.”
Answer: I’m not used to celebrating…
Why: Be used to is always followed by -ing or a noun.
Decide and explain:
Is cleaning on January 1st lucky or unlucky?
Correct answer: Usually unlucky.
Why: You “clean away” luck.
Explain the meaning of this idiom.
“I bit off more than I could chew.”
Correct answer: I did too much.
Why: The task was too big to manage.
Name a word or phrase that means:
Mental confusion or difficulty thinking clearly.
Correct answer: Haze / brain fog
Why: These describe unclear thinking.
Which historical period popularized January 1 as the start of the New Year across Europe?
The adoption of the Gregorian calendar in the 16th century.
In the past, European countries used different calendars.
When the Gregorian calendar appeared, January 1 became the official start of the year.
Countries slowly started to follow the same rule.
Choose the correct sentence to express regret about the past.
I wish I stayed home / I wish I had stayed home.
Answer: I wish I had stayed home.
Why:
We use wish + past perfect to talk about regrets about the past.
Describe one unusual New Year tradition you know and explain its meaning.
You have 2 minutes to think. And 2 minute to describe :)
You are super hero! :)
Explain what people mean by this phrase:
“January blues”
Correct answer: Low mood after holidays.
Why: Excitement ends → energy drops.
Say one word that means:
A mix of happiness and sadness.
Correct answer: Bittersweet
Why: It describes opposite emotions at the same time.
Before adopting January 1, on which date did many European countries celebrate the New Year during the Middle Ages?
March 25 was an important religious day.
People believed it was a good day for new beginnings, so they used it as New Year’s Day.