New Year 新年
特快英语每周一话题，今天我们将要一起讨论的话题是你的新年决心是什么？
戒酒，戒烟还有停止暴饮暴食是新的一年里最为流行的决心。但人们都意识到这是需要一定的积极性并且坚持自己的决定才能戒掉坏习惯的。
一位男士说到他是依靠妻子才能成功戒掉坏习惯的。另一位男士说因为他不用放弃什么，所以觉得那些新年决心对他来说没有什么用处。
现在让我们一起听听英国人的具体说法吧。
Do you make New Year's resolutions?
你的新年决心是什么？
This is what some people in London told us:
Man 1: I do have some New Year's resolutions usually, yeah. I commit to something, I tell my wife and she holds me to account. I gave up drinking after New Year's Eve last year and I stuck to it.
Woman 1: I often promise myself I am going to be really good, usually about eating, but I am a complete disaster. I start off with the best will in the world and then… if I am happy I eat and if I am sad I eat so I am on a losing streak.
Man 2: Actually I am a person who likes to do resolutions all the time. I like to try to improve myself all the year round. I am that kind of person who is very driven so… I am trying to do the London Marathon this year so… once I make a decision I try and do it.
Woman 2: I don't make New Year's resolutions because I break them as soon as New Year is here.
Man 3: I haven't made one. I won't be making one. I've got nothing to give up!
Did you know…?你知道吗…?
Fact
University of Hertfordshire researchers followed 2,000 people who made a two-week resolution and found that just 30% of women stuck to their goals, compared with 37% of men. Researchers found that those who told family and friends about their plans were far more likely to succeed.
Language tip
'A goal' is an expression used in football but is also used to refer to an objective.
Cultural tip
When open fires were common in Scotland, clearing the ashes and laying a new fire for a new year was a good sign. So too, was the burning of juniper which was believed to ward off any evil spirits. The Scots call the New Year's celebrations Hogmanay.