B1+ / B2 New Year Resolutions

Introduction
Happy New Year!! And if the year's not new when you're reading this, I hope you're having a great 2018!! 
What resolutions have you made for this year?
Resolutions? What are they?
Here's a definition of a New Year's Resolution from those nice people at Cambridge.org:
a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good or stop doing something bad on the first day of the year:
"Have you made any New Year's resolutions?" 
"Yes, I'm going to eat more healthily and give up smoking."

Pre-video Watching

In the example above, the person decides to improve their diet, “eat more healthily” and cut out a bad habit, “give up smoking”. Make a list of other things people decide to do in the new year.

Video Watching

Watch the video.
Does the woman say any of the things on your list?
What other things does she say?

Now look at the script below and decide which word goes in each space.
When you’ve finished, watch the video again and complete the spaces.

Language Focus: Discourse Markers

Discourse markers are words or phrases like ‘anyway’, ‘right’, ‘okay’, ‘as I say’, ‘to begin with’. We use them to connect, organise and manage what we say or write, or to express attitude:

A: So, I’ve decided I’m going to go to the bank and ask for a car loan.

B: That sounds like a good idea.

C: Well, you need a car.

B: Right.

A: Anyway, I was wondering if either of you would teach me how to drive.

The discourse markers in blue above have a number of uses:

• so marks the beginning of a new part of the conversation.
• well marks a change in the focus (from getting a car loan to needing a car).
• right marks a response (B is agreeing with C).
• anyway marks a change in topic (from buying a new car to having driving lessons).

(source: dictionary.cambridge.org Link opens on new page)

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   1. Question

   1. Match the discourse markers to their functions.

   e.g. A) imagine this is the case – “Let’s say”

   Sort elements

   • "Let's say"
   • "You know,"
   • "While we're on the subject of"
   • "After all,"
   • "Who knew...?"
   • "Hey,"
   • "Maybe"
   • "Oh,"

   • A) imagine this is the case

   • B) you understand what I'm saying

   • C) I want to continue with something that has appeared in the conversation

   • D) to summarize what I've just said

   • E) you share my surprise

   • F) pay attention to me

   • G) this is a possibility

   • H) I'm disappointed

2. What other discourse markers can you find in the video script?

• ANSWER HERE
“Ha, you know what rhymes with ‘mood’? ‘Food’! Oh, you like food, maybe a bit too much. Perhaps this year, you can eat healthier and clean up your diet.”
“Speaking of cleaning, you were supposed to clean out your closet last night.”
“Maybe this is the year to finally get organized. Surely someone needs this stuff more than you do. So, you can donate your old stuff.”
“Perhaps you’d perform better if you read more books.”
“But you know what would be even better? If you could read books in Spanish! There’s an idea: Learn a new language this year.”
“Oh, forget it! New Year’s resolutions never last anyway.”
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   1. Question

   3. Use the discourse markers below and the functions (in brackets) to complete sentences 1-8.
   No 1 is an example.

   • There's an idea	Perhaps
     After all	Speaking of
     Surely	Let's say
     Hey	Oh, forget it

     1. "How about if we invite all her old school friends? There's an idea: We could create a Facebook page and try to find them all."
     (What I just said gives me a new, connected thought.)

     2. "We really need a new sofa. (Speaking of) sofas, have you seen Anne and Dave's new one? It's horrible!"
     (What I just said, reminds me of something.)

     3. " (Hey), what are you doing? How many times have I told you to use a plate when you're eating a sandwich?"
     (Stop what you're doing and listen to me.)

     4. "5/10 in the exam isn't as bad as it sounds. (After all), he is the youngest in the class."
     (To summarize what I just said.)

     5. "We only got paid last week. (Surely) you've got some money left, haven't you?"
     (I think this must be true.)

     6. "That's the third time I've asked you to help me. (Oh, forget it)! I'll do it myself."
     (I give up trying.)

     7. "I need to be at the airport at 6:30 am. (Perhaps) I could ask John to drive me there when he finishes his night shift."
     (This could be a good idea.)

     8. " (Let's say) we need 4 days to drive there instead of 3. Would we have enough money for another night in a hotel?"
     (Imagine this is the case.)