前景实用英语1答案
【篇一：前景实用英语1unit1教案】
txt>this is the first unit of book one.
unit 1lead-in and text a in the lead-in section, you will learn how to use some words and phrases description the university’s life and will do some practical exercises.(1 period)
1. study the pictures and give a brief discuss the three questions about lead-in talk on description university’s life words and phrases so as to define them.
2. words and phrases:
a. students, classmates, sports friends.
b. classroom, football field, library, listening, playing, looking for.
c. very much so, not at all.
d. on the right，on the left.
e. lecture theater...
f. jump，head，goal
g. freshman，sophomore，junior，senior...
3. have the students listen to dialogue 1 (2-3 times) and fill in the blanks with the missing words;
4. ask one student to read aloud the talk, so students can check their
completed answers; present more words and phrases about
description university’s life, make sure students know how to use those added words and phrases, and organize the activity to
accomplish dialogue 2.
5. after a brief explanation of the dialogue1-2, the teacher gives the
students a few minutes to think about the questions in the task3.
6. ask students to answer the questions about the task3.
in the text a section (1-2 period)
a. lets the students answer the text-related questions(in the exercises), helps them identify the main idea of each
paragraph.
b. analyzes some language points while discussing the whole text with the students.
language points
imagine
v. to form a picture in your mind of what something
might be
e.g.she imagined singing her favorite song on a big stage.
她想象着自己在一个巨大的舞台上唱自己最喜欢的歌曲。
close your eyes and imagine (that) you are in a forest.
闭上眼睛，想象自己在森林里。
blink
n. (usually singular) the act of shutting and opening your
eyes very quickly
e.g. he finished all his food in the blink of an eye. 一眨眼功夫他把食物全吃光了。
she does not comprehend the meaning of my blink. 她没有领会我眨眼的意思。 i never imagined going from name games to essays in a blink
i hadn’t thought i would change from playing games to studying hard so fast. orientation
n. training or information that you are given before
starting a new job, course, etc.
e.g. this is orientation week for all the new students.
这是让全体新生熟悉情况的迎新周。
imaginable
a. used with superlatives, and with “all” and “every”, to
emphasize that something is the best, worst, etc. that
you can imagine, or includes every possible example
e.g. this is the only solution imaginable.
这是唯一可想得到的解决办法。
dirt cheap
(informal) extremely cheap, as cheap as dirt
e.g. the shop owner let us have the stuff dirt cheap. (used
as adverb) 店主很便宜地卖给我们这些东西。
catch up on
to find out about things that have happened
e.g.let me catch you up on all the gossip.
我跟你透露一点最近的闲话。
gossip
https://www.doczj.com/doc/994027173.html,rmal talk or stories about other people’s private
lives, that may be unkind or not true
e.g. don’t believe all the gossip you hear.
别对那些道听途说都信以为真。
and then came…
here the subject and verb are in an inverted order.
comfirm
v. to state or show that something is true or correct,
especially by providing more evidence
e.g. research has confirmed that the risk is higher for
women. 研究证实这种风险对女性来讲要大一些。
…that i will be piled down with reading and papers…
that i will be loaded with piles of books and papers...
drop by
to pay an informal visit to a person or a place
e.g. i’ve got to drop by the bank to get some money.
我得顺便到银行去取点钱。
the rest of the language point was written on the paper of textbook.
text a-related exercises(1 period)
guides the students through the exercises, focusing on
certain items or leaving some exercises as the students homework according to the students different levels of english. language points and related grammar
一. 并列连词not only…but also…用法归纳
not only…but also表示“不仅……而且”“既……又”，用于连接两
个性质相同的词或短语。如：not only men but also women were chosen. 不仅仅是男的，女的也有被选中的。
we were not only hungry, but also tired. 我们不但饿了，而且也
累了。
另外，在使用not only…but also…时还应注意以下几点：
1. 有时可将but also分开用，即将but视为普通的并列连词，用于
连接两个句子，然后将also用于句中（用谓语动词用在一起）。如：
he’s not only very fast, but he’s also got marvellous technique. 他不仅很快，而且技术高超。
2. 该结构中的also有时可以省略，或将also换成too, as well
（置于句末）。如： he not only washed the car, but polished it too [as well]. 他不仅冲洗汽车，而且还擦拭了它。
his name is known not only in japan, but in china. 他不仅在日本
出名，而且在中国也出名。
3. 有时因为语境的需要，not only…but also…也可能用于连接两
个性质不同的词或短语，但这多半因为承前省略的原因。如：
he not only goes to work on weekdays, but also on weekends. 他不仅工作日去上班，在周末也去上班。
句中的not only后接的是谓语goes to，而but also后接的却是状语 on weekends，可视为but also后承前省略了谓语动词 goes to work。
4. 当not only…but also连接两个主语时，谓语动词的数原则上和其相近的主语保持一致。如：
not only the students but also their teacher is enjoying the film. 不仅学生们在欣赏这部影片，他们的老师也在欣赏这部影片。
5. 为了强调，可将not only置于句首，此时其后的句子通常要用部分倒装的形式。如： not only has she been late three times, she has also done no work. 她不仅仅迟到了3次，她还没干一点活。
二．what引导的名词性从句
语法：
一. 要掌握好what在句子中的语义。
1. 表示―……的人‖，相当于the person that…。如：
he is not what he was a few years ago.
他不是几年前的他了。
who is it that has made fred what he is now？
是谁把弗雷德培养成现在这样一个人的？
2. 表示―……的地方‖，相当于the place that…。如：
this is what they call salt lake city.
这就是他们称作盐湖城的地方。
what is now the north sahara desert was once a civilized world.
现在的撒哈拉沙漠的北部曾经是一个文明世界。
3. 表示―……的数目‖，相当于the amount/number that…。如：
our income is now double what is was ten years ago.
我们现在的收入是十年前的两倍。
【篇二：前景实用英语综合教程1 unit 1教案】
xt>授课顺序: ___ 学时: 2 日期:___________ 年 ___ 月 ____ 日班级:机电15-4，5，6
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教案稿纸
化工职业学院第页
【篇三：前景实用英语(1)教学大纲】
前景实用英语综合教程（1）
课程代码： a1a0001
总学时： 60课时(一学年)
适用专业：非英语专业学生
开课部门：公共教学部
教学内容：
unit onecollege
parta：
lead --in
text a the freshman experience：college is not summer camp
partb
lead—in
textb surviving your freshman year
三亚航空旅游职业学院 教案编号
Unit 6 Greening the World Begins at Home Teaching aims: In this unit, students are supposed to ?Master the basic language and skills to remember words ?Understand the main idea of Text A, and master the useful sentence structures and words and expressions; ?Know how to use sentence stress; ?To learn Non-finite Verb; To know how to write “Business Letter”. Teaching procedures: I Listening and Speaking (2Period) II Text A & text-related exercises (2Period) III Grammar Review and Practical Writing (2Period) IV Workbook Part A Lead in Task 1 Study the pictures and discuss the questions below in small groups. Use the words given below if necessary. 1.What can we benefit from the equipment in the first picture? Cues: solar energy, renewable, green energy, water heater, electricity bill 2.Do you know what the house in the second picture is called? What is special about it? Cues: passive house, energy-efficient, solar panel, roof 3.What are the advantages of the U-shaped lamps in the third picture? Cues: saving, cut on the use of electricity Task 2 Listen to the following short dialogues and fill in the blanks. Task 3 Discuss the following questions. 1. What do you think is green living? Cues: healthy, environment-friendly, lifestyle. 2. What does your family do to cut energy use? Cues: water, electricity, transport, travel Part B Language points 1. green v. to make green e.g. The company is making efforts to green its products. 公司正竭尽全力使产品更环保。 It took him five years to green the hill. 他花了五年时间才让这座小山变绿。 2. convince v. to make sb. feel certain; to cause sb. to realize
《英语综合教程1》课后习题答案 第一单元： Text A Exercise 1： 1.No.There are many new things in cloolege life, such as b eing on my own, having Friday off ,and talking with friendl y people. I'll have to adjust to these. 2.The first thing that came into my mind was thatＩcould m ake any decisionon my own. 3.Yes. All people, including both my teachers and classmat es, are nice and friendly to me. Exercise 2: 1.D 2.D 3.D 4.B 5.A Exercise 3: 1.T 2.F 3.T 4.F 5.F Exercise 4:
1.Being on my own 2.Friendly people 3.Having Friday of f Exercise 5: 1—8：dfgebahc Exercise 6: 1. open an count 开立账户 close an account with a bank 和银行结账 a checking account 活期存款账户 a savings account 储蓄存款账户 2.adjust to a new life 适应新的生活 adjust to life in a big city 适应大城市的生活 adjust a watch 校准手表 adjust an error 调整误差 3.be located in a business center 坐落在商业中心 located in the city center 坐落在城市中心 located the shop 找到那商店的位置
一.填空 1. The 2008 … time for… China. 2. Of coursel …take care of …business. 3. Never leave without … years. 4. Clearly … recognition and awards …work. 5. The great … team work. 6. Exercise will … appetite. 7. When I come across … notebook. 8. Let me … official … land. 9. In that … occasional … serious. 10. You have … at hand … traveling. 11. She is annoyed … recommended. 12. Please … feel free to … home. 13. `Nowadays … assume that … is celebrated … America. 14. Is Spring Festival a … the majority … countries? 15. My family … end-of-year cleaning. 16. Some universities … Muslim(s) … food. 17. Decorating the … colorful candles … now. 18.In the 1950s … large choice … them. 19.Do you … ways of thinking? 20.The Asian … festive event … People shared … athletes. 二，汉译英。 1.像…自己。 You, like most people, probably are learning how to market yourself. 2.对不起…走！ I’m so sorry , My go-go boss asks me to leave right now. 3.我…言表。 Language is not enough to show my thanks to my parents 4.这…适用于我。 Such sweet words might please you.but they don’t work for me 5.做…差异。 We should beware of cultural differences in foreign trade 6.我们…老朋友。 We have just come across an old friend we haven’t seen for ages. 7.你…吗？ Can you provide any evidence to show that he was not in the crime scene at that time. 8.如果…联系。 If you need our products, please contact me in advance, 9.汤姆…去过。 Tom is new to the town . He has never been there before. 10.认为…错了。 It would be wrong to assume that Valentine’s Day is only celebrated by young people. 11.随着…世界杯了。 With the development of the Internet,the World Cup could be watched at the same time
Getting to know each other: Name toss game Procedure: 1.Students stand in a big circle. 2.The first student takes the ball and says, My name is…as he/she throws it to another. 3.The second student does the same, until most of the students have participated. 4. A volunteer throws the ball around the entire circle, saying Your name is… as throwing the ball to each student. 5.The procedure is repeated with several volunteers Desk name cards ?Write down your name. ?Paste your pictures next to your name. Biographical questionnaire ?Your name_____ ?Your homeland______ ? A hope or a plan you have for the future_______ ?Something about your family______ ?Something you are proud of_____ ? A hobby or special interest_______ ?The reason you are studying English_____ ?Anything else that you would like to say about your self______ Biographical questionnaire ?Your name_____ ?Your homeland______ ? A hope or a plan you have for the future_______ ?Something about your family______ ?Something you are proud of_____ ? A hobby or special interest_______ ?The reason you are studying English_____ ?Anything else that you would like to say about your self______
Unit 1 P4 1. (1)What are you doing tonight (2)I was wondering (3)I wish I could (4)write a term paper (5)some other time (6)That’s right 2 (1)are you doing anything special tomorrow evening (2)I’d like to invite you to come to my birthday party. Would you like to join us (3)Good. Will you come at 7:00 (4)Lemonade if you must bring something 3 (1)What are you going to do this weekend (2)“Thunderstorm”is on at the Friendship (3)The early show or the late show? (4)Maybe go to KFC or a Coffee Shop. (5)I'd rather go to KFC. (6)When and where shall we meet? (7)That’s very kind of you. P5 Being all ears 1. 1.Tomorrow 2 ball game 3 skiing 4 for a long time 5 very warm 6 agree 2. 1.No, she doesn’t. 2.Going to the ball game and skiing. 3. She heard it on the radio. 3.No, he doesn’t. 4. He will give Claire a call. 3. 1.the time and place 2.fine 3. formal written 4. in writing 5. at the bottom 6. attend 7. in person or by phone https://www.doczj.com/doc/994027173.html,fortable 4. A.d 2. C 3. A 4. B P9 2. instances informal entertain host casual suggestion 3. 1.invent an excuse later 2. present problems 3. explicit 4. specific time mentioned 5. Yes, that would be nice.
Unit 8 Keeping Healthy and Seeing a Doctor Put in Use ①Imagine you are a doctor. An overseas student from Englandis suffering from a toothache. He is coming to you for help make a conversation with him by filling out the blanks. Key: (1). the matter (2). very well (3). have a look (4). worry (5). some medicine (6). stop the pain (7). Take the tablets (8) several times a day ②Role-play the following conversation with your partner by putting the Chinese version into English. Key: (1). What’s w rong? You look very pale. (2). Oh, your leg is bleeding. You’d better lie down. Does that feel better? (3). I have the first-aid kit here. Let’s stop the bleeding first. (4). You should go to see a doctor immediately. Want me to accompany you to the hospital? ③Tourists may suffer from different kinds of illness. Imagine you are a tour guide. You notice that one of the tourists doesn’t look very well. Talk with her and try to give her some help.
郑州信息工程职业学院基础部 《新编实用英语Ⅰ》课程教学大纲 课程编码：9999010061 总学时：72 学时 实验学时：无 学分：3学分 适用对象：一年级学生 先修课程：基础英语 一、课程的性质与任务 （一）本课程的性质 大学英语课程是非英语专业学生必修的一门基础课程。旨在培养学生的英语综合应用能力，使他们在今后工作和社会交往中能用英语有效地进行书面信息交流，提高综合文化素养，以适应社会发展和经济建设的需要。《新编实用英语Ⅰ》是我院高职一年级学生第一学期所有学生学习和掌握英语听，说，读，写基本技能的基础课。 （二）本课程的任务 本课程在高职高专院校中人才培养计划中是必修课程。该课程理论与技能培养并重，相互结合，培养各类高职高专的应用型人才。经过学习，使学生掌握一定的英语基础知识和技能，具有一定的听说读写译的能力，从而能借助词典翻译和阅读有关英语资料，使学生在今后的工作和社会交往日常活动中能用英语有效地进行口头和笔头交流，并为今后进一步提高英语的交际能力打下基础。为此，该课程将努力做到以下三个方面： 1、培养学生英语综合应用能力具有较强的阅读能力和良好的听、说、写、译能力，使他们能用英语交流信息。 2、增强学生的学习能力、特别是自主学习能力。 3、提高学生的综合文化素养。 （三）本课程培养人才的定位
该课程是我院各专业学生必修的一门公共基础课程，旨在培养学生的英语综合应用能力（听、说、读、写、译）；培养学生使用英语处理日常和涉外业务活动能力。使他们在今后工作中与社会交往中能用英语有效地进行信息交流，提高综合文化素养，以适应社会发展日益国际化的需要。 （四）本课程在人才培养过程中的作用 经过本课程的学习，使学生扎实语音、语法、词汇和基本句型等语言基本功，强化并提高听、说、读、写、译的综合能力，提高学生就业竞争力。 二、课程的基本要求 通过学习本课程，学生应该达到以下要求： 1、词汇 认知 2500 个英语单词(包括入学时要求掌握的 1000 个词) 以及由这些词构成的常用词组，对其中 1500个左右的单词能正确拼写，能进行英汉互译。 2、语法 掌握基本的英语语法规则，在听、说、读、写、译中能正确运用所学的语法知识。 3、听力 能听懂涉及日常交际的结构简单、发音清楚、语速较慢(每分钟 120 词左右)的英语对话和不太复杂的陈述，理解基本正确。能理解具体信息，理解所听材料的背景，并能推断所听材料的含义。 4、口语 掌握一般的课堂用语，并能模拟或套用常用口头交际句型，就日常生活和有业务提出问题或做出简单回答，交流有困难时能采取简单的应变措施。 5、阅读 能阅读中等难度的一般题材的简短英文资料，理解正确。在阅读生词不超过数 3% 的英文资料时，阅读速度不低于每分钟 50 词，能读懂通用的简短文字材料，如信函、产品说明等，理解基本正确。并且掌握以下阅读技巧： 1)理解文章的主旨或要点； 2)理解文章中的具体信息； 3)根据上下文推断生词的意思；
Unit 1. Ex. 5 1.She shopped around till she got what she wanted at a price she could afford. 她一家商店一家商店地看，最后以她能付出的价格买了她所需要的东西。 2.He never speaks to me other than to ask for something. 除了向我要东西，他从不跟我说话。 3.Y ou should always aim at doing your job well. 你永远应该以搞好你的工作为目的。 4.She has been tied to the house for weeks looking after her invalid father. 几个星期来她一直呆在家中照顾有病的父亲。 5.The route was designed to relieve traffic congestion. 修建这条路是为了缓解交通拥挤。 6.Society is made up of a wide variety of people; some are good, others (are) bad, and still others (are) in between. 社会是由形形色色的人组成的。有些人很好，有些人很坏，也有些人介乎两者之间。 Unit 3 Ex. 5 1.The thieves made off with a large sum of money from the bank. 盗贼从这家银行偷走了一大笔现金。 2.High blood pressure places millions of people at the risk of hear disease. 高血压使千百万人有患心脏病的危险。 3.Think twice before you make any important decisions. 在做任何重要决定之前都要慎重考虑。 4. A large part of the African continent is in danger of becoming a desert. 非洲大陆的一大片区域有变成沙漠的危险。 5.Not once has he suggested a good way to deal with any problem. 他从来没有给我提出过解决问题的好方法。 Unit 5 Ex.5 https://www.doczj.com/doc/994027173.html,st semester, Wang Gang was awarded the title of An Outstanding Student for his excellent performance. 上学期王钢表现出色，被授予优秀学生的称号。 2.On Teachers’Day, the students made a greeting card for their teacher, which symbolized their appreciation of what the teacher had accomplished in the past year. 同学们在教师节给老师做了一张贺卡，以表示对老师过去一年工作的感谢。3.The children were amused by the story about the cat. 孩子们听了关于那只猫的故事都笑了起来。
新编实用英语综合教程2 unit 1 课后习题答案 P4-1 ①What are you doing tonight② i was wondering ③i wish i could ④write a term paper ⑤ some other time then ⑥ That's right P4-2 1）are you doing anything special tommorrow evening ? 2) i would like invite you to come to my birthday party . would you like to join us ? :3) Good , will you come at 7:00 ? 4) Lemonade if you must bring sth . P4-3 1) what are you going to do this weekend ? 2) Thunderstorm is on this weekend . 3) the early or the late show 4) Maybe go to KFC (kentucky Fried Chicken ) or a Coffee Shop . 5) i 'd rather go to KFC 6) when and where shall we meet ? P5-1 ①tomorrow②ball game③skiing④f or a long time ⑤very warm⑥agree P6-2
① No , she doen't ②going to the ball game and skiing ③She heard it on the radio ④ No , he doesn't ⑤ He will give claire a call P6-3 ① the time and place ②fine ③formal written ④ in writing ⑤ at the bottom ⑥ attend ⑦ in person or by phone ⑧ comfortable P7-4 1) d 2) C 3) a 4) b P8-1 1) You should not fell committed until you know what the invitation 2) it is : apology , reason for refusal , thanks for the invitation . 3) it means each pays one's own check when eating in a restaurant . 4) the word "sometime ". P9-2 1) instances 2) informal 3)entertain 4) host 5) casual 6)suggestion P9-3 ① invent an excuse later ② present problems ③ explicit④ specific time mentioned ⑤ Yes , th at would be nice . P9-4 1) instance 2) present 3) hostess 4. appropriate 5)invent 6) entertain 7) explicit 8) identify P9-5 !) For convenience , the photo will be shown in time sequence. 2) You are required to stop your car after an accident .
新编实用英语综合教程1第四版课文翻译There is no perfect way for human beings to deal with cockroaches up to now. There is an instrument in Europe that can emit a specific frequency wave similar to that in a microwave oven, rapidly raise the blood temperature in the cockroach's body and instantly cause the cockroach to blow itself up. However, even if it is applied in such a wide range, it cannot completely eliminate the cockroach. Moreover, it can kill any organism containing water in the body and was banned several years ago. I do not recommend you to use any insecticide, which can only kill some cockroaches. It is an indisputable fact that cockroaches cannot be completely eliminated, but it can accelerate the evolution of cockroaches. The same insecticide may be used for one to two years, and cockroaches will be immunized against this insecticide by producing antibodies themselves. If you kill a limited number of cockroaches, the evolution of cockroaches will be accelerated permanently. Suggested methods are as follows: 1. Overcome your fear of cockroaches. 2. Use aggressive weapons to cause physical damage to cockroaches to death. (For example, newspapers, flyswatters.) 3. Clean the house and keep the house clean all over the world to minimize the living space of cockroaches. Finally, I give you advice: if you find a cockroach in the room, you think there are more than 200 cockroaches nearby. The number of cockroaches on the
第一单元 Put in use 1. Robert Thank you pleasure Here is this is How do you do call me journey the hotel very kind 2. Hi, are you Miss Mary Green? I’m Li hong from Foreign Languages School. How do you do, Miss Green? Nice to meet you. Did you have a good journey? Oh, yes. Let’s go to the hotel of our school. Everything is ready for you there. Well, Miss Green, here is my card. Please call me or email me if you need any help. 3. Excuse me How do you do, Mr. Smith Welcome to our company you are the general manager Here is my card Thank you My email address is Read and Think 1. It means a close and friendly relationship. 2. They find these terms too formal. 3. They want to show their friendliness. 4. They want to know more about you so that they can begin a conversation with you. 2 greet informal friendly formal wave perhaps leave 3 use Mr., Mrs. or Miss use first names call me Sally glad/happy informal/friendly 4. named has left prefer personal accept means Speaking of get to know acquainted with 5. It is my impression that a typical English gentleman often takes an umbrella with him. To the students, the introduction to the cultural background is the best part of the book. When we talk with a foreign lady, in most cases we should not ask such personal questions as her age. Many young people prefer pop songs to old songs. They think pop singers are very cool. This beautiful and clean city has left a deep impression upon the foreign tourists. Professor Lu Yang stood on the plane’s entrance and waved good-bye to us.
Unit 1 Put in Use : Practice 1 1、are going to apply for a patent on it 2、ve you made the necessary preparations 3、e model has yet to undergo / receive the final test, but the technical drawings are ready 4、w long will it take to get the patent Put in Use : Practice 2 1、at findings have you got from the market research 2、e mini-type of mobile phones are selling well in the market 3、you think this new type of mobile phones will take the place of the older ones 4、people's living conditions have been improved greatly in recent years 5、their views on consumption are also changing rapidly 6、So you believe the potential market for mobile phones will be quite large Put in Use : Practice 3 1、are you interested in 2、 something about them 3、 model do you prefer
Unit 3 Learning 1. Topic: Learning 2. Teaching objectives： After the class, the students will be able to 1) Know the different styles of learning 2) Provide multiple opportunities for the students to practice interactive speaking and listening. 3) Focus on the correct pronunciation and intonation. 4) Master the key words and structures. 3. Difficulties and keys: 1) V ocabulary: (omitted) 2) Speaking: Making and Asking for suggestion 3) Grammar: Model verbs 4) Practical writing: How to write an invitation 4. Teaching Aids: (1) Blackboard, (2) Multimedia system, (3) PPT 6. Time Allotment: (1)Lead in and New Words (30mins) (2) Analysis of the Text (90mins) (3) Exercises (90mins) (4) Grammar Tips and Writing (60mins) (5) Listening (60mins) 7. Teaching methods and strategies (1)Practice speaking and listening (2)Discussion (3)Presentation and role play (4) Exercises 8. Teaching Process Period 1: Step 1. Lead-in (5 minutes) Study the pictures and discuss the questions below in small groups.. Question:1. where are those people in the two pictures on the left? 2. Do you listen to MP3 or put a pen or a pencil in your mouth while you are studying? 3. Are pictures helpful to you in memorizing English words? Hint: Step 2. Listening exercise (10 minutes)
Exotic Customs for the New Year In the US, people on the East Coast can greet the New Year by joining the crowds in Times Square in the heart of New Year city, to watch the lowering of a lighted crystal ball. Every New Year’s Eve, the prominent intersection is the meeting point of more than half a million excited celebrants. It’s at the center of everything and is known for its once-a-year role as the site of a thousand-pound ball up over the square. It starts it downward move at 11:59 p.m. and people count along as the seconds tick away. When it reaches the bottom, a sign is lighted and people hug and kiss, and wish each other “Happy New Year”. The tradition began in 1907 and grew into a symbol of welcoming in the New Year. The British people also have a traditional gathering in a square, Trafalgar, in central London. There’s no ball there, but thousands of people gather to hear Big Ben (the clock) announce the arrival of the New Year. The clock, which was built in 1856 and weighs 13 tons, towers over London. It’s famous for its reliability—it’s only broken down once in the past 150 years in 1975. In addition to the big gatherings, there are New Year customs that are intended to bring good luck for the coming year. In Spain, for example, when the clock strikes mid-night on New Year’s Eve, people eat a grape with every stroke of the clock, 12 in all, to represent each month of the year. Each grape is meant to bring good luck. The Japanese hang a rope made of straw across the front of their house to keep out evil spirits, thereby bringing happiness and good luck. The Swiss believe that good luck comes from letting a drop of cream fall on the floor on New Year’s Day. In the past, Romanians had a tradition of listening to see whether farm animals talked on New Year’s Day. If they didn’t hear any animals talking, it was good. If any animals talked, it was bad luck.