Seasons

There are four seasons in a year: winter, spring, summer and autumn.

In summer the sun shines brightly. There are no clouds in the sky. The sky is blue and beautiful. People like to swim in the river, to go fishing, to pick berries. Summer is the best time for travelling.

In autumn days are short and cold. It often rains. Trees become red, yellow and brown. Birds fly away to the south. People go to the forests to gather mushrooms.

In winter there is a lot of snow. It is often very cold. Children make snowmen, play snowballs throwing them at one another. People like to go skiing and skating in winter.

In spring snow melts and green grass and flowers appear. Nature wakes up from its sleep. People begin to work in their gardens. Farmers plant different crops.

II. Read, translate and reproduce the dialogues:

chilly all of a sudden winter's on the way to prefer to notice to turn they look beautiful

прохладно внезапно зима на пороге предпочитать замечать стать они выглядят красивыми

Dialogue 1

• Good morning, Alice. It's become quite chilly all of a sudden, hasn't it?

• Yes, I think the summer is over at last and winter's on the way. I like the fresh autumn air.

• So do I. I much prefer autumn and winter to summer.

• Have you noticed the trees in the park? The leaves have turned yellow and red already. They look so beautiful.

• Yes, when the leaves change colour we see how beautiful they are, that’s why I like autumn.

Dialogue 2

• Lovely day, isn’t it?

• Hmm, it’s quite nice now, but I’m sure it may rain soon; you know I’ve got my umbrella with me, just in case.

• Yes, well, it could turn out wet or fine really, our English weather’s so very changeable.

• But it’s getting cold already. I think it’ll be cold and dull all day.

• Hmm, it’s very cold. My feet are freezing. I suffer terribly from the cold.

• It may snow. The weather forecast said snow in high places.

• Hmm, I don’t know. But I think it might be windy tonight.

• Where’s the bus? I’m frozen.

Dialogue 3

• What was the weather like in London when you were leaving?

• Very cloudy, and it was raining all the time.

• Oh, was it? I’m so happy it’s dry and sunny here. They say it’ll keep fine the whole week.

• Let’s hope for the best. But isn’t it starting to rain?

• Oh, it’s only a shower. It’ll stop quite soon!

Dialogue 4

• What nasty weather we’re having!

• Yes, what an awful day! Just look out of the window, it’s pouring!

• Yes, and I’ve left my umbrella somewhere and can’t remember where. How shall I get home in this horrible rain without an umbrella?

• I’m terribly sorry I haven’t got one to lend you, but I can give you a lift home, if you like.

• Thanks awfully!

III. Ask your friend:

• О чем любят разговаривать люди;

• Когда хорошо гулять на свежем воздухе;

• Как он обычно проводит лето;

• Какая погода обычно бывает летом;

• Как меняется погода, когда приходит осень;

• Что люди делают, когда идет дождь;

• Любит ли он зиму;

• Чем заняты взрослые и дети зимой;

• Когда у фермеров много работы;

• Какую погоду он любит больше всего;

• Какое время года он любит больше всего.

IV. Act out the situations:

1. Your friend and you are speaking about your likes and dislikes as far as the weather and the seasons are concerned.

2. Your friend has just returned from Sochi. He was on holidays there. You want to know about the weather.

3. Your friend phones to invite you to the country for the weekend. You are not sure whether the weather will be fine. Your friend says he has heard the weather forecast. It will be warm and dry at the end of the week.

V. Read the weather forecast and compose a forecast of your own for the region you live in:

Good evening and here is the weather forecast for tomorrow. Northern Scotland will be cold, and there may be snow over high ground. In the north of England it will be a wet day and rain may move into Wales and the Midlands during the afternoon. East Anglia will be generally dry, but it will be dull and cloudy. In southern England it will be bright clear day with sunshine, but it may rain during the evening. In the southwest it may be foggy during the morning, but the afternoon will be clear. It may be windy later in the day.