8. Read the text about English weather. Compare it with the Ukrainian climate.

When two English people meet, their first remarks after they greet each other will be about weather. “It’s a lovely morning, isn’t it?” or “Isn’t it hot today?” and the other person will answer, “Yes, the heat will hopefully last till the end of the day; we have never had such a fine summer.”

Or perhaps the day is dull; it is raining a little, the sky is grey, and everyone is wearing a raincoat or carrying an umbrella. As the cars and buses go along the street they splash the water and mud on passers-by. Gradually it gets dark; a thick fog is spreading over London. The lamps are lit in the streets and in the shops and offices; cars and buses put on their lights and can only crawl along.

As one friend meets another he says: “Isn’t it a beastly day?” – “Yes, isn’t it?” – the other answers.

Then winter comes. After a heavy fall of snow the ground is white. There is a hard frost. It is just the day for a good country walk. It is still freezing hard and the ponds are frozen over. There are crowds of people on them sliding and skating, and here is a merry group of schoolboys having a snowball fight. It is very pleasant while the frost lasts.

A few months pass and spring comes. After a short period of rain fine weather usually sets in. A light wind is now blowing and soft white clouds are sailing in the sky. However, the weather in England is changeable particularly in spring. It is sometimes rather cold. The sky is overcast and it often rains. Then people hurry indoors.

9. Complete the following chart about the weather of your region.

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Winter
Spring
Summer
Autumn

10. A) Here are some sayings and expressions about weather in English. Match them with their meanings.

Sayings and expressions	Meanings
1.Make hay while the sun shines	a.extremely happy
2.Come rain or shine	b.disappeared without trace
3.Every cloud has a silver lining	c.in dreamland and completely unrealistic
4.It never rains but it pours	d.even a difficult situation may have some good aspects
5.A storm in a teacup	e.to take advantage of an opportunity
6.It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good	f.a big fuss made over unimportant matter
7.On cloud nine	g.to save something so that you can use it if bad times come
8.Gone with the wind	h.in any event, whatever happens
9.Saving for a rainy day	i.someone usually profits from every misfortune
10.Head in the clouds	j.troubles don’t come along and one problem will bring others

b) Translate these sayings into your own language.

11. Writing options. Try to make a story on the offered topics.

1. Why is weather forecast important / not important for you?

2. Are there any special traditions associated with weather prediction in your country?

3. Do you like rainy weather / sunny weather?

4. Speak about the problem of natural disasters of today and their global influence.

5. How can extreme weather conditions affect the economy and social life in countries?

6. Can a person influence weather or climate?

7. Why are sometimes weather forecasts wrong and don’t come true?

8. When do you think is the perfect weather conditions for you?

HUMOUR TIME

“Gosh, it’s raining cats and dogs,” said Fred looking out of the kitchen window.

“I know,” said his mother. “I’ve just stepped in a poodle!”

*****

- Why do mother kangaroos hate rainy days?

- Because then the children have to play inside...

*****

The Michaels family owned a small farm in Canada, just yards away from the North Dakota border. Their land had been the subject of a minor dispute between the United States and Canada for generations. Mrs. Michaels, who had just celebrated her ninetieth birthday, lived on the farm with her son and three grandchildren.

One day, her son came into her room holding a letter. “I just got some news, Mom,” he said. “The government has come to an agreement with the people in Washington. They’ve decided that our land is really part of the United States. We have the right to approve or disapprove of the agreement. What do you think?” “What do I think?” his mother said. “Jump at it! Call them right now and tell them we accept! I don’t think I could stand another one of those Canadian winters!”

*****

There’s a technical term for a sunny, warm day followed by two rainy days. It‘s called Monday...