UNIT 1 · WEATHER, SEASONS AND ACTIVITIES
We’re going to talk about the weather, understand weather forecasts and use English to talk about activities in different weather conditions.
1 What’s the weather like?
Let’s start with something you already know. Look outside. What’s the weather like today?
You can also ask: How’s the weather today?
Remember the basics
To describe the weather with these adjectives, use It is + adjective. In conversation, we normally use the short form It’s.
Watch and remember
Listen to the words in the video. Which ones do you already know?
Now look outside: What’s the weather like today? Answer in one sentence and compare your answer with someone near you.
2 More than sunny and rainy
You already know the most common weather words. Now let’s add some words that you can hear in conversations and weather forecasts.
Useful new words
stormy — when there is a storm with thunder, lightning and sometimes heavy rain or wind.
foggy — when there is a thick mist in the air, making it hard to see.
breezy — when there is a gentle wind blowing.
drizzle — light rain falling in very small drops.
hail — small balls of ice that fall like rain.
lightning — a flash of light in the sky during a storm.
thunder — the loud sound that follows lightning during a storm.
misty — light fog that makes the air look hazy.
frost — a thin layer of ice that forms on surfaces when it’s very cold.
humid — when the air is full of moisture and feels damp and warm.
How do we use these words?
Notice the difference:
rain → rainy → raining
snow → snowy → snowing.
More words from the video
You already know snowy, hot and cold. The video also introduces these words:
rainbow — a colourful arc in the sky caused by sunlight shining through rain.
blizzard — a very strong snowstorm with high winds.
dew — tiny drops of water that form on cool surfaces, especially in the morning.
Did you know? My name, means dew in Spanish, though hardly anyone calls me Rocío.
Have you ever seen dew on grass, plants or cars early in the morning?
Think about today’s weather: Is the weather only sunny, rainy or cloudy? Can you describe it with one of the new words?
3 Seasons and usual weather
Weather changes from day to day, but we can also talk about the weather that is usual in a season.
Listen and fill in the blanks
Listen to the video and complete the text with the words you hear.
Hi, my name is Oliver. I live in Melbourne, Australia. The weather here can change __________.
In __________, it’s warm and sometimes __________. The weather feels fresh, so people like to __________ outside.
In __________, it gets __________. People go to the __________ and eat ice cream.
In __________, the weather gets __________. People watch the sunset and wear light __________.
In __________, it’s cold and often __________. People stay inside and drink hot __________.
Read the full text from the video
Hi, my name is Oliver. I live in Melbourne, Australia. The weather here can change quickly.
In spring, it’s warm and sometimes rainy. The weather feels fresh, so people like to walk outside.
In summer, it gets hot. People go to the beach and eat ice cream.
In autumn, the weather gets cooler. People watch the sunset and wear light jackets.
In winter, it’s cold and often cloudy. People stay inside and drink hot chocolate.
4 Weather and activities
Weather can change our plans. We use can to talk about activities that are possible in different weather conditions.
Can + verb
After can, use the verb without to:
You can go, not You can to go.
Choose a type of weather. Make a sentence and ask your partner for another idea
When it’s _________, you can __________________. What else can you do?
5 Listen and talk: what weather do you prefer?
Now listen to someone talking about different types of weather. Don’t try to understand every word. Listen for the main ideas.
Listen and complete the table
Listen to the video once. Does he like each type of weather?
Please copy the table, tick the correct option, and write a few words to explain why.
You don’t need to write complete sentences.
| Weather | Likes it | Doesn’t like it | It depends | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunny | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Cloudy | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Rainy | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Windy | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Snowy | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Stormy | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
Answer key
Your answers may be different. These are some possible answers:
| Weather | Answer | Possible reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Sunny | ✓ Likes it |
Because it’s his favourite type of weather. Because he feels happy when it’s sunny. Because he loves sunny days. Because he prefers hot weather to cold weather. Because he doesn’t mind the heat. |
| Cloudy | ✗ Doesn’t like it |
Because he hates cloudy days. Because he feels sad when the sun isn’t shining. Because he loves sunny days. Because he needs sunshine. Because he doesn’t want to live in a cloudy city. |
| Rainy | ✗ Doesn’t like it |
Because rainy days are the worst for him. Because he loves being outside. Because he can’t do much outside when it rains. Because he doesn’t like getting wet. Because you need an umbrella. Because driving can be dangerous when the streets are wet. Because there are more car accidents on rainy days. |
| Windy | ≈ It depends |
Because wind can be good or bad. Because it can cool a hot city down. Because it can make a cold city even colder. Because strong wind can cause problems. Because trees can fall down in strong winds. He usually prefers days that aren’t windy. |
| Snowy | ≈ It depends |
Because he likes the snow. Because he goes skiing and snowboarding with his family. But he doesn’t want to live in a snowy city. Because it’s too cold. Because life is more difficult in the snow. Because he doesn’t like very cold weather. |
| Stormy | ✗ Doesn’t like it |
Because storms can be dangerous. Because hurricanes and tornadoes can be very bad. Because he doesn’t like lightning. Because lightning can be scary. He says thunderstorms are not always very bad, but he still doesn’t like lightning. |
Remember: you don’t need to have exactly the same words. If your idea is correct, your answer is correct.
Useful sentences from the video. Do you understand them?
Sunny weather is my favorite type of weather.
I hate cloudy days.
Rainy days are the worst.
I like the snow.
I don’t like the cold.
When it rains, I can’t do anything outside.
Of course you can go outside when it’s raining, but you need to take an umbrella.
Give your opinion
Talk to someone near you: What type of weather do you prefer? Give one reason.
6 Understanding a weather forecast
Weather forecasts talk about what is happening now and what will happen later.
Now and later
We often use will and be going to to talk about a weather forecast.
Listen for the five-day forecast
Complete the information while you listen.
| Day | Weather | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | ||
| Wednesday | ||
| Thursday | ||
| Friday | ||
| Saturday |
Check some useful expressions
Right now, it’s 72 degrees. It’s sunny, nice and warm.
Later tonight it will rain.
Tomorrow it will be sunny and warm.
There will be a big storm.
It will rain a lot and it will be very windy.
Choose one day from the forecast: Tell your partner what the weather will be like.
7 Asking about the forecast
Now listen to a short conversation about the weather forecast. Pay attention to the questions.
Questions you can use
What’s the weather like today?
Any chance of rain later?
How about the wind conditions?
What’s the temperature right now?
Will it get hotter this afternoon?
What about tonight’s forecast?
Read the conversation
Tom: Hello, Sally. What’s the weather like today?
Sally: Hi, Tom. It’s going to be sunny and warm today.
Tom: Any chance of rain later?
Sally: No, it will stay dry all day.
Tom: How about the wind conditions?
Sally: Light winds around 16 km/hour.
Tom: What’s the temperature right now?
Sally: It’s currently 24°C.
Tom: Will it get hotter this afternoon?
Sally: Yes, highs will reach around 29°.
Tom: What about tonight’s forecast?
Sally: Cooler, around 18°, with clear skies.
Speak
Work in pairs. One person is the weather presenter and the other is the interviewer. Ask and answer at least three questions. Then change roles.
Start with: What’s the weather like today?
8 Keep practising
Want to learn more weather vocabulary? This video includes many more words and explanations in English.
You don’t need to learn all of them. Watch the video and see how many you can understand.
You will hear words such as drizzly, overcast, blustery, freezing, thunderstorm, sleet, hail, misty, chilly, muggy, breezy and scorching.
Final challenge: Choose three new words from the video and use one of them in a sentence about the weather.
