Seasons and weather
When two Englishmen meet, their first words will he "How do you do?" or "How are you?" And after the
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reply "Very well, thank you: how are you?" the next remark is almost certain to be about the weather. "It's a
lovely morning, isn't it?" or "Isn't it hot today?" and the other person will reply "Yes, it's wonderful weather we
are having. I hope it will keep fine, it seems almost too good to last."
Or perhaps the day is dull, it is raining a little, the sky is grey, and everyone is wearing a mackintosh or
carrying an umbrella. As the cars and buses go along the street, they splash the water and mud on the passersby.
Gradually it gets darker: 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 bumps into
another, he says, "Isn't it a beastly day?" - "Yes," replies the other, you can hardly see a yard in front of you."
 [bad word] winter. There has been a good fall of snow and a hard frost. It is just the day for a good
country walk; let us have a tramp down the country lanes. The ground is like iron and rings under our feet, the
frost sparkles on the branches, and icicles hang from the houses.
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 fight with snowballs. It is very pleasant while the
frost lasts; the unpleasant [bad word] when the thaw begins.
few months have passed and it is a beautiful spring day. The rain fell heavily last night, but now the soft
white clouds are floating across the blue sky, and the sun is shining brightly. Raindrops and dewdrops shine on
every small green leaf and every blade of young grass.
The farmer has ploughed his fields and the new corn is just beginning to appear above the ground. In a few
months autumn and harvest time [bad word]  When the corn has turned ripe and golden the farmer will reap it
and put it in his barn.
(Abridged from "Modern English Course
for Foreign Students" by Eckerseley)