Exam. Weather And Climate

Weather and Climate

1. Let’s talk about weather and climate. What is happening to weather and climate nowadays?

In my view, a person's life depends to a certain degree on the climatic conditions he lives in. English people say "There's no bad weather, there are bad clothes", but in reality bad weather influences our mood, emotions and even the physical state.

Climate isn’t the same as weather. Climate shows the average weather conditions over a long period of time. There are different types of climate: tropical, continental, polar, moderate, etc. Weather is the state of the atmosphere over a short period of time. Weather can be dry, wet, cold, hot, rainy, stormy, sunny, windy, cloudy, etc.

They say our climate is getting warmer and warmer and call it global warming. Environmentalists say that global warming is caused by emissions of certain gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which causes greenhouse effect. These changes in climate can be dangerous because it can lead to the melting of the Arctic Ice and the rise in the level of the World Ocean.

Unfortunately this will increase natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes and storms that badly affect people's lives.

As for Belarusian climate, it's moderately continental with mild, humid winters, warm summers, damp autumns and springs. The average temperature in winter is about -5°C. The average temperature in summer is about +25°C. Belarusian spring and autumn can be very rainy. But every season is beautiful and pleasant in its way.

2.  Do you have a favourite season?

There are four seasons in a year: winter, spring, summer and autumn. All seasons are good in their own way. Winter, for example, is full of celebrations, presents and snow. Spring is the time of nature awakening and flower blooming. Autumn can be rainy and yet beautiful, full of multicolored leaves.

However, my favourite season is summer. I choose summer not only because my birthday is in June, but also because it's the time of holidays. Summer is the season when the sun shines brightly, the sky is rarely cloudy and the water in the sea becomes warm enough to swim. Even if it becomes too hot, you can always go for a walk in the shady woods. I also like summer because there are many berries, fruit and vegetables, not to mention numerous flowers on the fields. Among them are roses, dandelions, daisies, and other flowers. Sometimes the air in summer becomes stuffy, but occasional thunderstorms bring relief. After the thunderstorms the air becomes remarkably fresh and very often we can see the rainbow in the sky.

Summer is also the time when my family and I go on holiday to the seaside. It's a wonderful time, when we can have a rest from the intense academic year and relax. I think all children love summer because of long school holidays and I'm not an exception. I also enjoy my free time, playing with my friends, watching TV, and doing other fun activities. Nevertheless, I don't forget to do some useful reading from time to time.

3.  What questions would you ask a meteorologist?

1) Is it hard to be a meteorologist?

2) Why did you decide to become a meteorologist?

3) What do you do to forecast weather?

4) Do you think that observing nature can help you to forecast weather?

5) What is your favorite kind of weather?

4.  What can you advise a person who is weather dependent?

In my view a person's life depends to a certain degree on the weather and climate. The agriculture, the national cuisine, the clothes we wear, the types of houses we live in all these depend on the climate and weather. Moreover, our mood often depends on the weather. If the weather is sunny and bright, we feel happy and cheerful but if the weather is gloomy, a lot of people feel depressed. Every day many people listen to weather forecasts to make up their minds on what closes to wear and whether or not to take an umbrella with them.

I am not weather dependent but my mother is. When the weather is changing, she can have headaches, high blood pressure, weakness.

So, if you are a weather dependent person, I advise you to learn the weather forecast for the day and if it's negative for you, try to do something pleasant and relaxing to raise your mood.

5.  They say there’s no bad weather, there are bad clothes. What do you think about it?

Englishmen say "There is no bad weather, there are bad clothes", it means that they like all the seasons, all kinds of weather. Every season is good in its own way. Each person likes this or that season. It depends on his character, mood. They say that Pushkin liked autumn very much. This season is full of colours, freshness and light. The sky is blue, but sometimes grey clouds appear. The sun shines but it begins to hide behind the clouds. Its rays are not so warm. Autumn is full of vegetables and fruit, mushrooms and berries. There is nothing like Indian summer in autumn. As for me, I like to walk on the carpet of bright leaves listen to the songs of birds flying to warm countries, look at the nature. It is like a fairy-tale. It fades away and nothing can be done. Soon drizzling rains will begin and everything will be dull and sad. But still I like autumn. Winter in Minsk is long and severe with dark nights, strong winds and hard frosts. But sometimes you can see a quiet winter frosty day. It is snowing. Fluffy soft snowflakes are falling to the ground making a beautiful thick carpet. Going outdoors in such weather is pleasant. Many people go to the forests and enjoy sledging and skiing, playing snowballs and making a snowman. As for spring, people in Minsk wait for it and dream about it during long winter days. It comes late but suddenly. I don't like it because my town becomes grey. But spring is the beginning of new life. Nature awakens from its long winter sleep. The trees begin to bud and soon tiny green leaves will appear. Young green grass appears, fruit trees begin to blossom. Everything looks magic covered with green carpet. Nature looks full of promise. I like summer because we have holidays and I enjoy resting after school year. In my opinion every season is beautiful and attractive.

References:

• Your English Exam Support: Подготовка к экзамену по английскому языку: пособие для учащихся учреждений общего среднего образования / [сост. Н.А. Сергиенко]. – Мозырь: Белый Ветер, 2015. – 97, [3] с.

• My Favorite Season 

• There's No Bad Weather, There Are Bad Clothes