Conversation on weather
Setting: Ann and Mary are walking to their next class and discussing the weather.
Ann: Oh, it feels so cold this morning.
Mary: It sure is! Early this morning, my car’s windshield was covered with frost. I had to spray it with water before I could head to school.
Ann: Who would have thought it could be this cold in early December, especially in California?
Mary: I know! The temperature was 35 degrees Fahrenheit when I woke up this morning. I was freezing as soon as I got out of bed. The cold weather just hit me by surprise.
Ann: I cannot remember when it was this cold in early December.
Mary: Brace yourself for the rain this afternoon—cold and wet, yuck!
Ann: It’s going to rain this afternoon?
Mary: Not just this afternoon but the rest of the week.
Ann: Oh, it’s going to be miserable! I have a full class schedule today and tomorrow. Walking from class to class, I’ll have to juggle my books and my umbrella to avoid getting wet.
Mary: You carry too many books. Why don’t you leave some in your locker?
Ann: My locker is far from my English classes, so I carry all my books with me. Is it going to rain hard or just drizzle?
Mary: The news said it will start to drizzle around noon, and by three o’clock, it’ll rain really hard.
Ann: No hope for better weather this week?
Mary: There’s a slim chance of sunshine by Saturday. But before then, it’ll be foggy, windy, and rainy.
Ann: I’m glad it’s raining, even though I don’t like rainy weather. It’s been such a dry season this year.
Mary: Yes, I can hardly remember the last time it rained. As long as there’s no thunder or lightning, I can bear it.
Ann: We rarely have thunder or lightning in California.
Mary: True. We’re lucky California has some of the best weather in America. When it’s hot, it’s not humid; when it rains, there’s no thunder or lightning; and winter cold is mild compared to other states.
Ann: Yes, we’re lucky. But sometimes, when I see Christmas pictures, I wish we had snow. It looks so pretty when everything is covered in a blanket of pure white snow.
Mary: I’ve lived in Southern California all my life, and I’ve never seen snow. I wouldn’t mind playing in it once in a while.
Ann: Yes, it’d be fun to make a snowman or go skiing.
Mary: We’ve never seen snow, made a snowman, or gone skiing. We need to change that!
Ann: Maybe we should plan a trip to Aspen, Colorado, during winter break. I’ve heard the skiing season there is fantastic.
Mary: I don’t think we can afford a trip to Aspen. It’s really expensive.
Ann: I know; I’m just wishing. I’ll be working hard during winter break to save money for a new car.
Mary: With the cars we drive, it’s better we live in a place without snow.
Ann: You’re right; we’re better off without snow. I have class now; see you later in the library.
Mary: See you later!
Glossary of Words and Expressions
- Frost: A thin layer of ice that forms on surfaces when the temperature drops below freezing.
- Windshield: The front window of a car, designed to protect passengers from wind and debris.
- Drizzle: Light rain with very small, fine drops.
- Miserable: Extremely unpleasant or uncomfortable.
- Juggle: To handle or manage multiple things at the same time.
- Slim chance: A very small possibility of something happening.
- Foggy: Covered with or characterized by thick mist or fog.
- Yuck: An exclamation of disgust or dislike.
- Blanket (of snow): A thick, continuous covering, often used figuratively to describe snow covering a surface.
- Snowman: A figure made of snow, typically with a human shape.
- Skiing: The sport or activity of traveling over snow using skis.
- Brace yourself: Get ready or prepare for something challenging or unpleasant.
- Hit me by surprise: To be unexpected or unanticipated.
- Bear it: To tolerate or endure something difficult or unpleasant.
- Pure: Free from any contamination or impurities; clean.
- Humid: Having a high amount of water vapor in the air; damp.
- Afford: To have enough money or resources to pay for something.
- Expensive: Costing a lot of money; high-priced.
- Better off: In a more favorable or advantageous position or situation.
- Rarely: Not often; infrequently.