SPEECH PATTERNS

TALKING ABOUT THE TEMPERATURE AND THE WEATHER.

I.Read the following short dialogues.

1. – What is the temperature today?

– It is fifteen degrees above zero Celsius (Centigrade).

2. – What was the temperature yesterday?

– It was ten degrees above zero Celsius (Centigrade).

3. – What was the average temperature last winter?

– It was twenty degrees below zero Celsius (Centigrade).

II.Show your surprise at what you hear about the temperature using the words “Indeed?” or “Really?”

Do the exercise in pairs each time exchanging the roles.

1. The last summer was very hot.

2. The temperature 100⁰F is about + 38⁰ C.

3. The temperature is very low for the season.

4. The temperature today is only + 5⁰C.

5. Last summer the temperature in our city reached + 30⁰C.

6. In the North Pole (Северный полюс) the temperature reaches -50⁰C.

III.Read the dialogues in pairs:

I

A: Fairly mild for the time of year.

B: Yes. Quite different from the forecast.

A: They say we’re in for snow.

B: Let’s hope it keeps fine for the week-end.

II

A: Nice and bright this morning!

B. Much better than yesterday.

A: The wind’ll probably get up later.

B. As long as it doesn’t rain.

IV.Respond to the statements with the phrase “Yes, quite different from the forecast”:

1. Fairly mild (hot, nice) for the time of year.

2. Fairly warm (fine, bright) for the season.

3. Rather rainy (foggy, wet) for the time of year.

4. Rather cold (cool, windy) for the season.

5. Nice and bright (sunny and dry; fine and still) this morning.

6. Windy and cold (foggy and cool; wet and cloudy) this afternoon.

V.Respond to the statement with the phrase “Much better (worse) than yesterday”.

1. The weather so fine today!

2. What a wonderful day!

3. Rainy and windy this morning.

4. It’s cold, isn’t it?

5. Foggy and cool this afternoon.

VI.Say as many phrase about the weather as possible using the following phrase as a response: Let’s hope it keeps fine for the week-end.

TIME FOR FUN

A Good Cook

Young wife: “Do you think I’m a good cook, darling?”

Husband: “I think you are perfect”.

Wife: “Which of my dishes do you like best?”

Husband: “Tinnedlobsters”.

* * * *

- When was Rome built?

- At night.

- Who told you that?

- You did. You said Rome wasn’t built in a day.

* * * *

- But I don’t think I deserve an absolute zero.

- Neither do I, but it’s the lowest mark that I am allowed to give.

* * * *

- I didn’t know you were interested in chemistry.

- I am not. This is my wife’s dressing table.

* * * *