Academic English

Listen to the recording about the weather and read along with the conversation. Review the key vocabulary and the sample sentences.

[All temperatures in Fahrenheit as used in the United States.]

Hello everyone. Have you ever wondered what the weather is like in other places around the world? Today, I’d like to talk to you about the changing seasons in my city which was the assigned topic for this class.

First of all, the winter season usually begins in December and ends in early March. The coldest month is January, and the temperatures can drop below freezing for most of this month. The city usually averages about 30 inches of snow during this entire, 3-month period. Occasionally, we have snow storms that can drop a foot of snow in a very short period of time. Winter activities during this season include sledding, skiing, and snowshoeing.

Spring usually arrives in late March, and the temperatures hover around 50 degrees during the day. It is a beautiful season because the flowers start to bloom. It is also sometimes windy, and this is great for flying kites. People in my city often like to go on picnics, stroll through the parks, and play outdoor games.

Next, summer starts in June, as temperatures slowly rise to around 80 degrees. The summer in my city is very dry with little rain throughout the season, and temperatures can soar above 100 degrees in August. Fortunately, the weather is very dry with low humidity, so it is pleasant even on hot days. Popular activities during this season include hiking, fishing, camping, water skiing, and outdoor sports including football and soccer.

And finally, summer changes to fall in late September when the weather cools off, and the trees begin to change colors. A lot of people enjoy driving into the mountains and viewing the fall colors. It is also a time when people clean up their yards and gardens in preparation for the winter season.

So, as you can see, my city has a lot to offer no matter when you visit this area.

• occasionally (adverb): from time to time, now and then, once in a while 
  – We occasionally go on picnics during the spring and summer seasons.
• sledding (noun): the activity or sport of riding on a sled, usually in snow 
  – I took the kids sledding yesterday down a real fun hill, and we had a great time.
• hover (verb): remain somewhat steady 
  – You should be prepared from cold weather this weekend because temperatures will hover around freezing.
• stroll (verb): take a leisurely walk 
  – During the early spring, you often see couples strolling through the park.
• soar (verb): rise quickly 
  – The weather forecast predicts that temperatures will soar into the 100s by the middle of the week.
• humidity (noun): wetness in the air 
  – Because I live in a dry climate, I’m not used to the humidity when I travel.