Weather is a simple topic, but many candidates never get beyond "hot" and "cold". Uzbekistan's sharp continental climate gives you plenty to talk about.
What the examiner asks on this topic
What's the weather like in your country?
What is your favourite season?
Does the weather affect your mood?
What do you usually do on rainy days?
Has the weather in your region changed in recent years?
Model answers (aimed at band 7+)
What's the weather like in your country?
It's quite extreme, actually. Summers are long and scorching, often above forty degrees in July, while winters can be surprisingly cold and grey. Spring and autumn are short, but they're easily the most pleasant times of year.
What is your favourite season?
Definitely spring. After the cold winter, the whole city suddenly turns green, the apricot trees blossom, and people start spending time outside again. Navruz is in March as well, so it feels like a celebration.
Does the weather affect your mood?
Yes, more than I'd expect. On grey winter days I find it harder to concentrate and I feel a bit sluggish, whereas a sunny morning can put me in a good mood for the whole day.
Has the weather in your region changed in recent years?
People definitely say so. Summers seem to be getting hotter, and we get less snow than when I was a child. My grandparents often mention that winters used to be much harsher.
Useful words and phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| scorching | scorching |
| surprisingly cold | surprisingly cold |
| easily the most pleasant | easily the most pleasant |
| blossom | blossom |
| sluggish | sluggish |
| put me in a good mood | put me in a good mood |
| harsh winters | harsh winters |
| seem to be getting hotter | seem to be getting hotter |
How to answer
- Instead of "hot", use a scale: "warm", "hot", "scorching", "boiling".
- Add concrete detail: the temperature, the month, a festival (Navruz), the fruit.
- For change, use "seem to be getting..." and "used to be...".
- For the mood question, compare two situations with "whereas".
Practise this topic now
The AI examiner asks you these questions, listens to your answers and shows your mistakes.
Everything about Part 1: the Part 1 guide. More topics: all articles.
Practise this topic now
The AI examiner asks you these questions, listens to your answers and shows your mistakes.
