Step by step. Кочетова Л.А. - 48 стр.

it is very unexpected, when, in fact, it has been raining every day,
for two weeks.
       Surprisingly, few people take much notice of the weather reports
in the newspapers, on radio and television. For a start, no one really
understands what they mean when the forecasters use words like
«depression» and «anti-cyclone». And anyway, we never believe what
they say will happen. Also, we like to be surprised.
       As soon as we wake in the morning, we go to the window and
open the curtains to «see what the weather is doing» as if we
expect at least a hurricane, or a snowstorm. As for the weather-
forecaster, his job is simple. Whenever there is a major sporting
event like Ascot, Wimbledon or an important cricket match, he
knows that it is sure to rain!
       No conversation ever starts in England without a comment
on the weather. It is almost a formality, like shaking hands. «How
do you do? Nice day today», or «How do you do? A bit parky,
isn’t it?» Parky means cold, and it is only used when talking about
the weather. Other typical comments on the weather are, «What’s
the weather like down your way?» or «What time the rain get to
your part of the world?»
       Then there are people who pretend they know exactly what
the weather will do next. That sort of person is always convinced
that it will get worse. While sunbathing in 80 degrees of heat, they
will say, «There’s a nasty ni p in the air. We’ll have frost tomorrow
morning».
       The only time that we do want cold weather is at Christmas,
when everyone is dreaming of a white Christmas. But sadly, it hasn’t
snowed in many places in Britain on Christmas Day since 1963.
These days, it always seems to snow in April instead of December,
and then not very much. Snowmen are becoming almost extinct.
       As we refuse to accept that it rains most of the time, we
always dress in the wrong clothes. The only people who are always
prepared for rain are businessmen who carry umbrellas, even during
the hottest months.
       Because it rains so much in this country, everyone cheers up
when it is sunny. Girls have only one idea — to get brown before the
good weather comes to an end. But even when the weather is
marvellous, we can’t help complaining after a whole. For the first
week everyone is happy. Then gradually the complaints start. «Too

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