I.

Sentence Transformation
Transform the sentences by filling in the blanks with the correct form of the vocabulary words.
1. The _____________ season typically starts in May and ends in October in the northern regions of
Vietnam.
2. The heavy _____________ can sometimes cause ______________ in the city streets, making
transportation difficult.
3. During the rainy season, the ______________ is very high, making the air feel thick and sticky.
4. Farmers look forward to the rainy season as it is crucial for their _______________ activities, ensuring
good ____________.
5. ___________________ are common during this season, often accompanied by loud thunder and bright
lightning.
6. Many people carry ________________ or wear _______________ clothing to stay dry during the
sudden rains.
7. The fresh __________ of wet earth and the lush green __________ are some of the enjoyable aspects
of the rainy season.
8. Tourists are advised to have flexible _____________ due to the _______________ weather conditions.
9. The rainy season helps to _____________ the usually hot weather, providing some relief from the heat.
10. Despite the challenges, many people find the rainy season to have a unique and pleasant
_______________.
II. Synonym Replacement
Replace the underlined words with suitable synonyms from the vocabulary list.
1. The rainy season is also known as the wet season.
2. During this period, the weather is marked by heavy and frequent rainfalls.
3. These rains are crucial for farming, providing the necessary water for crops.
4. In urban areas, the rainy season can cause serious traffic jams.
5. Despite the troubles, many people enjoy the rainy season for its unique atmosphere.
6. Tourists should be prepared for the changeable weather during this season.
7. Some popular spots like Ha Long Bay can still be enjoyable during the rainy season.
8. Despite the difficulties, the rainy season brings a special charm to the landscape.
9. The rainy season is an important part of life in Vietnam, bringing both challenges and beauty.
10. Farmers rely on the rainy season to ensure good yields.
Two-way discussion: Weather
 What should you do in a bad weather?

Well, a bad weather is one of the worst things for me. The entire day is filled with boredom. It makes me
chained to my home. In that moment I will have nothing to do except sitting at my place and pray for the
weather to be clear. But I think there are many interesting things to do during a bad weather and I should
follow the ideas to make the bad day into a bright day. The first thing is that I shall plan in the early hours of
the day that how to spend the rest of the day. Usually, in a bad weather, it rains around the day. Roads become
muddy and slippery. So, I should not take the car even if I need to go somewhere for emergencies on such a
day. If possible, I should cancel all the events and appointments for the day (except the emergencies) and stay
home round the day. I should spend time with my wife and as she likes listening songs, I should accompany
her. After listening songs with Samantha (my wife), I should watch movies of my preferred genre. I like action
movies while Samantha prefers comedy. So, I should move to action-comedy movies and watch them together
until noon. You’ll be happy to know that Samantha loves to take foods cooked by me. So, I should also cook
some foods for her to be served during the lunch and should allow her to prepare the supper. Besides, I should
also plan for a party in the evening with my other family members or relatives or a couple of friends. This is the
way I should pass a bad weather. Though it may sound a bit different from other people as they will move to
their respective works but I will stay home. I should pass the day with my family and if they have occupational
works, I should also disallow them to start for office. This is a sudden break in the monotonous life and helps
boost energies of people.

• Will bad weather mould or change people’s personality?

Yes, bad weather will change people’s personality but it will happen only for that day. When people will
experience a bad weather, they will either get angry or get happy. Some of the people will be angry as they will
have to miss many important things and some other people will be happy as they do not have to attend the
preset events. It will happen that some people are missing their important meetings or works and any
appointments. As a result, they will be annoyed but will have nothing to do except waiting. On the other part,
people who prefer relaxation more than their works will be happy as they will have not to attend their jobs or
other events. People with a pleasant personality will turn into a negative one due to the bad weather after
being failed to do the necessary things. But this personality transformation will be temporary. The sun has a
positive impact on people. When people will see the sun, in a bright mode, they will forget their dullness. They
will laugh and shout. A good number of songs have also been composed over the rising of the sun. However,
people who were happy now will be dull. They will get back into their real personality again once the weather
is over. So, I think this will be enjoyable to all as they actually will get some enjoyable moments for the bad
weather. They will be amazed at their personality change and it will make them laugh how they reacted when
the weather turned into a foul weather.

• What is the relationship between weather and culture?

Well, culture and weather have some interconnections. It has been formulated based on the geographical
aspects. Weather is one of the important factors in producing food crops and has been playing a significant
role in the entire agriculture system. If there is no water, there will be no crops. Again, if there is excessive
water, there will be no crops as the crops will be destroyed by the excessive water. So, a large number of
people belonging to agricultural society try to maintain a good relationship with the weather. They have
formulated their culture with the belief that if they could satisfy the weather, they will have good crops. But
the scenario is different in modern cities. People observe and form different cultures in different weather
conditions to make them more comfortable and enjoyable. In most of the cases, the cultures are determined
by the weather pattern. People take the necessary measures to observe the seasons. For instance, winter is a
climatic condition or a specific situation when the weather is cold. You cannot move without warm clothes in
that season. A culture to put on warm dresses has been formulated. Similarly, in the monsoon, the culture of
carrying an umbrella has been formed. In some cases, people carry umbrellas in summer as well to protect
them from the blazing heat from the sun. So, it appears that weather and culture are closely interconnected
with each other.

• The climate has changed these 50 years. Have you noticed the changes?

Yes, I agree with you. The climate has changed greatly in the past 50 years. A lot of changes have taken place
by this time. Environmental degradation is the key cause of the changes, I think. Firstly the seasonal change
should be mentioned here caused for the environmental imbalance. Earlier there were five or six seasons but
now there are hardly three seasons appear round the year. The number of wildlife in different forests and
jungles was more in the past comparing the current days. They have become extinct as they do not have their
natural habitat. Random deforestation, environmental degradation etc. are the key cause of their extinction.
With the passage of development, people are in need of furniture and modern amenities, and thus they are
cutting down trees. Forests are being destroyed which is causing ecological imbalance across the globe. People
are destroying the natural habitat of the wild animals and also polluting the other relevant elements of the
environment. As a result, nature has experienced a negative change and the consequences are falling upon us.
We are to suffer from the climatic changes. I also have noticed that when I was a kid, the summer was not as
hot as it is today. Besides, in the rainy season, it rains less than the past days. Sometimes, there are excessive
rains which cause flash floods in some of the parts of the low-lying regions in the world. But such sudden
accidents were not found 50 years ago. I bet in next 50 years a massive change will take place across the globe
unless the environmental pollution is not stopped.

• What changes do you predict in the following years?

Ummm! I think there will be massive changes in the environment. Firstly, the climate will go to its extreme.
There might be only one season, summer because all the other seasons will vanish due to deforestation and
ecological imbalance in the environment. Food scarcity is another potential issue as the lands are losing
fertility for the extensive use of chemical fertilisers. Besides, the chemicals used in the croplands are also
getting mixed with water which is also a serious threat to human and animal health. By drinking the polluted
water, they may develop different deadly diseases.

Desertification is the other issue that will be a great concern for the world. Currently, a large portion of the
forests are being cut down to serve several purposes and accordingly the cutting is going on indiscriminately.
But it is imperative to plant trees with the ration of cutting them down. Unfortunately, people are cutting more
instead of planting. The emergence of natural calamities in the recent past years is also a concerning issue and
in future, the frequency may increase more. The events of flash floods, cyclones, erosion, excessive rains or
droughts in some places, heat waves, cold waves, hailstorms, thunderstorms etc. will be seen frequently. If
such situations prevail for longer times, I think the entire environment with all of its elements will collapse
someday. Then it would be highly difficult for the humans to rise up. In fact, war with nature is unwise as
nature will be the winner at the end of the day, while the modern people have made nature their opponent. It
appears to me that they are in a battle with nature and wants to win over it. Alas! They do not have any idea
how powerful nature is. Climatic change is one of the changes that are seen now. Hope nature will show her
mercy to us.

• Are the people interested in gathering the weather information in your place?

Uhh! France is the country of temperate climate but the countrymen are highly aware of the climate change
around the world. The country is surrounded by a couple of mountains which bring variations in the climate of
the country. Usually, the mountain areas always remain cold comparing to the other regions while the
northern part is mild in winter and tolerable warm in summer. So, the climatic issues are one of the concerning
issues for the people. The continental climatic condition owns the chance of a sudden change and thereby, the
people need to remain alert, always over the changes. Though the seasons like winter and spring are pleasant
in the current days, due to the massive aggression on the climate, they may get a terrible change. The dry
summer seasons is also a concerning issue for us. With the climate change, the summer may turn drier which
would be intolerable to some extent. It is also a shocking event that the rate of global warming is more in
France comparing the other parts of the world. The warming trend continued till 2009 beginning from 19602
and the government is trying to control the situation. Different initiatives have been taken and people are now
aware than before over the climatic issues. They get regular weather updates for their own benefits.

• How does weather influence people’s personalities in your country?

This is an interesting question. In fact, the weather has something to do with the moods of the people in my
country. Usually, the moods and personalities of the common people get a massive change with the change of
weather. For instance, in summer, usually, people are frank and speak a lot. They organise for private parties
and always in a jolly mood. You may be confused with their personalities as the man with the most seriousness
also becomes a cheerful one. But the scenario changes entirely in the winter. People do not prefer to talk that
much and keep silence even in trips. This is the common scenarios in France during the season changes.

• What types of weather do people in your country dislike most? Why is that?
Well, people in France like hot weather most of the days are filled with heat. The scorching sun makes life
unbearable. Most of the people are against the summer days as they cannot continue their regular tasks.
Sometimes, they are unable to go outside under the hot sun and if they are to go, they take different
preventive measure. Sometimes, the people take umbrellas with them or use sunscreens to protect them from
the ultraviolet ray emitted from the sun. They dislike sun most for another reason. During the summer days,
most of the time the tourists in Paris do not come out to roam around the city, in fact, nobody does so. As a
result, the people who are engaged in the street business cannot have a good business during the daytime and
they cannot keep their stores open round the night. Moreover, the common citizens of Paris are also irritated
with the sun. They are always in need of air cooler and running air coolers around the months is expensive as
well. For all such reasons, many of the people do not prefer the summer days.

• What jobs can be affected by different weather conditions? Why?

Thanks for the question. There are different professions which could be affected by the weather and climatic
conditions. Mostly the professions dealing with the outside activities get affected by the weather changes.
Agriculture suffers most from the climatic changes like sudden floods or natural disasters etc. affect most to
the sector and the farmers have nothing to do with the changes. Besides, in the city areas, there are many
people who sell products on streets and they also have to suffer to some extent by different weather
conditions. Moreover, people working in the coastal areas are also affected by weather conditions. When there
are sudden changes in the weather pattern, they are to risk their lives and living.
• Are there any important festivals in your country that celebrate a season or type of weather?

Well, it is a matter of regret that there are no such festivals in my country, France. There are a good number of
festivals and celebrations available but none of them celebrates any specific type of weather. Seasons come
and seasons depart and it is natural that people will continue their respective tasks in different seasons. They
celebrate different national and private events but there are no such initiatives to celebrate any seasons. I
think there are no such celebrations of seasons as the people are unsatisfied with them. The majority of the
people participate in the national celebrations round the year while some of the tourists are also seen
participating there. National holidays are always observed by the people and they generally take a break from
their regular works on the day.

Weather forecasts:

• How important do you think it is for everyone to check what the next day’s weather will be? Why?

I think it will be a good idea to check the next day’s weather. The people who will check the weather will be
benefitted from several aspects. The first and most important benefits will be that they will remain aware of
the weather conditions. Usually, the weather forecasts declare a tentative schedule of the weather and the
people who will check the forecasts may be able to take the necessary measures after the declaration. If it
rains, they may take precautions like carrying an umbrella or a raincoat with them. Or if there are chances of
storms, they may not get out of the home or even if they are out of the home, they may take shelter to any
suitable place before the storm kicks off. If the forecasts say about snowing, they may take snow prevention
gears, or take necessary measures at the garage so that they could start their car in the morning amid the
snowing.

• What is the best way to get accurate information about the weather?

Umm … there are no exact ways to get informed about the weather conditions as it changes randomly. But I
think listening to weather forecasts on radio or television is one of the best ways. Moreover, there are some
weather apps available for the smartphones. Since everyone, in the present days, use smartphones, they could
download the apps and check the weather condition periodically. Besides, one can also understand the
weather by using their senses. When the sky will be cloudy, it naturally points that there is something wrong
with the weather and it may rain. If the cloud is accompanied by strong winds, there are chances of a storm. If
the day is bright and hot, it points that this is a sunny day. Easy!

• How easy or difficult is it to predict the weather in your country? Why is that?

Well, it is easy to predict the weather conditions in my country. Usually, the summer days are hot while it is too
cold in the winter. But the predictions may not be always correct. During the summer days, it is easier to
predict about the weather and in the other seasons, it is a bit troublesome to predict the weather condition.
During the monsoon, there are rains but not all the time. Sometimes the sky is clear with a dark blue shade
and clouds fly freely. But in the summer, it does not rain for a single drop. In winter, sometimes it turns difficult
to check if the sun is up or not for the dull weather. Thereby, I think it is a bit difficult to predict the weather
conditions. Sometimes it has happened that the weather forecast was about snowing in the next day but in
reality, the day was bright