Ice breakers: Brits spend 5 months of their lives talking about weather 2

The average person spends the equivalent of five months of their life - talking about the weather, a study has revealed.

            One popular weather topic includes the forecast for the day ahead and whether it was right or wrong, snow or ice, and humid or stormy weather. Six in 10 Brits admitted to coming out with the phrase "it's a bit nippy today" in a conversation while 56 per cent regularly comment on how it is a "lovely day". "The sun is trying to come out", "think that's it for summer this year" and "it's so humid, we need a good old storm to clear the air" are other weather-related statements many admit to using when making small talk.

            It also emerged Brits are most likely to talk to strangers about the weather, followed by elderly people, work colleagues, their best friend and parents. Shop assistants, work clients and customers, hairdressers and delivery drivers are also likely to be in the receiving end of a weather chat.

            The study found 82 per cent admitted they think the classic stereotype of all Brits being fixated with the weather is a true one, with just over half admitting they are obsessed with what it is doing around them. And for seven in 10 Brits, checking their weather app, watching the morning forecast or looking out the window to see what the weather is like is the first thing they do in the morning. And 48 per cent reckon they need to make more effort to embrace the rain.

            Emma Russell, from Helly Hansen, added: "Scandinavian countries are ranked as some of the world's happiest nations, yet extreme weather conditions are the norm. They don't talk themselves into letting this ruin their plans, but have learnt to dress appropriately and embrace an outdoor lifestyle, whatever the weather throws at them."

Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a. More people start a conversation talking about the bad weather than the good one.

b. The British stereotype of always talking about the weather is as right.

c. Most of the Brits don’t mind the rain.

d. Scandinavian people are the happiest.

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. How do people get informed about the weather?

b. What should you do when the weather is not good?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

a. weather prediction (p. 2)

b. theme          (p. 2)

c. recognize, affirm (p. 2)

d. mates (p. 3)

e. conversation (p. 3)

Question 4 (1.5 points) Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a. Many Brits said: "The sun is trying to come out" and "it's so humid, we need a good old storm to clear the air"

            Many Brits said that...

b. It also emerged Brits are most likely to talk to strangers about the weather.

            Brits...

c. Scandinavian countries are ranked as some of the world's happiest nations, yet extreme weather conditions are the norm.

            Although...

Question 5 (3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:

I would/ wouldn’t  like to live in a place with good weather, like Canary islands.