Text 25. The English climate

The climate of Britain is generally mild and temperate due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. It is not hot in summer and it is not very cold in winter. It often rains. It rains in all the seasons of the year. On the average, Britain has 204 rainy days a year, with the maximum in Scotland and the minimum in the estuary of the river Thames. The cold air which comes to Britain from the continent already becomes warm when it moves across the North Sea and brings many clouds to Britain. In the south of Britain it seldom snows and the snow doesn't cover the ground for a long time. We all know about the famous London fogs which usually fall in winter and in autumn.

The British weather is so changeable that it is difficult for the people to make plans for holidays. The weather is never the same two days running. That is why the Englishmen so often talk about the weather and listen weather forecast. The weather is favourite topic conversation in the UK. The Englishmen never leave house without an umbrella. Even on a sunny day they are not sure that it is not going to rain in an hour or two. The Englishmen joke that they have no climate but оnly weather. The English also say that they have three variants of weather: when it rains in the morning, when it rains in the afternoon or when it rains all day long. Sometimes it rains so heavily that they say "It's raining cats and dogs".

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the climate like in Britain?

2. Why is the climate of Britain mild?

3. Is it very hot in summer?

4. Is it very cold in winter?

5. Does it often rain in Britain?

6. Does it often snow in winter?

7. What do you know about London fogs?

8. Is the British weather stable or changeable?

9. Why are the Englishmen always interested in weather forecast?

10. How do the Englishmen joke about their climate?