Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Small Talk About the Weather
Start a short weather conversation, respond naturally and share a simple preference.
Your speaking goal
Make a weather comment, respond with one detail and ask a friendly follow-up question.
Before you start: Imagine meeting a neighbour outside on a cool, windy day. Choose the kind of weather you prefer.
Your six-step practice plan
- Understand: Read the goal and check the useful phrases.
- Listen or read: Follow both roles. Audio is optional.
- Repeat: Say one short line at a time, then join the words smoothly.
- Change details: Replace two details with imaginary ones.
- Role-play: Read the other person’s question, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles.
- Review: Use the “I can” checks below. Repeat any part that still needs help.
Work at your own pace. A clear message matters more than copying a particular accent.
Listen, read and notice
Roles: Nadia and Chris
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Nadia: It’s quite windy today, isn’t it?
Chris: It is. I wasn’t expecting it to feel this cold.
Nadia: Neither was I. I’m glad I brought a jacket.
Chris: Do you prefer cooler weather or hot weather?
Nadia: I prefer cooler days, as long as it isn’t raining.
Chris: I like warm weather, but I don’t enjoy very hot days.
Nadia: Same here. Has it been windy all morning?
Chris: It was calmer earlier. The wind picked up a little while ago.
Nadia: I hope it settles down later.
Chris: Me too. Have a good day!
Nadia: You too.
Useful phrases and what they do
- It’s quite ___ today, isn’t it? — Make a comment and invite agreement.
- I wasn’t expecting ___. — Say something surprised you.
- I prefer ___ . — State which option you like better.
- Same here. — Informally say that the same thing is true for you.
Say it clearly
Practise ‘It’s quite WINDY today, / isn’t it?’ You can use a gentle rising tone if you are checking whether the other person agrees. A friendly comment does not require a long reply.
Build your own replies
It’s quite ___ today. → Yes, it is. I prefer ___ because ___.
Ask and check
Do you mean colder than yesterday? → Yes, it feels colder to me.
Common mistakes and alternatives
Use ‘It’s windy’ or ‘It’s cold’, rather than ‘Is windy’ or ‘Is cold’ in a complete sentence. ‘Weather’ is normally uncountable: ‘nice weather’, not ‘a nice weather’. ‘Same here’ in this model refers to not enjoying very hot days.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
What surprises Chris about the weather?
Show answer 1 and explanation
How cold it feels. Chris says they were not expecting it to feel this cold.
Question 2
Does Nadia prefer every kind of cool weather?
Show answer 2 and explanation
No. She prefers cooler days as long as it is not raining. The extra phrase limits the preference.
Question 3
Give another natural reply to ‘It’s quite windy today.’
Show answer 3 and explanation
‘Yes, it is. I’m glad I brought a jacket’ works. ‘It certainly is’ also agrees. You can politely disagree, for example ‘A little, but it was windier yesterday.’
Your turn: make it a real exchange
Practise alone: read the other person’s line, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles. No partner is needed.
Role A
Start with a comment about imagined weather, ask about a preference and respond to one detail.
Role B
Reply to the comment, give your preference and ask a short follow-up question.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: You have different weather preferences. Acknowledge the other person’s view and explain yours in one sentence.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can start a short weather conversation.
- I can state a preference and add a detail.
- I can agree or disagree without ending the exchange abruptly.