Life in Winter Aiste and Christophe talk about winter in their countries. Christophe: Hi, Aiste. Aiste: Hello, Christophe. Christophe: So, how is Lithuania like in Aiste: Oh, Lithuania is very cold in the wintertime. Usually we have snow from the beginning of November till the beginning of April. That means almost five months of snow, but the good thing about snow is that after miserable autumn, where it rains every day, and when the snow starts falling, you have the white atmosphere everywhere, and when people walk in snow, they're not that unhappy and not that desperate anymore, so I actually like snow because snow keeps your mood up. What about Belgium in Christophe: Belgium in wintertime is really miserable. It's raining all the time, almost every day rain, rain, rain. It's so miserable that people just look at the pavement when they are walking outside all the time. They look like they're so depressed. There s only one thing in their heads, "Oh, I hope it will be spring time soon." But, I was wondering, if it's snowing in Lithuania, isn't it cold? Aiste: Oh, it is very cold. Just a few years ago we had a temperature that reached minus 26 in wintertime. It was really freezing. You almost can't get out of your house. Once you get out, your eyelashes get frozen, and when you get inside, you're just naturally crying because the ice is melting and running all through your face. Christophe: How do you heat your houses when it's so cold? Aiste: Well, when it's so cold, it's really a problem to heat your house at the proper temperature, and it definitely costs a lot of money. So far I don't have my house and I live with my parents, so my father was taking care of that. He was combining three heating parts with two different kinds of wood and also natural gas from central heating system and by combining this three parts of heating system, he was heating up the house, but still when it was minus 26, once the pipes were frozen, and it was really a huge problem to make the system running back again. Christophe: Wow, that sounds like a really complicated and expensive heating system. I prefer rain in my country then.
Summarize Take notes as you listen or read the interview on the left side of the paper. Then write complete sentences to summarize the story in your own words. The first one is done. Part 1: Lithuania, cold, November to April, 5 months Aiste says that Lithuania is very cold in the winter. It snows from November to April but she likes it because everything is white and beautiful. It helps her stay in a good mood. White atmosphere, good mood Part 2: Belgium, rains all the time Miserable, look at the pavement Depressed, I hope... Part 3: Part 4: Part 5:
Start a Conversation: ANSWERS Match the following questions with the responses. 1. Whatʼs your country like during the winter time? Most people use small space heaters in different rooms. 2. Which season is your favorite? I love winter sports so Iʼm never in a bad mood during the winter time. 3. Do people go skiing in your country in the 4. Which do you like better, the rain or the snow? 5. How do most people heat their houses in your country? 6. Do you get depressed during the 7. How long does winter usually last in your country? 8. Have you heard the weather forecast for tomorrow? 9. The road is really bad, do you have Personally, I like winter because I love to wear boots. Here in Alaska, it seems like winter never ends. I donʼt think Iʼm even going to try to drive. Iʼm scared to drive in the snow. Actually, since we are in the tropics, we have a rainy season, but no winter. I prefer the snow because it looks so beautiful after a fresh snow. Did the battery die? Sorry, I donʼt have jumper cables. Itʼs supposed to be sunny. snow tires? 10. Could you help me jump start my car? There is plenty of snow where Iʼm from, but no mountains, so not much.
Keep the Conversation Going Keep the conversations going and then ask a follow up questions. A: I heard that itʼs supposed to snow like crazy tonight. B: I hope so. That would be great if school is closed. A: Yeah, that would be awesome. (Write a question here)? _ A: I canʼt wait until spring comes. B: Me neither. All the rain during winter is so depressing. A: I agree completely. When spring comes (Write a question here)?
Start a Conversation: ANSWERS Match the following questions with the responses. 1. Whatʼs your country like during the winter time? 5 Most people use small space heaters in different rooms. 2. Which season is your favorite? 6 I love winter sports so Iʼm never in a bad mood during the winter time. 3. Do people go skiing in your country in the 4. Which do you like better, the rain or the snow? 5. How do most people heat their houses in your country? 6. Do you get depressed during the 7. How long does winter usually last in your country? 8. Have you heard the weather forecast for tomorrow? 9. The road is really bad, do you have 2 Personally, I like winter because I love to wear boots. 7 Here in Alaska, it seems like winter never ends. 9 I donʼt think Iʼm even going to try to drive. Iʼm scared to drive in the snow. 1 Actually, since we are in the tropics, we have a rainy season, but no winter. 4 I prefer the snow because it looks so beautiful after a fresh snow. 10 Did the battery die? Sorry, I donʼt have jumper cables. 8 Itʼs supposed to be sunny. snow tires? 10. Could you help me jump start my car? 3 There is plenty of snow where Iʼm from, but no mountains, so not much.