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Pedestrians shelter beneath a Union Jack umbrella in central London Photo: REUTERS
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10:49AM BST 21 Sep 2009
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Always Take the Weather with you...
Why Brits always talk about the weather
The weather is still Britain's favourite topic of conversation with three quarters of us discussing it more than anything else, according to research.
It is so popular that even after England's football team beat Croatia to qualify for the World Cup, more men were talking about whether it would rain or shine. A mere quarter of men were chatting about football, compared with almost two thirds discussing the weather, according to a new study.
Researchers found our day to day lives are still characterised by traditional British activities like discussing the weather, enjoying fish and chips and drinking cups of tea. More than eight in ten of us believe tea is the ultimate traditional British drink, with everyone from the under 18s to the over 55s enjoying a cuppa.
When it comes to food, fish and chips is still seen as the ultimate in traditional British food. However one in five of us think curry has become a modern British culinary classic.
Dr David Lewis, a psychologist and Director of Research at Mindlab International, said we cling to traditions because they are comforting. He said: "These cultural symbols serve as the unshakeable foundation on which the British way of life is built. "Social and technological change makes many of us feel anxious and stressed because, by challenging accustomed ways of thinking and doing things, it undermines our sense of competence and self-belief. "Traditions offer a psychological 'comfort blanket' by appearing permanent and unchanging. "By providing this sense of stability and predictability they help reassure us everything will turn out for the best, so encouraging a more positive and optimistic view of the future. "Traditions are also a source of tremendous pride. "By differentiating us from other nations they help create a unique identity, reinforcing our confidence in the attitudes and beliefs that make us typically British. "
The study was released today by British butter brand Country Life to celebrate the start of British Food Fortnight 2009 and involved a survey of 3,000 people.
From The Daily Telegraph, 2009.
Now see how much you can understand from this Weather Report in U.S Television:
Activities to practise with Weather topics:
-Definitions: with audio. VOCABULARY & LISTENING
-Weather in the U.S. PODCAST. LISTENING
-Weather Lesson BBC. With tapescripts and audio. READING, LISTENING
-Weather_fill in the blanks. READING
-Hot and Cold Idioms. READING & WRITING
-Weather Idioms. READING & WRITING
-Idiom Dictionary. Weather. READING & WRITING
-Weather_Idioms Quiz. READING & WRITING
-More Weather Idioms. READING & WRITING
(most of the above from TeachYa!.com)
Vocabulary Sheet:
Do you know that expression When in Rome, do as Romans do? Well, that's exactly what I would like you to do, right down here, posting comments.
ABOUT...?? DO AS THE ENGLISH AND TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER :)
Monday, April 2, 2012
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