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Exercise 1
Useful Expressions
Direction: Read the useful expressions with your tutor.
Can you believe how hot it is today?
It looks like it’s going to rain.
What a beautiful sunny day!
I hope this nice weather lasts all week.
Exercise 2
Vocabulary
Direction: Listen and repeat after your teacher
Under the weather
/ˈʌn.dər ðə ˈwɛð.ər/
Meaning:
Feeling sick or unwell
- I’m feeling a bit under the weather today.
Take a rain check
/teɪk ə reɪn ʧɛk/
Meaning:
Postpone or reschedule something
- Can we take a rain check on the meeting? I’m busy now.
Every cloud has a silver lining
/ˈɛv.ri klaʊd hæz ə ˈsɪl.vər ˈlɪn.ɪŋ/
Meaning:
There is something good in every bad situation
- Don’t worry about the delay; every cloud has a silver lining.
Calm before the storm
/kɑːm bɪˈfɔːr ðə stɔːrm/
Meaning:
A quiet time before trouble or chaos begins
- It’s so quiet now; must be the calm before the storm.
Exercise 3
Practice
Choose the Synonym
I’m feeling a bit under the weather today.
sick
relaxed
energetic
excited
Let’s take a rain check on lunch this afternoon.
postpone
ignore
prepare
cancel
Every cloud has a silver lining, even after bad news.
benefit
challenge
punishment
solution
It’s so quiet… the calm before the storm, maybe?
peaceful break
last warning
noisy event
final moment
Exercise 4
Business Dialogue
Direction: Read the conversation aloud with your teacher and fill in the blanks.
Word Bank:
Calm before the storm
Take a rain check
Every cloud has a silver lining
Under the weather
Situation: Two friends talk about how they feel and plans.
Anna
Word Bank: silver lining, calm, storm, postpone, under the weather, rain check.
I’m feeling a bit ________ today, so I might skip the gym.
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Ben
Word Bank: silver lining, calm, storm, postpone, under the weather, rain check.
That’s okay. Want to take a ________ on our workout?
Anna
Word Bank: silver lining, calm, storm, postpone, under the weather, rain check.
Yes, let’s postpone it for another day.
Ben
Word Bank: silver lining, calm, storm, postpone, under the weather, rain check.
Sounds good. Remember, every cloud has a ________.
Anna
Word Bank: silver lining, calm, storm, postpone, under the weather, rain check.
True! I hope to feel better soon.
Ben
Word Bank: silver lining, calm, storm, postpone, under the weather, rain check.
It’s so quiet outside, like the ________ before the storm.
Anna
Word Bank: silver lining, calm, storm, postpone, under the weather, rain check.
Hopefully, the storm doesn’t come.
Ben
Word Bank: silver lining, calm, storm, postpone, under the weather, rain check.
Either way, we’ll reschedule when you’re ready.
Exercise 5
Study Guide
Direction: Read the study manual aloud
How to Start a Conversation Using the Weather
1. Start with Small Talk to Break the Ice
Simple comments like “Cold morning today, isn’t it?” help ease into conversations naturally.
They create a comfortable atmosphere and show friendliness before diving into work-related topics.
2. Make Smooth Connections to Work
By linking casual comments to the workplace, such as “This heat makes concentrating so hard in the afternoon,” you gently shift the conversation toward relevant work matters without sounding too abrupt.
3. Engage and Transition Professionally
Using questions and idioms (e.g., “Did you manage to avoid the rain?” or “I’m a bit under the weather…“) adds personality and opens up dialogue. Then, you can transition to work topics easily: “Speaking of this heat, do we have AC in the meeting room today?” keeps the flow natural and productive.
Listening Practice
Two coworkers talk during a break.
1. What does “under the weather” mean?
A. Feeling sick
B. Feeling happy
C. Feeling cold
D. Feeling tired
2. What does “take a rain check” mean?
A. Cancel permanently
B. Postpone or reschedule
C. Buy an umbrella
D. Go outside
3. What is the meaning of “every cloud has a silver lining”?
A. Bad situations have some good parts
B. Clouds are shiny
C. Silver is valuable
D. It’s raining outside
4. What does “calm before the storm” describe?
A. A quiet moment before trouble
B. A sunny day
C. A storm coming suddenly
D. A rainy day
Exercise 6
Discussion
Discuss these questions to practice speaking and share experiences.
1. Have you ever felt “under the weather”? What happened?
2. When was the last time you had to “take a rain check” on plans?
3. Can you think of a situation where “every cloud has a silver lining” applied to you?
4. Have you experienced a “calm before the storm” moment? What was it like?
5. Do you like using idioms in conversations? Why or why not?
6. How can weather idioms make your English sound more natural?
7. What other idioms do you know related to feelings or situations?
8. Can you create a sentence using one of today’s idioms?
