THE FOUR SEASONS

To most of us who live in tropical countries, the four seasons in most European,
American, and some Asian countries are not familiar. Summer, autumn, winter and
spring come one after the other, dividing the twelve months of the year into four
different seasons.

In countries with four seasons, the temperature differs greatly from season to
season. It even differs from day to day. It is one of the reasons why people usually
talk about the weather when they meet each other. In the countries north of the
equator, seasons begin between the 20th and the 23rd of the month—summer in June,
autumn in September, winter in December and spring in March. Countries which are
south of the equator, such as Australia, New Zealand, most of South American
countries, and the countries of Southern Africa, have their seasons at the opposite
times. So, in January when it is snowing and cold in Canada, it is hot in Australia
and New Zealand.

To some of us, summer weather is familiar. Its temperature or heat is almost the
same as it is in our dry season. But sometimes it is so high that many people suffer
from it. Summer is also the season of fruit and vegetable crops. The coats and
jackets which are necessary in the other seasons are replaced by sports shirts and
cotton dresses. In summer people like to go either to the mountains or to the
beaches.

Following the hot summer days of July and August comes autumn. One by one
nature changes. Because of the summer heat, the green leaves of many of the trees
get drier and drier, and their color changes from green to yellow, red and brow. The
wind blows harder and harder, and finally the dry leaves fall to the earth, leaving the
trees with nothing on their branches. That is why people, especially in the United
States of America, also call the season fall.

Autumn is always beautiful. The failing leaves are colorful. The wind, blowing
very often, gives cool air and makes the season the most popular time for picnics.
Sometimes there are showers giving even cooler weather and washing the dust away
from the air. Having prepared itself for the cold weather, nature is now ready for
winter.

As the last leaves fall to the earth, the wind becomes colder. The green leaves of
summer and the bright colors of autumn are gone; everything is dull. It is winter.
Snow starts to fall, making the earth and everything white. Warmer temperatures on
the following days may cause the snow to disappear, leaving behind icicles of
different shapes shining in the sun. Then snow falls the next day and the earth is
white again. The temperature drops, and the weather is very cold, just the opposite
of that in summer. In the north the temperature is many degrees below zero. Inside
houses, shops, factories, sports halls, and other buildings it is necessary to make the
temperature warm, otherwise people will suffer from the cold,

However, winter is not just very cold weather with white, dull scenery, it is also
the season in which people in most European countries and in North American have
their biggest celebration of the year, Christmas and New Year celebrations. During
such happy moments, members of a family get together and relatives and friends
visit one another, exchanging gifts. By this time the weather is very cold indeed, but
people’s hearts are warm with joy. In the north, January and February are the
months when there is the most snow. There is less in the following month. Then
comes spring.

I.) Comprehension Questions

I. Completion

1. The four seasons in most European countries are . Summer, autumn,

winter and spring.

2. To some of us, summer weather is familiar because its temperature or

heat is almost the same as it is in our dry season.

3. The season of fruit and vegetable crop is summer; The season of

picnics is autumn

4. White snow on a winter morning may disappear because of warmer

temperatures on the following days may cause the snow to disappear.

5. The coats and jackets which are necessary in the other seasons are
replaced by sports shirts and cotton dresses in summer; The sports shirts
and cotton dresses in summer are replaced by the coats and jackets
which are necessary in the other seasons in spring.
II. Please answer the question below!

1. Why do people in countries with four seasons usually talk about the
weather?
In countries with four seasons, the temperature differs greatly from
season to season. It even differs from day to day.
2. When do the four season start?
In the countries north of the equator, seasons begin between the 20th
and the 23rd of the month—summer in June, autumn in September,
winter in December and spring in March.
3. Why does the color of the leaves change in autumn? Why do the
leaves fall from the trees?
Because of the summer heat, the green leaves of many of the trees get
drier and drier, and their color changes from green to yellow, red and
brow.
4. What season is it in Australia during the month of December?
Its summer
5. In the United States of America, autumn is also called fall. Why?
The wind blows harder and harder, and finally the dry leaves fall to
the earth, leaving the trees with nothing on their branches.
6. Where do they do some sports during winter time?
Inside sports halls
7. Do showers change snow to icicles?
The shower doesn’t change snow into icicles
8. What do people usually do on Christmas?
During such happy moments, members of a family get together and
relatives and friends visit one another, exchanging gifts.
9. Christmas and New Year celebrations are also happy moments for
people in New Zealand. In what season do they these celebrations in
New Zealand?
Summer
10. Why do people always welcome early spring with joy?
It brings joy to people. People around world welcome springs with
their own traditions and culture through food, festivals, Various
activities.