ESLPodcast 28 - Small Talk About the Weather

Question 1

olite conversation about unimportant or uncontroversial matters, especially as engaged in on social occasions

Answer 1

I admit that I’m not very good at …… . When I’m with friends, I can just shoot the breeze all day long. But when I talk to a stranger or someone I don’t know very well, I’m always casting about, searching for something to talk about.

Smiling for the cameras, the two men strained to make small talk.

Question 2

have a casual conversation; болтать, чесать язык(ом), трепаться; o chat idly or generally waste time talking.

Answer 2

I admit that I’m not very good at small talk . When I’m with friends, I can just …… all day long. But when I talk to a stranger or someone I don’t know very well, I’m always casting about, searching for something to talk about.

We were just standing around shooting the breeze.

Question 3

To try to find; look around; search; meditate; search far and wide (physically or mentally)

Answer 3

I admit that I’m not very good at small talk . When I’m with friends, I can just shoot the breeze all day long. But when I talk to a stranger or someone I don’t know very well, I’m always ……, searching for something to talk about.

I’ve been casting about in my mind, but I can’t find an easy answer.

Question 4

An inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion.

Answer 4

Politics and religion are definitely …..subjects, at least here in the United States. But you have to chat about something, otherwise there are these uncomfortable silences.

So among the Alfoors of the island of Buru it is taboo to mention the names of parents and parents-in-law, or even to speak of common objects by words which resemble these names in sound.

Question 5

о чем же еще?

Answer 5

So we end up talking about - …… - the weather. This usually begins with something like, “So, nice weather we’ve been having!” or “It sure is a warm one out there today.

what else?

Question 6

хороша погода

Answer 6

So we end up talking about - what else? - the weather. This usually begins with something like, “So, ….!” or “It sure is a warm one out there today.”

nice weather we`ve been having

Question 7

Плохо не жара, а влажность

Answer 7

So we end up talking about - what else? - the weather. This usually begins with something like, “So, nice weather we’ve been having!” or “It sure is a warm one out there today.” Of course, we have to comment on the temperature. My favorite is, “!” Actually, I think that’s true - I hate it most when it’s muggy outside.

It’s not the heat that’s so bad, it’s the humidity

Question 8

A description, especially one prepared by a governmental or other authority, of past and/or present and/or forecasted meteorological conditions for a particular geographical area.  

Answer 8

Back in my home state of Minnesota, everyone is obsessed with the ……! Every TV station has it’s own meteorologist with a high-tech radar giving you the 5 day forecast. They tell you when the temperature is rising or falling , what kind of clouds are moving in, and how cold the wind chill is.

A description, especially one prepared by a governmental or other authority, of past and/or present and/or forecasted meteorological conditions for a particular geographical area.  

Question 9

температура растет или падает

Answer 9

Back in my home state of Minnesota, everyone is obsessed with the weather report! Every TV station has it’s own ………with a high-tech radar giving you the 5 day forecast. They tell you when the temperature is …. or ….. , what kind of clouds are moving in, and how cold the wind chill is.