Hello and welcome back to your English five a day, season three on the ELAM podcast.
This is a short daily podcast for intermediate to advanced level English learners who want to build natural English vocabulary through stories.
I'm Anna and this is week three, day one of our story following Gabriel on his journey through the UK.
Last week Gabriel finally began exploring the city he'd dreamed about for so long.
Today, one of the highlights of his trip is finally here.
A Beatles walking tour.
But as he's about to discover, in the north of England, the weather always has a starring role.
You'll hear five very natural weather expressions that British people use every day.
Supporting materials for this lesson are available at www.joinelan.com forward slash plus.
Now, before we begin, let me give you a quick snapshot.
A sudden cold snap has hit Liverpool and Gabriel is finding out just how dreary the weather can be, even in summer.
At times it's absolutely chucking it down, while at other moments it's only spitting barely enough to worry about.
By the end of the Beatles' walking tour.
A welcome break in the clouds.
Lets sunlight fall across the wet streets of the city.
Alright, it's time for today's vocabulary breakdown.
Chucking it down.
This is a very British, informal way to say that it's raining heavily.
For example, it's chucking it down.
We'd better wait inside.
The word spitting means very light rain, just a few drops.
For example, it's only spitting.
You'll be fine without a coat.
Next we have a break in the clouds.
A break in the clouds is a moment when the clouds separate and sunlight appears.
For example... there was a break in the clouds just before sunset.
You also heard the adjective dreary.
Dreary.
We spell this d-r-e-a-r-y.
Dreary.
This means dull, grey and slightly depressing weather.
For example, it's been a dreary day from start to finish.
Finally, we have the phrase a cold snap.
A cold snap.
This describes a sudden short period of colder weather.
For example, we've had a cold snap even though it's July.
Wonderful.
Now I want you to listen for those expressions as we head into story time.
The next thing in store for Gabriel was a Beatles walking tour, one of the highlights of the trip that he had planned back in Lyon.
A sudden cold snap had hit the city, and he was finding out firsthand how dreary the weather could be, even in summer.
He was prepared though, wearing a nearly new, lightweight Monterex rain jacket that he had picked up at a bargain price from one of the many charity shops on and around Bold Street.
He felt completely made up in it as, although it was chucking it down, he stayed warm and dry.
He sang to himself, remembering the Beatles' song.
Setting out from Albert Dock, said to be the first large-scale building in the world built without any structural wood.
The tour guide kept the Beatle maniacs moving along Matthew Street, where Gabriel noticed murals and music-themed street art that he had glimpsed during his long, breezy waterfront walk.
They stopped at the Cavern Club, where the pre-fame Beatles had played many early gigs.
As the cold heavy rain softened into mere drizzle, the pattering on the pavements mixed with soft, distant Beatles songs from cafes and buskers.
Gabriel followed the guide into the Casbah Coffee Club where John Lennon and Paul McCartney had written and tested some of their earliest songs.
Pretty sound, eh, Lutz? he said out loud.
At the end of the tour.
A break in the clouds.
Let the sunlight illuminate the Fab Four's statue on the wet cobbles at Pier Head.
Gabriel was dying to head off to Penny Lane to see the barbershop, fire station roundabout and bus stop mentioned in the song.
It was only spitting by now, but what could be more English than waiting for a bus in the rain?
I hope you enjoyed that.
Now, let's have a quick recap of the vocabulary I introduced at the beginning of the episode.
I'd like you to repeat these expressions out loud after me.
Chucking it down Chucking it down Spitting.
A break in the clouds.
A break in the clouds.
Dreary.
A cold snap.
A cold snap.
Excellent work.
Alright, let's move on to tomorrow's teaser.
Tomorrow, Gabriel heads towards Penny Lane, where music buskers and a very scouse sense of humour help him strike up a conversation with the locals.
That's all from me today.
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Until tomorrow, take care and goodbye.
