English Learning for Beginners: Months & Seasons
Dialogue
Alice: Oh, Bob, I can’t believe it’s already November!
Bob: I know, Alice! Where did the year go? It feels like just yesterday it was… July?
Alice: July was hot, wasn’t it? I remember sweating just thinking about going outside. Summer is nice for holidays, but so warm!
Bob: Agreed! I prefer autumn. September and October are my favorites. Cool air, colorful leaves… perfect for pumpkin spice everything!
Alice: Pumpkin spice everything? Bob, you’re such a cliché! I like autumn too, but I’m a spring person. March, April, May – flowers, new beginnings, no more freezing!
Bob: Freezing is coming soon, my friend. December, January, February… Brrr! Winter is officially my least favorite. So much snow!
Alice: But Christmas is in December! And New Year’s in January! Hot chocolate, cozy blankets… It has its charm.
Bob: Maybe. But I hate having to wear five layers just to get the mail. And those dark days! Is it 4 PM or 8 PM? Who knows!
Alice: Haha, you sound like a bear waiting for hibernation! So, if autumn is your favorite, what about summer? June, July, August?
Bob: Summer is okay. I like long days. But like you said, Alice, sometimes it’s too hot. I remember last August, my ice cream melted before I could even open the wrapper. Tragic!
Alice: Oh no, the horror! My poor Bob, a true ice cream tragedy! So, to recap: Bob loves autumn, tolerates summer, hates winter, and thinks spring is just a warm-up act.
Bob: Exactly! And Alice loves spring, tolerates summer, and has a soft spot for winter because of holidays, but dislikes the cold.
Alice: Pretty accurate! So, what are you doing this December? Planning to hibernate?
Bob: Probably! Or maybe I’ll embrace the festive spirit. Who knows, maybe December will surprise me this year!
Alice: Let’s hope so! Maybe a December miracle will make you love winter!
Current Situation
Knowing months and seasons is super useful in English! It helps you talk about the weather, plan holidays, discuss events like birthdays or festivals, and even understand cultural activities that happen at specific times of the year. Whether you’re making plans with friends or just chatting about your favorite time of year, these words are essential for everyday conversation.
Key Phrases
- I can’t believe it’s already [Month/Time]!: Used to express surprise about how quickly time is passing.
Example: I can’t believe it’s already Friday!
- Where did the year go?: A common idiom used when reflecting on how fast a year has passed.
Example: It’s December already? Where did the year go?
- I prefer [Season/Thing]. / I’m a [Season] person.: Ways to state what you like more than other options.
Example: I prefer coffee over tea. / I’m a summer person; I love the beach.
- [Season] is my least favorite.: Used to express strong dislike for something.
Example: Winter is my least favorite season because of the cold.
- It has its charm.: To find something positive or appealing in a situation or object that might generally be seen as negative or not ideal.
Example: This old house is small, but it has its charm.
- To recap:: Used to summarize or state the main points of a discussion.
Example: To recap, we need milk, bread, and eggs from the store.
- Pretty accurate!: An informal way to agree that something is mostly or completely correct.
Example: “You like dogs more than cats, right?” “Pretty accurate!”
Grammar Points
1. Present Simple Tense
We use the present simple tense to talk about things that are generally true, facts, or habits that happen regularly.
- Example: Summer is hot. (A general truth)
- Example: I prefer autumn. (A regular preference)
2. Prepositions of Time: “in”
When talking about months and seasons, we generally use the preposition “in”.
- Example: My birthday is in June.
- Example: We go skiing in winter.
3. “It’s” vs. “Its”
This is a common point of confusion for beginners. They sound the same but have different meanings:
- It’s: This is a contraction (a shortened form) of “it is” or “it has”.
Example: It’s a beautiful day. (It is a beautiful day.)
Example: It’s been a long time. (It has been a long time.)
- Its: This shows possession. It means “belonging to it”.
Example: The dog wagged its tail. (The tail belongs to the dog.)
From dialogue: “It has its charm.” (The charm belongs to the season/situation.)
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks (Months & Seasons)
Complete the sentences with the correct month or season.
- After November comes __________.
- Spring months are March, April, and __________.
- Summer is usually in June, July, and __________.
- My favorite season is winter because I love __________. (Hint: a holiday or weather event)
- Leaves change colors in __________.
Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Word (“it’s” or “its”)
Select the correct word to complete each sentence.
- (It’s / Its) cold outside today.
- The cat played with (it’s / its) toy.
- (It’s / Its) always sunny in August.
- The tree lost (it’s / its) leaves in autumn.
Exercise 3: Short Answer
Answer the following questions about yourself.
- What is your favorite month and why?
- What is your least favorite season?
Answers
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
- 1. December
- 2. May
- 3. August
- 4. snow / Christmas (both are good answers!)
- 5. autumn / fall (both are good answers!)
Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Word
- 1. It’s
- 2. its
- 3. It’s
- 4. its
Exercise 3: Short Answer
- 1. (Your own answer. Example: My favorite month is October because I love Halloween.)
- 2. (Your own answer. Example: My least favorite season is winter because it’s too cold.)
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