In this article, ECE will help you explore vocabulary and practice speaking on a very familiar topic. Let’s try to guess what it is! Here’s your first hint: it’s quite sunny in Hanoi today, with temperatures around 32°C. If you head out, you’ll likely feel the sweltering heat, and at times, it can be quite uncomfortable when the sun glares down or impairs your vision.

For your second hint, many people have a habit of checking the weather online, looking at an app, or—like the older generation—watching a forecast on TV before heading out to decide what clothes or accessories to wear. With these two hints, you’ve surely guessed today’s topic: Weather! Join the ECE language center and Ms. Huong Thao (8.0 IELTS) as we go through some essential vocabulary for this topic and practice speaking for all three parts of the IELTS exam.

Ms. Huong Thao (ECE) shares tips for tackling the IELTS Speaking Weather topic

IELTS Vocabulary: Weather

Temperatures

boiling hot

It was boiling hot last August — I felt like I was melting every time I stepped outside!

We had a really hot weekend, perfect for a beach trip.

mild

Spring here is usually mild, with gentle breezes and blooming flowers.

warm

It’s warm enough today to leave your jacket at home.

chilly

It gets chilly in the evenings, even in early autumn.

freezing cold

It was freezing cold last night – my car doors were iced shut!

degrees Celsius

Today’s temperature is around 18 degrees Celsius — perfect for a walk.

to go below zero

Temperatures often go below zero in the mountains during December.

Cloudy Weather

gloomy

Gloomy skies make the whole city look dull and quiet.

clear

After days of clouds, we finally woke up to clear skies this morning.

to clear up

The weather was awful in the morning, but it cleared up by noon.

Rainy Weather

to be drenched (to the skin)

She got drenched to the skin walking home without an umbrella.

gentle rain

A gentle rain was falling, just enough to make the grass sparkle.

drizzle

It’s only drizzling, so you probably won’t need a raincoat.

downpour

We were caught in a sudden downpour on our way to the café.

to pour down

It started pouring down just as I left the house — typical luck!

humid

The air felt sticky and humid before the thunderstorm rolled in.

Snowy Weather

snow-covered

The rooftops were completely snow-covered after the night’s storm.

heavy snow

Despite the heavy snow, the roads were still open this morning.

frosty

It’s a frosty morning — make sure to scrape your windshield!

snowstorm

A snowstorm last weekend knocked out the power in several neighborhoods.

hail

We had to run for cover when it suddenly started to hail.

Windy Weather

high wind / strong wind

Strong winds blew over several trees during the storm.

breeze

A light breeze made our picnic even more pleasant.

wind chill factor

Even though it was only -1°C, the wind chill made it feel like -10°C.

Sunny Weather

sunshine

I opened the curtains and let the warm sunshine flood the room.

The weather’s been so dry lately that the grass is turning brown.

heat stroke (sun stroke)

He collapsed from heat stroke after working all day in the sun.

Other Vocabulary

a spell of good weather

We’re enjoying a rare spell of warm, sunny weather this week.

changeable weather

Pack both shorts and a raincoat — the weather here is really changeable.

mild climate

Thanks to its mild climate, this region attracts tourists year-round.

smog

The thick smog made it hard to breathe during rush hour.

forecast

According to the latest forecast, we should expect clear skies tomorrow.

IELTS Speaking Practice: Weather

Part 1: Sample Questions & Answers

What’s the weather like in your country?

Answer: Well, it depends on which part of Vietnam you are talking about. If you are currently in Hanoi, the weather is pretty hot these days. When going out, you might feel a bit stuffy due to the strong sunlight. However, Da Lat, which is situated in the central highlands, has a mild climate. It’s neither boiling hot in the summer nor freezing cold in the winter.

Does the weather affect your mood?

Answer: Yes, haha! I must say it does, especially during rainy and gloomy days. I’m one of those people who suffer from “gloomy-weather depression.” I feel sleepy all the time, quite sluggish, and don’t feel like doing anything—I just want to lie in bed.

What is your favorite season?

Answer: If I had to pick one, I would go for autumn as my go-to season, simply because I was born in October. On top of that, nothing beats the cool weather with gentle breezes during this time of year. Imagine how chilling it is to enjoy a cup of coffee and just put your feet up, relaxing on a typical fall day.

Part 2: Sample Cue Card Answer

Describe a bad weather experience you have had.

You should say:

what sort of bad weather it was
when it happened
where you were then

and explain how it affected you.

Well, I am from Vietnam. As you may know, our unique geography creates a range of weather patterns, spanning both tropical and temperate zones. Therefore, I have experienced many types of severe weather here. However, one of the most terrible events that I and many other Vietnamese people will never forget is, without a doubt, Super Typhoon Yagi.

If I remember correctly, Yagi struck our country, particularly the northern region, at the end of September 2024. It proved to be a real nightmare for all of us and a major shock to people around the globe.

When it hit Vietnam, this disaster caused not only landslides in mountainous areas but also severe flooding in hard-hit provinces like Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, and Lang Son. Furthermore, as it moved westwards, the powerful typhoon hit Hanoi, the capital, with gales and heavy rain, uprooting countless ancient trees across the city. An entire village was swept away by a landslide caused by flash flooding. The torrent of water gushing down from the mountains buried the village of Lang Nu in Lao Cai, trapping 35 families in mud.

The super typhoon resulted in hundreds of deaths and missing persons. The lives of millions, especially the underprivileged, were turned upside down. In the worst-affected areas, children could not go to school. Needless to say, the storm caused extensive damage across northern Vietnam, amounting to 40 trillion VND.

Nothing hurt me more than witnessing the suffering and loss of the victims. Many children became orphans overnight. The beauty and peace that used to be the pride of many northern regions have now become a thing of the past. Furthermore, the storm left a massive aftermath for the government to deal with, even months after Yagi had passed.

As my family and I were also affected by Yagi, though to a much lesser extent, I truly hope that in the future, such a disaster will never return to my beloved country. However, Yagi also taught us a valuable lesson about the inner strength of people regardless of the circumstances. I am so proud of how resilient the Vietnamese people were during that calamity.

Part 3: Discussion Questions & Answers

Does air pollution affect the weather?

Answer: Although I’m not an expert in this field, I would say there is a close relationship between climate change and air pollution. To be specific, the Earth is getting warmer due to the massive amount of greenhouse gases released into the air daily, such as carbon dioxide or methane from vehicles and industrial zones. The burning of fossil fuels also contributes to severe air pollution, which in turn adversely impacts the weather. For example, Hanoi, one of the most polluted cities in the world, has experienced more unpredictable weather patterns, with summers lasting longer than usual.

Why do people live in places where the weather can sometimes be bad?

Answer: That’s a tricky one. There can be a number of reasons, but the main one lies in economic constraints. It’s natural for people to want to experience peace and happiness throughout their lives, and we are all trying to improve our circumstances in one way or another. Despite this, many people have to stay in areas with harsh weather because they have no other options. Moving elsewhere means finding new accommodation and searching for new jobs, which isn’t always easy, especially in this competitive society. For example, people in Quang Nam and Quang Ngai in central Vietnam have to suffer from continuous storms or droughts year after year, yet they stay because they are strapped for cash and cannot afford to relocate.

Do you think people who live in cold places have different personalities to people who live in warm or hot places?

Answer: It’s really hard to say. I personally lean towards the belief that personalities are innate. For instance, people from hot climates can still be very gentle and patient, while some from cold regions can be extremely hot-tempered, haha! Having said that, I can’t deny that weather impacts our personalities to some extent. England is well-known for its rainy weather, so the weather has become a common topic of small talk among people there. Also, English people might be more concerned and cautious when it comes to any changes in the weather.

So, you’ve joined ECE in exploring vocabulary and practicing speaking questions related to the IELTS Speaking topic of “Weather.” Do you feel more confident if you encounter this topic now? What’s the weather like today? What’s your favorite season? Let ECE know in the comments!