Vocabulary Exercise #1: Synonyms of "Cold"

Vocabulary Exercise #1

Communicative Objective: Describing Coldness
Context: Boston Winters

Part 1, Definitions: The words listed below are all synonyms of the adjective “cold.” Each varies slightly from the others in meaning and use. Review the definition and application of each word.

1.   chilly: (adjective) colder than nippy, uncomfortable

            Example: It is pretty chilly out. You should wear a heavier jacket.

2.   crisp: (adjective) colder than cool, refreshing

            Example: Crisp mornings are lovely for jogging along the Charles.

3.   freezing: (adjective) very cold 

            Example: It is freezing out. Let’s stay in tonight.

4.   frigid: (adjective) very, very cold

            Example: New Year’s Eve was really frigid this year!

5.   nippy: (adjective) colder than crisp, slightly uncomfortable

            Example: It is getting nippy! Time to break out the hats and gloves!

Part 2, Reading Exercise: Complete the reading passage with the most appropriate vocabulary.

     Boston is notorious for having unpredictable weather. It seems that no forecast more than a day out is accurate. As the saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait.”

     One thing is certain, however, as the Fall approaches and the Winter looms, the weather becomes increasingly colder. This is first noticeable in mid-September, when it becomes _____.

     October becomes _____ towards its end. This temperature drop is one of the factors responsible for the remarkable change in foliage, which draws thousands of tourists to New England each year for leaf peeping.

      November is ____ at its start, but by Thanksgiving, which traditionally marks the end of the Fall and the start of the Winter, it is usually colder.

     The winter really begins in December, which is sometimes cold, but usually _____. This is usually when the Boston area sees its first snows.

     As the winter progresses, biting winds make January positively _____. This continues into February, at the end of which the area begins to finally thaw out.

 Vocabulary Class: 
Are you interested in learning more vocabulary? Take this great class!
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!intermediate-reading-and-vocabulary/ccve

© James Doyle, 2012
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