The English Like Talking About the Weather
The most important thing to remember about the weather in Britain is that it often changes. You can wake up to a beautiful blue sky and then it starts raining during breakfast. Similarly, you may decide not to go for a picnic because it's too wet--then later it's fine. Because long periods when the weather stays the same day after day aren't very common in Britain, the kind of weather you get will depend not only on the time of year, but also on luck. 
The weather in Britain may explain a lot about what you find here. For example, the opportunities for people to meet outside depend a lot on the weather, so you won't see people meeting and spending time together outdoors as much as you do in hotter 
countries. This may give some visitors the idea that the British are not very friendly. The weather helps to explain eating customs too; a large hot breakfast, for example, is a good idea on a cold dark morning. 
Foreigners are often amused that the English spend so much time discussing the weather. An important reason for this is that the climate in Britain is interesting and variable. Because the weather changes frequently, there's always something to say about it, and this is probably the commonest way for strangers to start a conversation. At places like bus stop you might hear conversations start like this: 1st person: Lovely day, isn't it? 2nd person: Yes, isn't it. 
Then they may go on to talk about what the weather has been like recently or what it'll be like next. Another reason is that the English are reluctant to converse about personal matters with people who are not friends. Mentioning the weather is also a useful way to greet someone you pass on the street; it's inoffensive to begin a conversation with someone you don't know at a social event. A comment on a nice day or a personal complaint about the rain is an easy way to break the ice. 
Difficult Sentences
1. (Para.1) The most important thing to remember about the weather in Britain is that it often changes.
“to remember about…”, the post modifier of the sentence subject
“ that…”introduces the complement clauses
关于英国的天气，需要记住的最重要的一点就是它多变。
2. (Para. 2) Because long periods when the weather stays the same day after day aren’t very common in Britain, the kind of weather you get will depend not only on the time of year, but also on luck.
“when…”introduces a relative clause
“you get…”, relative clause, “that” is omitted
因为天气在几天长的时间都保持不变的时候在英国不是很常见,所以会遇上什么样的天气不仅取决于是一年中的什幺时候, 而且取决于运气。
For example:
Because the time when he will return home is not set, the welcome party (that ) we are going to give him is not prepared yet.
3. (Para. 2) For example, the opportunities for people to meet outside depend a lot on the weather, so you won’t see people meeting and spending time together outdoors as much as you do in hotter countries.
“for people to meet outside…”- modifier
“meeting and spending time together …”- the object complement
“do” refers to “see”
举个例子来说吧，人们在外面相会的机会很大程度上取决于天气，因此你会注意到这里人们外出相会或在外面共度时光的机会没有你在比较炎热的国家里见到的那样多。
4. (Para.3) Foreigners are often amused that the English spend so much time discussing the weather.
“that”: That is often used to introduce a clause which gives the cause or the effect of an adjective, amused in this case.
外国人时常感到好笑，因为英国人花这么多时间讨论天气。
For example:
They are often puzzled that he spends so much time working without any relaxation.
5. (Para.3) Because the weather changes frequently, there is always something to say about it, and this is probably the commonest way for strangers to start a conversation.
“to say” ---modifier
“it,” refers to “the weather”
“this” refers to “saying about the weather”
“for strangers to start” structure: for sb. to do sth.
因为天气多变,人们对天气总是有话可说,这或许就是不相识的人通常把它作为话题的原因。6. (Para.3) Another reason is that the English are reluctant to converse about personal matters with people who are not friends.
“that” introduces a subject-complement clause
“who” introduces a relative clause
另外的一个原因是英国人不愿意和不是朋友的人谈论私事。
For example:
The real reason is that he cannot forget the man who saved his life in that terrible accident.
7.(Para. 3) A comment on a nice day or a personal complaint about the rain is an easy way to break the ice.
Analysis: Note that when or is used to coordinate two subjects, the verb must agree with the subject after or. to break the ice is an infinitive clause modifying way.
赞美天气好或抱怨天下雨是打破僵局开始交谈的一个捷径。
For example:
Kind words or a friendly smile is a useful way to make the guest feel comfortable.
Important Words