Describe a smell or sound that instantly tells you a particular season has arrived.

B Natural answer

For me, autumn starts when I notice wood smoke in the air in the evenings. The first time I catch that smell, it feels like the whole neighborhood has shifted. The days are still warm enough to be comfortable, but there is a clear change in the light, and suddenly people are talking about jackets and hot tea. I also pay attention to crisp mornings, because that is the other clue. When I open the window and the air feels sharp instead of soft, I know summer is over. Even the sound changes a little, because streets feel quieter and you hear more shoes over fallen leaves underfoot. It is a small thing, but it always makes me slow down and start thinking about sweaters, weekends at home, and that cozy feeling you only get in this season.

Key phrases in this answer

• wood smoke in the air — the smell from fireplaces or bonfires that signals autumn“I smelled wood smoke in the air and knew fall had started.”
• crisp mornings — cool, fresh mornings that feel sharp and clean“Those crisp mornings make me want a jacket.”
• fallen leaves underfoot — the crunching sound of walking over dry leaves“I love hearing fallen leaves underfoot in the park.”
• sunscreen and hot pavement — the hot, summery smell of sunscreen mixed with heated streets“That smell of sunscreen and hot pavement makes me think of beach days.”
• cold drinks on a porch — relaxed summer drinks enjoyed outside at home“We sat with cold drinks on a porch until it got dark.”
• the first crackle of a fireplace — the initial popping sound of a fire starting“The first crackle of a fireplace makes the house feel like winter.”