Speaking Boost · A1 · Lesson 39 of 50
Speaking Boost A1 · Block 8: Weather and Seasons

Why is the sky blue?

The sky is blue in the day and red in the evening. Why? In this lesson you explain things with because. You also compare the Present Simple (usually, always) and the Present Continuous (now).

1

Warm-up

5 min
1.1

The sky and light

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

  1. What colour is the sky now?
  2. Do you often look at the sky?
  3. Do you like sunsets?
  4. Is the sky clear today?
  5. Do you like clouds?
  6. Why do you like or not like the weather today?
2

Words and phrases

12 min
2.1

New words

Read each word and the example. Then say one sentence with the word.

2.2

Which word?

Choose the word that fits.

  1. Red, blue and green are each a .
  2. We see colours because of from the sun.
  3. We breathe all the time.
  4. The time in the evening when the sun goes down is the .
  5. A white or grey thing in the sky that can bring rain is a .
  6. Many colours in the sky after rain and sun make a .
  7. To is to give light.
  8. The space above the Earth is the .
2.3

Opposites and pairs

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

  1. a sunset is in the
  2. a cloud is in the
  3. air is what we
  4. a rainbow has got many
  5. bright = with a lot of
  6. clear = with no
2.4

Useful phrases

Use these phrases to explain and to say what is happening.

  • Why is the sky blue?Чому небо блакитне?Why is the sky blue?
  • Because...Тому що...Because the air changes the light.
  • The sky is blue.Небо блакитне.The sky is blue in the day.
  • It is getting dark.Темніє.It is getting dark now.
  • The sun is shining.Світить сонце.The sun is shining now.
  • It usually...Зазвичай...It usually rains in autumn.
  • Look at the sky!Подивись на небо!Look at the sky!
  • It is changing colour.Воно змінює колір.The sky is changing colour.
3

Read and react

8 min
3.1

The blue sky

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

Why is the sky blue?

Why is the sky blue? The light from the sun looks white, but it has got all the colours inside. When the light comes through the air, the air changes the direction of the light. The air does this more to blue light than to red light. So blue light goes in all directions across the sky, and when we look up, we see blue. This is the short explanation, but scientists have got a longer one.

In the evening, the sun is low, and its light travels a longer way through the air. Most of the blue light goes away, and we see red and orange. This is why a sunset is often red. People usually say that it is a beautiful moment, and many people take photos.

A rainbow is another beautiful thing in the sky. We see it when the sun is shining and it is raining at the same time. In a rainbow, you can see seven colours, or six, or more: people count them in different ways.

When it is cloudy, we can't see the blue sky, but it is still there above the clouds. Remember this on a grey day.

What colour is the sky now?

3.2

True or false?

  1. The light from the sun has got all the colours inside.
  2. The air changes blue light more than red light.
  3. The sunset is red because the sun is very hot.
  4. We see a rainbow when the sun is shining and it is raining.
  5. The sky is blue only on Mondays.
3.3

What do you think?

  1. Why is the sunset red?
  2. Do you like looking at the sky?
  3. Which is more beautiful, a sunrise or a sunset?
  4. What colour is the sky in your country in winter?
4

Grammar for speaking

10 min
4.1

Grammar for speaking

Present Simple or Present Continuous

Use the Present Simple for facts and habits: The sky is blue. It often rains in autumn. I usually wear a coat. Use the Present Continuous for now: It is raining now. I'm looking at the sky.

The sun rises in the east. It usually rains in autumn. I always wear a hat in the sun. Look! It is raining now. She is reading now.

Because

Use because to give a reason. After because, write a full sentence. Ask for a reason with Why?

Why is the sky blue? It is blue because the air changes the light. I am wearing a coat because it is cold. We are inside because it is raining.

Block 8 review

Use the grammar from this block.

weather words and What is the weather like? (L36) · Present Continuous: affirmative and negative (L37) · Present Continuous questions (L38)

Common mistakes: use the Present Simple for facts and habits, the Present Continuous for now, and because + a full sentence. ✗ It rains now → It is raining now. ✗ I am usually wearing a coat → I usually wear a coat. ✗ Why the sky is blue? → Why is the sky blue?

4.2

Choose the right form

  1. The sun
    in the east every day.
  2. Look! It
    .
  3. I
    a coat in winter.
  4. We
    lunch now.
  5. I am wearing a coat
    it is cold.
  6. It
    in autumn.
  7. She
    a book now.
  8. The sun
    in the day.
4.3

Fix the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

  1. It rains now. →
  2. I am usually wearing a coat. →
  3. Why the sky is blue? →
  4. He reads a book now. →
  5. She is always wear a hat. →
  6. We are inside because of it is raining. →
4.4

Talk about it

Answer with full sentences. Use because, the Present Simple and the Present Continuous.

  1. Why is the sky blue?
  2. What colour is the sky now?
  3. What do you usually do when it rains?
  4. What are you doing now?
  5. Why do people like sunsets?
  6. Why do you wear a coat in winter?
5

Three people and the sky, and a short talk

8 min
5.1

Three people and the sky

Three people look at the sky. Compare them. Who is watching the sunset? Who often looks at the clouds? What colour is the sky now?

Person 1

Elena, 35

  • Is watching the sunset now
  • Takes a lot of photos
  • Says it is red and orange
  • Isn't going home yet
Person 2

Ben, 8

  • Often looks at the clouds
  • Sees a rainbow now
  • Likes the colours
  • Asks why the sky is blue
Person 3

Ivan, 60

  • Always gets up for the sunrise
  • Is drinking tea outside now
  • Says the air is clean
  • Doesn't like grey days
5.2

Mini-talk: the sky and the weather

Your teacher will time you.

  1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
  2. Part 1: say what you usually do on a sunny day and what you are doing now.
  3. Part 2: explain one thing with because (for example, why you like a season).
  4. Part 3: ask your teacher a question with Why?
2:00
6

Personal questions

10 min
6.1

Part I: Me

  1. What colour is the sky now?
  2. Do you often look at the sky?
  3. Do you like sunsets?
  4. Why do you like or not like rain?
  5. What do you usually do when it is sunny?
  6. What are you doing now?
  7. Do you like clouds?
  8. Why is the sky blue?
6.2

Part II: Other people

  1. Who in your family likes sunsets?
  2. Who takes photos of the sky?
  3. Who always checks the weather?
  4. Who is looking at the sky now?
  5. Who gets up early for the sunrise?
  6. Who likes rainbows?
6.3

Part III: A bit deeper

  1. Is a sunrise better than a sunset?
  2. Do people look at the sky enough?
  3. Is a grey day boring?
  4. Why is a rainbow special?
  5. Is the sky the same in every country?
7

Roleplay

12 min
7.1

A child asks why

You

Parent

A child (your teacher) asks you about the sky:
  • say that the sky is blue
  • explain with because
  • say what colour the sunset is
  • ask the child what he or she sees
Speak for at least 1 minute. Use because and the Present Simple.
Your teacher

Child

Says things like:
  1. Why is the sky blue?
  2. Why is the sunset red?
  3. Where is the rainbow?
  4. I see a cloud.
7.2

Telling about my day

You

Speaker

A friend (your teacher) asks about your day and the weather:
  • say what you usually do
  • say what you are doing now
  • say what the weather is like
  • ask your friend a question
You do most of the talking. Use: I usually... · I'm... now · because
Your teacher

Friend

Says things like:
  1. What do you usually do?
  2. What are you doing now?
  3. What's the weather like?
  4. I'm reading.
8

Homework

at home

Your homework score

Do all four exercises, then press Check all homework. Correct answers will appear next to your mistakes.

– / 30
H1

Complete with a word

colourlightairsunsetcloudrainbowshinesky
  1. Red, blue and green are each a .
  2. We see colours because of from the sun.
  3. We breathe all the time.
  4. The time in the evening when the sun goes down is the .
  5. A white or grey thing in the sky that can bring rain is a .
  6. Many colours in the sky after rain and sun make a .
  7. To is to give light.
  8. The space above the Earth is the .
H2

Choose the correct word

  1. The sun in the east every day.
  2. Look! It .
  3. I a hat in summer.
  4. We dinner now.
  5. I wear a coat it is cold.
  6. It in winter.
  7. He a book now.
  8. The sun every day.
H3

Correct or incorrect?

Decide if each sentence is grammatically correct.

  1. It is raining now.
  2. It rains now.
  3. I usually wear a coat.
  4. I am usually wearing a coat.
  5. Why is the sky blue?
  6. Why the sky is blue?
  7. She is reading now.
H4

Match the two halves

  1. Why is
  2. It is blue
  3. It is raining
  4. I usually
  5. The sun
  6. It is
  7. Look

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© Yevheniia Kolesnykova, Academy of Languages. All rights reserved. No copying or reuse without written permission.