Look at the clocks. Write the time. Then listen and check.
The worksheet is about telling the time. Students look, write then say the time. The worksheet has an answer key.
Reading the Time in English Language: A Comprehensive Guide
1. Understanding the Basics:
- Hours: The day is divided into 24 hours, with each hour represented on a clock face by numbers from 1 to 12, repeated twice.
- Minutes: Each hour is further divided into 60 minutes, marked by smaller divisions on the clock face.
- Clock Hands: The long hand (or minute hand) indicates minutes, while the short hand (or hour hand) indicates hours.
2. Expressing Hours:
- On the Hour: Use “o’clock” to indicate that the time is exactly on the hour.
- Half Past: Use “half past” to indicate 30 minutes past the hour.
- Quarter Past: Use “quarter past” to indicate 15 minutes past the hour.
- Quarter To: Use “quarter to” to indicate 15 minutes before the next hour.
3. Expressing Minutes:
- General Minutes: For minutes 1 to 30 past the hour, simply state the number of minutes past the hour.
- Five-Minute Intervals: For minutes 31 to 59 past the hour, use “past” plus the next hour and subtract the minutes from 60.
- “To” the Next Hour: For minutes 31 to 59 before the next hour, use “to” plus the next hour and subtract the minutes from 60.
4. Examples:
| Time | How to Read |
|---|---|
| 3:00 | Three o’clock |
| 6:15 | Quarter past six |
| 9:30 | Half past nine |
| 11:45 | Quarter to twelve |
5. Additional Tips:
- Practice reading the time regularly using both analog clocks and digital clocks.
- Pay attention to how native speakers express time in everyday conversation.
- Familiarize yourself with common expressions for specific times of day, such as “morning,” “afternoon,” “evening,” and “night.”
6. Practice Exercises:
- Practice reading and writing the time in various scenarios, such as scheduling appointments or planning activities.
- Quiz yourself or ask a friend to quiz you on reading the time in English.
7. Review and Reinforcement:
- Regularly review and reinforce your understanding of reading the time through practice and application in real-life situations.
- Seek feedback from teachers or peers to ensure accuracy and proficiency in reading the time.
