1
The two hands of a clock
Learner’s Book 1: Unit 15, pp. 221–224
GoalTell o’clock and half past times by looking at where the short hand and the long hand point.
New words
hour hand · the short hand; it tells us the hourminute hand · the long hand; it tells us the minuteshalf past · the long hand points to 6
Explanation
A clock has two hands. The short hand is the hour hand. The long hand is the minute hand. At an o’clock time, the long hand points straight up to 12, and the short hand points to the hour. At half past, the long hand points straight down to 6. The short hand is then halfway between two numbers. We say the number it has just passed. So the short hand between 4 and 5 means half past 4.
Worked examples
The long hand points to 12 and the short hand points to 5. It is 5 o’clock.
The long hand points to 6. The short hand is between 8 and 9. It has just passed 8, so it is half past 8.
Both hands point up to 12. It is 12 o’clock. This can be midday or midnight.
Class activity
Make a paper clock: cut a circle, write 1 to 12 round the edge, and fix two hands with a pin or a paper clip. Show your partner an o’clock time and ask them to say it. Then show half past times: where must the long hand go?
Practice
1
What time is it?
9 o’clock
2
What time is it?
half past 6
3
The long hand points to 6 and the short hand is between 3 and 4. What time is it?
half past 3
4
At an o’clock time, where does the long hand point?
To 12 (straight up)