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Level-graded English lessons with reading, listening, activities, and discussion.

Lesson Info

Type
Explainer
Level
2 / A2
Published
Title
How Does a Rainbow Form?
Webpage
https://eslnewsstories.com/explainers/how-does-a-rainbow-form/

Lesson Content

Look First, Words You Need, Read and Listen

Understanding: Understand It, Steps

Chunks: Meaning, Repeat

Use It

Answers

How Does a Rainbow Form?

Level 2 Explainer

Start Here

Look First

A large rainbow stretches across the sky over green hills as warm sunlight shines from one side and rain falls from dark clouds on the other. Two people stand in the foreground looking at the rainbow.
  1. What can you see in the sky?
  2. What colors can you see?
  3. When do you usually see a rainbow?

Before You Read

Words You Need

Learn

Read and Listen

Play the audio while you read, or listen after you read.

A rainbow can appear when there is rain and sunlight at the same time. To see a rainbow, the sun is usually behind you and the rain is in front of you.

Sunlight looks white, but it has many colors in it. When sunlight goes into a raindrop, the light bends. Each color bends a little differently, so the colors start to spread apart.

Some of the light then turns back inside the raindrop. When it comes out of the raindrop, it bends again. The colors spread apart even more. Many raindrops do this together, and the colored light travels toward your eyes. This makes the rainbow that you see in the sky.

Rainbows are often easier to see when the sun is low in the sky, such as in the morning or late afternoon. You cannot walk up to a rainbow. If you move, the rainbow seems to move too.

Quick Check

Understand It

  1. A rainbow can appear when there is rain and sunlight at the same time.
  2. The sun is usually in front of you when you see a rainbow.
  3. Each color bends in exactly the same way inside a raindrop.
  4. What happens when sunlight goes into a raindrop?
  5. When are rainbows often easier to see?

Order

Steps

Put the rainbow steps in order (1-4).

  1. You see a rainbow in the sky.
  2. The light comes out of the raindrop.
  3. Sunlight goes into a raindrop.
  4. The light bends, and the colors start to spread apart.

Build

Chunks

Meaning

  1. at the same time

  2. in front of you

  3. turns back

  4. low in the sky

Repeat

Listen and Repeat. Hide the text and try again.

at the same time
There is rain and sunlight at the same time.
spread apart
The colors start to spread apart.
turns back
Some of the light turns back inside the raindrop.
low in the sky
The sun is low in the sky.

Now Try

Use It

Talk or write. Use the language from this lesson.

Supported output: A rainbow can appear when...
Supported output: When sunlight goes into a raindrop,...
Supported output: The colors start to...
Recycle language: Think of two things you sometimes do at the same time. What are they?
Extend topic: When did you last see a rainbow? Where were you?
Extend topic: Would you stop to look at a rainbow? Why or why not?
Extend topic: Which do you like seeing more: a rainbow, snow, or a colorful sunset? Why?

Answers How Does a Rainbow Form? / Level 2

Understand It:

  1. True
  2. False
  3. False
  4. The light bends.
  5. when the sun is low in the sky

Steps:

  1. Sunlight goes into a raindrop.
  2. The light bends, and the colors start to spread apart.
  3. The light comes out of the raindrop.
  4. You see a rainbow in the sky.

Chunks: Meaning:

  1. at the same time: happening together
  2. in front of you: on the side you are facing
  3. turns back: changes direction and goes back
  4. low in the sky: not high in the sky

KEEP GOING

One More Lesson

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Lesson by Aron Thode Reviewed

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