Lesson #149
On April 8, 2024, a solar eclipse turned day into night across America. Let’s explore this fascinating event together, and pick up a bit of English as we go 🙂
Our word #1 eclipse
noun [C]
UK US /ɪˈklɪps/
: an occasion when the Sun disappears from view, either completely or partly, while the Moon is moving between it and the Earth, or when the Moon becomes darker while the shadow of the Earth moves over it:
solar/lunar eclipse
Some people believe that a solar/lunar eclipse affects their relationships, energy levels, and mood.
[Source]
Please take a look at this example and repeat it out loud:
(You have to reload the page if you want to watch the clip more than once.)
“Predictability comes from the use of science. For instance, scientists today can predict when the next total solar eclipse of the Sun will occur.”
Predictability comes from the use of …
For instance, scientists today can predict when the next total solar eclipse of the Sun …
Our phrase #2 is path of totality
(plural paths of totality)
: (astronomy) The path traced on the Earth’s surface by the Moon’s shadow during a total eclipse of the sun:
Thousands of spectators gathered in the path of totality to witness the breathtaking solar eclipse.
[Source]
Please take a look at this example and repeat it out loud:
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Our world #3 is plunge
verb
UK US /plʌndʒ/
: to move or fall suddenly forward, down, or into something:
Her car plunged off the cliff.
[Source]
Please take a look at this example and repeat it out loud:
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You’ve seen consumer confidence …
Our world #4 is awe
noun [ U ]
UK /ɔː/ US /ɑː/
: a feeling of great respect sometimes mixed with fear or surprise:
As children, we were rather in awe of our grandfather.
[Source]
Please take a look at this example and repeat it out loud:
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But I’m in awe of what …
Our phrase #5 is to make your way
idiom
: to travel or move to a place:
People started making their way towards the exit.
[Source]
Please take a look at this example and repeat it out loud:
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“I’m going to talk about how this painting made its way from Venice here to the walls in Trafalgar Square at the National Gallery.”
I’m going to talk about how this painting …
from Venice here to the walls in Trafalgar Square at the …
Please fill in the blanks out loud with our word/phrase #1, 2, 3, 4, or 5:
Scientists traveled to various points along the ………… …………. ………… to conduct experiments and gather data during the solar eclipse.
Scientists traveled to various points along the path of totality to conduct experiments and gather data during the solar eclipse.
Scientists traveled to various points along the …
to conduct experiments and gather data during …
He …………. into the crowd, smiling and shaking hands.
He plunged into the crowd, smiling and shaking hands.
[Source]
He …
He’s such an important man that I’m rather in …………. of him.
He’s such an important man that I’m rather in awe of him.
[Source]
He’s such an important man that …
On Wednesday there will be a total ………… of the Sun.
On Wednesday there will be a total eclipse of the Sun.
On Wednesday there will be …
The wedding guests …………. …………… …………. to a nearby hotel for the reception.
The wedding guests made their way to a nearby hotel for the reception.
[Source]
The wedding guests …
Time for our final clip. Watch the clips first, and then fill in the blanks out loud.
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Reference: “Total solar eclipse: North America watches in wonder | BBC News.” YouTube, Apr 9, 2024
“Millions of people …………. history yesterday,
as a total solar eclipse …………. parts of North America into …………. for four minutes.
As day …………. to night, people gathered to watch the …………,
and our North America reporter Nada Tawfik was with them.
Scenes of …………. and wonder all along the eclipse’s …………. of …………. .
Crowds on the …………. of Mexico’s West Coast were the first to experience the astrological ………….
as the Moon …………. in front of the Sun completely …………. its light.
Over the next two and a half hours, cities large and small were …………. into darkness
as the great North American …………. made its ………….. across the United States and Canada.”
“Millions of people witnessed history yesterday,
as a total solar eclipse plunged parts of North America into darkness for four minutes.
As day turned to night, people gathered to watch the phenomenon,
and our North America reporter Nada Tawfik was with them.
Scenes of awe and wonder all along the eclipse’s path of totality.
Crowds on the beaches of Mexico’s West Coast were the first to experience the astrological phenomenon
as the Moon passed in front of the Sun completely blocking its light.
Over the next two and a half hours, cities large and small were plunged into darkness
as the great North American eclipse made its way across the United States and Canada.”
Millions of people …
as a total solar eclipse plunged …
As day turned to night, people gathered to watch …
and our North America reporter Nada Tawfik was with them.
Scenes of awe and wonder all along …
Crowds on the beaches of Mexico’s West Coast were the first to experience …
as the Moon passed in front of the Sun completely blocking …
Over the next two and a half hours, cities large and small were …
as the great North American eclipse made its way …
Questions for a Coffee Session:
These questions can be helpful if you want to organize your own Coffee Session. Paste them in the Zoom chat, so you and your partner can see them. I strongly encourage you to organize your own Coffee Sessions. Contact other Club Members and schedule your own meetings on Zoom. The more you practice your English, the better 🙂
1. Ask your partner questions with the following words:
- eclipse (noun, C)
- path of totality
- hilarious (adjective)
- to plunge
- awe (noun, U)
- to make your way
2. Discuss in pairs the following questions:
1. “Don’t be a life spectator. Take the plunge.” – Are you usually a spectator or do you take the plunge?
2. How do you prioritize your tasks when making your way through a busy day or schedule?
3. Have you ever experienced a moment that left you in complete awe? What was it?
4. Can you imagine the feeling of awe and wonder that people might experience when witnessing a total solar eclipse? Why do you think people experience such feelings while watching an eclipse?
5. What do you think it would be like to be in a location along the path of totality during a total solar eclipse? Have you ever traveled specifically to witness a natural phenomenon like a total solar eclipse or the northern lights?
6. What natural wonders or phenomena have you encountered that inspired awe in you?