time · Year 1 · Suggested learning sequence
Read an analogue clock
A clock has two hands. The short hand shows the hour and the long hand shows the minutes. Read the short hand first: the hour is the number it points to, or the number it has just passed. Then read the long hand. Each number on the clock stands for 5 minutes, so count in fives from the 12: 1 is 5 minutes, 3 is 15, 6 is 30. Half past means 30 minutes, quarter past means 15, and quarter to means 45 minutes past, 15 minutes before the next hour. For exact minutes, count the small marks after the last number: each one is 1 minute.
Sample questions
What time does the clock show?
- The long minute hand points straight up at 12, so it is exactly o'clock.
- The short hour hand points to 8.
- The time is 8 o'clock, which is 8:00.
Answer: 8:00
What time does the clock show?
- The long minute hand points straight up at 12, so it is exactly o'clock.
- The short hour hand points to 4.
- The time is 4 o'clock, which is 4:00.
Answer: 4:00
What time does the clock show?
- The long minute hand points straight up at 12, so it is exactly o'clock.
- The short hour hand points to 11.
- The time is 11 o'clock, which is 11:00.
Answer: 11:00