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Something in the sky

Something in the sky

Sep-Dec 2025

Part 2

Part 2 - Cue Card

Describe a time when you saw something in the sky (e.g. flying kites, birds, sunset, etc.)

You should say:

  • What you saw
  • Where/when you saw it/them
  • How long you saw it/them
  • And explain how you felt about the experience.

Part 2 Sample Response

I'd like to talk about an absolutely mesmerizing natural phenomenon I witnessed last autumn - a starling murmuration. I'd seen some stunning photographs online of these massive bird formations, so I decided to drive out to a nature reserve about an hour from the city.

I arrived just as the golden hour was beginning. Initially, there were just scattered groups of birds, and I wondered if I'd made the journey for nothing. But as dusk approached, more and more starlings began congregating until there were literally thousands of them moving as one fluid mass. The coordination was absolutely remarkable - they'd shift from resembling a giant wave to forming these spiraling shapes.

The entire spectacle lasted roughly forty minutes. I was completely transfixed by the experience - in fact, I was so captivated that I forgot to take any photos for the first twenty minutes. What struck me most was the perfect synchronization; thousands of individual birds moving without a single collision.

The whole experience left me feeling quite humbled, actually. There's something profoundly moving about witnessing these natural displays that most people never get to see. I did eventually manage to capture some shots, but they paled in comparison to the real thing.

Essential Vocabulary

Types of sky phenomena

  • bird murmurations - large flocks moving in formation
  • aurora/northern lights - colorful lights in polar skies
  • meteor showers - multiple shooting stars
  • cloud formations - interesting cloud patterns
  • aerial displays - aircraft show performances
  • hot air balloons - floating colorful balloons
  • contrails - vapor trails from planes
  • rainbows - colorful arcs after storms

Describing what you saw

  • breathtaking sight - amazing to see
  • spectacular display - captivating show
  • stunning view - impressive sight
  • once-in-a-lifetime - rare experience
  • picture-perfect moment - ideal for photos
  • jaw-dropping - amazingly impressive
  • awe-inspiring - creating wonder
  • absolutely gorgeous - stunningly beautiful

Time and duration

  • fleeting moment - very brief time
  • lasted for ages - continued long time
  • in the blink of an eye - extremely quick
  • time stood still - felt like time stopped
  • golden hour - hour before sunset
  • crack of dawn - very early morning
  • dusk till dawn - evening to morning
  • split second - very brief moment

Emotional responses

  • left me speechless - too amazed to talk
  • gave me goosebumps - physical reaction to awe
  • childlike wonder - innocent amazement
  • deeply moved - emotionally affected
  • sense of tranquility - feeling peaceful
  • overwhelming joy - extreme happiness
  • humbling experience - made me feel small
  • magical feeling - sense of enchantment

Natural Spoken Phrases

  • "I'll never forget the time when..." introducing memory
  • "It was one of those moments that..." describing significance
  • "Words can't do it justice" hard to describe
  • "You had to be there" experience better than description
  • "I was lucky enough to..." expressing fortune
  • "What really got me was..." highlighting impact
  • "I couldn't take my eyes off..." completely engaged
  • "It's etched in my memory" unforgettable

Part 3

Part 3 Discussion Questions

  1. Would people be willing to get up early to watch and enjoy the sunrise?
  2. When would people watch the sky?
  3. Do many people pay attention to the shapes of stars?
  4. What do people usually see in the sky in the daytime?
  5. What are the differences between things people see in the sky in the daytime and at night?
  6. Why do some people like to watch stars at night?

Part 3 Sample Response

Would people be willing to get up early to watch and enjoy the sunrise?

That's quite an interesting question. I think there's definitely a divide between people's intentions and their actual behavior. Most urban dwellers would probably express enthusiasm for the idea, but when it comes to setting that 5 AM alarm, reality kicks in.

That said, certain groups are genuinely committed to this - serious photographers, for instance, are absolutely devoted to capturing that perfect golden hour lighting. And there's definitely a tourism aspect; people on holiday are much more likely to make the effort.

Essential Vocabulary

Sunrise watching habits

  • early birds - people who wake up early
  • sunrise chasers - people who seek sunrises
  • morning ritual - regular early activity
  • worth the early alarm - valuable despite difficulty
  • bucket list experience - something to do once
  • Instagram-worthy moment - good for social media
  • mindfulness practice - meditation activity

Sky watching occasions

  • astronomical events - special sky phenomena
  • weather permitting - if conditions allow
  • stargazing sessions - planned star watching
  • during commutes - while traveling to work
  • recreational activity - leisure pursuit
  • natural phenomena - nature events
  • outdoor enthusiasts - people who love nature
  • spontaneous moments - unplanned observations

Star pattern awareness

  • knowing star patterns - understanding star groups
  • hobby stargazers - people who watch stars for fun
  • city lights blocking stars - urban lights hiding stars
  • special dark areas - protected stargazing places
  • star apps - phone star guides
  • traditional meaning - cultural importance
  • using stars to navigate - finding direction with stars
  • zodiac signs - astrological star patterns

Daytime sky observations

  • cloud formations - different cloud patterns
  • contrails - vapor trails from aircraft
  • birds in flight - flying birds
  • weather patterns - sky conditions
  • sun's position - location of the sun
  • varying shades of blue - different blue tones
  • atmospheric effects - weather-related sky changes
  • daytime moon - moon visible during day

Day vs night sky differences

  • celestial bodies - stars, planets, and other space objects
  • visibility factors - what affects how well you can see
  • atmospheric conditions - air and weather effects
  • artificial lighting - human-made lights
  • natural illumination - light from sun and moon
  • color spectrum - range of visible colors
  • observable objects - things you can see
  • clarity levels - how clear the view is

Stargazing motivations

  • sense of wonder - feeling of amazement
  • broader perspective - thinking about the bigger picture
  • escape from routine - mental break from daily life
  • scientific curiosity - interest in astronomy
  • romantic atmosphere - intimate setting
  • philosophical reflection - deep contemplation
  • cosmic connection - feeling part of something greater
  • peaceful contemplation - quiet thinking time

Natural Spoken Phrases

  • "It's a mixed bag, really..." varied situation
  • "By and large..." generally speaking
  • "There's been a shift towards..." changing trend
  • "It boils down to..." main reason
  • "From what I've observed..." personal experience
  • "It's worth noting that..." important point
  • "This ties into..." connection to broader topic
  • "On the flip side..." contrasting view