Two Minutes of Night: The Eclipse of 12 August 2026

B1 homework · Reading, vocabulary and future forms. Complete every task and submit your work.

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1. Read the text

Read the text carefully. You will need it for the tasks below.

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves exactly between the Sun and the Earth. The Moon covers the Sun completely, and its shadow falls on our planet. For a few minutes, day becomes night: the sky goes dark, the air feels cooler, and some stars appear.

On 12 August 2026, observers in a few lucky places will see this rare event. The path of totality crosses Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain, and it touches a small corner of Portugal. In the best locations, totality will last up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds. It is the first total eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999.

Watching an eclipse can damage your eyes, so you must do it safely. Never look at the Sun directly or through normal sunglasses. Use special eclipse glasses, and only take them off during the short minutes of totality, when the Sun is completely covered.

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2. Key vocabulary

Match each word from the text with its definition.

3. Comprehension check

Choose the correct answer for each question.

1. What happens during a total solar eclipse?

2. On which date does this eclipse take place?

3. Which place does the path of totality only touch in a small corner?

4. How long can totality last in the best locations?

5. When was the last total eclipse visible from mainland Europe?

6. When is it safe to take off your eclipse glasses?

4. Use the new words

Complete the sentences with words from the box. Use each word once.

eclipse · totality · orbit · shadow · path · observer · rare · safely

1. A total solar ______ happens when the Moon completely hides the Sun.

2. The Moon travels around the Earth in an ______ .

3. During the event, the Moon's ______ falls on our planet.

4. The ______ of totality crosses Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain.

5. Every ______ needs special glasses to watch the Sun.

6. During ______ , day becomes night for about two minutes.

7. Total eclipses are ______ ; many people never see one in their lives.

8. You must always watch the Sun ______ , with special eclipse glasses.

5. Grammar: will and going to

going to → plans you have already made, and predictions based on what you can see now.

will → predictions and opinions (often with I think, probably), and decisions made at the moment of speaking.

Choose the best form for each sentence about eclipse day.

1. We have already bought our flights. We

to Iceland in August.

2. Look at those dark clouds over the coast! It

soon.

3. I think the sky

clear on eclipse day.

4. Maria has planned her trip carefully. She

the eclipse from a beach in northern Spain.

5. You forgot your eclipse glasses? Don't worry, I

you mine.

6. There are thousands of visitors in town already. The beaches

very crowded tomorrow.

6. Your opinion

Some people travel thousands of kilometres to see rare natural events like this eclipse. Is it worth it? Write your opinion in 60-80 words. Give at least two reasons and use will or going to at least once.

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