Science & Technology
Tree Tops Sparkle with Electricity During Thunderstorms
21 Jul 2026
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Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Trees that make ice cream
b) Trees that sparkle with electricity
c) Trees that can walk around
Ask:
(1) Do you like big thunderstorms?
(2) What do you think happens to trees when it rains?
VOCABULARY
Thunderstorm
Noun
Electricity
Noun
Travel
Verb
Spark
Noun
Chemical
Noun
Pollution
Noun
Secret
Noun
A storm with lightning and rain.
Example: We heard a loud thunderstorm last night.
A form of energy that flows through wires.
Example: Our television needs electricity to work.
To go from one place to another place.
Example: The scientists travelled to a big forest.
A tiny flash of bright light.
Example: small spark came off the campfire.
A specific substance made by nature or science.
Example: Water is a natural chemical.
Dirty stuff that hurts nature.
Example: from cars causes air pollution.
Something that is hidden or not known by many people.
Example: have a secret to tell you.
Have you ever seen a tree sparkle during a thunderstorm? Scientists travelled to see this amazing thing. When big storms come, the air fills with electricity. This electricity moves towards the trees. It can make the leaves and branches glow with tiny, beautiful sparks. You might not see the light in the daytime, but it happens. Scientists discovered that these sparks do something great. They change the air around the tree. The electrical sparks make special natural chemicals. These chemicals actually clean the air. They help get rid of bad pollution. So, trees do not just give us oxygen and shade. During a storm, they also use electricity to tidy our world. Nature has many secrets. The next time you see a big thunderstorm, look at the trees. They might be busy cleaning the air with their own electric lights.
Listen
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you like watching storms from your window?
2. What do you usually do when it rains outside?
3. Why do you think trees are important for our world?
4. Have you ever seen something sparkle in nature?
5. How can we help keep the air clean in our cities?
6. Would you like to be a scientist who studies weather?
FILL IN THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank:
chemicals
electricity
pollution
sparks
Have you ever seen a tree sparkle during a thunderstorm? Scientists travelled to see this amazing thing. When big storms come, the air fills with _______(1). This electricity moves towards the trees. It can make the leaves and branches glow with tiny, beautiful _______(2). You might not see the light in the daytime, but it happens. Scientists discovered that these sparks do something great. They change the air around the tree. The electrical sparks make special natural _______(3). These chemicals actually clean the air. They help get rid of bad _______(4). So, trees do not just give us oxygen and shade. During a storm, they also use electricity to tidy our world. Nature has many secrets. The next time you see a big thunderstorm, look at the trees. They might be busy cleaning the air with their own electric lights.
Section 2: Main Idea
Choose the best summary of the article.
a) Thunderstorms are very dangerous for tall trees.
b) Trees use electricity from storms to clean the air.
c) Scientists want to plant more trees in big cities.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
1. Electricity moves towards trees during big storms. T/F
2. The sparks on the trees are very easy to see in the morning. T/F
3. The special chemicals help to clean air pollution. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put these sentences in the correct order from 1 to 3.
a) The electrical sparks create special natural chemicals that clean the air.
b) A big thunderstorm arrives and fills the air with electrical energy.
c) Electricity moves towards the trees and makes the branches sparkle.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. Thunderstorm
2. Electricity
3. Spark
4. Pollution
a) A tiny flash of bright light
b) Dirty things that hurt the environment
c) A storm with loud noise and heavy rain
d) Energy that powers lights and computers
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. I think that trees are very _______ because they clean our air.
a) boring
b) helpful
2. When I see a storm, I feel _______ but also excited.
a) scared
b) happy
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
Unscramble the sentence parts to make a correct sentence.
1. A) trees B) sparkle C) during D) storms E) big
2. A) chemicals B) clean C) the D) air E) natural
ANSWER KEY
Section: Warm Up Answer: b
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps Answers: (1) electricity, (2) sparks, (3) chemicals, (4) pollution
Section 2: Main Idea Answer: b
Section 3: True or False Answers: 1. True, 2. False, 3. True
Section 4: Put Events in Order Answers: 3, 1, 2
Section 5: Vocab Match Answers: 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b
Section 6: Discussion Builder Answers: 1. b, 2. a
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble Answers:
Trees sparkle during big storms. (A-B-C-E-D)
Natural chemicals clean the air. (E-A-B-C-D)
Section 8: Discussion Questions Answers: Student answers will vary.