International Time Zones worksheet for learning about global time differences.

Let’s solve this step by step.

We are told to figure out the time difference between “our school” and each city listed. But we don’t know what time it is at our school yet — that’s the first blank:
> It is ________ at our school in ________.

Looking at the table, we see different times for different cities. To find the time difference, we need to pick one city as our reference — probably the one where “our school” is located. But which one?

Wait — look at the times:

- Tokyo: 2:00 AM
- Rome: 7:00 PM
- NYC: 1:00 PM
- Los Angeles: 10:00 AM
- Sydney: 3:00 AM
- Paris: 7:00 PM (same as Rome)
- Anchorage: 9:00 AM

Notice that Rome and Paris both say 7:00 PM — that makes sense because they’re in the same time zone (Central European Time).

Now, let’s think: if we assume “our school” is in New York City, then the current time there is 1:00 PM. That would make sense as a starting point — many worksheets use NYC as a reference.

Let’s test that idea.

If our school is in NYC and it’s 1:00 PM there, then:

→ For Tokyo (2:00 AM):
That’s earlier than 1:00 PM? Wait — no! 2:00 AM is actually *before* 1:00 PM on the same day? Actually, no — 2:00 AM is early morning, and 1:00 PM is afternoon. So Tokyo is ahead of NYC.

How many hours ahead?

From 2:00 AM to 1:00 PM is 11 hours later? Let’s count:

2 AM → 3 AM → ... → 12 PM (noon) → 1 PM = that’s 11 hours.

But wait — if Tokyo is 2:00 AM and NYC is 1:00 PM, that means when it’s 1:00 PM in NYC, it’s already 2:00 AM the *next day* in Tokyo? Or the same day?

Actually, Tokyo is ahead of NYC. When it’s 1:00 PM in NYC, it’s 2:00 AM the *next day* in Tokyo? No — let’s think carefully.

Standard time zones:

- NYC is UTC-5 (Eastern Time)
- Tokyo is UTC+9

So difference = 9 - (-5) = 14 hours ahead.

But according to the table, Tokyo says 2:00 AM and NYC says 1:00 PM.

If NYC is 1:00 PM, then Tokyo should be 1:00 PM + 14 hours = 3:00 AM next day? But the table says 2:00 AM. Hmm — maybe not exactly matching real world, but we have to go by the numbers given.

Let’s just calculate based on the times given in the table.

Assume “our school” is in NYC at 1:00 PM.

Then for each city, we compare their time to 1:00 PM.

Let’s do each row:

---

Tokyo, Japan: 2:00 AM

Is 2:00 AM before or after 1:00 PM?

2:00 AM is earlier in the day than 1:00 PM — but since time zones wrap around, we need to see how many hours apart.

From 2:00 AM to 1:00 PM is 11 hours later? But that would mean Tokyo is behind — which doesn’t make sense geographically.

Alternatively, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 AM next day is 13 hours later? Let’s count:

1 PM → 2 PM → ... → 12 AM (midnight) → 1 AM → 2 AM = that’s 13 hours.

So if NYC is 1:00 PM, and Tokyo is 2:00 AM (next day), then Tokyo is 13 hours ahead.

But the table might be showing simultaneous times — meaning all these times are happening right now somewhere.

So if NYC is 1:00 PM, and Tokyo is 2:00 AM, that suggests Tokyo is 13 hours ahead? Because 1:00 PM + 13 hours = 2:00 AM next day.

Yes.

So for Tokyo:
Current Time: 2:00 AM
Our school (NYC): 1:00 PM
Difference: 2:00 AM is 13 hours ahead of 1:00 PM? Wait — no:

If it’s 1:00 PM in NYC, and 2:00 AM in Tokyo, that means Tokyo is ahead by 13 hours? Let’s check:

1:00 PM + 13 hours = 2:00 AM next day → yes.

So Tokyo is +13 hours relative to NYC.

But usually Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of NYC — close enough, maybe daylight saving or simplified for worksheet.

We’ll go with the numbers given.

So for Tokyo:
Time Difference = 13 hours
+ or - ? Since Tokyo is ahead, it’s +

Wait — the column is “+ or - ?” — probably meaning: is the other city ahead (+) or behind (-) compared to our school.

So if our school is 1:00 PM, and Tokyo is 2:00 AM (which is later in the day cycle), then Tokyo is ahead → +

But 2:00 AM is technically earlier in the clock, but in terms of time zone, it’s ahead.

To avoid confusion, let’s calculate the absolute difference and assign sign based on whether the city’s time is later or earlier than our school’s time.

Better approach:

Convert all times to 24-hour format to make calculation easier.

Our school (assume NYC): 1:00 PM = 13:00

Tokyo: 2:00 AM = 02:00

Now, 02:00 vs 13:00 — which is bigger? 13:00 is bigger, so Tokyo is behind? That can’t be right.

Ah — here’s the issue: 2:00 AM could be the next day.

In time zone calculations, we consider the smallest difference, but also direction.

Standard way: subtract the two times, but account for day change.

If our school is 13:00 (1 PM), and Tokyo is 02:00, then:

If Tokyo is 02:00 on the same day, it’s 11 hours behind (13 - 2 = 11). But that doesn’t make sense geographically.

If Tokyo is 02:00 the next day, then it’s 13 hours ahead (from 13:00 to 24:00 is 11 hours, plus 2 hours = 13 hours).

Given that Tokyo is east of NYC, it should be ahead, so likely 13 hours ahead.

Similarly, let’s check another city.

Rome: 7:00 PM = 19:00

NYC: 13:00

19:00 - 13:00 = 6 hours ahead → so Rome is +6 hours.

Paris also 7:00 PM → same as Rome → +6 hours.

Los Angeles: 10:00 AM = 10:00

NYC: 13:00

10:00 is before 13:00, so LA is behind by 3 hours → -3 hours.

Sydney: 3:00 AM = 03:00

Compared to NYC 13:00 — if same day, 13 - 3 = 10 hours behind? But Sydney is east, should be ahead.

3:00 AM next day: from 13:00 to 24:00 is 11 hours, plus 3 hours = 14 hours ahead? But table says 3:00 AM.

Perhaps for Sydney, 3:00 AM is the next day, so 14 hours ahead? But let's calculate difference.

From 13:00 to 03:00 next day is 14 hours (13 to 24 is 11, 0 to 3 is 3, total 14).

But the table might expect us to just subtract without considering day change? That would give wrong signs.

Another idea: perhaps "our school" is not in NYC. Let's look at the times again.

Notice that Los Angeles is 10:00 AM, NYC is 1:00 PM — that's a 3-hour difference, which is correct (LA is 3 hours behind NYC).

Rome and Paris are 7:00 PM, which is 6 hours ahead of NYC (1 PM + 6 = 7 PM) — correct.

Tokyo is 2:00 AM — if NYC is 1 PM, then 1 PM + 13 hours = 2 AM next day — so Tokyo is 13 hours ahead.

Sydney is 3:00 AM — 1 PM + 14 hours = 3 AM next day — so 14 hours ahead.

Anchorage is 9:00 AM — NYC is 1 PM, so 9 AM is 4 hours behind? 1 PM - 4 hours = 9 AM — yes, so Anchorage is 4 hours behind NYC.

Anchorage is Alaska, which is UTC-9, NYC is UTC-5, so difference is 4 hours — yes, Anchorage is 4 hours behind NYC.

Perfect.

So let's confirm:

Assume our school is in NYC at 1:00 PM.

Then for each city:

1. Tokyo, Japan: 2:00 AM
- This is 13 hours ahead of 1:00 PM (since 1 PM + 13h = 2 AM next day)
- So +13 hours

2. Rome, Italy: 7:00 PM
- 7 PM - 1 PM = 6 hours ahead → +6 hours

3. NYC, New York: 1:00 PM
- Same as our school → 0 hours difference → but probably not needed, or we can put 0

The table has NYC listed, so we should include it.

For NYC: current time 1:00 PM, same as school, so time difference 0, and + or - ? Probably 0, no sign.

But the column is "+ or - ?", so for 0, maybe leave blank or put 0.

Typically, for same time, difference is 0.

4. Los Angeles, California: 10:00 AM
- 10 AM is 3 hours before 1 PM → so -3 hours

5. Sydney, Australia: 3:00 AM
- 3 AM next day is 14 hours after 1 PM → +14 hours

6. Paris, France: 7:00 PM
- Same as Rome → +6 hours

7. Anchorage, Alaska: 9:00 AM
- 9 AM is 4 hours before 1 PM → -4 hours

Now, let's write it in the table.

First, fill in the top sentence:

"It is 1:00 PM at our school in New York City."

Then the table:

Location | Current Time | + or - ? | Time Difference (in hours)
---|---|---|---
Tokyo, Japan | 2:00 AM | + | 13
Rome, Italy | 7:00 PM | + | 6
NYC, New York | 1:00 PM | (none or 0) | 0
Los Angeles, California | 10:00 AM | - | 3
Sydney, Australia | 3:00 AM | + | 14
Paris, France | 7:00 PM | + | 6
Anchorage, Alaska | 9:00 AM | - | 4

For NYC, since it's the same, time difference is 0, and no + or - needed. We can put "0" in difference and leave "+ or - ?" blank, or put "0" there too. But typically, for zero difference, we don't use + or -.

In the context, probably for NYC, we can put:

+ or - ? : (blank or "same")

But to be consistent, let's see the instruction: "Figure out the time difference."

For NYC, difference is 0.

In the "+ or - ?" column, for cities ahead, "+", behind "-", same, perhaps "0" or leave blank.

I think for simplicity, we can put:

For NYC: + or - ? : 0 (or leave blank), Time Difference: 0

But let's check if the worksheet expects something else.

Another thought: perhaps "our school" is not specified, and we need to choose a reference. But the problem says "at our school in ______", so we need to fill that.

Given that NYC is listed and has 1:00 PM, and it's a common reference, I think it's safe to assume our school is in NYC at 1:00 PM.

Moreover, the times match standard differences approximately.

So final answers:

Top sentence: It is 1:00 PM at our school in New York City.

Table:

- Tokyo: + , 13
- Rome: + , 6
- NYC: (no sign), 0
- Los Angeles: - , 3
- Sydney: + , 14
- Paris: + , 6
- Anchorage: - , 4

For NYC, in "+ or - ?" column, we can put "0" or leave it blank. Since the column is "+ or - ?", and 0 is neither, perhaps leave blank or write "same". But to keep it simple, I'll put "0" in the difference and for "+ or - ?", since it's zero, maybe omit the sign.

Looking at the table structure, probably for NYC, we can put:

+ or - ? : (empty)

Time Difference: 0

But let's see if there's a better way.

Perhaps the worksheet intends for us to calculate difference from a fixed point, but I think our approach is correct.

Another idea: maybe "our school" is in Los Angeles? Let's check.

If our school is in LA at 10:00 AM.

Then NYC is 1:00 PM, which is 3 hours ahead → +3

Rome 7:00 PM = 19:00, LA 10:00 = 10:00, difference 9 hours ahead? 19-10=9, but Rome is 6 hours ahead of NYC, LA is 3 behind NYC, so Rome should be 9 hours ahead of LA — yes.

Tokyo 2:00 AM: if LA is 10 AM, then 2 AM next day is 16 hours later? 10 AM to 2 AM next day is 16 hours? 10 AM to 10 PM is 12 hours, to 2 AM is 16 hours — but Tokyo is usually 17 hours ahead of LA? Close.

But in the table, if we use LA as reference, then for NYC it would be +3, etc.

But the problem is, the top sentence has "in ______", so we need to specify the location.

And NYC is listed, so likely it's intended to be the reference.

Moreover, in many US worksheets, NYC is used as reference.

So I'll stick with NYC at 1:00 PM.

Now, for the "+ or - ?" column, for cities with positive difference, put "+", negative put "-", for zero, perhaps put "0" or leave blank. I think for consistency, we can put the sign only if non-zero, and for zero, put "0" in difference and leave "+ or - ?" blank, or put "same".

But to match the column header "+ or - ?", probably they expect "+" or "-" for non-zero, and for zero, maybe not applicable.

In the answer, we can handle it.

Let's finalize the table entries.

Also, for Sydney: 3:00 AM vs NYC 1:00 PM.

As calculated, 14 hours ahead.

Similarly, Tokyo 13 hours ahead.

Now, let's write the final answer.

First, the sentence: It is 1:00 PM at our school in New York City.

Then the table:

Location | Current Time | + or - ? | Time Difference (in hours)
---|---|---|---
Tokyo, Japan | 2:00 AM | + | 13
Rome, Italy | 7:00 PM | + | 6
NYC, New York | 1:00 PM | | 0 [or put "0" in + or - ?]
Los Angeles, California | 10:00 AM | - | 3
Sydney, Australia | 3:00 AM | + | 14
Paris, France | 7:00 PM | + | 6
Anchorage, Alaska | 9:00 AM | - | 4

For NYC, in "+ or - ?", since difference is 0, I think it's fine to leave it blank or put "0". I'll put "0" to indicate no difference.

Some might argue that "+ or - ?" is only for direction, so for 0, no sign, but to be clear, I'll put "0" in the difference and for "+ or - ?", leave it empty or put "same". But let's see the instruction: "Figure out the time difference." and the columns are separate.

Perhaps for "+ or - ?", it's asking whether to add or subtract to get from our time to their time.

For example, to get from NYC time to Tokyo time, you add 13 hours, so "+".

To get to LA, you subtract 3 hours, so "-".

To get to NYC itself, you add 0, so "+" with 0? Or no operation.

I think safest is:

For NYC: + or - ? : (blank) , Time Difference: 0

But to avoid confusion, I'll include it as 0 difference and no sign.

In the final answer, we can write it clearly.

Now, let's box the final answer.

Final Answer:

It is 1:00 PM at our school in New York City.

Table completed as follows:

- Tokyo, Japan: + , 13 hours
- Rome, Italy: + , 6 hours
- NYC, New York: (no sign), 0 hours
- Los Angeles, California: - , 3 hours
- Sydney, Australia: + , 14 hours
- Paris, France: + , 6 hours
- Anchorage, Alaska: - , 4 hours

For the table format, we can write:

| Location | Current Time | + or - ? | Time Difference (in hours) |
|----------------------|--------------|----------|----------------------------|
| Tokyo, Japan | 2:00 AM | + | 13 |
| Rome, Italy | 7:00 PM | + | 6 |
| NYC, New York | 1:00 PM | | 0 |
| Los Angeles, California | 10:00 AM | - | 3 |
| Sydney, Australia | 3:00 AM | + | 14 |
| Paris, France | 7:00 PM | + | 6 |
| Anchorage, Alaska | 9:00 AM | - | 4 |

For NYC, I left "+ or - ?" blank since difference is 0.

I think that's acceptable.

To be precise, some might put "0" in "+ or - ?", but the column is labeled "+ or - ?", implying a sign, so for zero, no sign is fine.

So final answer.