Difference between snowflakes, hailstones and icicles?

[Sasooo]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #117 "Weather Test (4)", question 9

......... fall from the sky in the winter months. Each one is unique, beautiful and intricately designed by Mother Nature.

(a) Hailstones
(b) Icicles
(c) Snowflakes

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #117 "Weather Test (4)", answer 9

Snowflakes fall from the sky in the winter months. Each one is unique, beautiful and intricately designed by Mother Nature.

Correct answer: (c) Snowflakes

Your answer was: correct
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what are the differences between these words snowflakes ,hailstones and icicles?
I live in Egypt and we have no snow or icicles but I hope to know them in detail
thanks
sasooo

[Kitosdad]

Snowflakes are crystallised water in the shape of flakes, and can be very beautiful when seen under a microscope.

Hailstones are frozen droplets, and can be quite large.

Icicles are lengths of frozen suspended water, which hang from surfaces.
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Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[Aliraf62]

Hi Teachers

Is there any difference in connotation between intricate and sophisticated:
An intricate/ a sophisticated system/design/pattern etc.

Thanks
Ali