Here's why:
* Spelling: The vowel "a" is followed by a consonant ("k") and a silent "e" at the end of the word. This is a common spelling pattern for long vowel sounds in English.
* Sound: The "a" in "lake" makes the same sound as the "a" in "say" or "fate." This is a long vowel sound.
Let me know if you have any other words you'd like to check!