Around Town | Elementary Vocabulary

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Describing places around town in English

A typical town or city is usually organized around a main street, which is lined with shops, restaurants, and other commercial establishments. This area is often referred to as the downtown area, and it serves as the hub of the community. Surrounding the downtown area are residential neighborhoods, which typically consist of single-family homes and apartments. In this lesson, learn how to describe these places with the vocabulary below.

Learn 15 words to describe places around town

Use these flashcards to learn the meaning of the terms for this unit. You can also practice the pronunciation by listening to the audio on each card.

Practice Exercises for Town Vocabulary

Exercise 1 – Play this memory game to review the vocabulary

Match the words to the pictures. Sound on (🔊) if you want to hear the pronunciation of the vocabulary terms


Exercise 2 – Practice using the vocabulary in context

Exercise 3 – Speaking activity

To do this activity, you must use the Google Chrome web browser. You also must give permission to use your microphone.


Exercise 1

Match the words to the pictures. Sound on (🔊) if you want to hear the pronunciation of the vocabulary terms


Exercise 2

Exercise 3

To do this activity, you must use the Google Chrome web browser. You also must give permission to use your microphone.


Vocabulary Quiz

Let us review the vocabulary about places around town

TermPart of speechDefinition
apartmentnouna place that people live, usually rented, that is inside a building (used in the US)
banknouna business where people keep their money, borrow money, etc.
blocknounthe length of a city street until you reach a street that you need to cross
bookshopnouna store that sells things to read
buildingnouna structure (such as a hospital, school, etc.) with a roof and walls that is used as a place for people to live, work, do activities, etc.
cafénouna small restaurant where you can buy drinks (especially coffee) and simple food
cafeterianouna place where people buy food at a counter and bring it to a table for eating
castlenouna large building with high, thick walls and towers that was built in the past to protect against attack
cinemanouna place where people go to watch films/movies
collegenouna school in the U.S. that you go to after high school where you get a degree (such as a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree)
department storenouna large store that has separate areas in which you can buy different kinds of things (such as clothes, makeup, electronics, etc.)  
elevatornouna machine used for carrying people and things to different levels in a building (used in the US)
exitnounsomething (such as a door) that is used to leave a place
flatnouna place that people live, usually rented, that is inside a building (used in the UK)
garagenouna building where cars are kept