English Vocabulary (Describing Places): Lesson 1-Where do You Live?

Describing Places: Where do you live?

This week, you will learn how to describe different types of places. On Friday, you will be able to write a few paragraphs in which you will imagine your ideal living place.

Where do you live? is a common question that you hear when you meet someone for the first time. Usually, you will give the name of the place where you live and nothing else. E.g: I live in Warsaw.

However, you can be more descriptive when you answer such an open-ended question.

Where do You Live, Describing Places, Learn English With Africa, May 2019

As you can see, there are many details you can give to your interlocutor to help him or her picture the exact location where you live.

Location

You can say the following sentences:

  • I live in a city.
  • I live in a small town and I love it so much!
  • I reside in a village. (Formal)
  • My place of residence is in the city centre. (Formal)
  • I actually live on a campsite.
  • Can you believe that I live in the desert?
  • I stay in the countryside.
  • I live in a slum.
  • My permanent place of residence is in the capital city.

Housing

Types of Houses, Pictures and Vocabulary (Part 1), Learn English With Africa, January 2017-English Worksheets

There are different types of houses in which you can dwell. Below is a more comprehensive list to help you in your description. Choose the type of house that best suits you:

  • Log cabin
  • Wooden house
  • Penthouse
  • Stone house
  • Brick house
  • Manor house
  • Farm house
  • Terraced house
  • Apartment
  • Council flat
  • Igloo
  • Bamboo house
  • Stilt house
  • Houseboat
  • Wigwam
  • Treehouse
  • Caravan
  • Bedsit
  • Villa
  • Thatched house
  • Thatched cottage
  • Mansion
  • Castle
  • Shack
  • Tower block
  • Skyscraper
  • Earth and grass house
  • Colonial house
  • Whitewashed house

For more types of houses and pictures look here.

Landmarks

You can also talk about special land features or buildings that you can find near your place of living.

Examples:

  • It is next to the Eiffel Tower.
  • It is near the Palace of Culture.
  • The market is nearby.
  • The river is a stone’s throw away.
  • It is two hundred metres away from the sea.
  • We have many monuments in the neighbourhood.
  • You can walk to the train station.
  • I have to drive to the nearest supermarket.
  • My kids can cycle to school.

Miscellaneous

Heroes are Made of Wind, Article, William Kamkwamba, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Inventor

Additionally, you can talk about different types of people or historical facts that make your place of living stand out. Below is a non-exhaustive list:

  • A hero who made headlines
  • An influential politician who is known worldwide
  • A historical event that changed your country or the world
  • A famous invention
  • A well-known musician
  • We can trace a certain type of dish to your country…

You can really be creative when you are talking about the place where you live.

Challenge: Write a short paragraph in which you describe the place where you live. Don’t forget to give details about the location, type of housing, country, continent, special landmark or any other information that might help your reader locate your dwelling place.

Further Exploration:

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