Part 1

1. Have you ever felt homesick? What do you miss the most about your hometown when you're away?

2. Is your hometown more cosmopolitan or provincial in nature? How does this influence the lifestyle there?

3. Why do some people choose to live in a commuter town rather than the city?

4. How would you describe the pace of life in your hometown compared to other places you've been?

5. What are the locals in your hometown like?

6. Is there a small town mentality in your hometown?

Part 2

7. Have you ever had to migrate to a different place for work or other reasons?

8. What are the outskirts of your hometown like? Are they different from the central areas?

9. How often do you catch up with friends from your hometown?

10. Do you prefer the hustle and bustle of a big town or city?

11. Many people have a strong attachment to their hometown. Why do you think this is?

12. Do you think there’s a stronger sense of community in smaller towns compared to larger cities? Why or why not?

VOCABULARY

Topic Vocabulary:

attachment (noun [u]):

Definition: A feeling of strong emotional connection to someone or something.

Example: She felt a deep attachment to her parents and got very homesick when she left home.

belong (verb):

Definition: To be a part or member of a particular group, place, or category.

Example: He never felt like he really belonged in the city.

catch up (phrasal verb):

Definition: To speak to someone to find out about the recent events in their life.

Example: She spent 2 hours on the phone catching up with her school friend.

commuter town (noun [c]):

Definition: A residential area where people live but typically travel to work in a nearby city.

Example: He lives in a commuter town, just outside the capital.

cosmopolitan (adjective):

Definition: Reflecting a mix of cultures and influences from around the world.

Example: New York City is known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere.

homesick (adjective):

Definition: Feeling a strong desire or nostalgia for one's home or familiar surroundings.

Example: After a month away, I started to feel homesick.

hustle and bustle (idiom):

Definition: Busy, noisy activity and movement, especially in a crowded area.

Example: The hustle and bustle of the city can be overwhelming.

leave home (verb phrase):

Definition: To stop living at the family home.

Example: Many young people feel homesick when they leave home to go to university.

locals (noun [pl]):

Definition: People who live in a particular place or community and are familiar with its customs and culture.

Example: The locals knew the best restaurants in town.

migrate (verb):

Definition: To move from one place to another, often between countries or regions.

Example: Many people migrate to cities looking for work.

outskirts (noun [pl]):

Definition: The outer parts of a town or city, away from the centre.

Example: Their house is on a quiet street in the outskirts of the town.

pace of life (idiom):

Definition: How fast or slow daily activities happen in a place or culture.

Example: Life in the countryside has a slower pace compared to the bustling city.

provincial (adjective):

Definition: Relating to or characteristic of a province.

Example: The town's provincial charm attracted visitors seeking a peaceful getaway.

quaint (adjective):

Definition: Charmingly old-fashioned or picturesque.

Example: The quaint little cottage looked like something from a storybook.

reconnect (verb):

Definition: To reestablish a connection or bond, especially with people or places from one's past.

Example: After years apart, they decided to reconnect and became close friends again.

roots (noun [pl]):

Definition: The place or culture from which a person or group of people comes.

Example: She returned to her hometown to reconnect with her roots.

rustic (adjective):

Definition: Characteristic of a rural or countryside place, often simple and rough in appearance.

Example: The rustic cabin in the woods was a perfect escape from city life.

sense of community (noun phrase):

Definition: A feeling of connection with a group of people who share common interests, values, or location.

Example: The neighbourhood's annual picnic strengthens the sense of community.

small town mentality (noun phrase):

Definition: Considering local matters very important, and not having exposure to other ways of life.

Example: People in the village were suspicious of strangers, which was a characteristic of their small town mentality.

suburban (adjective):

Definition: Relating to a residential area located on the outskirts of a city.

Example: They moved to a suburban area for a quieter lifestyle and more space.

Exercise 1: Gap-fill Exercise

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word or phrase from the list provided.

1. After living abroad for years, Sarah decided to ___________ with her old friends.

2. The ___________ in the city can be overwhelming for some people.

3. The ___________ old town was a popular destination for tourists.

4. Even after years of living in other places, she had a strong ___________ to her hometown.

5. She loved her ___________ cottage in the countryside, but maintaining it was a nightmare.

6. The ___________ in the small town was evident in the close relationships among residents.

7. He hadn’t seen his best friend in 3 months so it was time to ___________.

8. The ___________ mentality in some areas makes the locals unwelcoming to outsiders.

9. People often choose to move out of the city centre to ___________ areas when they start a family.

10. The street was alive with the ___________ of street traders and shoppers.

suburban

quaint

catch up

reconnect

attachment

small town

hustle and bustle

pace of life

sense of community

Exercise 2: Multiple-Choice Exercise

Choose the best word or phrase to complete each sentence.

1. The ___________ atmosphere of the village made it a charming place to visit.

a) suburban

b) rustic

c) hustle and bustle

2. After living in a ___________ town for years, she missed the close-knit community.

a) cosmopolitan

b) provincial

c) commuter

3. He ___________ to the capital in search of better paid work.

a) migrated

b) left home

c) belonged

4. Feeling ___________ when you leave home for the first time is a common reaction.

a) homesick

b) attached

c) cosmopolitan

5. Many professionals living in ___________ towns travel into the nearby city every morning.

a) suburban

b) commuter

c) provincial

Exercise 3: Complete the Text

Jack had always felt like he 1___________ in a big city. He was sick and tired of the small town mentality in his hometown and longed for a more 2___________ atmosphere. He dreamed about life in the city, with the 3___________ of the streets during the day, and the nightlife in the evening. At home, there was one pub and a fish and chip shop, and not much else. He was bored stiff most evenings. But, he had deep 4___________ in his hometown, and most of his friends still lived there, so it was going to be tough to leave and he would probably get quite 5___________. Nonetheless, he knew he had to do it, big city life beckoned.

belong

cosmopolitan

homesick