Topic Vocabulary & Exercises
16. Hometown
VOCABULARY
Audio File
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
hustle and bustle
roots
Vocabulary Answer Key
Exercise 1: 1. reconnect, 2. pace, 3. quaint, 4. attachment, 5. rustic, 6. sense of community, 7. catch up, 8. small town, 9. suburban, 10. hustle and bustle
Exercise 2: 1c, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5b
Exercise 3: 1. belong, 2. cosmopolitan, 3. hustle and bustle, 4. roots, 5. homesick